Article Archive

Advancing Women In The Law

About Us

Article Archive

Networking: Creating Crucial Connections

The Wisconsin Lawyer
Volume 79, Number 11
November 2006

Ellen Ostrow, Ph.D., is the founder of LawyersLifeCoach LLC, providing personal and career coaching for lawyers. She is editor of the free online newsletter Beyond the Billable Hour. This article is excerpted from Issue #36 of the newsletter.

In recent coaching conversations with lawyers, I’ve been asked the following questions: “How might I find people with whom to do informational interviews?”

The Answer Is Blowin’ In The Wind

The Complete Lawyer
Volume 2, Number 5
October 2006

With women constituting half of all law school graduates, firms know that they have to be able to recruit them. So why have law firms been so slow to make real changes in the policies and practices that block the success of women’s initiatives?

“Yes, and how many times can a man turn his head pretending he just doesn’t see? The answer my friend is blowin’ in the wind, The answer is blowin’ in the wind.”
– Bob Dylan

Effective Communication is More Difficult Than It Appears

Lawyers USA
Pages 4-23
September 11, 2006

Deborah, an equity partner in a mid-sized east coast firm, was having a problem with secretaries.

She hired a secretary whose resume indicated a great deal of relevant experience and skill, but to her surprise, this woman – 10 years her senior – was impossible to work with. When Deborah explained her expectations, the secretary returned a product that made it seem as though she hadn’t heard a word Deborah had said.

How to Lose a Client in 10 Days

Wisconsin Lawyer Magazine
August 2006

If you’ve decided you’re not cut out to be a rainmaker, if you’re not interested in confronting self-limiting beliefs or in challenging yourself to take positive action to develop business relationships, then be sure to follow these 10 tips to preserve your status quo.

The pathway to power in a law firm is making rain. Technical expertise is essential – but it’s not sufficient if your goal is to advance in your firm. Business development success is vital for senior partner status, positions on important decision-making committees, closing gender-related inequities in your compensation, and becoming a role model for young lawyers entering your firm.

The Healthiest Lawyer I Know

The Complete Lawyer
Volume 2, Number 3
July 2006

Since her cancer, Angie understands the health benefits of supportive relationships and savors her time with people she loves. In fact, she says that she is generally happier now — in spite of the fact that she’s not out of the woods medically.

After eight years of coaching lawyers, I’m used to having my warnings about the dangers of chronic stress go unheeded. And I must admit that my argument is a tough one to make — how does a lawyer required to respond to ever-increasing client demands (for fear of losing to the competition), also make rain, bill 2000+ hours, and find time to relax, much less have “a life”?

More Articles...