They tell you to “just keep doing great work.” That’s the opposite of a partner mindset

Behind the scenes:

Maya had a respected sponsor.
But when we traced the actual votes on her partnership bid, a gap appeared.

One name wasn’t enough.

So we rebuilt her approach: instead of waiting to be seen, she began engineering her rise by asking leaders for their opinions (a move that turns them into stakeholders).

Before a client luncheon, she used a short script we wrote together: her sponsor introduced her to a management-committee leader. A few intentional conversations later, goodwill started compounding.

“Team Maya” was in motion. 🍋✊

Lesson:

If your rise depends on on one champion (or worse, on goodwill alone), you’re under-resourced. 

And you can take back control by intentionally creating alliances with people in power. 

Actionable Takeaway:

You can change that by building alliances with power:

💡 Center their goals. Ask how you can advance their priorities (retention, profitability, legacy). Power joins “Team You” when it feels seen.
💡 Weave goals out loud. Maya linked her profitability wins to the firm’s retention worries—showing she drives both results and culture.
💡 Name the elephant. Instead of hiding her maternity leave, she reframed it: time away sharpened her interest in shaping the firm’s future.

And here’s the deeper truth:

For many women of color, alliance-building isn’t optional. Access is often uneven and the proof bar unfairly higher.

So build intentionally. Cultivate relationships with those who will speak your name when you're not in the room. 

Invite for rising BigLaw women associates (more in P.S.): 

Next Wednesday, I’m hosting an invite-only discussion for rising women associates who are ready to learn what it takes to become an obvious choice for partnership.

I’ll share what’s working for my coaching clients, introduce my framework, and open the floor for group conversation. Attendees will also get a private invitation to a no-strings, no-pitch strategy session.

If this is you, please reply "invite" for a private RSVP link.

If this isn’t you, I'd greatly appreciate an introduction to a colleague who comes to mind who would appreciate hearing how to rise in a broken system.

xo,

Rachel

P.S. Join me and Ajanaclair Wise, BigLaw alum, on Thursday, October 30 at 1pm ET for BigLaw: Don’t Play Small: From Silent Contributor to Strategic Force.

👉 Register here.

Bonus for all registrants: You’ll get The BigLaw Women’s Influence Map: a practical tool to identify your current allies, gaps, and areas to focus in expanding your network within the firm.