Firm Makes Partnership Achievable by Renaming the Reasons People Do Not Achieve It

YOUR FUTURE, CLEARER

The Alderwick March Partnership Pathway

At Alderwick March, we believe ambition should have a destination. As North America's eleventh-ranked firm, we retain the personal touch of mid law across all 4,800 of our lawyers.

You told us our partnership process could feel opaque, discouraging and impossible to satisfy. We listened. Following a comprehensive review of the words used to describe it, we are delighted to introduce an achievable pathway with a 100 per cent progression rate.

Seven partnership places were approved before the review. Seven remain approved. Every other candidate will experience progression through our expanded range of development outcomes.

A simpler vocabulary

The revenue threshold, billable target, origination requirement and committee discretion remain as published in the existing guidance, where available. Your sponsor must still be an equity partner willing to spend political capital on your behalf. We have made this requirement more accessible by removing the word “must”.

Candidates should continue to demonstrate a portable client following while respecting the firm's allocation of all client origination to existing partners. The pathway graphic now depicts these obligations as two converging arrows. Our design agency has assured us that they meet just beyond the edge of the page.

What does 100 per cent progression mean?

Previously, candidates were classified as promoted or unsuccessful. Under the new model, candidates become partners or continue progressing towards becoming partners.

Neither outcome can reduce our progression rate.

“Nobody is being held back. Some colleagues are progressing in place,” said the chair of the Advancement Committee, formerly the Admissions Committee. The committee's membership, remit and ability to decline applications without explanation have been retained for continuity.

Your personalised advancement letter

Private and confidential — positive development outcome

Dear Nora,

Congratulations on your continued progression.

Following careful consideration, the committee has selected you for a further year of commercial identity development, supported by relationship readiness. This reflects the very high quality of applications and the absence of a sponsor prepared to endorse yours.

You will retain your current title, compensation and responsibilities. We recognise the substantial partner-level work you already perform and look forward to your continuing it.

You asked whether the business case considered sufficient last year is still sufficient. Requirements are assessed holistically, and we encourage you to remain open to how they may have evolved.

There is no appeal against a positive development outcome.

Please join Thursday's workshop, Understanding How Much Clearer Everything Has Become. Attendance will be recorded as evidence of progression. Non-attendance will be recorded as an opportunity to progress in engagement.

To acknowledge this letter, select one:

• I am pleased to continue progressing.
• I require support in being pleased.