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[quote=Anonymous]TLDR all other posts (only the original). Laterals are mostly subpar.  They left the old firm for a reason and 90% of the time it’s bc they aren’t high performers.

If you have the mandate for your own associates, hire slowly. We put laterals through a battery of substantive tests to make sure they have what we need and what it takes (I also work in a niche practice that is highly substantive).  Most never come back after that round but the ones with the juice end up doing very well because they know exactly what we expect.  That doesn’t mean they all have the substantive knowledge on day 1, but they understand the expectations and want to learn.

Once they’re onboarded, you need to spend personal time with them.  Face time. In the office.  Meaning you both have to be there.  I have one of 3 associates in my office all day long (ie, any time they’re working with me they’re sitting on calls with me taking notes or getting the Socratic treatment in person. And we go over my comments to their written work in person, comment by comment.).  That’s just training time.

Then give real time feedback, good and bad.  Then they know you’re invested.

And if they don’t cut it, fire them quickly. If you’ve done all of the above you’ll have a great record to defend your decision.

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