Love them or loathe them, the legal directories are here to stay – for the meantime anyway. So here are 8 tips for everyone involved in the process:
Those considering putting themselves forward
- If you haven’t been included in a submission before, ask for some advice on whether now is the time and in which areas. If you have been doing directory submissions are there any additional areas you want to include to your repertoire? Or perhaps exclude in the next submission process?
- Start considering what work/cases you want to showcase. Ask yourself why you think it is important. It does not have to be because of the monetary value but does it have aspects that will catch the eye of a researcher?
- Think about your referees. They are a vital part of your submission. Choose people likely to respond rather than simply the most senior member of a team.
- Late entries are the bane of everyone involved in producing legal directory submissions. They also could seriously harm your own position. Don’t be the person who is having to be chased.
Those preparing the submissions
- Consider some training and online materials to encourage good material is provided to you and in good time!
- Review the practice areas in which your organisation submits. Are there any you should consider? Or should consider leaving out?
- Start collecting information about your organisation’s performance across all the practice areas in which you intend to submit. Preparing the submissions is an important exercise in PR within a law firm.
- Plan in the timetable for a separate D&I assessment and moderation of each team submission.