Small Law Firms

Smaller Law Firms Should Have Partners' Retreats Too

Smaller law firms should consider holding partners’ retreats to reap the same benefits that larger firms gain from such events.

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Many larger law firms have partners’ retreats so that partners can connect with each other and discuss their goals for a law firm. It makes sense that larger law firms want to connect lawyers who work in different offices so that they can bond people together and build the fabric of a shop. Even though partners’ retreats can be costly and might keep partners away from billing hours that can generate revenue for a firm, smaller law firms should consider holding partners’ retreats to reap the same benefits that larger firms gain from such events.

I worked at two larger law firms earlier in my career before starting my own practice a few years ago. Each of these firms had partners’ retreats where partners could connect with other partners at different offices. I am pretty sure that one of the firms I worked at had partners’ retreats each year, and the other firm had a partners’ retreat every other year, and one of the firms also had retreats specific to practice areas of the partners.

As an associate, I did not glean too much information about the partners’ retreats from those who were involved, but from what I could tell, the retreats were helpful events. One of the partners’ retreats took place at a ski resort, and the partners told me that they had a great time skiing and bonding with partners who worked at different offices at the shop. Another one of the retreats took place in a hotter climate, and the partners were able to play golf — a universal bonding experience in the business community. The partners told me that they held seminars and had speakers to inspire the partners and inform them about trends that could be useful to their practice.

However, none of the smaller firms at which I worked had partners’ retreats. Partners at one of the firms at which I worked said that the partners had a retreat of sorts when they decided to begin the shop to bounce ideas off of each other and connect with one another before they decided to take the leap and open a firm. This sounded like a really solid idea, since a retreat is a great way to bond with someone outside of the confines of an office, and this can lead to more genuine connections than if individuals were interacting with one another in an office environment. Besides this one instance of partners enjoying a traditional retreat, partners at the smaller firms at which I worked did not seem to prioritize bonding with one another and connecting at a partners’ retreat.

There are numerous reasons why smaller firms should consider holding partners’ retreats. For one, smaller firms often have multiple offices and employees that do not see each other too frequently. I once worked at a 30-attorney firm that had several offices, and the only time any of us got to see people from different offices was at the annual holiday party if people from the other offices wanted to drag themselves into the city to attend the event. It was good to interact with these people at the Christmas party, but I am sure that partners would be able to forge better bonds with the partners at different offices if they connected with them at a partners’ retreat than simply for an hour or two at an annual party.

Moreover, partners’ retreats can be a better way to solicit feedback at smaller firms than merely going through the ordinary business channels to implement changes. Even though partners have leadership positions in law firms, there is still a hierarchy of management among partners at many firms. This can prevent partners from speaking their mind and offering input on policies implemented at a firm. However, it is far more likely that individuals will provide feedback in a more genuine way in the informal setting of a partners’ retreat than if they are in the office in a traditional setting.

In addition, partners’ retreats can help build the fabric of a law firm, which can be helpful to maintaining firm culture and ensuring that people do not defect for different shops. It is very common for partners to move from firm to firm in the present, especially if they have a transportable book of business. This can be devastating to a firm since departing partners can impact the cash flow of a firm and the amount of work that is available to associates. However, holding partners’ retreats can ensure that partners feel more connected to a firm, which can decrease the likelihood that partners will depart a shop. This can help stabilize a firm and keep the firm on a solid financial footing.

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All told, partners’ retreats are commonplace among Biglaw firms, but smaller firms should consider holding partners’ retreats, even if it’s at a smaller scale. Such retreats can help build the culture of a firm and keep partners connected to a shop so a firm can realize a number of financial and social benefits.

Jordan Rothman is a partner of The Rothman Law Firm, a full-service New York and New Jersey law firm. He is also the founder of Student Debt Diaries, a website discussing how he paid off his student loans. You can reach Jordan through email at jordan@rothmanlawyer.com.

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