How do I become a partner in a magic circle law firm – part 1
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How do I become a partner in a magic circle law firm – part 1

So you want to make partner in a magic circle (or even perhaps a silver circle) law firm? In this 2-part blog post, I’ll talk you through to how to make partner in a magic circle law firm (i.e. A&O, Slaughter and May, Freshfields, Clifford Chance, Linklaters). I’m Heather Townsend, author of Poised for Partnership and co-author of How…

diary
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What does it really mean to make partner? You may be surprised!

Ask any fresh-faced graduate in a professional services firm, (all the way up to Big 4) whether they want to make partner.  Almost all of them will say yes, unequivocally. Who doesn’t want the status, glory and rewards of partnership? However, do they really know what it means?  Do you? Let’s have a look at…

5 things you need to prove if you want to move from director to partner in a Big 4 firm
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5 things you need to prove if you want to move from director to partner in a Big 4 firm

I have been privileged to help several senior managers in a Big 4 make it to Director and then help them along their way to Partner. You can find out what I have learnt along the way, in the article below, especially if you need to know what is the difference between a Big 4…

a man pulling at his shirt collar to represent how to deal with stress in the workplace
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When to say No (or yes) to extra responsibilities at work

Many Big 4 firms and law firms expect their senior managers, directors, senior associates and legal directors to take on extra responsibilities at work. These are normally non-chargeable responsibilities which will take you away from the day job. The reality is that it is not optional to take on these responsibilities. However, these extra responsibilities…

Career Clinic: I’ve just been promoted to senior manager, is it to soon to be thinking about partnership?
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Career Clinic: I’ve just been promoted to senior manager, is it to soon to be thinking about partnership?

Now you’re a senior manager, when should you be thinking about partnership? Good question! Depending on your firm, your next step may actually be to partner. Some firms use the director role as a career full-stop, whereas some use the director role as a key step towards partnership. Therefore, do ask your partners and HR…

Why you need to be a BRAND to progress your career in the professions
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Why you need to be a BRAND to progress your career in the professions

This week I spent a day working with 3 senior lawyers helping them start a partner-sized practice. For each of the three, I helped them define and articulate their brand. It only occurred to me as I reflected on my conversations that wherever you are in your career you need to have built a brand…

How to make partner
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Why we need to go towards fear if we are to progress our career

I recently read a great article by Leo Babauta: Develop resiliency: How to move towards your fears and suddenly a lot became clear about why so many highly talented people in Big 4 firms and other large professional service firms become a brake on their own career development. What was the premise of the article? In…

Why so many professionals feel they need to go for partner even though they know its not for them
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Why so many professionals feel they need to go for partner even though they know its not for them

I’ve had many of conversations with people about their future career plans. This blog post explores why it is so hard to not want to go for partner even when you know it’s not the right thing for you. I’m Heather Townsend, author of Poised for Partnership and co-author of How to Make Partner & Still Have a…

two people working hard to maximize company results
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7 things that will slowly but steadily kill your career in professional services

An old post of Dr. Travis Bradberry popped up on my timeline recently. It was entitled 9 things which will kill your career. It is definitely worth a read in my opinion. It made me think about what will slowly but surely kill your career in professional services. How much of these will match up…

8 tried and tested ways to increase your profile
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8 tried and tested ways to increase your profile

It’s a common piece of feedback that many aspiring partners or directors will get told. In a professional services organisation, having a good profile leads to getting onto the plum assignments and being first in line for any promotions. But what does it mean, and how do you go about increasing your profile?

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