Season 3 of my podcast--The Grace Period--premiers next week. Download this week's preview anywhere you listen to your other favorite podcasts.

When you join a big firm as an associate you often hear: focus on the work, business development follows later. That is true--to a degree. Focusing on my business brings me such joy and energy. I'd have been a happier associate had I had permission to work on the business back then, too.

I recently received a compliment that resonated: a client mentioned they try to ask themselves, "What would Emily do?" before sending me questions.

This statement reflects my mission: to empower clients to take ownership of their business decisions, even amidst the complexities of litigation.

January 2, 2025 -- the first business day of the year, so you know what time it is: my first billable hour check in of the new year.

My firm expects partners to track 2400 hours a year.

1/

1.1.25 -- Here we go. This year, my theme is: optimize. I hope to calibrate and fine tune this year's efforts to:

👑 increase my firm metrics--steadily growing my working collections, managing collections, and new client collections.

Today is the last day of my billable year. Should I save these hours for next year (tomorrow)? ❤️🔥✌🏻☠️

My 2024 Rewind (brought to me by Coauthor--they nailed it):

My first year as partner taught me something powerful: success in big law isn't about hiding the hard parts--it's about being honest about them and building better ways forward.

Setting client expectations from the outset is crucial to a successful attorney-client relationship, but what about as the case proceeds?

Explaining the realities of litigation to your clients upfront is not enough--it's an ongoing journey. 1/6

Okay, okay, I'm here. Where are my #lawtwitter pals?

@lizcgil.bsky.social @brunettewreck.bsky.social @finegentlemaninnh.bsky.social @itsmattslaw.bsky.social @lawyercat.bsky.social @strowhiro.bsky.social @freelancelawmom.bsky.social @smmarotta.bsky.social