How to Objectively Measure Attorney Skills and Promote Fairly with Robin Esch

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After building Sterling Lawyers from zero to 25+ attorneys and $15 million in revenue over the past decade, I'm sharing our innovative career path system that transforms how attorneys grow within our firm.

In this conversation with Robin Esch, our dynamic HR leader, we dive deep into how we've created a revolutionary system for attorney career development. Growing a family legal team is incredibly challenging, particularly when it comes to bringing inexperienced attorneys through the ranks to become effective practitioners.

The critical innovation Robin and her team developed is a comprehensive competency matrix that creates clear, objective paths from associate to managing partner. This tool addresses the fundamental problem that many law firms face: attorneys at different skill levels with no clear understanding of how to advance their careers.

What makes our current model unique is its focus on objective measurement across 11 key competencies. Each role—from associate to senior associate to partner to senior partner to managing partner—has specific benchmarks that must be achieved. The system includes both self-assessment and manager evaluation, creating a collaborative approach to development.

The transformation has delivered multiple benefits:

Clear expectations that eliminate "moving targets" for attorneys
Objective measurements that remove subjectivity from promotions
Enhanced collaborative relationships between attorneys and managing partners
Improved retention of talent through transparent growth paths
Natural self-selection when attorneys aren't the right fit

For law firm owners watching, this episode provides actionable insights on implementing a career development system that drives both individual attorney growth and firm expansion. Our competency matrix has become the foundation for scaling our legal team with consistently high-quality talent.

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Website: https://jsterlinghughes.com/
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Disclaimer: This video shares our experience with attorney career development and should not be construed as universal advice. Every law firm is unique and requires individual evaluation. Connect with us to discuss your specific situation.