Onward Insights - March 2025
🌱 New Month, Fresh Insights
The March edition of Onward Insights is live, and this one goes way beyond the offer letter.
We’re talking real retention, smarter transitions, and what law firms actually need to keep top talent engaged. Think: onboarding that works, career moves with strategy, and how AI is quietly (and not so quietly) shaking up the legal world.
If you’re building for the long run, whether you’re hiring or being hired, this one’s for you.
👉 Dive in. Let’s grow smarter, together.
In-House Insights: Why Timing Your Move Matters
When is the right time to leave the law firm grind for an in-house role?
If you jump too soon, you risk lower salaries and limited career growth. Wait too long, and you could price yourself out of opportunities.
This article breaks down why 6-10 years of law firm experience is the sweet spot for making a successful in-house transition.
Read on to find out how to maximize your earning power and career trajectory.
Silencing Self-Doubt in Your Job Search
Feeling Stuck in Your Job Search? You’re Not Alone - And Here’s How to Push Forward
Job hunting as a lawyer can feel like an uphill battle, especially when firms ghost you, feedback is nonexistent, and the competition seems impossibly fierce. Whether you're transitioning from a generalist to a specialist role, aiming for a firm with better mentorship, or simply looking for a change, self-doubt can creep in fast.
Up to 72% of job seekers say the process impacts their mental health, and for lawyers - perfectionists by nature - the struggle is even more intense. But here’s the truth: rejection is rarely about you. Hiring decisions are complex, opaque, and often out of your control. So how do you stay confident and resilient while navigating the legal job market?
In this guide, we break down a no-nonsense approach to conquering self-doubt, setting realistic goals, and leveraging key resources (yes, including legal recruiters!) to land the right role. If you’re tired of vague job search advice and want actionable strategies that actually work, this one’s for you.
Future-Proofing Your Career: Stay Ahead in an AI-Driven Industry
The legal landscape is evolving at a breakneck pace, with AI, automation, and shifting employer priorities reshaping the profession.
How can attorneys ensure they remain competitive amid these rapid changes—especially while balancing demanding workloads and high billable hour requirements? The key lies in proactive skill development.
In this post, we explore the essential technical, soft, and hybrid skills that will keep you indispensable in the legal field, as well as practical strategies to fit professional growth into your busy schedule.
Lateral Moves in 2025: Should You Stay or Should You Go?
Wondering if it’s time to make a lateral move?
The legal job market is in flux, and firms are becoming more strategic in their hiring.
Whether you're seeking better compensation, more client interaction, or a healthier work-life balance, this guide walks you through the key factors to consider before making a move.
We cover market trends, salary negotiations, and how to set yourself up for success.
Read on to determine if now is the right time to take the next step in your career.
Fast-Track Your Future: The Hidden Perks of Switching Firms
The data is clear—lateral associates in AmLaw 200 firms are making partner at more than twice the rate of those who stay put.
But the benefits of a lateral move go far beyond partnership. Expanding your skill set, broadening your client base, and growing your professional network are just a few of the advantages that can put you on the fast track to success.
Discover how making a strategic move can supercharge your career and open doors to new opportunities.
"I Still Feel Like a Fraud": Why Experienced Attorneys Struggle with Imposter Syndrome (And What to Do About It)
You've made partner, won major cases, or closed seven-figure deals. So why do you still feel like you're one mistake away from being exposed as a fraud?
If that sounds familiar, you're experiencing what up to 82% of successful attorneys grapple with: imposter syndrome. And contrary to what you might think, it often intensifies with experience. In this post, we'll explore why highly accomplished lawyers struggle with feeling like imposters, and more importantly, provide concrete, actionable strategies to combat these feelings.
Whether you're a mid-level associate or a seasoned partner, discover why these doubts persist and learn practical tools to build authentic confidence in your legal career.
The Magic of Mentors
Mentorship is the key to unlocking your potential.
This post explores why mentoring programs, now common across nearly all major law firms, are essential for attorneys at every stage of their career. From practical tips on finding the right mentor to insights on building resilience, enhancing your professional brand, and unlocking new opportunities, this article provides everything you need to thrive in a demanding profession.
Whether you’re an associate looking to grow or an experienced attorney navigating change, discover how intentional mentorship can accelerate your success.
Mind the Gap: Tips for Explaining Résumé Gaps
Career gaps can feel like a roadblock, especially in the traditional and risk-averse world of law firms. Whether due to a sabbatical, family responsibilities, or firm restructuring, gaps in your résumé often carry a stigma in the legal industry. But they don’t have to.
In this blog, we explore how attorneys can confidently address career gaps, frame them as opportunities for growth, and present their experiences in a way that resonates with even the most skeptical hiring partners.
Learn how to take control of your career narrative and turn gaps into stepping stones for success.
2025 Trends: The Lateral market
Navigating a lateral move in today’s legal market requires more than just ambition—it demands insight into the forces shaping the industry. From the rise of hybrid work tensions to the growing appeal of mid-market firms and increasing expectations for portable books of business, the trends of 2025 are redefining the way lawyers make career moves.
Breaking Free: Tackling the Fear of a Lateral Move
Making a lateral move can be a wonderful way to unlock new opportunities, develop skills, and achieve higher levels of job satisfaction.
However, change can be scary, and moving to a new position can evoke fears about living up to expectations, job security and more, which often stops individuals from making positive steps in their career progression.
In this blog, we’ll show you how to tackle the fear of change in your career by guiding you on preparing for a new role, overcoming mental blockers, and implementing new strategies for success.
You’ll learn to leave your comfort zone and move closer to your career goals.
Onward Insights - November 2024
As 2024 winds down, are you ready to face the challenges and seize the opportunities that await in the ever-evolving legal landscape? This month's Onward Insights is packed with practical strategies to help you build resilience and transform your legal career.
Discover how to:
Master stress: Learn effective techniques to navigate pressure and prevent burnout.
Cultivate strong relationships: Build a support network of mentors and peers to guide and champion your success.
Embrace change: Develop the adaptability needed to thrive in today's dynamic legal field.
Plus, explore valuable insights on proactive lawyering, the power of multiple mentors, and bridging the generational gap in law firms.