Orlando partner Kevin Shaughnessy was invited by the American Bar Association's (ABA) Young Lawyers Division to be a panelist for its "Pointers for the New Partner" seminar, held on February 5, 2010, as part of the ABA's Midyear Meeting. A story about the event, including Shaughnessy's remarks, was included in the ABA's "Your ABA" February e-newsletter.
According to Shaughnessy, the number one thing that firms look for in potential partners is a sense of ownership. Another important quality of potential partners is their value to the law firm. Value is not just about how much a lawyer bills, but also about whether a lawyer "brings something substantive to the table," said Shaughnessy, citing bar activities, community service and other leadership activities as ways of developing value. Shaughnessy shared an example of a charity golf tournament that he organized. He used the event as a networking opportunity to connect his colleagues to some potential clients, and ended up scoring business for his firm.
The panelists also advised that partner-seeking lawyers should create a personal business plan that details their career goals and the steps to reach them. To get guidance on creating a personal plan, Shaughnessy recommended that lawyers consult the senior members of their firm who "have already made it." He further suggested that advice-seeking lawyers go outside their practice group for help, making themselves more well-known throughout their firm.
Other qualities of potential partners shared by the panelists include a strong work ethic, professionalism and ethical behavior. Regarding ethical behavior, Shaughnessy warned: "You can ruin an entire career with just one breach. It's just one strike—and you're out."