Is the Law Firm Partner Track a Myth Without a Book of Business-And Should You Just Start Your Firm Instead?

 

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  I've been listening to your webinars for years and consider you one of the foremost—if not the only—experts on law firm culture. Thank you. I’ve used your advice to land interviews and jobs at firms of all sizes. But the one problem I haven’t been able to solve, even with your excellent guidance, is how to navigate the day-to-day politics and games within law firms.

In my view, the traditional associate-to-partner track is misleading. It’s not truly a “partnership”—nor should it be, unless an attorney brings economic value through an independent and growing book of business. I found that even as a high-performing associate, outperforming peers and even partners at times, winning lawsuits, and meeting bar requirements, it wasn’t enough to succeed in a law firm. So, at 31, I decided to start my law firm. Good for you. Building your firm at 31 and developing a book of small to medium-sized clients within just four months is a huge accomplishment—there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.
One of the core issues in large law firms is that there are very few true partner positions available. Equity partners often don’t want to make other partners because it means sharing revenue and reducing their profits per partner. That’s why many firms make attorneys “income partners,” which is essentially no different than being a senior associate, just with a different title. Firms only make someone an equity partner if that person can justify their place by contributing significant business to the firm.


Politics often come into play. For example, if you’re aligned with a partner who has a $15 million book of business, and that partner advocates for you, the firm might make you a partner to keep that rainmaker happy. But those opportunities are rare and unpredictable.

So, is the partner track a lie? Not exactly. But unless you’re bringing in business—and doing so consistently—it’s incredibly difficult to make partner. Bringing in business as an associate is even harder, especially when you're billing 2,000+ hours a year. I’ve seen associates spend just as much time outside of work trying to build a book as they do billing hours. It’s possible, but it’s exhausting.

There are rare exceptions. I once saw an eighth-year associate in Chicago, through an African American legal network, bring in a massive client (I think it was Ford or a similar company) and become a partner as a result. But again, that’s extremely rare.

So, starting your firm was a bold and smart move. You now have control over your future, which most attorneys in big firms do not. That lack of control is terrifying. I left BigLaw myself after seeing long-time partners suddenly get pushed out because their books dried up. That made me ask: why trust my future to a system like that?

I recently spoke with a solo attorney in New Hampshire practicing land use law. He considered returning to a firm, but they offered him only 30% of the revenue he’d generate. He was billing $800,000 on his own—why take home just $240,000 to work for someone else? Sure, a larger firm might help him scale that to a $4 million book, but for many, staying solo is more profitable and fulfilling.

What you’re doing—building a client base, owning your time, and providing quality service likely at lower rates than BigLaw—is extremely impressive. Very few people can pull that off. If you continue growing your client base and start hiring associates, you’ll be well on your way to building something truly valuable.

And I’m glad my advice has helped you. I always tell people that the kind of information I share in these webinars comes from over 25 years of experience watching attorneys succeed and fail. Most recruiters are just moving résumés around. But if you take the time to really learn how the profession works—by listening, thinking, and asking the hard questions—you can make smarter choices that set you apart. So again, congratulations, and thank you for sharing your story.

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About Harrison Barnes

No legal recruiter in the United States has placed more attorneys at top law firms across every practice area than Harrison Barnes. His unmatched expertise, industry connections, and proven placement strategies have made him the most influential legal career advisor for attorneys seeking success in Big Law, elite boutiques, mid-sized firms, small firms, firms in the largest and smallest markets, and in over 350 separate practice areas.

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About BCG Attorney Search

BCG Attorney Search matches attorneys and law firms with unparalleled expertise and drive, while achieving results. Known globally for its success in locating and placing attorneys in law firms of all sizes, BCG Attorney Search has placed thousands of attorneys in law firms in thousands of different law firms around the country. Unlike other legal placement firms, BCG Attorney Search brings massive resources of over 150 employees to its placement efforts locating positions and opportunities its competitors simply cannot. Every legal recruiter at BCG Attorney Search is a former successful attorney who attended a top law school, worked in top law firms and brought massive drive and commitment to their work. BCG Attorney Search legal recruiters take your legal career seriously and understand attorneys. For more information, please visit www.BCGSearch.com.