Firm Retreats Promise Fun in the Sun, But Don’t Forget to Network

At most firms, the antidote for silos and siloed thinking is the offsite retreat – partners’ meetings, lawyers’ meetings, practice group meetings, and more. But those events only succeed at breaking down walls, writes Sally Schmidt in Making Firm Meetings and Retreats Personally Productive, when lawyers step out of the comfort zone of the familiar, and seek out new opportunities to build their internal profile and network:

Introduce yourself to anyone you don’t know. They could be new lawyers who joined the firm or lawyers in offices that you’ve never visited. If you’re an associate, don’t be afraid to approach partners. They could be your future sources of business … or even your future partners.

Schmidt reminds us that law firm retreats might be organized at golf and spa resorts, but they’re still work. Read the post. Take a strategic view of your participation in firm events. You – and your colleagues – will be glad you did.