How to Get Promoted to Partner or Managing Partner: A Strategic Guide for Solicitors

Becoming a Partner—or progressing further to Managing Partner—is about much more than billable hours and technical excellence. It's about leadership, commercial contribution, and positioning yourself as someone who drives the firm forward.

At Mr Merch, we work with ambitious solicitors and forward-thinking firms to accelerate visibility, build trust, and implement marketing strategies that support practice growth—and personal progression.

If you're aiming for promotion, here's a comprehensive guide to help you make the leap.

1. Understand What the Firm Values

Not all firms promote on the same criteria, but most look for solicitors who demonstrate clear business value. This typically includes:

• Client satisfaction and retention

• Business development and referrer relationships

• Leadership and mentorship within the team

• Contribution to firm culture and visibility

• Growth of a department or specialism

Speak to senior partners or department heads to understand your firm’s priorities. Then, take practical steps to align your efforts with those expectations.

“Becoming Partner isn’t just about being good—it’s about being indispensable to the firm’s future.”

2. Start Thinking Like a Rainmaker

Business development is no longer optional at Partner level—it's essential. You don’t have to be in ‘sales’, but you do need to bring in work.

Build your referrer network, stay connected with past clients, and raise your profile in your specialism.

Here are a few ways to get started:

• Connect with accountants, IFAs, barristers, and other solicitors

• Deliver value to your network through seminars or articles

• Ask for referrals professionally when the opportunity is appropriate

• Stay in touch with former clients and intermediaries

“It’s not about shouting louder—it’s about showing up in the right conversations, at the right time.”

3. Be Visible—Inside and Outside the Firm

You may be doing excellent work—but if no one sees it, it may not translate into promotion.

Strategic visibility builds influence. Whether it’s in front of clients, colleagues, or the broader legal market, you need to position yourself as a recognised expert and future leader.

Here’s how:

• Speak at CPD events or panel discussions

• Share thought leadership online via LinkedIn or your firm’s website

• Mentor junior solicitors and build internal influence

• Host educational webinars or round-tables

At Mr Merch, we help firms and individuals do just that—using high-quality, professionally branded merchandise to support internal marketing, client development, and event visibility.

4. Support the Firm’s Goals with Strategic Marketing

Promotable solicitors think beyond individual cases. They look at how they can support the firm’s growth objectives.

Are you helping to:

• Launch new practice areas?

• Improve client retention?

• Attract top-tier candidates?

• Enhance your firm’s reputation?

If so, these contributions are part of your business case for promotion. But they must be visible and measurable.

This is where smart, strategic marketing helps. At Mr Merch, we support firms with campaigns and merchandise that not only reinforce branding, but provide measurable outcomes—like QR-code tracking, campaign-linked response rates, and engagement metrics.

5. Demonstrate Commercial Impact

To be considered for Partner, you’ll need more than goodwill—you’ll need evidence. Keep a record of your achievements that support the business.

Examples include:

• Referrals brought in

• Growth of your team or caseload

• Client feedback and testimonials

• Internal projects you've led (e.g., rebranding, onboarding, new systems)

• Cost-saving or efficiency initiatives you've implemented

“Promotion isn’t a reward—it’s a business decision. Make your commercial value easy to demonstrate.”

6. Present Your Brand Professionally—Consistently

Reputation matters. And in a competitive legal market, presentation influences perception.

How your team shows up—at events, in onboarding materials, and online—reflects on your leadership. We help firms ensure that branded materials and marketing tools are consistent, high-quality, and aligned with the firm's values.

From referrer packs to client welcome kits to recruitment giveaways, Mr Merch helps teams:

• Reinforce their specialism

• Communicate their values

• Stay memorable long after meetings end

Whether you're presenting to prospective clients or positioning for promotion, your brand should reflect your standards.

7. Build Your Internal Influence

Being respected within the firm is as important as visibility outside it. That means:

• Supporting firm initiatives

• Contributing to culture and morale

• Showing leadership qualities before the title

Internal projects like mentoring programs, CSR involvement, or staff onboarding contribute to your perceived value as a future Partner or Managing Partner.

If you're already influencing the direction of the firm—you’re already acting like a Partner.

Final Thoughts: Step Up, Strategically

Promotion in law is rarely accidental. It’s earned through clear contribution, visibility, and leadership—both commercial and cultural.

Whether you're working toward Partnership or leading the firm as Managing Partner, it pays to think strategically, market smartly, and invest in your reputation.

At Mr Merch, we support solicitors and legal teams with marketing strategies and high-quality merchandise that accelerate results—measurably.

Hosting your own events is one of the fastest ways to stand out — see how top firms use events to grow influence.

Ready to Build Your Brand and Career?

Explore how we help solicitors strengthen their reputation, increase visibility, and support their firm’s growth.

👉 mrmerch.uk/solicitor

Or get in touch for a bespoke consultation—we’re happy to share ideas that align with your goals and your firm’s values.

Ready to Build Your Referral Network? Let’s Connect.

If you’re looking to strengthen your referral network, connect with other solicitors, and create meaningful business relationships, Mr Merch can help.

📌 Book a Free Consultation today and discover how we can support your law firm’s networking and referral-building efforts.

🌍 Visit our website: www.mrmerch.uk