Description

Personal Career Planning for Attorneys

This program is co-produced by the Wisconsin Association of Legal Administrators, in conjunction with the State Bar of Wisconsin CLE Seminars, and is part of the Developing Attorney Business Skills Webcast Series.

Presented by Lenor Coe, Firm Administrator, Godfrey, Leibsle, Blackbourn & Howarth, S.C., Lori Kannenberg, CLM, Firm Administrator, Lawton & Cates, S.C. and John L. Maier, Jr., President, Sweet & Maier S.C.

Now that you’re a lawyer, what do you want to do?  You’re working at a prestigious law firm, how do you ensure you’ll have a satisfying and successful career?  Determining your personal scorecard for success is a crucial component to a satisfying career.  Experienced law practice professionals will provide information on how to pursue a successful career.

By participating in this session, you’ll learn how to:

• Discover your own career path within the law by building on your strengths, abilities and skills
• Identify the interpersonal proficiencies that are crucial to a successful career
• Apply active listening skills
• Understand the difference between leading and following and know when to use them
• Implement the mechanics of conflict management

Program Outline

Personal Career Planning For Attorneys

I. Overview/Introduction

II. Now That You’re A Lawyer, What Do You Want to Do?

A. Discovering Your Own Career Path Within the Law

a. Understanding the business of the firm and your clients

b. Determining strengths, abilities, and skills

c. Identify you weaknesses and how you can minimize them

d. Evaluating your skills within the firm

e. Getting involved in firm committees and programs

f. Building rapport with non-attorney staff

g. Alternatives to traditional partnership

III. Interpersonal Skills Necessary to Make Your Career Take Off

A. Developing Productive Relationships on Every Level

a. Partners and leadership

b. Peers

c. Non-Attorney Staff

d. Clients

B. Active Listening

C. Understanding the difference between leading and following

D. Understanding the mechanics of conflict management

E. “Civility”

IV. First Things First

A. Think creatively about your career within the firm

B. Analyze your skills in light of firm needs, personalities and politics

C. How power is distributed and used within the firm

V. Effective Communication: A Key to Career Advancement

A. Learn to listen, inquire and advocate at the right times

B. Learn to employ communication skills that build partners’ and clients’ confidence

VI. Moving Towards Your Goals

A. Gain support within your firm by

a. Effectively presenting your ideas – how, when and to whom

b. Anticipating and recognizing potential concerns

c. Developing plans for overcoming barriers

d. Having a firm wide effective and working diversity program in place

VII. Concluding Thoughts/Questions and Answers

• Purchasing FAQs