What is Coaching for Lawyers?

Coaching is a new profession, which follows the athletic coaching model.

Coaches, generally:

Help their clients set better goals and then reach those goals.

Ask their clients to do more than they would do on their own.

Focus their clients better to more quickly produce results.

Provide the tools, support and structure to accomplish more.

Coaching for Lawyers is an approach that focuses on issues especially relevant to attorneys. Most of the time the coaching revolves around career related matters such as law practice development, legal career advancement, career change, goal setting and achievement and stress reduction. In addition, we usually work on personal issues such as health and fitness and balancing professional and family life.

What is a “Professional Certified Coach?”

This is a designation awarded by the International Coach Federation, the governing body of the coaching profession, to evidence that a coach has achieved certain educational, experience and competency standards. Coaching is, at this time, an unregulated profession and anyone can call themselves a coach. The certification process ensures a standard of quality for coaches. I was awarded the Professional Certified Coach designation in June 1999.

What coaching education and experience do you have? What experience do you have as a lawyer?

I am a graduate of Coach University, one of the premier coach training facilities in the United States. I began coaching attorneys in 1997 and have coached attorneys across the United States and internationally. I have been a solo practitioner, associate and partner and I have worked with solo practitioners, associates, partners and managing partners. I have coached attorney clients on a number of issues including practice development and marketing, time management, stress reduction, setting and achieving strategic goals, career and job change issues, professional relationships and many more. I also work with all of my clients to improve the quality of their personal lives. Prior to becoming a coach, I practiced law in Houston for over 25 years. I have a broad background of legal experience, which has proved invaluable in understanding and relating to my clients’ issues.

What does Coaching cost?

My coaching fees range from $495 to $995 per month depending on the plan chosen and are generally related to the time we spend in coaching sessions. In- between-sessions support is included at no additional charge. Fees for specific plans or custom coaching plans will be provided upon request.

How are Coaching fees paid?

Payment may be by check, major credit card or PayPal. On the Resources page of this website there is a link to a secure web page where payment can be made via eChecks, credit card or PayPal.

Can my law firm hire you to coach me?

Yes, law firms often pay for coaching for their associates and partners and find it a good investment. However, just as in any legal representation, I owe loyalty and confidentiality to my coaching client, regardless of who pays my fee.

Can you coach more than one person at a law firm?

It depends. As long as there are no conflicts of interest between the clients or other ethical issues involved, I could coach more that one attorney in the firm. Understanding the dynamics of a firm’s practice and the lawyers could make coaching multiple attorneys at one firm more efficient. Of course, all communications with my clients are entirely confidential.

For how long must I commit?

I require that you mentally commit yourself to the lawyer coaching process for a period of three months. The results of coaching take a while to show up and I want you to experience coaching for a long enough period to reap the benefits. I will work hard to help you accomplish your goals within that time. Your agreement with me is to be open to the coaching process and do the work we agree to between the coaching sessions. There is no written contract and, if coaching is not working for you, you can stop at the end of any month. At the end of the initial three-month period, if you want to continue, we will discuss what arrangement will work best for you.

I believe I just want coaching for a short period; how is that handled?

At the end of the initial three-month coaching period we will review your progress and determine how helpful coaching has been for you. If you have accomplished your goals, want a break from coaching or for any other reason wish to stop coaching, that is just fine and I will continue to support you in any way that I can. If you have a particular issue that can be addressed and resolved in less than three months, I will work with you at my customary hourly rate.

I have an important career decision to make, can you help me?

Yes. I often help attorneys work through important career or life decisions. Decision-making is a special interest of mine. I have studied the art and science of decision making for years. I know the techniques and procedures to clarify issues, develop options and evaluate alternatives. I also taught a college level Critical Thinking course for several years. I can apply decision making techniques, critical thinking principles and my coaching skills to help you make the best possible decision. We attorneys make important decisions every day in the practice of law, but it is difficult to make a major decision when it’s personal; it’s hard to be objective. Having an experienced coach work with you through the decision-making process is worthwhile.