For many lawyers, making partner is the ultimate professional milestone — the moment that marks years of dedication, late nights, and strategic career moves. It signals arrival, but also the beginning of something new: greater responsibility, higher expectations, and a seat at the table where decisions are made.
With shifting routes to equity partnership and increasingly dynamic legal markets, the reality of partnership is changing. Technical excellence is now just the starting point. The partners who rise — and stay there — are commercially minded, strategically aware, and capable of leading with both confidence and composure.
At Sonder, we work with lawyers at every stage of the partnership journey. We’ve seen what separates those who make the leap from those who stall, and what truly drives success once you’ve earned your title.
To shed light on what it really takes — and what comes next — we’ve gathered insights from:
- William Peake, Global Managing Partner at Harneys
- Partners from Brown Rudnick, Goodwin Procter, Clayton Utz, and Gilbert + Tobin
- M&A Partner, who has just accepted a new position at an Am Law 50 firm (name withheld for candidate confidentiality)
- Sonder’s global partner recruitment team across the US, UK, Asia, and Australia
Whether you're preparing for partnership or stepping into the role for the first time, this is candid, first-hand advice from those who’ve done it — and those who help make it happen.
1. Understand the Business of Law
"You must, must, MUST be able to get your invoices out and collect on them in 14 days. It’s remarkable how many lawyers ignore this core discipline yet expect promotion. Law firms are a business. Businesses are fuelled by cash. Understand the numbers and how a balance sheet works. Simples." – William Peake, Harneys
"Becoming a partner is akin to launching and running your own small business within a large conglomerate of other small businesses. You need to be accountable not just to yourself but also to your team, and ultimately to your fellow partners." – Stuart Cormack, Gilbert + Tobin
Sonder Says: Commerciality is critical. The best associates we’ve seen make the leap to partner are already thinking like business owners — tracking realisation rates, understanding profitability, and managing matters with the bottom line in mind.
2. Win Work — and Keep It
"Clients have to ring you before your contemporaries in other firms. You achieve this via targeted and effective BD and by being excellent at your job." – William Peake, Harneys
Sonder Says: This is the differentiator. Whether you're building a niche practice or becoming the go-to lawyer for a key client, you need to show consistent business development results or clear potential.
3. Understand There’s No One Path
"There’s no single path to partnership — it varies by firm, and even by practice group. The best advice often comes from someone recently promoted in your own team. Generally, you need to be dependable and deliver excellent work. You likely don’t need to bill extreme hours — I’ve never exceeded 2,200 in over 10 years — but expectations differ, so always ask." – M&A Partner, Am Law 50 firm
Sonder Says: Tiered partnership structures are now the norm — and understanding the distinctions early can help shape your strategy. Ask questions. Know what your firm is really looking for.
4. Be Someone People Want Around the Table
"Basically, don’t be a gossip. Don’t slag off your colleagues because it’s easier to do that than to stand up for someone not in the room who you know deserves your advocacy. Seriously, just be a decent person." – William Peake, Harneys
"It’s for better and worse. I’ve made some of my best friends from jobs that I’ve had, including my legal practice." – Dean Ramanathan, Brown Rudnick
"Even as a partner, I’ll still run to the photocopier at times — you have to take everything that comes your way. You can’t let your ego interfere with the task that’s been asked. If someone needs a hand, you help — whether it’s an associate, a client, or the office team." – Ravi Chopra, Goodwin Procter
"When you make partner, you’re stepping into rooms and conversations that were once out of reach — and with that comes unfamiliar ground. But don’t fall into the trap of thinking you need a take on everything to prove your value. The real mark of influence isn’t having all the answers; it’s knowing when to listen, when to speak, and where you can make the greatest impact." – M&A Partner, Am Law 50 firm
Sonder Says: The partners who thrive are the ones who bring others with them — not just technically, but culturally. Humility, approachability, and team spirit matter more than people think. The lawyers who get tapped for leadership are rarely the loudest in the room, but they’re almost always the most respected. Be that person.
5. Stay Calm Under Pressure
"A good partner can hold it all day long. A bad one just leaks anxiety oil daily, and no one ever wants to take their call. They always talk about doomsday scenarios that will never take place. Usually their body language stinks." – William Peake, Harneys
Sonder Says: Leadership presence matters. Partners are expected to steady the ship, not shake it. If you're managing teams or high-stakes clients, how you show up in the room is just as important as what you say.
6. Lead the Next Generation
"Loads of people took time to make you the lawyer you are today because they saw potential. Pay it back." – William Peake, Harneys
As Clayton Utz partner Amanda Lyras puts it, “having a strong team is everything.”
“When you surround yourself with people who are not only excellent at what they do but who work collaboratively, care deeply about clients, and are genuinely invested in growing the practice, it frees you up to focus on growth and the strategic direction of the business.”
“As a non-equity partner, I’m measured on collected revenue and take on more responsibility in hiring, mentoring, and BD.” – M&A Partner, Am Law 50 firm
Sonder Says: Firms want partners who grow others — not just the bottom line. If you're not already mentoring juniors or helping build the team around you, you're missing a key piece of the puzzle.
What Our Global Partner Team Is Seeing
At Sonder, we advise and place lateral partners across the world. While the fundamentals of partnership remain constant, what law firms value in a new partner hire is evolving. Here’s what matters most in partner recruitment right now:
A clear and credible business plan has always been essential. However, in today’s competitive and constantly shifting legal market, firms are looking for more than just past performance — they want to understand your forward strategy. How will you build your brand? How will you grow the practice and stay ahead? Which relationships can you activate in years one, two, and three? Demonstrating commercial vision and strategic intent is now just as important as historical billing. And remember, no business plan is ever set in stone — the best ones evolve. Any plan that looks to the future is built on assumptions, and the ability to adapt when those assumptions shift is what sets successful partners apart. - Stefano Barbagallo
In recent years, there has been a clear shift towards more partner-led transactional teams. In a demanding client environment with increasingly complex work, senior attention has become critical. Combined with the expansion of the non-equity partner model, many firms are now more open to ambitious, entrepreneurial junior partners looking to grow a modest book of business on their platform. With M&A activity expected to strengthen, firms are particularly receptive to partners with a portable book of business — there is significant movement in this space. We are also actively assisting commercial litigation teams with Counsel-to-Partner and Day-One-Partner appointments. - Jonathan Taylor
Across Asia, firms are seeking specialists rather than generalists, focusing on candidates who align closely with existing client bases. In Singapore, for instance, M&A and corporate partners with energy experience are particularly attractive. From a candidate perspective, partners are prioritising firms that offer the ability to originate new business at a sustainable rate — one reason PRC law firms in Hong Kong continue to attract high-profile partners from leading international firms. - Sonia Taylor
On the West Coast, we’re seeing firms double down on growth in transactional and private capital practices. The emphasis is on strategic hires who can bridge industries. Success often comes down to visibility and connectivity: maintaining strong sponsor relationships, cultivating a defined market niche, and demonstrating the ability to convert those relationships into sustainable revenue. The Los Angeles market rewards partners who combine ambition with authenticity. - Michaeal McGinnis
Final Thoughts
There’s no shortcut to partnership — but there is a smarter way to approach it. Focus on building trust, relationships, commercial instincts, and leadership capabilities long before you’re up for promotion.
And if you're thinking about your next move — whether to strengthen your case internally or explore a partner-track opportunity elsewhere — Sonder’s partner team is here to help.
