Julia Mercier Speaks at NALP’s PDI Conference on Strengthening Intergenerational Collaboration in Law Firms
Earlier this month, the NALP Professional Development Institute in Washington, DC brought together professionals across the legal industry who are committed to supporting talent in a rapidly evolving workplace. In a session co-presented by Julia Mercier, Jody Rosen Knower, Chief Professional Development Officer at Sidley Austin LLP, and Kara Dodson, Director of Learning and Development at Hogan Lovells, […]
New White Paper – The Feedback Deficit, How Law Firms can Operationalize Feedback Through Shared Models and Expectations
We are pleased to share our new white paper, The Feedback Deficit, which examines one of the most persistent and solvable challenges inside law firms: the gap between lawyers’ need for clear, timely guidance and the industry’s inconsistent feedback practices. The paper highlights a familiar pattern across firms. Lawyers value precise, narrative input that clarifies expectations […]
From Overextended to Well-Positioned: How Targeted 360-Degree Feedback Strengthens Practices
Successful partners can still face limits on growth when too many decisions, client interactions, and operational matters depend on them. Or when practice groups work in silos that restrict their collective impact. Targeted 360-degree feedback delivers a clear view of leadership and team dynamics, with actionable insights drawn from confidential, one-on-one conversations — not surveys. […]
How Lawyers can Manage Difficult Personalities with Confidence
As lawyers we will all inevitably encounter difficult personalities—be it an adversarial opposing counsel, a demanding client, or an uncooperative colleague. While these interactions can be challenging, they don’t have to be stressful. The key is to maintain professionalism, set clear expectations, and use strategic communication to navigate these situations effectively. Below are some strategies […]
Unlocking High-Performing Teams: The Secret to Organizational Excellence
What separates thriving organizations from struggling ones? In my experience, it’s the synergy between colleagues that can either catapult an organization to success or hold it back. A closer look at high-performing organizations often reveals that their secret weapon isn’t revolutionary technology or unlimited resources—it’s their ability to build and nurture exceptional teams that work […]
Leadership Development: The Case for 360-Degree Feedback for Partners
Success as a law firm partner hinges not just on legal expertise, but also on a broad range of skills and behaviors, including leadership, managing matters and delegating effectively, managing people, and mentoring and professional development. Not to mention client relationship and business development skills! Because partners rarely receive feedback from peers and associates, we […]
The Power of Pen and Paper: Unlocking the Psychology Behind Writing Down Your Goals
Julia Mercier, PrincipalEmma Badini, Learning and Development Consultant This article was inspired, in part, by our recent reading of Rick Rubin’s new book, The Creative Act: A Way of Being, and by our recent experimentations in drawing inspiration from newly accessible AI tools such as ChatGPT. We have included some Rubin quotes and language from […]
How Leaders Can Give Feedback Effectively
Many of us know that constructive feedback can be difficult to both give and receive. But many might not know the neuroscience that explains this difficulty. Knowing the neuroscience of giving and receiving constructive feedback can support us in better navigating constructive feedback with intention, (self-)compassion, and grace. It is often true that constructive feedback […]
Julia to Speak at Professional Development Institute 2022 Annual Conference
Julia Mercier will co-facilitate a session on “Leveraging Group Coaching for Maximum Impact” at the 2022 Annual Conference for the Professional Development Institute alongside Miriam Benor (Director of Attorney Coaching, Pilsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP), Kara Dodson (Consultant & Coach, Volta Talent Strategies), and Khara Tusa Kelsch (Head of Coaching and Career Development, Steptoe & […]
How Equestrianism Is Expanding My Leadership Training and Coaching Practice
Some of my friends and colleagues know that I am a newly avid rider. I instantly fell in love with the sport. I sensed that it had a lot to teach me and that it would become a part of my life and my work. Equestrianism is an incredibly difficult sport (for me, at least!). […]