Deborah Farone

As appeared on LinkedIn, August 22, 2023.    “They left us because of the money.” Partners often say this to one another when one of their own departs for a competitor. The truth is, more often than not, money is not the catalyst.   By plucking “They left us because of the money” from thin air, it’s an easy way…

As appeared on LinkedIn, August 15 Once a law firm names you a partner, a difficult question is bound to arise: How do I move into the new role and grow a practice? While each lawyer is different in the skill sets they possess, their practice area, and the firm in which they practice, there are a few basics that…

Appeared on LinkedIn, August 8.   August has always been a special month for me. It always feels like the kick off to the school year, and it's a time to celebrate my birthday and watch mystical fireflies. If you oversee a marketing function, August is also a unique month for you. While lawyers continue connecting to their clients, most…

As appeared on LinkedIn, July 19, 2023. "The stress of having so many bosses, so little time, and few resources is getting to me." I spent time the other day speaking with a brand new CMO and offered some advice it has taken me years to learn. It may not be suitable for everyone, but if a pearl works for…

As appeared on LinkedIn on July 10, 2023. "What’s wrong with our strategic plan?" The managing partner said that while the firm had created a strategic plan with a well-known consulting firm, it wasn’t doing the job that the partners expected – and the firm wasn’t achieving its goals. He wanted to know why that was the case. While there…

As appeared on Linkedin on July 6, 2023. The names have been changed to protect the superstars. I was getting settled in my airplane seat, flying home from visiting clients in California. As the plane door closed, I quickly called my husband to tell him we were taking off. While he usually replied with a perfunctory, “Have a good trip…

As appeared in June 2023 on LinkedIn. With the new round of associate layoffs reported by The American Lawyer, Law360 and other publications around the world, I’ve been thinking about what associates who have been let go might do to redefine their careers or to think about their next steps. I hope that by sprinkling a few ideas into LinkedInland, others will join…

Report by Deborah Farone, Executive Committee Member of the International Bar Association’s Law Firm Management Committee, and a Member of the Women Lawyers Committee. On Wednesday 16 May 2023, more than 415 registrants representing 81 countries participated in the webinar ‘How women can be rainmakers and control their destiny’. The amazing panel included Shawn Atkinson from Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe…

As appeared on LinkedIn on June 13, 2023.    Be prepared. I was fully prepared for today. It was the first time I used doggy daycare for my puppy Lucy. With advanced planning, I packed Mrs. Lucy Doberman’s food, shiny new bowl and her favorite toy. Yet I recall there were plenty of times when I forgot an important occasion-based…