Develop your business case, BD plan and executive presence so you’re seen as the obvious next partner.
Get the strategic insight, structure and support to demonstrate that you’re already operating at partner level - long before the formal decision.
with clarity, credibility & commercial confidence
Position yourself for partnership
If partnership is on your horizon,
this is where we get you ready for it.
You’ve put in the hours
You’ve built technical expertise
You’ve delivered for clients and earned trust
You’ve already achieved so much in your career
Now you’re ready for the next step — and it’s a step that requires more than legal skill.
Partnership isn’t a reward for hard work.
It’s a business decision.
And that’s why it demands a different strategy.
You’re a strong lawyer, but you’re not sure how to demonstrate your potential as a future partner
The challenge?
You want to be considered for partnership (or Counsel), but you may be thinking:
“What exactly are they looking for - and do I meet the criteria?”
“Am I doing enough internally to show I’m thinking like a partner?”
“How do I demonstrate revenue potential without over-promising?”
“How do I shape a credible business case when I don’t fully understand what they expect?”
“I’m uncomfortable talking about myself, but I know that silence won’t get me noticed.”
“If I don’t get it this year, do I risk being overlooked entirely?”
Most senior lawyers experience this because, in law firms, expectations shift at the senior end and they’re often not explained
You may also be facing the quiet worries that rarely get spoken out loud THAT:
You’ve never felt you had a sponsor
You don’t know how you’re currently perceived
Others are being positioned more strategically
You don’t know how to lead BD in a way that feels authentic
The criteria for partnership seems unspoken and unclear
Timing matters - and you’re not sure if you’re behind it
You don’t need more hours at your desk
You need clarity, strategy and a persuasive long-term narrative
Most senior lawyers experience this because, in law firms, expectations shift at the senior end and they’re often not explained
Imagine walking into partnership discussions:
Confident in your business case
Able to define how you bring commercial value
With a clear BD plan that aligns to firm priorities
Aware of how you’re perceived internally
Visibly operating as a leader - not just a capable lawyer
Imagine being able to:
Articulate your potential without feeling awkward
Demonstrate readiness long before the decision point
Build relationships that strengthen your candidacy
Speak with authority and confidence in meetings that matter
Walk into the assessment process knowing exactly how to show up
Make it clear that you’re already thinking like a business owner
Equipped to speak to financial logic, client growth and strategic positioning
Backed by sponsorship and stakeholder support
That’s what partnership-focused coaching helps you achievE
And that's where I come in
I understand what senior leadership really looks for and how they think about the business case behind partnership recommendations.
I’ve seen brilliant lawyers miss out because they assumed technical strength was enough, or because they waited too long to demonstrate readiness.
To be seen as a future partner, you must already be showing up as one:
Partnership isn’t a finish line - it’s an identity shift
THE TRUTH IS SIMPLE
- commercially
- strategically
- relationally
- reputationally, and
- in how you communicate your value
And this can feel uncomfortable at first, especially if self-promotion isn’t your style.
To help you move from being evaluated as a lawyer to being considered as a future owner of the business.
You don’t need to force a style that isn’t you. You need the clarity, structure and confidence that enables you to present your value with authority in a way that is authentic and grounded.
And that is entirely learnable.
That’s why I offer this support
Hi, I’m Paula McMullan
Legal career strategist and coach for lawyers preparing to step into partnership
My mission is to equip you with the clarity, presence, business logic and strategic narrative needed to move from “strong senior lawyer” to “credible next-gen partner.”
.
I’ve spent over 25 years inside elite law firms - including Slaughter and May, Allen & Overy, Norton Rose and Shearman & Sterling - working alongside senior partners, helping shape teams, reviewing promotion cases, and supporting lawyers through partnership assessments and strategic moves.
I know how law firms think
I know the unwritten rules
And I understand exactly why talented lawyers get stuck at the final hurdle
Secure partnership at leading UK and international firms
Develop BD strategies that feel doable and authentic
Gain sponsorship from influential partners
Present with conviction at partnership interviews
What happens when clarity, confidence and a compelling business case come together?
I’ve helped lawyers just like you to:
Be fast-tracked into Counsel roles
Build business cases that withstand scrutiny
Strengthen relationships with key decision-makers
Along the way, they have:
Stopped doubting their value
Understood the metrics and logic behind partnership decisions
Articulated financial projections with confidence
Become visible in the rooms that matter
Started leading with authority, presence and commercial reasoning
They no longer hope someone sees their potential - they demonstrate it
““Paula is the most helpful and professional person you will need when you are on partner track.”
— Newly-promoted Silver Circle partner
"Her experience and wisdom on law firm dynamics is very impressive.
I am very grateful to Paula for our sessions during this tense period and look forward to having more with her, already a partner – as you can’t get enough from such a wonderful coach as she is!”
Guidance on shaping a persuasive business case
Honest insight into partnership expectations and dynamics
Preparation for presenting your case, interviews and assessments
If you’re a lawyer who is looking for:
Support in crafting a BD plan that aligns with firm priorities
The gravitas and confidence to present as a future partner
Then you’re in the right place
Strategic positioning with stakeholders and decision-makers
Clarity on what ‘good’ looks like at the next level
This programme is designed for lawyers preparing to step into partnership.
We focus on the commercial, strategic and relational pillars that matter most.
Your Path-To-Partnership Coaching Programme Roadmap
You will shape a credible, well-reasoned narrative that demonstrates:
Together, we build a BD strategy that is:
Prepare a persuasive business case
Devise a commercially grounded business development plan
STEP 1:
STEP 2:
We refine:
Present your case with authority
STEP 3:
- commercial impact
- revenue potential
- future client strategies
- alignment with the firm’s direction
- strategic contribution to practice, sector and team
We translate legal capability into business logic.
- realistic
- authentic
- relevant to your strengths
- aligned with the firm’s growth priorities
This is not “generic BD pressure.” It’s an actionable plan that demonstrates initiative, long-term thinking and credibility.
- positioning
- messaging
- internal visibility
- sponsorship strategy
- presenting style
- communication in meetings that matter
You’ll know how to convey presence, ownership and financial logic - without feeling like you’re overselling yourself.
Personalised learning notes after each call to support your reflection and progress
In-depth reviews of your promotion material including your business case, BD plan and promotion presentation
A tailored onboarding survey to help us hit the ground running
Five 1-to-1 coaching sessions, focused on solving what’s holding you back and building a clear plan forward
Insights into how to lean into your personality preferences, so you can work with your strengths instead of against them
WhatsApp support between sessions for quick questions, accountability, or an encouraging nudge whenever you need it
Lifetime access to my online learning platform, with video lessons and practical exercises to keep you progressing between coaching sessions
Continued support after the programme through membership of my client alumni network
What’s included in your personalised path-to-partnership programme
This is not surface-level coaching.
It is structured, strategic and anchored in my 25 years of experience inside law firms, sitting alongside decision-makers. You’re investing in more than partnership preparation.
You’re learning how to position yourself with confidence and authority for the rest of your career.
If you want to talk it through, explore whether this is the right fit - or simply clarify what partnership readiness looks like for you - book a call.
YOUR INVESTMENT
Your personalised coaching package starts at £2,000
CLIENT Case study
Case study
The Challenge
When the client started coaching, they were unhappy in their current role and felt blocked by market uncertainty. They were burned out, stuck and doubting their timing. Their job was draining, but they didn’t want to jump into something equally misaligned.
They were fed up with recruiters telling them a sector move was unrealistic. What they needed was a coach who understands the legal mindset - someone who could help them rebuild their confidence and make a considered move on their terms.
Case study
What We Did
Together, we:
- Clarified their thinking and defined their core values and priorities to guide their next move
- Broke their job search into manageable, actionable steps
- Equipped them with LinkedIn strategies and practical job-seeking tools
- Scoped out how to ensure the new role matched their career priorities
Case study
The Result
Case study
In Their Words
A senior lawyer, frustrated by the lack of recognition for their hard work. She wanted partnership, but as the first woman to be promoted into that role, had no idea where to start.
The Client
The Challenge
When she started coaching, the client was frustrated by the lack of mentorship from the partners and was uncertain whether partnership at her current was even an option.
There was no established process for making partner so she felt totally in the dark as to what she should be doing to show that she was ready and that she would be a great addition to the business. What she needed was a coach who understands the partner mindset and internal law firm workings - someone who could help her have the discussions with partners, backed by a robust business case, that would make them want to sponsor her promotion.
Client Case Study
Scoped out the value the client was delivering to the firm and her potential future contribution once she had the partner 'badge'.
Through my 1‑1 coaching, we s
Together, we:
What We Did
defined her partner brand and how she was conducting herself in alignment
built up her confidence to 'own' and communicate her success
presented the sound business rationale for her promotion
The Result
By the end of her coaching programme, she was having confident and empowered conversations with her partners about her future Three months later, she was promoted to partner. She moved seamlessly into the role, pursuing her BD plan to build her business and hasn't looked back since!
“Paula facilitated the unlocking of some major realisations for me"
Our work together had such a profound impact on me and my ability to thrive in my career as a result of working through and removing what was blocking me.
This is something I couldn’t have done alone.”
In Their Own Words
“This course made my business dreams come true! I made six figures, and I couldn't have done it without Kate!”
- SARAH
Kind words
Ready to start the conversation?
If you’re preparing for Counsel or Partnership, now is the moment to start demonstrating readiness.
Book a call and we’ll talk through:
- where you are now
- what you want to achieve
- what must happen between here and your assessment
- whether this support is the right fit for you
No pressure.
Just clarity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still not sure if this is the right move for you? Here are some of the most common questions lawyers ask before they decide to work with me.
I’m MORE THAN 12 MONTHS AWAY FROM PARTNERSHIP - Is IT too soon for coaching?
Not at all. The sooner you start adopting the partner mindset and behaviours, the better. Making partner is not just about having a robust business case - it's about creating a subtle shift in the minds of your sponsoring partners so that they see your promotion as a natural progression to their own business plans. Coaching now will help you define your partner persona, as well as putting the practical building blocks of your business case and BD plan in place so that you can show up when it matters with a joined-up strategy.
I’ve already tried online resources, books and advice from friends and family. How is this different?
This isn’t one-size-fits-all advice. Your coaching programme is personalised, structured and grounded in 25 years of experience working with and for lawyers (not just opinions). We focus on your unique context, values and goals-so the support you receive is directly relevant, not generic. We also build a practical roadmap together, so you’re not left trying to figure it out on your own.
I’m not sure I can justify the investment if I’m uncertain about the outcome.
That’s a fair concern-and it’s exactly why the programme is tailored specifically to your unique career goals and challenges, ensuring it addresses your individual needs and wants. This isn’t a generic course - it's tailored to you, your specific circumstances and the promotion process at your firm..
I also provide continuous support and follow-up through the programme to ensure you stay on track.
Think of coaching as an investment in your future success and well-being. This isn’t just about making your case for partnership - it’s about equipping you to be ready for your promotion when it comes.
But you don’t have to take my word for it! Click here to hear from other lawyers like you who have achieved significant career growth through working with me.
I’m already working long days. How much time and effort will I have to put into getting value out of the programme?
My coaching program is designed to fit into your busy schedule. You schedule your coaching sessions to suit your timetable. I know that work can get in the way at very short notice so you can reschedule your coaching sessions on 24-hours’ notice.
If you can spare a couple of hours a week to make the most of our coaching time together, you will save hours of questioning yourself and trying to plan your promotion strategy by focusing your efforts on what's really going to move the dial on push for your partnership.
What if I don't have time for coaching right now?
If you're already overwhelmed, you're likely to be operating without the clarity or strategy that would make things more manageable. This programme isn’t another thing on your to-do list - It is a way to make better decisions about where your time and energy go. That’s often the first step out of survival mode.
The programme is designed with your schedule in mind - sessions are spaced out to give you breathing room and we focus on what’s going to make the biggest difference. I know from personal experience that client work can get in the way at the last minute so I always do my best to be flexible in those panic moments of just needing to get the work done.
I know what I “should” be doing… So why do I need coaching?
Knowing isn’t always the same as doing-especially when confidence is low or the stakes feel high. Coaching helps you close the gap between insight and action. We’ll work through the blockers-whether that’s imposter syndrome, decision fatigue, or just not knowing where to begin-and build the confidence and momentum to move forward.
How does the coaching programme work?
The programme includes five 1-to-1 sessions, typically spaced over three months. Between sessions, you’ll have access to a private learning portal with video lessons and exercises tailored to your goals - plus WhatsApp support for questions, feedback or accountability check-ins.
What kinds of topics can we cover?
- Improving your confidence and managing overthinking
- Developing your management and leadership style
- Handling difficult people and situations
What happens if I need to reschedule or something urgent comes up?
Can I spread out the investment?
If the investment is the only thing standing in your way, I’m happy to have a conversation. I want this to feel like a confident investment, not a stretch that adds more stress to your plate.
What kind of results can I expect?
- a draft business case to use as a basis for discussions with your sponsoring partners
- a BD plan to support your business case, which you will already be implementing
- a partner persona that is true to who you are and that you feel confident in
Ready to move forward with clarity, direction and a plan that fits you?
Booking a consultation call isn’t a commitment - it’s a conversation - a space to talk through where you are now, what you'd like to change and whether this support could help.
If it feels like the right fit, great.
If not, you'll walk away with greater clarity about what you need.
Partnership requires clarity, commercial logic and confidence in how you present your value.
If you want support that helps you think, communicate and lead like a future business owner, let’s talk.
I only work with a small number of partnership-track lawyers at a time to ensure depth, support and discretion - so if this is something you're considering, I’d encourage you to get in touch soon.