The firm’s expectations of you will change as your role develops as you step up and progress towards partnerships. Most firms will have slightly different criteria that align with their values and business model but all firms will value legal expertise, quality client service and business development.
Here are a few examples of what large firms with a structured framework expect at each level of your career to give you an idea of how your role will change.
Service (Commercial)
- Trainee
- learning about the practical application of the law
- learning about expectations of the clients and the relevant sectors
- Solicitor
- developing a commercial understanding
- providing high-quality client service
- Associate
- developing an expertise in a specific field
- developing and being accountable for client service
- Senior Associate
- building a reputation as an expert
- managing the delivery of high-quality client service
- Partner
- being known as a ‘leader in the field’
- shaping clients expectations about services.
Internal Relationships & Firm Culture
- Trainee
- building internal relationships
- developing self
- Solicitor
- building good working relationships with colleagues
- supporting and coaching others
- Associate
- consulting with other practice areas
- supervising and coaching others
- Senior Associate
- cross-referring work
- leading and managing others
- Partner
- cross-supporting partners
- building succession strength.
Financials / Time
- Trainee
- learning the distinction between chargeable and ‘investment’ time
- learning the value of time and time recording
- Solicitor
- looking for investment time opportunities
- demonstrating efficient working practices and time recording
- Associate
- learning to apply investment time
- applying time and financial management
- Senior Associate
- using investment time productively
- balancing chargeable and investment time
- Partner
- leading internal and external investment time responsibilities
- delivering profitable chargeable and effective investment time for teams.
Pricing / Fees
- Trainee
- understanding how work is priced and scoped
- learning where the firm is placed in the marketplace
- Solicitor
- learning to scope and price work
- participating in marketing activities
- Associate
- scoping fees with existing clients
- establishing own network and profile
- Senior Associate
- selling firm services to clients
- building profile of practice area
- Partner
- securing work from “top quality” clients
- building the firm profile and reputation.