From the first-year associate just starting at a law firm to the senior associate preparing to transition to counsel or partner, all associates need to know how to work with partners. Associates rely on partners to stay busy and depend on partner support to advance and develop a book of business. As an associate, working with partners can be challenging as you learn to interact with different personality types and get used to different approaches to the law. But the more you work with a partner, the more you get to know them, their process, and their approach to the law.
Traditionally, associates get to know partners through in-person activities like in-office chats, group happy hours or retreats, or live trial preparation. However, with the increase in remote work due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is likely that you and the partner could be separated by hundreds or even thousands of miles. While it may be daunting, you can work remotely and not only work effectively with partners but also distinguish yourself. Below are a few techniques associates working remotely can use when working with partners.
Effective communication is a vital skill for all lawyers and is especially important for associates working remotely. Indeed, the success of the relationship between you and the partner hinges on effective communication.
Try to communicate with the partner over the phone or video call as much as possible. While email is a useful and necessary tool, talking over the phone or video allows you to build a rapport with the partner, especially if you dare to turn your camera on. Talking directly to the partner via phone or video is the best substitute for the in-person experience because it gives you a chance to ask for feedback or ask other questions in real time to gain insight into the partner’s approach to the case or issue.
If you want to communicate effectively over video, you need to know how to use your firm’s technology. You do not need to be a computer specialist or IT whiz, but you should know how to use the video platform your firm uses, whether it is Zoom, WebEx, Teams, or another service. Learn how to share your screen, manage your audio and video settings, add folks to the call, and perform other basic tasks. Additionally, the partner may need you to set up a call with a client or opposing counsel, so you will need to know how to do that.
You should also know how to contact your firm’s IT department for assistance with any technology issues. Using your firm’s technology tools allows you to meet face-to-face (virtually) with partners, which is a way to ensure you get the most out of working remotely.
It is important that you are responsive and prompt. If you miss a call from a partner, try to call back as soon as possible. If an email comes in, respond within the hour, even if just to acknowledge receipt. If you are in a different time zone, set expectations with the partner so the partner generally knows when you are online. Let the partner know when you will be offline so they can plan accordingly.
Make sure you stay organized, especially if you are working with multiple partners. Keep track of your deadlines and the emails between you and the partner. When having a call, circulate an agenda if appropriate. Try to provide regular updates on the case status or your progress on assignments. Ensure your calendar is up to date and offer to calendar key case deadlines for the partner.
While working remotely offers advantages like cutting down on commuting and allowing for a better work-life balance, it also presents serious challenges.
One such challenge is staying focused. If you work remotely, you do not have the office structure and casual accountability that comes from being in an office surrounded by busy lawyers and business professionals. So, it is crucial that you lock in!
Associates working remotely cannot afford to lose focus and become unresponsive, disorganized, or slow to complete work. Staying focused is not easy, but associates should use the personal tips and tricks developed over the years of study to ensure they stay locked in. Staying focused on working effectively with partners despite being miles apart will also help with putting the other techniques discussed in this article into practice.
