For all introverts out there, how do you develop business?
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Why do we pay paralegals so little? A senior associate completely miscalculated a statutory deadline, and our lead paralegal caught it at 4:30 PM on the final day, staying late on a Friday to fix the caption and get it over the line. If she hadn't been paying attention, the firm would be facing a massive malpractice suit, yet she makes less than the associate who didn't even know what month it was.
My firm is tracking our office attendance via badge-swipes and sending automated warnings. It doesn't matter if my billables are through the roof or if I’m working until midnight from home. If my physical badge doesn't click into the lobby by 9:00 AM three days a week, I get an automated email from HR. It is the most patronizing, low-trust environment I’ve ever experienced in my professional life. Are your firms tracking you like inventory?
Mostly by meeting people in a position to send me business. I have to pay attention to my energy reserves to do it well.
Develop expertise, and write a lot about it. If it’s good enough, people come to you.
This is the way.
Do great work and get referred to new clients.
D, all of the above. Also I am several partners’ go-to for cross-referrals. Pay it forward to get paid back.
All the above. Also find opportunities for one-on-one or small group coffees/lunches/happy hours. I do much better in a small group setting where I can engage in a good conversation than bigger firm sponsored events. Those are overwhelming. It helps to read industry publications/listen to podcasts so you have something to talk about. My approach is to ask questions so I don’t have to talk as much
I do T&E lit and my best referral sources are conflict adverse probate admin lawyers.
Well at least that’s not niche.