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The Catalyst Effect

Powered by Enneagram Personality Intelligence

Not Just Coaching Lawyers

Catalyzing Careers

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Strategic Coaching for Transitioning Attorneys

The BigLaw Conundrum

You know the numbers. You feel the pressure. Large law firms and their attorneys are caught in the same squeeze. They are grappling with whether and how to communicate what their next chapters might look like in an environment that is uncertain, at best. Whether it’s artificial intelligence or being blindsided by unexpected governmental pressure, navigating this is a challenge for everyone.

What if there were a way to transform these challenging dynamics into strategic actions that position everyone for success — attorneys and firms?

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Introducing the Catalyst Effect

Every career conversation should strategically position both attorneys and firms for greater success, irrespective of where the attorneys might end up.

The Catalyst Effect Powered by Enneagram Personality Intelligence can transform these challenging conversations into opportunities to develop careers, enhance reputations and preserve relationships for years to come.

When firms and attorneys work together to catalyze attorneys’ strategic positioning, internally or externally, something powerful happens:

Everybody wins.

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Outsource These Challenging Dynamics

Why Coaching?

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Retention & Promotion

Catalyze partnership positioning and strengthen the partnership pipeline while building individual and firm capabilities.

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When It’s Time to Move On

Departures are not the end, they are opportunities for attorneys and firms to work in tandem by approaching them strategically and with good intentions.

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A Partner to Navigate Uncertainty

An objective, neutral sounding board and thought partner can be just the thing to chart the way forward with intention.

I’m Susan Brooks

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My entry into the world of law began on a whim. I graduated from college as a liberal arts major without a clue as to what was next. Law school seemed like a great way to begin to figure it out. Since then, I have been an associate at an Am Law 50 law firm, an admissions officer for two law schools, and the manager of attorney recruiting and the director of human resources at an AmLaw 100 firm. Since 2007, I have consulted with and coached aspiring law students, lawyers and law firm professionals. Needless to say, I’ve seen the industry go through numerous peaks and valleys, but one thing has remained constant — most lawyers will work at more than one place over the course of their careers. In other words, moving on is a fact of life for most attorneys and for their firms. And truth be told, it needs to be this way! Yet it is rarely handled well. Let’s change that.

I help attorneys figure out what’s next.

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The Investment in Coaching

What is Lost When Attorneys Leave:

  • Average cost to replace mid-level associate: $200K-$500K

  • Lost productivity, ramp down/ramp up, recruiting, training costs

  • Client relationship disruption

  • Ruptured internal relationships

  • Reputational damage

  • Placement fees

  • Lost income and developmental opportunity

The Coaching Advantage:

  • A fraction of transition costs (~$10k - 35k/atty)

  • Retain and develop high performers to prepare for partnership by aligning with firm goals and needs

  • Strategic off-ramp for positive departures that position attorneys for success

  • Longer lead times create opportunities for knowledge transfer and minimal client disruption through managed staffing transitions

  • Generate long-term employment and business development ROI

Learn More

Leverage coaching and create new opportunities.

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Whether attorneys are coached up or coached out, this is about strengthening the networks that will sustain careers and firms. 

That’s the real power of The Catalyst Effect.

Get in Touch