‘Stepping out ahead of most firms’ – Foley Featured on ‘Legal Speak’ Podcast for Partner Training Program

Foley & Lardner LLP partner Leigh Riley and Chief Talent Officer Jen Patton appeared on the Legal Speak podcast episode, “Leveraging Partner Training To Recruit and Retain,” detailing the inception of Foley’s Partner Excellence Actionable Knowledge (PEAK) program, its roadmap, and insights on how Foley is helping its people succeed at every stage of their careers.

Riley described how the ideas behind PEAK had been percolating for her since she became a partner, noting the nuanced challenges that partners face. “I felt it was so important to have training for our partners around the whole arc of their career,” Riley said. Patton agreed, adding that PEAK “is a great opportunity to touch that group, and to work with them and invest in them on their learning and development.”

Asked about initial reception to PEAK’s first live session in September on effective people management, Patton noted the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting some responses indicated attorneys had been eagerly awaiting this type of program for years. Riley emphasized the volume of conversations and questions the session has ignited.

The pair also highlighted PEAK’s unique blend of live and on demand training, the wide range of topics PEAK will explore, and how PEAK will enhance innovative client engagement and business development practices, create a collaborative and inclusive leadership culture, and equip partners with the tools to successfully navigate a modern legal practice.

On whether more firms will follow Foley’s lead in investing in partner training, Riley said she hopes they will. “None of us are perfect and strong in all the different aspects that you need to be a really successful partner,” she explained. “We all have our strengths, we also all have our weaknesses. If I can have people help me with my weaknesses, help make those better, help make me more confident, I love that, and I think so many other partners love that as well.”

PEAK “demonstrates a continued investment in our people, in all stages of their careers,” Patton added. “It also highlights our culture here at Foley, and our culture of continuous learning and continuous improvement.”

To learn more about PEAK and Foley’s commitment to its people, click here.

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