Job Seekers

Lauren Krasnow, leadership coach, advises on how attorneys can succeed in in-house legal departments. Krasnow writes that most in-house positions draw on the following qualities:

The ability to converse comfortably anywhere, anytime is essential for business and social success. Small talk is an important skill when networking for jobs or business development, breaking the ice in interviews, and connecting with others before meetings. It puts people at ease while creating a smooth transition from initial greeting to business discussion. When conversation partners are comfortable, they’re more receptive to ideas and willing to share information. Ironically, the current environment of constant electronic communication has endangered our gift of gab.

Although it seems counter-intuitive to job hunt during the holiday season, it’s a great time to step up your efforts while your competition is taking a break. Legal employers begin interviewing candidates in the fourth quarter to fill openings anticipated in the new year. You can take advantage of this time to position yourself ahead of the January rush when many attorneys start a new job search after year-end bonus and salary decisions.

A lot of attention has been paid lately to lateral partner hiring and compensation,recently I sat down with Tina Solis, a top litigator at Nixon Peabody.  In this articleTina shares what new trends are emerging in the legal landscape as we approach the new year.

Attorneys and office staff are refusing to be bound by 80-hour work weeks in the office. Company and firm leaders need to navigate this new transition in the post-pandemic world.

Lawyers need to branch out of social media and other apps to build on relationships. During the legal industry’s current layoffs, attorneys need to network and build connections.

Andrew Almand, a finance partner at Ballard Spahr in Washington, D.C., was an associate at his firm for seven years before making partner this year. Prior to that, he worked at Odin, Feldman & Pittleman for three years. He shares his biggest insights on what helped him on his path to making partner at a law firm.

Regina Rousseau formerly practiced intellectual property law and now works as a legal recruiter with VOYlegal in Boston. After sharpening interviewing skills, gaining experience, building a network and polishing your resume, prospective employees need to ace the interview to get the job at a great firm. Rousseau advises the best ways for attorneys to stand out and leave a positive impression on the legal recruiter by also asking the firm well-researched questions.

No one can compete in the legal space today without having a digital footprint.More and more people going online to research lawyers and firm’s reviews,credentials, achievements and area of practice to represent them.

Hong-Kong based Marcia Ellis is a partner and global chair of Morrison & Foerster’s private equity group.