Tailored Attorney Outplacement Program

Terminating a colleague is one of the toughest management decisions law firm leaders must make.

Protect your firm’s reputation and brand and help your exiting colleague make a smooth transition by offering to provide a tailored attorney outplacement program during the termination conversation.

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What the Law Firm Can Expect

Once law firm leadership has decided that an attorney needs to leave the firm and will offer outplacement support, the initial steps are straightforward. Starting with a conversation between the firm liaison and Tracy Callahan, Touchstone’s owner, Tracy will learn the exiting attorney’s identity and several details regarding the termination. The discussion will include whether outplacement services will be provided while the attorney is still employed by the firm or afterward as part of the severance package.

The first steps of the program can vary, but the core information establishes how the tailored program that combines outplacement, career exploration, and placement will take shape.

Step 1

The firm has the termination discussion with the attorney which includes its offer to provide one-on-one outplacement and career transition support and the suggestion that the individual contact Tracy immediately.

Step 2

By the end of the initial conversation, the exiting attorney and Tracy will have decided whether to move forward together. If no: Tracy will convey the decision to the firm, and there is no fee. If yes: Tracy will convey the decision to the firm, and the first of two invoices will be emailed to the firm liaison.

Step 3

Next, Tracy and the exiting attorney (now “coaching client”) will have preliminary discussions, and the coaching client will complete a questionnaire covering personal and professional topics related to the past, present, and future

Step 4

Tracy will create a summary of key issues discussed and a restatement of the identified goals agreed upon for the outplacement and transition process. The purpose is to ensure the understanding of the coaching client’s concerns, objectives, and to give them another opportunity to reflect on all aspects of the transition.

Step 5

Once the summary is approved, Tracy will create a customized transition plan which restates the goals of the program and outlines action items to drive the successful career transition.

Step 6

Once the coaching client approves the transition plan, Tracy and the coaching client will schedule their first session and get to work. Touchstone submits the second and final invoice to the firm.

Tracy will provide the firm liaison with updates regarding the coaching client’s level of engagement as the firm deems appropriate.

The less prepared the exiting attorney is for change, the longer the program will take – sometimes more than a year.

Once the coaching client is settled into their new role and decides it’s time for the program to end, Tracy will convey this final update to the firm, and, with the work completed, the engagement ends.

VALUE TO YOU

Peace of mind comes from knowing you’ve done all you can to protect your firm and help your exiting colleague

VALUE TO YOUR EXITING COLLEAGUE

Touchstone provides personalized one-on-one support during the entire career transition process

CONFIDENTIALITY & PROFESSIONALISM

Learn more about how this program can benefit your firm.

One-on-One Attorney Outplacement and Career Transition Support

Everything is voluntary, and there’s no obligation. The value of the program, which combines outplacement, career exploration, and placement, will be laid out so the exiting attorney can make an informed decision regarding what will be best for them.

If the program is accepted by the exiting attorney, the first phase is tailored and outlined so that the implementation phase gains momentum quickly. The main focus here is to gather the information necessary to create a framework for success.

Once the career transition objective summary is approved, Tracy will create the tailored transition plan and work on the program begins.

Flexible Communication:

Usually coaching sessions are conducted by phone but Skype and FaceTime are options also.

Coaching clients in the Denver Metro Area have the option of meeting with Tracy in person.

What Coaching Looks Like:

Most coaching clients prefer sessions of moderate length (30-60 minutes) scheduled twice a month. However, as this is a tailored one-on-one program, sometimes a 10-minute call is optimal, or an extended coaching session (more than an hour) is fitting. Usually, sessions are more frequent in the beginning to help jumpstart the transition.

In general, sessions scheduled more often than twice a month leave coaching clients with insufficient time to contemplate and for homework to be completed. When sessions happen less than once a month, it is likely there will be a loss of momentum and continuity which inevitably delays the results the coaching client is working to achieve.

At the end of each coaching session, homework is assigned (usually to both the coaching client and Tracy) and to be completed before the next session.

Email and phone support are available and encouraged throughout the program to provide the coaching client unwavering support as they move forward.

Services available include:

  • Confidential and knowledgeable unbiased opinions and advice

  • Assistance in exploring all career options to leverage the transition

  • Business and professional development plan creation and implementation assistance

  • Market research

  • Strategic outreach to potential employers while protecting the identity of the coaching client

  • Impactful introductions

  • Interview preparation and follow up

  • Job search tools including positioning statements, resumes, representative experience documents, LinkedIn profile refresh, and more

  • Emotional support, focus, and accountability

  • “Onboarding” and acclimation support in the new role until the coaching client decides it’s time for the program to end

There are many factors that impact how long a person’s transition process will take, but it usually takes longer than anticipated – sometimes more than a year.

Once the coaching client has settled into their new role and decides it’s time for the program to end, the relationship pivots, and a new chapter begins.

Reach out today to learn more about how this program can benefit you.