Module 3 · Chapter 9

Equal, Not Grateful

The appraisal is the one meeting a year where a junior is invited to ask for something. This chapter shows how to bring one page to it, ask with numbers and stop apologising.

≈ 11 min read 8-question test

In this chapter

  • Why the appraisal is a trade reviewed between adults, not a verdict
  • How to write one page: what you did, what you want, what you ask
  • How to stop apologising, and how to say a boundary once

9.1The appraisal in one paragraph

The appraisal is the yearly meeting where a partner and a lawyer agree what the lawyer did, what she wants and what changes. It is the one meeting in a law firm's year where a junior is invited to ask for something. Most juniors spend it saying thank you, and walk out with what they walked in with. At Fenwick Rowe LLP the appraisal is in May, and pay moves for everyone in September.

Key point

An appraisal is a meeting about next year, not a verdict on last year. You bring your half of it on one page.

Also in this chapter

  1. A trade between adults, not a favour
  2. What you did, in five lines with numbers
  3. What you want, and three asks
  4. Two yeses and a date
  5. The end of “sorry to bother you”
  6. A boundary, said once
  7. Your job

Preview

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