The news about Weil has been destabilizing and deeply emotional for many of us.
My team and I have spent much of this past week on the phone with business services professionals at Weil.
Many of the Directors and Senior Directors I spoke with have been at Weil for 20+ years and planned to retire there. A few of the junior team members joined recently. None of them had any idea that an established, profitable, century-old firm could announce it is winding down so quickly.
When external factors completely out of our control happen, it’s natural to feel shaken and ask: What is truly secure?
I’ve been thinking a lot about how we can “protect” ourselves against unimaginable situations like the fall of a well-established firm.
Here are three things I encourage every business services professional to focus on starting today:
- Keep a running list of your accomplishments and update your resume twice a year. Don’t wait for a crisis to try to remember what you achieved two years ago. Keep your resume updated, not just to be “job-ready,” but as an honest gut-check on whether you are growing professionally.
👉 Action step: Put a recurring date on your calendar for the last Friday of the month to log your accomplishments. - Keep expanding your skills and knowledge. Whether you are a coordinator or a Director, actively look for ways to stretch. Volunteer for cross-departmental initiatives, learn new technology, or take on a project outside your comfort zone.
When professionals come to me for a career check-in to assess if it’s time to move, I ask one key question: “How likely are you to grow your skills and expertise in your current role over the next year?” If there is still a lot to learn, stay! If you’re mostly on autopilot, it’s time to explore new options.
- Invest in your professional relationships before you need them. Your greatest career security lies in the strength of your network. Stay actively involved in organizations like NALP, LMA, or ALA. Stay in touch with colleagues as you or they move to new firms. Be a generous mentor and a thoughtful mentee.
In my 30 years as a legal recruiter, I’ve seen time and again that when unexpected market shifts happen, people step up and go to bat for those who invested in long-term relationships, not those who only reached out when they needed a favor.
👉 Action step: This week, reach out to one former colleague. Don’t ask for anything; just check in and reconnect.
We can’t always predict what will happen to our firms, but we can choose to invest in our own skills, knowledge, and relationships. That is where real job security lives.
To my fellow law firm business services colleagues: How are you supporting your teams and taking care of yourselves during this unsettling time in our industry?