Are you a lawyer preparing for an upcoming performance review? Whether you’re a summer student facing your first law firm review, a seasoned attorney looking to make the most of this opportunity, or someone who conducts the review of another lawyer, there are steps you can take to optimize the process. I explore them in this episode.

 

It’s easy to view performance reviews as perfunctory or just another task on their endless to-do lists and packed calendars. Maybe it feels like something that’s imposed on you, with no real benefit to you. However, what if you could transform this process into a powerful tool for your career growth and development?

 

Do you ever question if you’re on the right career path? Do you feel like you’re just going through the motions at work without a deeper sense of purpose or fulfillment? Are you clear on what you might want to take on next or what would bring you a bigger sense of joy?

 

If you find answering these big-picture questions challenging, you’re not alone. Many lawyers I speak with are happy but know they could be happier. They feel a certain sense of engagement with their work, but also feel like there’s potential that’s not being met. And this experience can manifest in a variety of ways, from questioning their career path every now and then to feeling completely frustrated and unfulfilled.

 

What do you tend to put off most? Is it the dreaded research project or the awkward client conversation? Maybe you’ve noticed yourself having sluggish afternoons where motivation seems to vanish? Procrastination is a common challenge among lawyers, and you’re definitely not alone.

 

If you’re tired of the internal battle that arises every time you have to tackle something you want to put off and your confidence has taken a hit due to procrastination, you’re in the right place. Taking a closer look at your procrastination habits is a great way to understand yourself better, and it’s the first step toward creating a personalized protocol to combat Code “P”: procrastination.

 

Do you feel stuck in your career as a lawyer? Are you so overwhelmed that you feel unsure of where to even begin making changes? Have you maybe found yourself waiting for someone else to come along and fix this sense of stuckness you’re experiencing?

 

The truth is that at any given time, there will be areas in your life where you are thriving and moving at lightning speeds, and there will be other areas where you simply feel stuck, and that is okay. It’s a natural part of the human experience, but that doesn’t make it any less frustrating or uncomfortable. Whether you’re questioning your current role, feeling undervalued, or simply craving a change, this episode is exactly what you need.

 

Are you a law student preparing for in-firm interviews for summer positions? Do you feel overwhelmed and unsure about how to navigate this critical process in your career trajectory? If so, you’re in luck this week!

 

As a former practicing lawyer who has been on both sides of the interview table, I understand the unique challenges and opportunities that come with the in-firm interview process. There are specific steps you can take right now to help you feel more confident, gain clarity on what you want to get out of this experience, and navigate this process successfully. I’m sharing these steps with you in this episode.

 

Do you dread checking your email inbox? Does the constant influx of messages piling up leave you feeling overwhelmed and out of control? If so, you’re definitely not alone. Email management is a major challenge for many lawyers, with the pressure to respond quickly and the never-ending stream of new messages making it difficult to stay on top of things.

 

As a lawyer, your time is precious, and you can’t afford to let email run your day. It’s time to take charge and implement systems that allow you to be responsive to clients and colleagues while still carving out the focused time you need to get your most important work done.

 

Have you ever wished you had a mentor available to you 24/7 to provide personalized career advice and guidance? What if I told you that you can access this kind of support today using AI technology like ChatGPT?

 

If you’re a lawyer looking for some fresh ideas and strategies as it relates to your professional development, you may want to consider using AI technology like ChatGPT. It’s become a favorite of mine to use in my own coaching practice, and whether you’ve played around with it before or you’ve never thought to leverage it in your own career, I hope you show you the potential that is at your fingertips in this episode.

 

Do you ever feel like you’re just biding your time at work, unsure if your current job is the right long-term fit for you? You might love aspects of your role, but something doesn’t quite feel sustainable or aligned with your future goals. If this resonates with you, know that you are not alone.

 

Many lawyers find themselves in this position, questioning whether to stay or explore other options. But is it possible to thrive at work while exploring other options? Whether you choose to stay or go, you can start setting yourself up for success and growth. By focusing on developing your skills, optimizing your practice management, and cultivating meaningful relationships, you can thrive where you are while strategically exploring your options. 

 

If you’ve ever struggled to balance kindness with being an effective leader, you are not alone. In an effort to lead kindly, many lawyers I’ve coached have tried to counter the harsh, unsupportive, or unavailable mentorship they experienced by swinging too far in the other direction. The truth is, this can create uncertainty and stifle your team’s growth.

 

This week, I explore three common beliefs about kindness that may be standing in your way and show you how to challenge them, especially if they’re making leadership difficult for you. The key lies in finding the right balance between being an effective authority and embracing kindness, and I show you how in this episode.

 

Do you struggle with managing your time effectively as a lawyer? Do you feel like there are never enough hours in the day to get everything done? Whether you want to make partner or transition out of the profession entirely, the truth is you won’t achieve your goals unless you know how to effectively use your only finite resource: time.

 

I’m joined by two returning guests on this week’s show, Adriana Paris and Allison Wolf. Adriana is the author of Rising Lawyer and Director of Professional Development and Legal Recruiting at Rissmann Law. Allison is the founder of The Lawyer Coach and has over 20 years of experience coaching lawyers. They’re here to share how they help other lawyers transform their productivity, and the strategies that actually work.