Dealing with Problem Partners
 June 6, 2004

Many law firms have focused a lot of their attention and energy on dealing with
under-performing partners while ignoring “culturally challenged” partners with large books of business. In fact, one of the most common reasons associates give us for changing jobs is their current firm’s unwillingness to deal with the bad behavior of a few partners.

It seems, however, that some law firms have gotten the message and are beginning to deal with partners who are abusive to staff and associates. Several large law firms have engaged organizational psychologists to consult with firm practice group managers on how to handle these 900 pound gorillas. Sometimes the process is much like an intervention with a substance abuse problem and may involve follow up with anger management and a variety of
other programs depending on the specific issues. Other firms have taken a less
confrontational approach, preferring to use professional coaches to help the problem partner understand how their behavior lowers their effectiveness. As one managing partner said, “having a psychologist for guidance helped give us the backbone to do what is best for the firm.”