[TRANSCRIPT] Why Most Law Firms Expect Their Attorneys to Conform and Act Like Other Attorneys in the Firm

Today's presentation is about conformity. This particular presentation is something that has not always been the most popular because a lot of people object to different portions of it. The idea of conformity is not something that's very popular these days, but I did want to talk about it. This presentation is short, and after I'm done, I'll take as many questions as people have. I've noticed we've had a lot of people on these calls who are currently summer associates and have questions about that, so you're welcome to ask questions about that or pretty much anything after the presentation.

 
One thing to understand is that the legal profession does require quite a bit of conformity. It requires it really from the time you're in law school, even before that to some extent, to when you get out. To do well in the legal profession, it's important that you understand how to conform. If you want to work in a large law firm, which many people on these calls seem to want, you need to understand the ability to conform. Conformity, by the way, is important in many perspectives. It's important if you work in companies as an attorney or in other roles. There is a cycle to conformity that starts early on. People go to law school, and some drop out because they realize they can't conform. Others stay in law school, graduate, and then realize they can't conform to work in a law firm or even as a lawyer.
 
Many people have preconceived ideas about what is important in terms of their lives and how they can fit in. Understanding the importance of conformity is among the most important aspects and learning how to conform in a way that matches what you want to be. When I was growing up, there was a man on my street with a large family. The father was a plumber but didn't join the union, which limited his job opportunities and income. Another family I knew was doing well because the father was a union plumber. This example shows how conforming within an organization can make a significant difference. If you want to work in a law firm, you need to understand how to conform and get along with the people there. It's one of the most important aspects of being an attorney.
 

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Most attorneys in large law firms have been conforming since they were young children. They see rewards in conforming, such as money, status, and a predictable life. They go to school, play by the rules, and aim to move into the best schools to succeed. They become more political and learn how to conform and take calculated risks that match the needs of their workplace. Many people are comforted by conformity and do well by it. If you can play by the rules, you are much more likely to be successful in a large law firm. If you can't conform, you will have a much more difficult time staying as an attorney in a large law firm. Attorneys who can't conform often fail because the organization doesn't match what they should be doing.
 
People are socialized to conform from a young age. For example, taking kids to birthday parties and activities helps them learn how to get along with others. Poor behavior in school often leads to negative outcomes, such as poor academic performance and social problems. Kids who didn't conform often ended up in special classes, dropping out, or having issues with drugs. Non-conformity can lead to poor academic performance, social problems, and other issues. Many famous trendsetters and social media personalities may not have conformed, and that's okay. However, working in a large law firm typically requires conformity.
 
Partners in major law firms who didn't conform often faced negative consequences, such as losing clients or being demoted. Conforming is important, and law firms will tolerate a certain amount of non-conformity if you are producing at a high level. Different people stop conforming at different times. For example, successful people may start making bad decisions and getting in trouble, leading to problems in their careers.
 
If you are not conforming, it can have disastrous consequences. For example, when I was younger, I attended a private middle school but didn't fit in because of my background. I stopped conforming, which led to bad grades and eventually being kicked out. Non-conformity can have negative consequences even in business. Writing about certain topics or expressing non-conformist opinions can lead to negative feedback and attacks.
 
Attorneys must conform to certain expectations within their firms. For example, I know an attorney who refused to work on weekends and was eventually asked to leave because the firm couldn't rely on him. Almost all law firms have rules about conforming if you want to work with them. Public figures like Richard Branson or Donald Trump wouldn't last in a law firm because they are not conformists. Working in a law firm means you can't always say what you want or express your opinions freely. You need to understand the rules of conforming where you're at.
 
Many well-known lawyers, like Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, decided against working in firms because they didn't want to conform to the expectations.
 
Barack Obama was a summer associate with sibling Austin, but he didn't end up doing that. And Bill Clinton went on to be a law professor. You have to understand what's important to you in terms of your career, and you can't succeed if you're unable to conform. Just because you can't conform doesn't make you a bad person. It's not that there's anything wrong with you; it's just that maybe you need to be in another profession or be more self-aware of what is important to you and what you would be good at. I've spent my entire career working with lawyers, and I'm convinced that it's a very conformist profession. Each law firm has its own culture, but it's not just about acting like everyone else. The level of conformity includes things like the time you put in to show that you're working hard. There are attorneys who get up at 3:30 or 4 in the morning and start sending emails so everyone sees they're working at that time. It's bonkers, but that's the way it is.
 

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• Why the Culture of the Law Firm You Are Working for Will Determine How Happy and Successful You Are Practicing Law 

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In school, you might avoid taking interesting but challenging classes to protect your GPA. Unfortunately, that means conforming early on. Lawyers have the need to impress senior lawyers, clients, and judges, if you're a litigator. Part of conforming is respecting judges and senior attorneys; being rude can end your career. Judges and peers can crush you if you don't get along with them. I've known many attorneys who quit the practice of law, even as partners, because they didn't like the pressure of conforming and playing by the rules.
 
I'm not judging this; it's just how firms work. They must behave and act in certain ways to provide the level of service large clients want. Other professions also require a lot of conformity, such as doctors, accountants, and military personnel. For example, doctors often work long shifts that are grueling but necessary for training and hospital efficiency.
 
If you want to be an attorney in a large law firm, you need to decide if you're ready to conform. At BCG and other companies, we aren't structured to take advantage of all market opportunities. People are given a high level of autonomy, which works in a personal service business but might not be the most profitable. The best people in our system are self-motivated and operate without many rules.
 
Law firms with more rules will see more people leave, replaced by those who accept the rules. Younger attorneys are often more enthusiastic about conforming, while older attorneys with business want rules to ensure work is done properly. Law firms are dynamic, and you need to understand whether conformity works for you.
 
At Quinn Emanuel, there was no dress code, and people wore sandals. There was less conformity in appearance but still high expectations for work quality and hours. As law firms grow, they require more conformity to maintain consistent work standards for large clients.
 
If conformity feels suffocating, you have a couple of options: embrace it and try to conform or find a place where you fit better. It's not a good idea to try to be someone you're not. For example, Michael Jordan was a great basketball player but didn't succeed in baseball because it wasn't his natural fit. People are naturally suited for different professions, and forcing yourself into the wrong one won't lead to success.
 

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Choosing the right firm is also important. Different organizations have different cultures, and you might feel uncomfortable if you don't fit in. Some firms might have a specific type of culture, and feeling left out can be tough. It's important to find a place where you feel comfortable and can conform to the necessary standards.
 
Most law firms try to be fair and do the right thing. They create rules based on what works or has always worked. You need to decide what type of conformity you're willing to accept and whether it aligns with your values and strengths.
 
Many people leave law firms with negative preconceptions, believing they will lose their personality or need to go in-house quickly. Those who do well are the ones who focus on the positives and buy into the system. Before you leave a firm, ask yourself if your inability to conform is the real issue and if there are other aspects of yourself that need addressing.
 
Conforming can improve if you engage with others and address any underlying psychological or social issues. Networking is crucial, and getting to know people at work and in other firms can help you understand what is expected and how to succeed. Addressing personal issues can also improve your ability to conform and succeed in a rigid environment.
 
Successful attorneys often have overcome significant challenges or failures in their past, driving them to prove themselves. Understanding your own background and reasons for rebelling against conformity can help you address these issues and improve your career prospects.
 
Reading insightful books or seeking career coaching can also help you understand yourself better and improve your ability to conform. It's important to expose yourself to resources that can help you succeed in a law firm.
 
Taking a break now, but I'll answer questions when I return. I enjoy answering questions and hearing different perspectives, so feel free to ask anything. I'll be back shortly.
 
Let's get started with questions. One interesting question is about how females can conform in law firms. It's important to understand that law firms have different rules, but most are based on hard work, bringing in business, and socializing effectively. Watching what successful people do and adopting those behaviors is crucial. Demonstrating your willingness to conform involves doing what's asked of you and showing dedication.
 
In terms of gender, most law firms evaluate based on performance rather than sex. Avoid drawing attention to differences, as this can negatively impact how you're perceived. Focus on understanding and following the rules that make the firm successful.
 
Ultimately, every firm is in the business of making money, and they want people who will help achieve that goal. By understanding and adhering to the firm's expectations, you can demonstrate your ability to conform and succeed.
 
You can't say I expect special treatment because I went to a special law school. I expect special treatment because of this or that. You have to actually work along the rules that a doctor law firm should evaluate people, which are hours, quality of work, allegiances, meaning the people that you're close with, business, all that stuff.
 
Keeping that as the forefront of what you are being evaluated on is the most important thing. You want to think do not think and special for the following reasons. Odd reasons.
 
So that's really the best way to think about it. I would think hours, quality of work, allegiances, business, people in my corner. Most times, to be a partner or get an advancement high in a law firm, you need to have sponsors. You need to get people in your corner. You need to do the best work you can, you know, to all these things. But saying I should be a certain type of person or I should be treated a certain way because of things that people hate like family social class, works, or where I worked for or where I went to law school.
 
Just I, and I'm not even going to get into the other stuff you're talking about. I don't want to go there, but these are the things you need to think. If you think along those terms, you're going to do much better in the long run. Concentrate on that. Because if you do these things well, none of this stuff matters. The problem is too many people, especially young attorneys, all these questions I get every week. I'm at a fall 10 law school, fall 10 from, or, I'm in a top 14 law school and all that stuff is good. But when it comes down to it, these are the things that law firms care about. They care about these things and also potential commitment and all that sort of stuff. These are the things they care about. They don't necessarily care about that. Logical performance that doesn't benefit the law firm.
 
What else is there or those sorts of things? So just think about all that stuff and try not to paint yourself into the wrong corner. People that think that do not think things end up getting into a lot of trouble compared to those who think differently.
 
Next question is, I'm not sure where this is coming from, but can you be a patent attorney without a science degree? So, I'm not sure of the exact qualifications for being a patent attorney, but yes, you can often petition the patent bar many times and do it with you can, for different math. I've stopped sometimes. I believe I'm not sure. The other thing is that you can also be a patent attorney without a science degree. You can go to school and take courses at a community college to qualify for the exam. I'm not sure exactly what those classes are, but I've seen people do that in the past. Yes.
 
I don't know what this one is. There's an article that I would recommend reading by Harris Barnes.
 
And so, in terms of how to answer your question in terms of a law firm, there are all sorts of different levels. Typically, before you pass the bar, you're generally called a law clerk. After passing the bar exam, you'd be called a junior associate or just an associate, and then you have mid-level associates, partners, and also council-level attorneys. Each of those people has different responsibilities. In terms of different law firms, some law firms do it differently. A lot of them will have staff attorneys, meaning that you're not on track to become a partner if you do well. You're on different hour requirements. Some will have contract attorneys. Hopefully, that answers your question. I would review the article called What Law Firm Titles Mean.
 
Let's see here. This question is I'm a first-year litigator who absolutely loved working from home. I am able to work long hours and still have dinner with my significant other every night. My firm is bringing us back into the office, and I feel entirely trapped. Not because I have zero desire to come into the office and sit in uncomfortable clothing all day, but because I need to move. I've written out the pandemic in a massive two-bedroom apartment at a lower-cost living city. I now have to give all that up and go pay a thousand dollars more for a decent one-bedroom apartment and even have a 30-minute commute to my office. The cities are, of course, different jurisdictions, so I can't even contemplate being a junior lateral for another year. It doesn't help that so much of my time right now is out of another office. So, I'll be moving and going to the office to just sit on Zoom.
 
So, they just brought me someone to talk me off the ledge. The idea of having to work remotely is a big thing. You're not the first person to bring up this issue. What I would say is that you should be really careful about putting your needs before the needs of your employer. If the law firm wants you in the office, there are reasons for that. They typically want people in the office because they feel there's more comradery. They feel that work's done better, there's a better exchange of information and energy. Certainly, I understand wanting to be home and having dinner with a significant other every night, and uncomfortable clothing, everything you're saying makes perfect sense to me. I feel the same way. But at the same time, this is what the law firm requires. If you do go back to the office, you're doing what I do a lot of times with work and things. You're thinking more in terms of comfort rather than putting your comfort first, which I like. I have these bean bags in my house, and I love comfort and I don't like commuting. So, I understand everything that you're saying. It's not by any stretch of the imagination a bad thing, but if you do want, especially for your career, there's no way you shouldn't be getting face-to-face interaction with people in the firm.
 
What does it take to be a good attorney? I would say that probably 30% is work quality, 30% is amount of work, and the remaining 40% is social relationships, in-person learning, availability, all that sort of thing. If you're in the office, you have the opportunity to get all that stuff. If you're not, you won't. People will say things to you in person that they would never say to you on Zoom or on the phone or via email. That's where the real learning comes, and you learn all sorts of things in person versus not. My recommendation to you is to actually be excited about going back into the office. If your priority is comfort, then there's nothing wrong with that. There are jobs where you can make comfort a priority, like being a professor or working for the government. But at the same time, I think you need to be in the office. Even though you're going to be on Zoom, you're still going to be around other attorneys. You're going to watch their mannerisms and pick up a lot. It's important. I hate to say it, but it's something for you to think about. That was a great question.
 
Another question: I'm almost out of questions. How do you know if moving to a non-law firm is going to help or hurt your legal career? You don't know. I would spend a lot of time reading various articles that I've written because that's a question I typically answer in those articles. The best way to tell if a law firm is going to help or hurt your legal career is to always ask yourself what you want. It depends on all the facts: the money you want to make, long-term opportunities, practice area, opportunities to make partner, your practice area, all those sorts of things. This is a very thoughtful question. There's tons of articles about this on BCG, and different law firms have different things. There's one article on BCG called Find Your Tribe. I recommend reading that article because I think the most important thing for a law firm to help your career is to be with the people that are most likely to help you.
 
I'll tell you one funny story. Not too long ago, I was in two different business networking groups. One was a bunch of people with fairly small businesses trying to scale them up. The other was people with huge businesses that had started big businesses and sold them. When I say huge, I don't mean huge, but $50 million, $100 million, $200 million companies. One was that. I gave a short presentation to someone in a smaller group. When I gave the presentation, I talked about how I didn't have a COO and was making a lot of bad decisions. I was being very vulnerable. This group knew nothing about the size of the company I ran, which is maybe a 150-person company. But they just assumed that I was this kind of guy working on my own based on the way I presented my problem. After the meeting, the person in charge had a call with me not too long after that. She said, "You're just not a good fit for this group. Your business is way too small. I'm going to recommend you talk to someone else." I thought that was very strange because there were people literally owning a couple of auto repair franchises. So, I was like, "Alright, whatever you say." She referred me to someone else, and the guy couldn't believe it. He was like, "What the hell? I work with people just trying to start companies. I don't know why she would have possibly referred you to me." But she actually kicked me out of her group because she thought, based on what I said, that I wasn't a good fit.
 

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