Navigating your way through a law firm practice can be overwhelming, especially in larger firms. A firm is made up of equity and non-equity partners, senior attorneys, senior associates, "Of Counsel" designates, associates, and interns, in addition to the paralegals, managers, and support staff that all help make a law firm run effectively and efficiently.

A new guide by the ABA Law Practice Management Section, Introduction to Law Firm Practice, is a systematic study of how lawyers practice law at private firms and will help you navigate your way through how a law firm operates. In an easy-to-read format, this guide contains basic information on a law firm, such as "how do equity and non-equity partners differ" and who is "Of Counsel" to more advanced concepts, such as a discussion of the market for legal services and strategic alignment of a law firm.

This guide discusses:

• the organizational structure and promotional tracks for the firms work;
• how firms develop business and generate revenue;
• lawyer compensation and the review process;
• intake of client matter, including engagement letters, retainers, and conflict checking;
• law firm profitability;
• business development efforts for new clients, such as advertising, direct mail and email, in-person solicitation, preparing RFP/RFI responses, and more;
• firm culture and demands on your time;
• mentoring; and
• much more!

Whether you're a law student interested in working in a law firm or a young lawyer who would like to gain a better understanding of how your law firm operates, this guide will provide you with the "ins" and "outs" you need to help you navigate your way through a law firm and excel in such a firm.