Monday, December 15, 2003
ALL IN THE FAMILY FIRM
Child of a Partner? Then Feel Free to Act Childish
BY THE RODENT
The cover story for the October issue of the ABA Journal was about lawyers who work side by side with their parent or child. While an excellent article, it failed to address several of the advantages to practicing law with Mom and Dad.
I’ve actually seen this dynamic in action at a couple of law firms. I’ve learned that if you’re the son or daughter of another attorney at The Firm, you have a much different work experience than those of us who are not lawyers by heredity.
If you are lucky enough to practice with your parents, don’t let the fact that you are now an adult get in the way. Call up those techniques you perfected as a kid to get what you want. They work just as well–even better now that you are all grown up and an attorney at law.
This is what I’m saying: If you don’t get what you want from your law-firm-partner mom or your law-firm-partner dad, you can revert back to the way you acted when you were a child–yell and scream until you get what you want. Some lawyers, by the way, find this approach effective even with those who do not happen to be their parents.
Let’s say there is a dispute about your compensation. You negotiate with your father, for example, who is also your boss. Then let’s say you don’t get what you want. Unlike other junior lawyers, you have recourse. You can complain to your mother about Dad being cheap and treating you unfairly. Your mother, bitter because the law has taken her husband from her for so many years, will side with you and put the pressure on Dad. Your money will be forthcoming.
Note that one exception to this conclusion occurs when your mother is also a partner at The Firm. In that case, she, like every other partner at The Firm, will think you are overpaid and side with your father.
These deep-rooted and unresolved psychological issues can be used to your advantage in other circumstances–but timing is key. For example, when is the best time to give your parent the "You were never around when I needed you" speech? It might just be during a meeting at The Firm’s annual retreat when everyone else from the office is there to witness your performance.
Another advantage to working with your parent-lawyer is your name. When the time comes for your mother or father to retire (perhaps due to the aforementioned performance), you can sneak in there as a name partner and very few people will notice.
Also keep in mind that you have access to The Firm’s files. It’s likely that you might stumble across (after a few hours of searching) copies of your parents’ will. You are then in a much better position than most people to make the appropriate revisions to assure you are properly compensated.
Finally, don’t forget that if your mom or dad is a power partner at The Firm, other partners will take note of your relationship. They might actually be nice to you. And if they aren’t, you can threaten to tell on them if they cause you any trouble whatsoever.
That same dynamic makes it slightly less likely you are going to get fired. On the other hand, it makes it slightly more likely that you may end up having to fire your mother or father. If so, make sure you have that will updated before terminating him or her.
You can contact the Rodent at TheRodent@aol.com.
©2003 ABA Journal
Child of a Partner? Then Feel Free to Act Childish
BY THE RODENT
The cover story for the October issue of the ABA Journal was about lawyers who work side by side with their parent or child. While an excellent article, it failed to address several of the advantages to practicing law with Mom and Dad.
I’ve actually seen this dynamic in action at a couple of law firms. I’ve learned that if you’re the son or daughter of another attorney at The Firm, you have a much different work experience than those of us who are not lawyers by heredity.
If you are lucky enough to practice with your parents, don’t let the fact that you are now an adult get in the way. Call up those techniques you perfected as a kid to get what you want. They work just as well–even better now that you are all grown up and an attorney at law.
This is what I’m saying: If you don’t get what you want from your law-firm-partner mom or your law-firm-partner dad, you can revert back to the way you acted when you were a child–yell and scream until you get what you want. Some lawyers, by the way, find this approach effective even with those who do not happen to be their parents.
Let’s say there is a dispute about your compensation. You negotiate with your father, for example, who is also your boss. Then let’s say you don’t get what you want. Unlike other junior lawyers, you have recourse. You can complain to your mother about Dad being cheap and treating you unfairly. Your mother, bitter because the law has taken her husband from her for so many years, will side with you and put the pressure on Dad. Your money will be forthcoming.
Note that one exception to this conclusion occurs when your mother is also a partner at The Firm. In that case, she, like every other partner at The Firm, will think you are overpaid and side with your father.
These deep-rooted and unresolved psychological issues can be used to your advantage in other circumstances–but timing is key. For example, when is the best time to give your parent the "You were never around when I needed you" speech? It might just be during a meeting at The Firm’s annual retreat when everyone else from the office is there to witness your performance.
Another advantage to working with your parent-lawyer is your name. When the time comes for your mother or father to retire (perhaps due to the aforementioned performance), you can sneak in there as a name partner and very few people will notice.
Also keep in mind that you have access to The Firm’s files. It’s likely that you might stumble across (after a few hours of searching) copies of your parents’ will. You are then in a much better position than most people to make the appropriate revisions to assure you are properly compensated.
Finally, don’t forget that if your mom or dad is a power partner at The Firm, other partners will take note of your relationship. They might actually be nice to you. And if they aren’t, you can threaten to tell on them if they cause you any trouble whatsoever.
That same dynamic makes it slightly less likely you are going to get fired. On the other hand, it makes it slightly more likely that you may end up having to fire your mother or father. If so, make sure you have that will updated before terminating him or her.
You can contact the Rodent at TheRodent@aol.com.
©2003 ABA Journal
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