What is your professional background and education? 

My professional background started with 10 years in banking and finance.  I was a front-line manager then transitioned to corporate Training and Development at Norwest Corporation focused on Sales and Management training. I observed that training could deliver information but not behaviour change. I was drawn to coaching because I wanted to make a difference in organizations and in leaders’ lives. I founded The Bailey Group 35 years ago. 

I have a B.S. in Mathematics with a Minor in Economics. My master’s degree is in Human Development with an emphasis in Counselling in Organizational Psychology and my coaching certification from New Ventures West.  

What benefits does executive coaching provide to the legal sector, specifically, private practice law firms? 

Few lawyers are trained to be effective leaders. Yet, Managing Partners and Practice and Administrative leaders require sophisticated leadership skills. Executive coaching offers customized leadership development for leaders in law firms in four key areas of leadership competence: 

• Self-Mastery
• Relationship Mastery
• Results Mastery (working in the business)
• Strategic Mastery (working on the business)

Coaching is helpful in building a strong team relationship between the Managing Partner and Chief Operating Officer. Benefits include enabling each to spend more time separately and together on achieving strategic goals (vs. spending time trouble shooting less important issues).   

Coaching is helpful in supporting Managing Partners to lead with courage, clarity and confidence A Managing Partner must take the lead in developing and communicating a clear and compelling future vision for the firm, aligning the Board and Practice Leaders to the vision, and holding the Board and Practice Leaders accountable for doing their part in execution. If the Managing Partner is more a politician than leader, he/she may be invested in pleasing firm partners rather than leading them.

The result is weak decision making and poor strategy execution. Too often, law firms aspire to grow via M&A asking for more revenue production or leadership time from partners without executing on these objectives. An executive coach will assist the Managing Partner to lead with courage, overcome resistance to difficult decisions, and hold the Board and other key leaders accountable. 

Coaching is helpful in building a cohort of aligned leaders including the MP, COO, Practice Leaders, and the Board. Alignment on strategy and key priorities is necessary for firm success. Coaching helps leaders at all levels to communicate clearly, foster improved employee engagement, and drive operating and strategic execution. It also helps to avoid Managing Partner and COO burnout caused by feeling that they are carrying the entire weight of leadership for the firm 

How can good governance help law firm owners, Managing Partners, and COOs to make better decisions and how can this be done through coaching?  

Timely and effective decision making requires that owners, Managing Partners and COOs are clear about their authority and accountability for making decisions. Managing Partners often seek consensus from the Board and other stakeholders for decisions rather than seeking input, considering differing points of view, and then making decisions in a timely way. Coaches help key leaders to learn decision making processes that lead to decisions that others will commit to and be accountable for executing. Coaches also help Managing Partners discern when it is time to “call the question” and make decisions that they own and must make. 

Why is leadership coaching valuable for law firm partners and COOs?    

Success as a COO requires both strong management and strong leadership skills. COOs must lead a team of experienced executives that is capable of driving business results for the firm. At the same time, the COO must have leadership and influence skills which allow her to act as a peer with the Managing Partner, owners, and the Board. Coaching helps COOs understand their strengths and development opportunities as leaders and to use this insight to build more productive and impactful relationships with the Managing Partner, Board, owners and direct reports. 

What type of firms and people have you worked with and why did they hire you to provide executive coaching?  

Full-service business law firms. Clients have included Boards, Managing partners, COOs, Administrative Service leaders (e.g., Chief Marketing Officer and team, Chief Information Officer and team), Cohorts of Practice Leaders and Individual Partners.  

The most common reasons they hired us include coaching the Managing Partner and Managing Partner/COO team and strengthening the partnership between the Managing Partner and the Board. 

When you first start working with a new client, how is that relationship established and how do you determine the business challenges and opportunities for that client as well as organizational culture and dynamics to help the client develop effective action plans?  

The relationship begins with separate discussions with the person to be coached and his/her leader regarding desired outcomes for coaching. Then the person being coached is interviewed regarding the expertise and demographics of a coach that he/she might prefer. Interviews with one or two potential coaches are set up with the person to be coached to allow him/her to select a best fit coach. A SOW is then prepared and signed which outlines desired outcomes and services to be provided. Most often the CHRO has been involved by this point and may be the person to sign the SOW.  Once the SOW is signed, a three-way meeting with the coach, person to be coached and that person’s leader is held to align on expectations and then coaching begins. 

Are there different stages and or processes with executive coaching and how are these determined?  

There are four stages to executive coaching: Assessment, Development Plan Creation, Execution of the Plan, and Measurement.  

• Assessment includes both personality and 360° assessment using professional, reliable and valid assessments. 
• Development planning is first done with the coach and coachee and then shared with the coachee’s leader to assure alignment. 
• Plan execution involves on-going 1:1 meetings between the coach and coachee where issues are discussed, learning takes place, and new skills are practiced. 
• The Bailey Group has developed a proprietary measurement process which measures both satisfaction with and impact of the coaching.

How do you manage your clients’ expectations?  

A list of expectations of the person to be coached and the coach are reviewed in the first session. These include expectations related to confidentiality, accountabilities, meeting cadence, scheduling and cancelling meetings, and other logistics. 

Is it possible to determine the results and successes of executive coaching and can you provide any examples of this?  

The Bailey Group has developed a proprietary system for measuring results of coaching. In addition, we use pre-and-post 360 assessment and customized surveys to assess impact. 

What are the biggest misconceptions about executive coaching?  

A common misconception is that the act of hiring a coach will somehow magically fix the “problem”. Behaviour change requires that the coach, the person being coached (i.e., the “coachee”), and the leader be clear, aligned and mutually accountable for achieving the coaching outcomes.  

A related misconception is that “confidentiality” means that the leader can’t be “in the loop” about the progress of the coaching. At The Bailey Group, our model includes on-going meetings, led by the coachee, with the coach, coachee, and the leader to maintain alignment and share feedback about progress (or lack thereof). 

Do you have a typical style or approach to executive coaching?  

Our approach emphasizes psychological safety, insight, challenging irrational or outdated beliefs, and being an accountability partner with the coachee for changing behaviour. Adults learn best when they feel it is safe to be vulnerable, authentic and to take risks. We use assessments to help coachees learn how they are perceived by others and to make sure their self-perception matches how others (their leader, peers and direct reports) see them. Changing behaviour requires recognizing and making conscious old habits and then intentionally choosing and practicing new behaviours. Coaches, to be effective, must be willing to respectfully challenge and hold coachees accountable when necessary.   

Leigh H. Bailey
CEO & Founder
The Bailey Group
lbailey@thebaileygroup.com
Tel: 612-327-4030
www.TheBaileyGroup.com 

Published by: www.lawyer-monthly.com - July 2nd, 2024

There are four things you’ll need to qualify as a solicitor through the SQE. You must have:

1. A university degree or equivalent in any subject (law or non-law).

2. Pass the character and suitability assessment set by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).

3. Pass SQE1 and SQE2.

4. Have two years’ qualifying work experience (QWE).

The Solicitors Regulation Authority introduced the SQE back in 2021. Here is your essential guide in becoming a solicitor without a law degree.

Aspiring solicitors are required to obtain a degree and successfully complete both SQE1 and SQE2 - (Our recommendation is, therefore, to give yourself at least 9-12 months to prepare for the exams (both SQE1 & SQE2). Additionally, they must accumulate two years of qualifying work experience. The SQE1 assessment consists of slightly over 10 hours of closed-book Single Best Answer Questions (SBAQs), which are multiple-choice questions that necessitate a well-informed decision among various viable options. However, in order to pass both SQE1 and SQE2, most individuals will likely opt for professional training courses such as the SQE1 Prep Course and the SQE2 Prep Course.

This means that studying for the SQE assessments is a serious time and financial commitment, which should not be taken lightly). Non-law graduates who wish to pursue these courses must first acquire the foundational legal knowledge necessary. Many choose to undertake a conversion course such as the PgDL, MA Law (Conversion), or MA Law (SQE1).

It is important to note that the SQE itself is not a course of study but rather an examination. As with the previous pathway, preparation courses are offered in various formats to accommodate individual circumstances.

In contrast, the previous pathway required aspiring solicitors to complete the Legal Practice Course (LPC) and a two-year Training Contract in practice. To commence the LPC, students were required to have a Qualifying Law Degree or pass a conversion course like the GDL. The transition from completing a non-law degree to starting a training contract would typically involve two years of full-time study. However, this pathway was deemed inflexible and potentially hindered access to the legal profession.

How Long?

The duration required to become a solicitor in the UK varies depending on the chosen path. The SQE assessments are scheduled at specific times throughout the year, and if a student enrolls in preparation courses for each assessment, this phase of training will take approximately one academic year, which is the same duration as the  Legal Practice Course (LPC). Similarly, non-law graduates will spend an academic year completing a conversion course initially. However, individuals have the option to reduce the time taken by skipping a course (although this is not recommended) or by opting for a shorter course like the SQE Law Essentials conversion course.

Can continuing professional education elevate a legal career?

The SQE offers flexibility and choice, allowing students to decide how they want to approach the SQE assessments. However, most students typically follow the traditional route of completing a conversion course followed by a vocational course. The qualifying work experience provides individuals with the opportunity to gain relevant experience in a broader context compared to the previous training contracts, thereby enhancing flexibility and accessibility. The Single Best Answer Questions (SBAQs) aim to reduce the emphasis on traditional exam skills such as composition and essay writing, and instead focus more on the practical application of law and judgment. The University's PgDL program aims to address these skills while still placing importance on critical thinking and communication skills, which are highly valued by students and employers.

You may be pondering whether it is possible to pursue the SQE without holding a law degree.

The answer is affirmative. One of the key modifications introduced by the SQE system is that solicitors are not required to possess a law degree or its equivalent in order to qualify. However, in order to successfully complete the SQE assessments, candidates must have a comprehensive understanding of the law in England and Wales. These courses will assist you in preparing for the challenges presented by both SQE1 and SQE2.

The SQE is specifically tailored for individuals aspiring to become solicitors. The majority of students who pass SQE 1 & 2 typically proceed to complete two years of Qualifying Work Experience before officially becoming qualified solicitors. It is important to note that this work experience can be acquired in a non-linear fashion.

What Employers Really Think

Employers in the legal field, highly value individuals who are transitioning from other careers or who have not pursued law degrees. Those coming from non-legal backgrounds bring a wealth of experience and expertise, along with a fresh passion for the legal profession. While embarking on your conversion course, it is essential to remain patient as it may take some time to adjust to thinking like a lawyer - however, the rewards are certainly worth the effort. Clifford Chance and A&O Shearman have recently joined the ranks of magic circle law firms increasing pay for newly qualified (NQ) solicitors to £150,000, following similar moves by their counterparts in recent weeks.

There are other pathways available for those interested in pursuing a career in law. If you are currently undertaking a law degree, GDL, or training contract, there are transition arrangements available until December 2032. These arrangements will enable you to become qualified as a solicitor through the existing routes. In the future, you may also consider enrolling in a Solicitor apprenticeship program. This could include options such as a Level 7 Solicitors Apprenticeship for individuals who have completed A-levels, or a Solicitor Graduate Apprenticeship for those who have already obtained a first degree.

Would you consider an online law degree?

Djakhongir Saidov (Professor of Commercial Law) and Anat Keller (Lecturer in Law) from The Dickson Poon School of Law, King’s College London weigh up the the advantages and disadvantages of online learning.

Published by: www.lawyer-monthly.com - June 27th, 2024

After all, you can't get more than 24 per day, but you can make the hours you have available for study count more. 

How? 

By studying more efficiently.

This is where technology can be a lifesaver. From legal research platforms to productivity apps all the way to study aids, the following tools and platforms can greatly enhance your study sessions and help you navigate your studies more effectively.

CaseText

CaseText is a nifty legal research tool that uses AI to streamline searches for case law, statutes, and legal analysis, making finding supporting legal precedents easier and quicker.

With it, you don't have to waste time on sifting through countless irrelevant cases; you just focus on the most pertinent information for your assignments and exams. Granted, it's still best to double-check everything on your own, but this tool definitely simplifies things.

Evernote

Keeping your notes organized is crucial for effective studying, and Evernote, a note-taking app, can help you organize all your study materials in an ultra-neat, accessible way.

Using this app, you can create different notebooks for each course, as well as tag notes for easy retrieval so you can quickly find specific information within your notes whenever you need it. Evernote also allows you to attach files, audio recordings, and images to your notes, as well as sync everything across multiple devices so you always have your study materials with you.

Quimbee

Quimbee is an educational resource with free bar exam example questions that you can use to study and practice for the MBE. Their questions are broken down by subject (criminal procedure, property, evidence, constitutional law, etc.) but there are also mixed-subject practice tests to cover all bases.

Quimbee also offers a Bar Review course with real, licensed questions from past bar exams and essay grading by real attorneys, so it might be worth investing in when you're preparing for the bar exam. The course is organized into an easy-to-follow study calendar, ensuring you stay on track and cover all necessary material before the exam.

LexisNexis

LexisNexis is a staple for legal research as it offers access to an extensive database of case law, statutes, legal news, and journals. Its advanced search functionalities allow you to quickly find relevant legal documents and stay updated on recent legal developments.

For conducting thorough legal research, writing papers, and preparing for moot court competitions, this platform is invaluable. It can help you become a better legal researcher as it offers tools to track and manage citations to make sure your legal writing is always precise and accurate.

Trello

If you, like most law students, are juggling multiple assignments, group projects, and deadlines, consider using Trello. This popular project management tool has a visual board and list system that allows you to break down tasks into manageable chunks and track your progress.

With Trello, you can create boards for different subjects, set due dates, and assign tasks to specific team members when you're working on group projects. Because everything is so visual, it makes staying on top of your entire workload, no matter how complex, much easier.

Grammarly

To make sure all your legal (and otherwise) writing is clear and free of errors, use Grammarly. This AI-powered typing assistant checks for grammar, punctuation, and style issues, plus provides suggestions for improving your text.

Grammarly also offers a plagiarism detection feature, which, while not the best out there, can still be beneficial for maintaining academic integrity. This tool is particularly useful when drafting briefs, memos, essays, and other written assignments, as it can help you produce more polished work.

Pomodoro Timer

A Pomodoro timer is a time management tool based on the Pomodoro Technique, which involves working in focused intervals - typically 25 minutes - followed by short breaks. This is a great technique to use if you want to boost your productivity, as it rigorously sets time for work and time to take a break. 

Thanks to short, scheduled breaks, it also prevents burnout. Even if you're not usually a fan of time management tools, consider using one during more intensive study periods, as it really can ensure you make the most of your time.