CASE STUDY
Designing and Developing Practice-Group Specific Skills Benchmarks
Increasing accountability and transparency for advancement and promotion decisions through practice-group specific benchmarks with universal applicability
Our client, an Am Law 50 firm, wanted to clarify for associates what subject matter expertise and practice-specific skills they need to progress in their careers. Having identified the need for a more transparent approach to professional development, advancement, and promotion, the firm decided that it would implement benchmarks in several practice groups. We were brought on board to design and develop these skills benchmarks, to demonstrate the expected progression in each practice area from junior to senior associate/counsel.
What we’re solving for
Services
Associate Growth and Development, Engagement, and Retention
Our Process
Collaborating with the professional development team and leveraging briefing calls with practice group leaders and key members of the practice groups, we identified the critical skills necessary for each associate to move from level to level within their practice group. We also designed and administered a survey to capture what made a particular practice group at the firm unique. To supplement our own extensive experience and research, we referenced the firm’s existing
training materials and developed benchmarks for several practice groups across a wide range of practice areas. We worked with practice group leaders and other members of the groups to refine the benchmarks and ensure each experience level properly outlined the skills expected. We also ensured that the skills incorporated the universal client service and general practice skills that drive success at the firm across practices.
Result
We successfully delivered three-level associate benchmarks for several practice groups focused on the skills required of junior, mid-level, and senior associates/counsel in each group. The firm implemented our benchmarks across the relevant practice groups to support the professional development of its associates, while also allowing for clearer processes and decisions relating to advancement and promotion within the relevant practice groups.