Tom Kane’s post yesterday in his Legal Marketing Blog was a timely reminder of the importance of rainmaking.  To quote:  “Partners (or associates for that matter) DO NOT get fired or demoted for developing business.” 

Conversely, those attorneys that do not bring in business are at serious risk, as shown by yesterday’s associate buyout offers by Bingham McCutchen  and last month’s 10% partner layoffs by Mayer Brown. 

I still remember working at Baker Botts in the early 1990’s when two non-performing partners departed–with quiet but strong encouragement. Such departures were rare indeed.  Those days are long gone as firms focus more than ever on profitability. 

The good news for lawyers with international expertise? Your skills are needed now more than ever thanks to the globalization wave.  So, keep cultivating your international expertise and, to reiterate Tom Kane’s point, make rain lest you be hung out to dry.