Legal Career Options in a Tough Economy

The Boston Globe ran an article on starting and improving your legal career in a tough economy. As they mention we can scale back expectations somewhat as far as salary or our hourly rates.

A couple of strategies that they did not mention are networking and professional development. If your billables are down, mixing with the right group of people to bring you direct business or referrals would be a great investment of time right now. Also, if you are normally too busy to cultivate long term relationships to aid your career and business, but have time now, take advantage of the opportunity.

Professional and personal development are other ways you could constructively use any time normally occupied by a higher pressure position or more clients. Position your yourself to rocket your career and business forward as the economy recovers. Personally, recharge yourself and reinforce those personal relationships. Get into shape if that is a goal.

Options for professional development may be as straightforward as reading a book and taking notes to see how it can aid you in your practice. Write an article for a trade or bar journal. Take a class. Keep a journal. Work with a coach to design your career and business and meet your goals.

However difficult the current environment may be, it presents many opportunities. Develop a strategy to make the most of it.

Dr. Shaun Jamison is a Business and Life Coach, Law Professor, and Speaker. He can be found on the web at www.guideonyourside.com.