Demystifying Business Development with Taft Partner Michael Gordon

When Elise asks partners what qualities they most value in an associate, one of the top three most common responses is active listening and demonstrating engagement. So why didn’t we learn how to actively listen in school? In this solo episode, Elise explains the science behind why listening is so hard (hello, distraction!) and gives specific recommendations on how to make every single person you interact with feel valued, heard, and understood.

In this episode of Corner Office, Elise sits down with Michael Schoenfelt, a Labor & Employment Partner at Vorys and Co-Chair of the Vorys Hiring Committee. Michael gives insight into the red flags he sees when hiring laterals and shares his perspective on what to say about the firm you’re leaving during an interview. Hear about how he built relationships with influential attorneys who became his advocates and get ideas on how you, too, can connect with people who will positively shape your career trajectory.

In this episode of Corner Office, Elise sits down with Yvonne Schulte, Partner at Clyde & Co. Yvonne was a single mother living in the projects during law school. Hear her inspiring, unusual story about how she overcame countless obstacles to create a new life for herself and her family. She reveals her take on if money can really buy happiness, and what luxuries she buys now that she has financial stability.

One of the most delicate topics Elise covers in her speaking engagements at law firms is the concept of professional presence. Elise shares why professionalism is essential to exhibit and how she interprets this word. She gives specific examples of what she sees people do that can be perceived as unprofessional.

In this episode of Corner Office Elise sits down with Michael Arnold, Chair of Mintz’s Employment practice. Mike shares how he recharges as an introvert so he doesn’t get burnt out. He discusses why he focuses on being grateful for the opportunities he has, and why being resilient is a necessity in this demanding career.

In this episode of Corner Office Elise sits down with Bhavik Patel, the Managing Partner and CEO of Sandberg Phoenix. Bhavik is one of the busiest leaders in the legal industry and somehow manages to respond to every email in record speed. He shares how he structures his day using time blocking and how he captures his billable time in an infrared sauna each morning at 5AM.

What could you achieve if you were just a little bit more influential at work? You can increase your influence with simple, intentional actions that make it more likely others will do what you suggest. Elise takes you through the social psychology of becoming more likeable, leveraging the power of social proof, and tapping into our desire to reciprocate. You’ll learn actionable ways to boost trust with colleagues and clients. 

In this episode of Corner Office Elise talks with Amanda Hettinger, a partner at Thompson Coburn and the Co-Chair of the Business Litigation Group. Amanda shares how she decides when to be outspoken and the power of getting feedback from your clients. She shares how she gets credit for  non-billable work, and how to initiate conversations about being compensated for that work. 

Michael Powers is Counsel at Katten and an alum of University of Michigan’s undergraduate and law school. He also happens to be Elise’s husband. In this episode, hear what Michael did to earn the firm’s “superstar associate” award, normally given to senior associates, when he was only a second year. Michael describes how he takes ownership of his cases and what his life looked like when he was billing 2,600 hours per year.

In this episode of Corner Office, Elise sits down with Michael Gordon, the Co-Chair of the Finance group at Taft. Mike is a true expert in business development and shares his techniques for building genuine relationships with clients and prospective clients. He gives specific ideas for all levels of law firm associates on how to lay the foundation for future BD success. Mike is one of the most likeable law firm partners around, so listen up if you want to boost your emotional intelligence and get expert tips on winning over other people.