More Thoughts On Attributes Of Highly Successful Lawyers

Developing the Next Generation of Rainmakers More Thoughts on Attributes of Highly Successful Lawyers I feel I was very fortunate to have built a construction law practice that enabled me to work with some of the finest construction companies in the United States. I remember when I was an associate, one of the partners in my firm said to me: Cordell, any firm can hire smart lawyers. They graduate from law school every year. Firms are looking for smart lawyers who have a confidence inspiring personality.Those lawyers will over time develop and expand relationships with clients. That conversation taught me that if I was just a smart lawyer I was expendable. On the other hand, if over time I was able to develop and expand relationships with clients, I would have the greatest asset a lawyer can have. I almost immediately began focusing on how to become more valuable to clients. I have spent many years trying to better understand what distinguishes the most successful lawyers. Successful lawyers I know have many characteristics, but virtually no one has all of those characteristics. Successful lawyers are: Which of these attributes do you have? What will you do in 2009 to develop the other attributes? I practiced law for 37 years developing a national construction law practice representing some of the top highway and transportation construction contractors in the US.