November CBA Report

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Young Lawyers Section Markers of Success
Advice to Young Lawyers about what partners look for
By Elizabeth Stegeman and Stephanie Franxman, co-chairs of the YLS PR Committee
Stegeman Franxman
I start evaluating young attorneys for long
term success from the beginning. This
includes evaluating their quality of work,
work in the community, and ability to
develop business from the time the young
attorney begins at Taft. Specific habits
and personality traits that I have seen in
young attorneys who have been successful
include their work ethic, time manage-
ment skills, ability to multi-task, genuine interest in learning more
about our clients and their businesses, poise when dealing with
difficult situations, and a dedication to community involvement.
The most important trait I’ve observed in young associates who
make it to the partner lever is a high degree of ethics. These
successful attorneys also produce high quality work, work hard,
and bring in business.
— Tracey Puthoff, partner at Taft
I evaluate young attorneys from the
moment we interview them. As our
founder Don Klekamp says, “People do
business with people they like.” A young
attorney must not only be able to do
quality work but must also sell themselves
to our clients. Young attorneys who have
been successful are hardworking, orga-
nized, and able to deliver answers in a
manner that instills confidence. Young associates that excel to part-
nership are hard workers that deliver excellent work product and
build relationships with clients and potential clients. They act as
an owner and treat their employment as a career instead of a job.
They always do whatever is necessary to ensure the client is satis-
fied and make the firm look good.
— Brock Denton, partner at KMK
The CBA Young Lawyers Section (YLS) asked practitioners in the Cincinnati area for advice to
young lawyers on a variety of different topics. This month, the YLS asked Tracey Puthoff and
Brock Denton for their take on what markers of success they look for in young attorneys. Read
their perspectives below for insights and advice on what traits and habits lead to long term
success for young attorneys in law firms.
Each year, the Greater Cincinnati legal community comes together to bring good cheer
to children in need. For more than 20 years, the Giving Basket program has provided
thousands of gifts to less fortunate children during the holiday season. Please join us to
continue this great tradition of giving. Gifts benefit children served by the Boys & Girls
Club, Boys Hope/Girls Hope, and ProKids.
Give a Gift
1. Visit
2. Choose a wish list gift tag (includes gender and age)
3. Purchase an age appropriate gift for $25 - $30
4. Place the unwrapped gift in a gift bag and attach the gift tag
5. Drop the gift off at Dinsmore & Shohl LLP, Chemed Center, 255 East Fifth Street, Ste.
1900, Cincinnati, OH 45202 between December 7-12
Questions? Contact Director of Community Engagement
LaDonna Wallace Smith at or (513) 699-1392.
Bring Cheer through Giving
November 2017 CBA REPORT l 23