Great lawyer? Sorry, it's not enough.

One of the most common things I hear from women lawyers is this:

“I just want to be the best lawyer I can be.”

And I understand that. I really do. But here’s the hard truth:

Being a great lawyer is no longer enough.

In today’s firms—particularly if you have your eye on partnership—your legal skills are table stakes. It’s your non-legal skills that will set you apart, that will make you visible, and that will determine how fast (and whether) you move forward.

The Fifth Mistake on the Pathway to Partnership

We’re in the middle of a mini-series about the six biggest mistakes women lawyers make on the pathway to partnership. And this one is critical:

Mistake #5: Failing to take ownership of your non-legal development.

Too many women assume that the firm will take care of it. That if they’re “on the track” to partnership, someone will help them get there.

But let me be honest—support varies wildly.
Some firms have excellent programmes.
Some have good intentions but deliver very little.
And some? They leave it entirely up to you.

In every case, one thing is true: you must take ownership of your own growth.

Your Job Changes Completely at Partnership

Becoming a partner isn’t just about doing more legal work. It’s about becoming a:

• Marketer

• Sales expert

• Team leader

• Business developer

• Financially literate business owner

None of that was covered in law school. And most of it isn’t covered on the job. So if you’re not learning these skills intentionally, you’re falling behind—even if your legal work is stellar.

The Myth of “Doing It All Immediately”

Let’s acknowledge something else I see constantly: Women thinking they have to master everything right now. That’s simply not possible. And it’s a recipe for burnout.

So instead, what I recommend is this:

Create a Strategic Non-Legal Skills Plan

1. Identify the skills you need.
   Think leadership, business development, sales conversations, branding, visibility, internal influence, financial acumen.

2. Prioritise.
   Which skills will have the biggest impact now?
   Which are long-term plays?
   Which are quick wins?

3. Build a phased timeline.
   Example:

   • Months 1–3: Focus on leadership and team dynamics

   • Months 4–6: Focus on business development and branding

   • Months 7–9: Focus on sales conversations and niche positioning

4. Choose your learning methods.
   Will you take a course? Read a book? Hire a coach? Practice on the job? Find a mentor? Make it real—and make it manageable.

What About Client Development?

One major red flag I often hear:

“My firm doesn’t really let junior lawyers develop their own clients.”

That’s a problem. Because suddenly—right before you’re up for partnership—you’re told to bring a business plan and prove you can attract clients. But no one’s ever shown you how.

If that’s your situation, consider:

• Talking to your firm about how they can support your client development

• Seeking support outside the firm (coaches, mentors, training)

• Or yes—considering whether you're in the right firm at all

Because like it or not, if you want to be a partner, you need to know how to build relationships, define your niche, have sales conversations, and create your own book of business.

Start Now. Start Small. But Start.

Your legal skills got you to where you are now.
Your non-legal skills are what will get you to partnership—and beyond.

And the sooner you start building them, the better positioned you’ll be when the time comes.

Pathway to Partnership – One Spot Left

As it happens, today we’re kicking off the second round of Pathway to Partnership, and I’m thrilled to say we’ve already seen massive transformations in the women who went through the first round. They’ve shifted their confidence, clarified their ambitions, and made powerful moves.

If you're serious about:

• Gaining clarity on whether you want partnership and why

• Building confidence to speak up, show up, and lead

• Learning client development and other critical non-legal skills

…then this programme is for you.

There’s one spot left. And the price is going up in June. So if you’ve been on the fence, now is the time.

Send me a DM today and we’ll find a time to talk.

Because you don’t have to figure it all out alone. But you do have to take the first step.

Warmly,
Cecilia