Helping you work through being out of work.

What is legal outplacement?

Legal outplacement is an employer-funded, personalized service that addresses the career needs of attorneys moving out of their positions. While this service does not provide jobs, it does provide assistance, support and education in securing a new position and/or exploring alternative careers.

Why should firms offer legal outplacement?

To facilitate the process of termination, many law firms and corporate legal departments have taken advantage of preserving the good will of their attorneys by offering them the benefit of legal outplacement services. The service provides the necessary bridge to maintaining good relationships within the firm and in the legal community. Forward thinking law firms recognize that former employees may someday be in a position to either refer work to the firm or even become a client.

How does legal outplacement work?

Step One: Help the attorney adjust to the shock of job loss and the resulting fears about job transition. This step is necessary to help the individual move past negative feelings that, if not identified and dealt with, can interfere with the rest of the process and possibly derail the job search.

Step Two: Assess the attorney's transferable skills, experience and education. The assessment helps to crystallize thinking and generate ideas for targeting specific practice areas and employers. Then, a personalized marketing plan is developed, complete with potential contacts, marketing strategies and network-building techniques.

Step Three: Outplacement coaching provides advice and assistance in implementing the plan as well as help with interviewing and negotiation strategy. Resume and targeted letter writing assistance is also provided. Coaching is available throughout the process, providing ongoing support and helping to handle motivational barriers if they develop.

"My company offered me outplacement at one of those huge, "one-shape-fits-all" outfits. Yes, they were able to help me with my resume and cover letters, but boy, were they clueless about what different types of legal jobs entail and what the legal job market is really like. I hired Roy on my own to help me explore my options and assess how realistic they were, particularly the option of joining a firm. Working with someone who actually understands how law firms think and operate has proved to be invaluable. I considered trying to find another GC position, working for a law firm and going solo. Together we put together a job search plan that made me feel confident that I would find the best position available given the realities of the legal job market and that satisfied what I wanted to do. If you are fortunate enough to have your law firm or company provide you with outplacement services, insist on working with Roy. Lawyers have different options than other executives, and Roy understands what it's like to be a lawyer because he is one."
- Former General Counsel, Minneapolis corporation

Read Roy's article "Landing on Your Feet: Outplacement Services Make it Easier" to get more detailed information.

Learn how your colleagues have benefited from Roy's coaching. Read their testimonials here.

To learn more, contact Roy now.