The International Bar Association’s recent panel, How Successful Women Rainmakers Drive Business, offered a candid and globally informed discussion on business development, career growth, and leadership. Moderated by Deborah Farone, the panel featured lawyers from Paris, Toronto, Dubai, and India.
Here is a recap of some of the best advice the speakers offered to lawyers in the early stages of their legal careers.
Develop business acumen early.
Understand how law firms make money and what clients truly value. Building trust requires genuine interest in your clients’ businesses and challenges. Give before you expect anything in return – supporting peers and helping others succeed is crucial to building your network.
Learn how to receive feedback without taking it personally.
Feedback – even when uncomfortable – is a gift. The fastest-growing lawyers are those who can absorb constructive criticism and apply it thoughtfully.
Seek out mentors and seize the opportunity.
If someone is willing to invest time in teaching you, take full advantage. Mentorship accelerates learning in ways no training manual can.
Use AI wisely – not as a substitute for judgment.
AI can support your legal work, but it should not replace critical thinking. Developing strong analytical skills and learning from mistakes is essential to becoming a good lawyer.
Create a simple, 1-page marketing plan outlining:
- The type of law you want to practice
- A clear objective for growing your practice
- Five concrete actions to achieve that objective
- SMART goals tied to each action.
Keep your plan visible – under your keyboard or pinned near your desk – and revisit it regularly.
A Broader Perspective
In the United States, women now graduate from law school at higher rates than men, yet fewer than 25% of law firms are led by women. Empowering more women to intentionally develop their practices is a meaningful step toward closing the leadership gap.
Thank you to Deborah Farone for creating space for an honest, practical conversation about what it takes to build a practice and lead with intention.
