Big Law Life #91: Why Collaboration Matters in BigLaw
Collaboration can feel like a buzzword that doesn’t align with how law firms actually reward people. Hours and origination credit often outweigh teamwork, and silos, competition, and fee pressures make working together seem like an uphill battle. But here’s the truth: collaboration isn’t optional if you want to grow in BigLaw. Clients expect seamless service across firms and practices, and internally within your firm, collaboration expands your visibility, strengthens trust, and opens doors to opportunities might never get on your own.
In this episode, I break down the real obstacles that make collaboration so difficult and share practical strategies for overcoming them. I cover traps like silos, credit battles, and disorganized matter management, and I explain how clarifying roles, overcommunicating, and sharing credit generously can transform how you’re perceived by clients and colleagues. I also share real stories, both successes and failures, that show exactly what’s at stake when collaboration works and when it doesn’t.
At a Glance: 00:00 Why collaboration is rarely rewarded in BigLaw but is still essential to success 01:20 How client expectations drive the need for cross-practice teamwork 03:17 Why silos, competition, and fee pressure derail collaboration 04:52 Common traps: “eat what you kill,” clashing work styles, and version chaos 06:32 Practical strategies: clarify roles, align early, and use firm tools effectively 07:26 How overcommunication early prevents wasted time and turf wars later 08:11 Adapting to partner preferences and sharing credit generously 09:34 Soft skills that make collaboration work: listening, empathy, and conflict resolution 11:04 Case study: how a global deal team aligned as “one voice” and won repeat business 12:17 Late-night collaboration between associates that built goodwill with a client 13:15 A cautionary tale of poor version control that damaged client trust and associate morale 14:26 Why collaboration is not optional, it’s critical to reputation, client service, and career growth
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Interested in doing 1-2-1 coaching with Laura Terrell? Or learning more about her work coaching and consulting? Here are ways to reach out to her:
laura@lauraterrell.com
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Show notes: https://www.lauraterrell.com/podcast