Despite the critical role they admit business development is likely to play in their future success, a new survey reveals nearly half of Big Law’s new partners report having received no formal training in business development before or after their promotions.  And they’re worried about it.

These are lawyers at large firms where you’d think training on networking and sales skills, plus individual lawyer coaching to ensure follow-up, something we routinely provide our clients, would be the rule not the exception.  ALM polled 305 men and 135 women who made partner over the past three years at AM Law 200 firms or large foreign firms.  Management said their firms are concerned about the number of unprofitable partners they have teetering on deequitization or facing being put on performance plans. The more nimble, more cost-effective smaller firms we work with all recognize the need to invest in their next generation’s personal marketing skills.  Read more at http://www.americanlawyer.com/PubArticleALD.jsp?id=1202575884133