About Our Attorney Coaching

Stephen works closely with his clients to help them develop strategies for legal marketing tailored to their unique circumstances. He brings to bear a strong understanding of best practices for establishing relationships of trust that will benefit both attorneys and their clients, and works closely with his clients to design effective and achievable business development plans. I highly recommend him…Don Frederico, Shareholder at Greenberg Traurig (2009/2010 President Elect, Boston Bar Association)

Steve's coaching helped to me to identify my marketing strengths and weaknesses. Together we developed strategies for both building and growing client and referral relationships. Steve's energy and enthusiasm (and even his criticism) has kept me focused....Member of the Boston University School of Law, Class of 1985

Having gone through a period of voluntary career transition, I found myself feeling very empowered by Steve Seckler's coaching and career transition guidance. He opened my eyes to a lot of career possibilities and offered me the strategies for making any one of them a reality. Steve's help made all the difference....Member of Cornell Law School, Class of 1984

Coaching has become a popular way to help professionals achieve top performance. According to the Wall Street Journal, there is an increasing trend in top corporations towards hiring external coaches to work with senior level executives. Law firms are also beginning to recognize the value of hiring coaches to work with attorneys who have great legal skills but need to develop their marketing and practice management skills. Similarly, individual attorneys who want to work more effectively, develop more business or find better work/life balance are turning to coaches as well. (See also an article I published in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly.)

What is Coaching?

Coaching is a service that helps executives and professionals achieve higher levels of performance. The theory behind coaching is simple. While a personal trainer might help an individual develop and follow a fitness plan, a professional coach can help an attorney clarify professional goals and create an action plan for reaching these goals. A professional coach then works with the professional to ensure that these goals are reached.

A coach is a sounding board, a reality check and a mentor. A coach provides support, validation and resources. A coach holds you accountable and helps you move past roadblocks. An effective coach provides a highly customized service which takes into account your specific goals and your particular strengths and weaknesses.

To best understand what coaching is, it is useful to review some examples of how coaching works. Please click here.

Why Should I Hire a Coach?

Stephen Seckler believes that attorneys are good subjects for coaching because they are results-oriented professionals. At the same time, because attorneys tend to be very focused on delivering high quality legal work, it is hard to stay focused on less urgent matters.

Business Development Coaching

Now more than ever, success in private practice requires an ability to generate business. Stephen Seckler works with lawyers to develop a marketing plan that fits with their own personality, interests and goals. He then consults with attorneys over time to make sure that the plan is executed and ultimately, successful. In his own business, he has used professional writing, blogging, Web 2.0 tools like Twitter and LinkedIn, direct-mail marketing, website publishing, professional speaking, event planning, public relations, volunteer activity, professional networking, e-mail newsletters and creative advertising in order to generate business leads. He works with attorneys in private practice to help them find a comfortable mix of these techniques.

Career Transitions

As a career coach, Stephen Seckler helps ambitious attorneys to increase their career satisfaction. He coaches attorneys who want to better manage their time and increase their overall effectiveness. Sometimes the critical event for the attorney is the birth of a child. Other times, it might be a bad performance review. Still other times, attorneys contact him because they have identified areas for improvement on their own.

Stephen Seckler works with lawyers who want to learn how to market themselves internally to get more recognition and better work. He often works with attorneys who want to find a better fit within the law (either at another firm or in-house with a corporation, non-profit organization or government agency). This usually involves a period of self-assessment. For some, this is the first time in their professional lives that they decide what they really want to do (vs. what they "should be doing").,

Some of his coaching clients come to him because they want to leave the law altogether. These individuals need a range of tools and a lot of support to help them identify a new direction, come to terms with their decision and work towards reaching the new goal. Others are considering launching their own law practice but do not know where to begin.

Management Skills Coaching

In law school, lawyers learn little about being a manager. For many lawyers, being a new associate is the first opportunity they have to manage. For many lawyers, becoming a partner is the first time they have to think like a business owner. But delegating work to a secretary, paralegal or associate is a skill just like writing a legal brief. As a result, attorneys frequently have a limited chance to develop effective management skills even though good management skills are critical to success in a competitive legal marketplace.

Stephen Seckler understands what motivates support staff to achieve their best and how poor communication can quickly breed resentment. He knows how to tailor his approach in working with diverse personalities. As an attorney for Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (MCLE), he was often placed in the position of working with law firm partners and associates with very different work styles.

Stephen Seckler is an experienced mediator and understands how to get to the source of conflict and work past it to achieve positive results.

How Our Coaching Works

Coaching begins with an initial one hour consultation. During this time, Steve helps you articulate the goals and issues that you want to address. After the initial session, there are either weekly or bi-weekly phone calls or in-person meetings lasting 30 to 45 minutes. Between meetings, you have “assignments”. These assignments might initially help you to clarify your goals. Over time, they are designed to keep you actively moving towards your goals. Steve encourages e-mails and phone calls between sessions (when you need additional feedback or help). Frequently, Steve also spends time tracking down contacts and resources for the coachee or providing comments on something you have written. There is no additional charge for these shorter interactions.

How Much Does it Cost

You can get started with coaching for as little as $500. This covers the first four sessions and any brief check-ins between sessions. Coachees can reduce the fee per session by purchasing a greater number of sessions in advance.

While some coaches require a minimum six month committment from their clients(and fees which can require you to write out a check for $5000) Steve understands that coaching is a personal service and that it can take a few sessions to decide whether you have chosen the "right" coach. Rather than locking you in to a long commitment from the start, our pricing lets you "try it out". Similarly, Steve understands that as a lawyer, there may be periods where your workload prevents you from doing your coaching homework. Charging by the session rather than the month allows you to take breaks from coaching when a deal or a litigation matter heats up.

 

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