The Unstuck Lawyer®
when one of those days is every day
Coaching new partners to lead with confidence, manage competing demands, and grow into the role
Specialist executive coaching for new partners to help
- Build confidence and authority in your new role, including with former colleagues and existing board members
- Balance fee earning with new partnership responsibilities, supervision, and business development
- Build stronger networks and referral relationships, and raise your profile at decision-making level
- Bring in new work with confidence, without it feeling like selling
- Delegate effectively and develop your team
- Handle challenging conversations and difficult client situations with greater confidence
- Reduce procrastination and protect time for the work that grows the practice
- Tackle self-doubt, imposter feelings, and the pressure to keep proving yourself
- Improve decision-making and strategic thinking
- Have a confidential sounding board as you find your feet
What leadership coaching for new partners can help you achieve
Greater confidence in the role from the start
Credibility with your team and fellow partners
Stronger skills in rainmaking
Leading your team with gravitas
Time for partner responsibilities, not just fee earning
A sustainable pace you can keep
WHAT PARTNERS AND NEW LEADERS SAY
“I started the coaching with Simona after taking a step up to equity partnership, which saw me running the firm with a small management team. It helped me focus on what my goals were for the firm, and for myself personally in terms of fee earning vs management. It also helped me manage the emotions during that process too.
Once the initial coaching sessions are completed, you don’t feel like you’re just left to get on with things—further help is always encouraged.
I would recommend Simona and her coaching services. As a lawyer herself, she really understood the pressures of the profession and how much stress and strain it can place on you.”
Claire Darby, Equity Partner, Pearson Hard Solicitors
“My biggest takeaway was that we covered topic areas that I had not even thought about, particularly in relation to me considering what were the ‘true’ blockers for me progressing with my workload and business marketing.”
Law Firm Partner
“I cannot stress enough just how incredibly valuable Simona’s coaching has been for me as I have negotiated the first 3 months of my new and exciting role. I have really valued her time and commitment to me, her supportive and encouraging approach, but equally challenging when required! – and the insights and clarity it has given me have been more than I could have imagined when we started out.
It really has been incredibly helpful and illuminating, and I will take from our sessions a number of key insights, which I carry with me in my day-to-day work. Thank you!”
Laura Thurlow, New CEO
Ready to talk about your next step?
A relaxed, no-pressure, no-obligation conversation.
One day a fee earner. The next a partner, expected to know it all.
The reality of stepping into partnership
You recently made partner, whether as a salaried or equity partner, and alongside the well-deserved inner pride there may be a worry, am I really ready for this? The skills that made you an excellent fee earner are now not the whole job. Now there are teams to lead, more business to bring in, difficult conversations to hold, needing to show up differently in meetings, and a sense that everyone expects you to know how, without anyone quite showing you. Stepping up is exciting, and it can also feel exposing.
It does not have to feel this way. Most new partners are capable and motivated, and already know much of what the role requires. What is often missing is the time and space to work out how you want to lead and navigate new experiences in the role, with someone alongside you while the fee-earning work carries on.
Coaching gives you the opportunity to make that transition with someone who knows the challenges, including from personal experience, so there is very little you need to explain. Alongside exploring situations as they arise and putting new approaches and practical actions in place for your new role, we also tackle any habits, previous ways of working, or beliefs that may hold you back or slow you down. Helping you to lead with confidence, protect your time, and enjoy the role you have worked so hard for.
Already an established partner or firm owner?
Running a firm, or leading as an equity partner, brings a different set of challenges, from competing demands and constant availability, to growing the firm and switching off without guilt.
Why leadership coaching for new partners?
Successful leaders have mentors, external supportive peers, and coaches. They help them fine-tune their management, leadership, business, and personal development skills, think more fully, uncover blindspots that slow progress, and hold them to their goals and actions.
Law Firm Expertise – Previous Partner, Solicitor 20 yrs, Leadership Coach 10 + years
I have been a professional coach for over 10 years, alongside specialist knowledge of working within law firms. This includes approximately 20 years practising law as an employment solicitor, being headhunted, setting up new departments, and being a partner in a dual-office firm. As a partner, my specific focus was on staff and business development. This experience, not only my own, but that of peers, staff, partners, and coaching clients, supports you as you grow into your role as a partner.
Alongside my legal career, my training includes ILM Level 7 and ILM Level 5 in Coaching and Mentoring for Senior Executives, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) Practitioner, Solution Focused Therapist, Positive Psychology, Time To Think Facilitator (including Transforming Meetings®), EMDR Plus Practitioner, EFT Practitioner Levels 1 and 2, and an Advanced Diploma in Clinical Hypnotherapy.
Coaching with Simona
Most of the new partners I work with are driven and want to do well in the role. What they often need is clarity on what is getting in the way, or what can help growth happen quicker and easier, whether that is making time for business development alongside a full caseload, stepping into management and board meetings with confidence, or quietening the inner critic as they grow into the role.
I focus on mindset, behaviour, and strategy, so our sessions create internal change alongside tangible, practical actions and results that work for you.
How we work together – online coaching programmes
Becoming Unstuck Programme
Tackling the immediate challenge and creating a significant shift
3–4 months
Beyond Unstuck Programme
For those who want to evolve, strategise, and thrive in their ongoing role
12 months
Frequently asked questions
It is one-to-one executive coaching for solicitors who have recently made partner, whether salaried or equity. I help you make the shift from fee earner to leader, building confidence and authority, bringing in new business, leading your team, and protecting your time, with support as real situations arise. Sessions are online, so I work with new partners across the UK and internationally.
Many partners start in their first months or first year in the role, when expectations are new, changes are significant, and skills and habits are still forming. New challenges can also arise that are unclear or hard to resolve quickly. Starting early helps you build the confidence, habits, and relationships the role needs, in a supported, structured, and timely way.
Partnership training usually covers what partners need to know, and it is typically delivered once to a group. Coaching works with you on your own situation over time, so you can put that learning into practice, try new approaches, deal with real situations as they arise, implement skills, review what worked well or did not go as smoothly, and adjust.
Yes. I work with both salaried and equity partners. Some challenges overlap, from building credibility and bringing in work to leading a team, while others develop with seniority. Coaching focuses on what your role asks of you.
Yes. Many new partners find business development the hardest part of the role to make time for, or feel uncomfortable promoting themselves and the firm. Coaching helps you find an approach that suits you, protect time for it, and tackle what holds you back, including referring work across the firm.
Yes. Everything we discuss is treated in the strictest confidence contractually, which is why so many new partners value having an independent sounding board. You can find the full details on the pricing page.
Yes. Your firm can pay for your coaching, and many firms treat coaching as part of their training and development budget. We agree at the outset what, if anything, is shared with your firm, so you can speak openly in our sessions.
The simplest way is a free discovery call. It is a relaxed, no-pressure conversation about what you want to change and whether coaching with me is the right fit. If it is not, I will say so.
Ready to step into your promotion with more confidence?
A relaxed, no-pressure, no-obligation conversation.
Not quite ready? You can also sign up to my Newsletter for ideas on leading well and protecting your time as you grow into the role.
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Ready to step into your new role with greater ease? Get in touch, and we can explore whether coaching with me is right for you.