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Is this for me?

Not every lawyer becomes a partner in a law firm. Explore the options. Assess your situation. Hear from lawyers who have chosen a different career path.

In this section:

Podcasts

Deciding to take a different track.

  • Partnership is not the ultimate measure of success for all lawyers. Hear from three lawyers who have chosen a different career path. They made the choice that was best for them and they are excelling.

    Download audio

Self-Assessment

The Ultimate Partnership Planning Questionnaire - Is partnership for me?

  • Assess for yourself: Is partnership for me?

    View PDF

Reading Material

The new face of partnership

  • The traditional road to partnership is changing.

    View article

Mind the gap

  • Responding to the different values of today's young lawyers.

    View PDF

Career Alternatives for Lawyers

Going solo: Making the jump

Strategies for success

Articling student > Associate > New partner

Find out how you can build your practice and refine your skills. Improve your chances of achieving your dreams.

In this section:

Podcasts

How to take the nightmare out of networking.

  • Useful tips on how to navigate the sometimes daunting world of networking.

    View audio file

Reading Material

A new lawyer's guide to networking.

For networking opportunities, civic participation is hard to beat.

Top 10 networking tips

  • Get out there and do it. You know you should.

    View PDF

5 sites: Finding a mentor

  • Links to resources to help you to find the right mentor for you.

    View article

Study: How to make your law career a success

  • What expectations do executives have of the lawyers on their staff, especially when they are being offered a partnership or an executive position?

    View PDF

The Power of Perceptions, by Gerald A. Riskin, Legal Times Vol. XXIV, No. 8

  • Relationships with senior colleagues directly affect the career of new partners. How do you gain credibility the analytical seniors who will watch your every step—noticing the negative more than the positive? This article explores how to measure up...

    View article

On track

A partnership offer may be on the way. Listen to coaches who help lawyers to succeed. Check out what managing partners have to say about the skills and character qualities that they are seeking. Keep your focus.

In this section:

Podcasts

The quest for partnership.

  • The road to partnership is challenging. There are long hours. There's competition to get good work and get noticed. Sometimes there's no one to talk to. Three associates share their dreams and what they are doing to increase their chances of making partner.

    Download audio

Expert advice from coaches: increasing the odds of making partner

  • Law firms are looking for skilled lawyers, who have great inter-personal skills, the gift of attracting new business, and the right attitude. Hear from two coaches who help lawyers to develop all the skills that they need to make partner.

    Download audio

"Fit" from the partners' point of view

  • Some law firms set out their expectations of would-be partners clearly. Other law firms make the partnership process more of a mystery. Hear from two managing partners who know exactly what they want to see in associates before asking them to become a partner.

    Download audio

Reading Material

Ask the coach: what can I be doing to ensure I make partner?

  • Pointers on advancing your career and increasing yuor chances of becoming a partner.

    View article

How Young Lawyers Can Get Ahead and Stay Out of Trouble

  • Be proactive. Ask questions. Be flexible. Get over setbacks. Four strategies to take now.

    View article

A 10-Step Program for Becoming Partner

Before saying "yes"

The offer of a partnership is on the table. Understand the commitment. Find out what questions to ask. Get expert advice before you say "yes".

In this section:

Podcasts

Before you say yes

Self-Assessment

The Ultimate Partnership Planning Questionnaire - Is this the right firm for me?

  • Assess for yourself: Is this the right firm for me?

    View PDF

Reading Material

What to Look For in a Partnership Agreement

  • Partnership agreements. Questions to ask. Issues to consider.

    View article

Me, a partner?

  • Questions to ask before signing a partnership agreement.

    View PDF

Things to think about before signing a partnership agreement

  • 15 things to consider before you sign

    View PDF

Money Matters

From employee to employer. From a salary to self-employed earnings. Protect your financial future. Take responsibility for your personal wealth. Make the most of your situation.

In this section:

Reading Material

Retirement considerations for partners

  • Partnership agreements. Questions to ask. Issues to consider.

    View article

Insurance Planning

  • Discusses disability insurance, life insurance, and professional liability insurance.

    View PDF

Retirement Planning

  • The best, perhaps only, way to reach your retirement objectives is to identify your financial goals early and take the necessary steps to achieve them.

    View PDF

From salaried employee to equity partner

Self-Assessment

The Ultimate Partnership Planning Questionnaire Part 3: What do I need to know about the firm's finances?

  • Ask: about the firm's finances

    View PDF

Tips for new partners

Congratulations. You are a partner. Benefit from the experience of new partners. Find out how to build your practice. Strengthen your firm. It's in your interests.

In this section:

Podcasts

Is the world different after you make partner?

  • Three new partners talk about the transition from associate to partner. They reflect on what changed and how they feel about their new partnership responsibilities. They offer some advice about things to consider before accepting a partnership offer.

    Download audio

Self-Assessment

The Ultimate Partnership Planning Questionnaire Part 3: How to be a successful partner?

  • You've made it! Now, how do you succeed as a partner?

    View PDF

Reading Material

The long hello

  • From becoming a partner to feeling like a partner.

    View PDF

8 Tips for the New Partner

Taking Ownership: Strategies for Making Sense of Making Partner, by David Cruickshank, Law Practice July/August 2008

  • Help for newly minted partners to better understand their new roles and gain new perspectives.

    View Article

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Partners, by Eric Seeger, Altman Weil, Inc.

  • Tips on how to become and remain a successful partner.

    View PDF

Podcasts

Deciding to take a different track

  • Partnership is not the ultimate measure of success for all lawyers. Hear from three lawyers who have chosen a different career path. They made the choice that was best for them and they are excelling.

    Download audio

How to take the Nightmare out of Networking

  • Useful tips on how to navigate the sometimes daunting world of networking.

    View audio file

The quest for partnership

  • The road to partnership is challenging. There are long hours. There's competition to get good work and get noticed. Sometimes there's no one to talk to. Three associates share their dreams and what they are doing to increase their chances of making partner.

    Download audio

Expert advice from coaches: increasing the odds of making partner

  • Law firms are looking for skilled lawyers, who have great inter-personal skills, the gift of attracting new business, and the right attitude. Hear from two coaches who help lawyers to develop all the skills that they need to make partner.

    Download audio

"Fit" from the partners' point of view

  • Some law firms set out their expectations of would-be partners clearly. Other law firms make the partnership process more of a mystery. Hear from two managing partners who know exactly what they want to see in associates before asking them to become a partner.

    Download audio

Before you say 'Yes' (Gary Luftspring)

  • In this podcast, Gary Luftspring counsels lawyers about partnership agreements.

    Download audio

Is the world different after you make partner?

  • Three new partners talk about the transition from associate to partner. They reflect on what changed and how they feel about their new partnership responsibilities. They offer some advice about things to consider before accepting a partnership offer.

    Download audio

Reading Materials

The new face of partnership

  • The traditional road to partnership is changing.

    View article

Mind the gap

  • Responding to the different values of today's young lawyers.

    View PDF

Career Alternatives for Lawyers

Going solo: Making the jump

A new lawyer's guide to networking.

For networking opportunities, civic participation is hard to beat.

Top 10 networking tips

  • Get out there and do it. You know you should.

    View PDF

5 sites: Finding a mentor

  • Links to resources to help you to find the right mentor for you.

    View article

Study: How to make your law career a success

  • What expectations do executives have of the lawyers on their staff, especially when they are being offered a partnership or an executive position?

    View PDF

The Power of Perceptions, by Gerald A. Riskin, Legal Times Vol. XXIV, No. 8

  • Relationships with senior colleagues directly affect the career of new partners. How do you gain credibility the analytical seniors who will watch your every step—noticing the negative more than the positive? This article explores how to measure up...

    View article

Ask the coach: what can I be doing to ensure I make partner?

  • Pointers on advancing your career and increasing yuor chances of becoming a partner.

    View article

How Young Lawyers Can Get Ahead and Stay Out of Trouble

  • Be proactive. Ask questions. Be flexible. Get over setbacks. Four strategies to take now.

    View article

A 10-Step Program for Becoming Partner

What to Look For in a Partnership Agreement

  • Partnership agreements. Questions to ask. Issues to consider.

    View article

Me, a partner?

  • Questions to ask before signing a partnership agreement.

    View PDF

Things to think about before signing a partnership agreement

  • 15 things to consider before you sign

    View PDF

Retirement considerations for partners

  • Partnership agreements. Questions to ask. Issues to consider.

    View article

Insurance Planning

  • Discusses disability insurance, life insurance, and professional liability insurance.

    View PDF

Retirement Planning

  • The best, perhaps only, way to reach your retirement objectives is to identify your financial goals early and take the necessary steps to achieve them.

    View PDF

From salaried employee to equity partner

The long hello

  • From becoming a partner to feeling like a partner.

    View PDF

8 Tips for the New Partner

Taking Ownership: Strategies for Making Sense of Making Partner, by David Cruickshank, Law Practice July/August 2008

  • Help for newly minted partners to better understand their new roles and gain new perspectives.

    View Article

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Partners, by Eric Seeger, Altman Weil, Inc.

  • Tips on how to become and remain a successful partner.

    View PDF

About

Recognizing that lawyers may find the path to partnership lonely and confusing, the CBA has put together a collection of insightful materials to help. Lawyers who want to make partner will discover tips and strategies for reaching their goal.

The CBA Partnership Toolkit includes articles, fact sheets, a self-assessment, and podcast conversations with managing partners, coaches, new partners, associates, and lawyers who have chosen a different career path. There is also useful information on things to consider before signing a partnership agreement.

The CBA Partnership Toolkit provides lawyers with the tools that they need to plan their success.