Stop Feeling Resentment and Start Building a Book in 2026
It’s common in the legal industry for associates to be hired to do the work and not to develop business.
But once you’re a few years out from law school, you need to start taking action to grow a practice and steer the direction of your career. If you haven’t started yet - even if you’re years out - it’s not too late.
If you don’t get in the driver’s seat, you’re:
Only building a reputation within the firm instead of building one industrywide.
Only getting feedback from internal sources.
Not gaining leverage to move up within a firm or transition to alternate roles.
Not being involved in the local community.
Not building the skills necessary to be a successful partner.
Not getting a seat at the table.
This starts to build resentment.
And results in failing to advocate for yourself because you lack the confidence.
In private practice, your book of business is your leverage to get promoted, to transition to better roles across the industry, to take on leadership roles within the firm, to be selected to boards and gain honors and rankings, to go to conferences, and get the best cases.
So why sit back and wait for that to come to you?
Getting in the driver’s seat of your career is a gamechanger. If you’re encouraged to keep your head down and just do the work, you’re not working at the right place.
While I wish more senior attorneys would encourage this across the board, it’s not consistent.
This newsletter is your wake up call. Don’t wait for a colleague to encourage you to get out there.
You are your best advocate. You need to be in the driver’s seat.
You can take little steps each day to bolster your practice and career, while still getting your billable hours and free time in:
Spend 5 - 15 minutes per day on LinkedIn connecting, engaging, and/or posting.
Write articles or blog posts for the firm.
Be active in industry organizations - be on committees, attend conferences, speak, write, have coffee/video dates.
Join a local networking chapter like a chamber of commerce, BNI, business group, USA500, etc.
Be active in local organizations like the PTO, sports teams, your church, synagogue or mosque, a running group, a book club, a smaller gym.
If you’re interested in working with me to develop a customized strategy that fits your particular schedule, goals, and ideal clients, send me a message or schedule an initial strategy session here:
Warmest regards,
Jamie
