Career Audit For Associates, Satisfying Career, Law Firm Position | BCG Attorney Search

A Career Audit for Associates

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What follows is a tool to help associates who are ready to think more critically about their law-firm experience. While no test can substitute for speaking with an experienced professional, this audit will get you on your way in isolating which issues merit further exploration.

By starting down this path of self-assessment, you can begin to take more control over your destiny and ultimately build a more satisfying career.

This tool takes approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. You will have the option of having the results sent to you by e-mail.

*for questions or comments about this tool, please contact Stephen Seckler who manages the Boston office of BCG Attorney Search.

The 29 statements below are intended to help you evaluate your current law firm position. For each statement, circle the number that best corresponds to your feelings about the firm where you work. On this scale, 1 means "strongly disagree" and 10 means "strongly agree"

There is some overlap in these questions, but overall they should help you get a better sense of whether you are at the right firm. Your answers will help focus on what is working well in your current situation and what needs improvement.

If you encounter a question that does not pertain to your situation, circle N/A (not applicable). In completing this exercise, it is best not to ponder questions for a long period of time. Rather, try and respond with your "gut" instinct.

Please note that your responses to this survey will be compiled for statistical purposes but the information will remain anonymous and kept confidential.
Please enter your e-mail address here , if you would like the results of this audit sent to you. Your e-mail address will not be used for any other purpose. You do not need to enter your e-mail address in order to use this tool.

To Get Started: Click on the appropriate numbers.

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1. I am satisfied with the overall level of professionalism demonstrated by partners and associates at my firm.

( a ) by partners	[ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 N/A ]
( b ) by associates	[ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 N/A ]

2. I receive the support I need from junior associates, paralegals and support staff to get my work done in a timely fashion.

( a ) from junior associates	[ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 N/A ]
( b ) from paralegals	[ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 N/A ]
( c ) from support staff	[ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 N/A ]

3. I feel respected and valued by my colleagues.

( a ) by partners	[ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 N/A ]
( b ) by associates	[ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 N/A ]

4. I respect and value the legal work that my colleagues do and believe that our clients are well served by the lawyers in our firm.

[ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 N/A ]

5. I am satisfied with the reputation that my firm holds in the legal and business communities.

( a ) legal community	[ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 N/A ]
( b ) business community	[ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 N/A ]

6. I enjoy spending time with the lawyers at my firm and consider some of them to be my friends.

[ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 N/A ]

7. I believe that the firm is well run and properly managed.

[ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 N/A ]

8. The partners for whom I do work are approachable and willing to give me guidance.

[ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 N/A ]

9. I believe that the firm provides me with clear guidelines about what it takes to become a partner and gives me periodic feedback so I know where I stand.

( a ) clear guidelines	[ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 N/A ]
( b ) periodic feedback	[ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 N/A ]

10. I feel like the firm is a good fit for me culturally and that the firm is a place where I can achieve the work/life balance I desire.

( a ) cultural fit	[ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 N/A ]
( b ) work/life balance I desire	[ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 N/A ]

11. I believe that it is possible to succeed at my firm without having to work "full time."

[ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 N/A ]

12. I believe that my firm places an appropriate emphasis on having "fun" and on creating a collegial work environment.

[ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 N/A ]

13. I am proud to tell people where I work.

[ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 N/A ]

14. I feel that I am given ample opportunity to develop my skills as a lawyer through internal and external training and that partners are available to help me develop my skills.

( a ) internal and external training	[ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 N/A ]
( b ) availability of partners	[ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 N/A ]

15. I consistently receive work that I find interesting and challenging.

[ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 N/A ]

16. I am satisfied with my workflow and believe that assignments are given to me with reasonable deadlines.

[ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 N/A ]

17. I am given an appropriate level of responsibility and autonomy at the firm.

( a ) appropriate responsibility	[ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 N/A ]
( b ) autonomy	[ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 N/A ]

18. I work with the kinds of clients that I like to service.

[ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 N/A ]

19. I am satisfied with my level of client contact.

[ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 N/A ]

20. I feel that I am being compensated fairly (i.e. relative to the other lawyers in my firm).

[ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 N/A ]

21. I am satisfied with my overall compensation and believe that my compensation is competitive with my peers at similar firms.

[ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 N/A ]

22. The physical surroundings at the firm provide me with an environment where I can be productive.

[ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 N/A ]

23. The firm makes a commitment to pro bono work and community service that is consistent with my own values.

[ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 N/A ]

24. I am satisfied with the investment the firm has made in law office technology.

[ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 N/A ]

25. I believe the firm supports the use of technology by providing appropriate technical assistance and training.

[ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 N/A ]

26. The firm is committed to marketing and provides me with guidance about how I can begin to market my own legal services.

( a ) committed to marketing	[ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 N/A ]
( b ) provides me with guidance	[ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 N/A ]

27. I am optimistic about the financial health of my firm and believe that the management committee is making the "right" decisions about the future.

[ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 N/A ]

28. I plan to be at the firm in five years. In 10 years.

( a ) in five years	[ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 N/A ]
( b ) in 10 years	[ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 N/A ]

29. When I look at partners or associates who are several years ahead of me, I look forward to handling the type of work that they handle.

[ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 N/A ]