Egomaniac. Narcissist. Takes credit for everything. Belittles and bullies everyone around him. Schorn notes that this type is careful to insulate clients from other lawyers, lest
he lose control.
2. "Chad the associate"
Friendly back-slapper and suck-up whose true motivation is to keep track of hours
billed by those with whom he is competing for partnership. "Gossips like a junior-high cheerleader
and never misses a chance to second-guess a peer's bad outcome in the
courtroom."
3. "James the office manager"
Manages the office "as if it were Yugoslavia circa 1971" with too many forms, arbitrary rules and favoritism. Posts Dilbert-caliber signs in the break room. ("Everyone WILL
limit their soda consumption to a REASONABLE amount, or we WILL switch
to GENERIC. Thank you.")
4. "Brian the wellness coach"
The "doughy man in
an ill-fitting polo" who roams the office once a week badgering
people about "good health practices." Also forces chit-chat
about diet and exercise and leaves pamphlets on lawyers' desks about
heart disease, Schorn says. (In my own limited experience with the Brians of the world, there is also invariably some effort to create a massage or "chill-out" room that falls apart after about six months when "Jack the partner" needs the room for a document review).
Who are some of the other "people" you won't meet in solo practice? I know there are others. How about ...
5. "Eugene the socially inept 'genius'"
Eugene is incapable of holding a conversation about his visit to Target without side-tracking into a discussion about the potential Sherman Act ramifications. He will never have a client of his own and may never even meet a client. But if you want a 50-page memo on whether federal jurisdiction exists in your new case, Eugene is your man.
Please share your ideas on some of the other "people you won't meet in solo practice" in the comments.