LawBank Hosts Webcast on Career Satisfaction for Young Lawyers Presented by Touchstone Legal Resources LLC

On April 23, 2020, Tracy Herman, Managing Member of Touchstone Legal Resources LLC, shared insights with the LawBank community about how junior attorneys can make career satisfaction a priority.  For more than two decades, Tracy has worked with law firms and attorneys as a law firm marketer and also an attorney recruiter. Her career coaching program for LawBank also delved into the topic of staying current on the legal challenges COVID-19 has generated and how law firms are responding.

Young Attorneys Often Lack Career Guidance and Management Skills

Law schools, unfortunately, do not provide much in the way of career guidance and management skills. This leaves junior attorneys to look to their firms for these critical tools. However, law firms generally only provide firm-specific training to their associates. For attorneys whose career goals are aligned with the best interest of their firm, this works out fine, but attorneys who have career aspirations outside of their current employer might realize that they need a “back-up plan” in order to reach their long-term goals.

The odds are not good that the right career opportunity, with the right employer, in the right location, with the right compensation and career path, will fall into every young attorney’s lap. But this does not mean it is impossible. Tracy’s program urged young lawyers to take the right steps and work for what they want. In this regard, she guided participants to ask themselves these questions:

  • What do you want?
  • What are you willing to do to achieve it?

After reflection, new attorneys will have a better idea of whether or not their current situation is fulfilling in the long-term.

Optimal Offering

When it comes to controlling the trajectory of their career, new lawyers need to be crystal clear about their optimal offering. This is where their ideal service, ideal client, and unique talents and interests meet.  Tracy provided methodical insight for young lawyers into how to find their Optimal Offering by examining their answers to the following questions:

  • What are you good at and enjoy doing?
  • In looking at the work you enjoyed doing, who did you do it for?
  • What are your special talents and interests?
  • What sets you apart professionally and personally?

She was helpful in urging the audience to ask for help from their network if they have trouble answering any of these questions on their own.

COVID-19 and Optimal Offering

For some younger lawyers, the COVID-19 pandemic has made them rethink their specialties or careers. In her program, Tracy provided useful information regarding Stanford Law School’s COVID-19 Memo Database which aggregates more than 4,000 memoranda in a free searchable format. By reviewing the memos that can be sorted by practice area or legal issue, young attorneys can find insight into what their unique niche might be that fits with their skill set and provides lasting career fulfillment.

This program was well received and provided great key takeaways to further the business development goals of young attorneys and help them move towards personal freedom, increased networking opportunities, and long-term business health.  LawBank was pleased to bring the thought leadership of Tracy Herman to the younger lawyer community through this program. As a LawBank business partner, she offers discounts to members off of the regular price of her consulting fees.  More information about Tracy’s offerings can be found on her website.

Click here for PowerPoint materials.

About LawBank

Whether you intend to run a solo practice, start your own practice, or need some time to figure out your optimal offering, LawBank is here to help. LawBank offers a shared office space and a supportive environment where you can learn and grow. If you are a young attorney looking for more than just a place to get work done, look no further. At LawBank, you can collaborate, receive mentorship, and find opportunities for co-counsel. Learn More at Law-Bank.com