My New Orleans Recruiting Conference Takeaways
I had a great time attending a recruiting conference in New Orleans last week. Last year’s takeaway was more tactical. We clarified our focus and committed to patent litigation. Instead of trying to serve everyone, we chose to go deeper in one area. Over the past year, that decision allowed us to work closely with patent litigation associates, counsel, and partners to help them build stronger, more intentional practices. This year’s insights were more personal in nature. Mentorship Matters Mentorship is rarely passive—it’s a two-way dynamic. In a relationship-driven industry like recruiting, mentors usually don’t come to you first. If you admire someone’s work or thinking, it’s important to initiate the relationship yourself and lead with genuine curiosity. When you show how you think and take a real interest in others, meaningful connections tend to form naturally over time. Presence Pays Even a light but consistent professional presence can create a sense of familiarity. I was genuin...