Lateral Hires: You Can't Tell Who's Playing Without a Program

Firm Issues

By Bob Weiss

June 2004: "You can't tell who's playing without a program" the barkers call just inside the gates of the stadium. They were yelling the same thing 40 years ago when I attended my first major league baseball game, and they continue to yell it today.

Fans don't question the need for a program when there is value to quickly familiarizing themselves with the names, history, and capabilities of players.

So do you give your newest fans-your lateral hires and new associates-a program of the players when they step inside the gates of your firm for the first time?

"I need to know what everyone does, in terms of practice areas," said a lateral shareholder who recently joined a 60-lawyer firm. "And a picture would also be really helpful."

He's right. And, pictures are essential. They're like numbers on uniforms. They quickly identify the players and their positions.

"The firm Web site is just too cumbersome and slow to use," another lateral recently told me. And it's difficult to study a Web site. Studying is something new hires should do once they are given their program.

We all know that most lateral hires fail. Most associates are gone within a few years.

Hiring failures are a tremendous disappointment, and costly to everyone involved, including affected clients. Easing the integration of laterals and associates into the firm only improves your chances of retaining lawyers you want to keep.

ALYN-WEISS & ASSOCIATES, INC.
Public Relations | Marketing
1331 - 17th Street, Suite 410
Denver, CO 80202

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