Stop Your Mid-Level Associate Exodus Now!

Before Your Best Future Partner Walks Out the Door

The Problem

Your strongest future partners are quietly disengaging and leaving.

The Solution

Implementing our system, not another program, to retain, develop, and advance your future leaders.

The Outcomes

A measurable shift in retention, performance, and leadership strength.

Meet MLARD™

The Mid-Level Associate Retention & Development System

The MLARD™ System is a firm-wide framework that replaces ad hoc development with clear, consistent support for mid-level associates. It intentionally integrates three development programs so future partners are built, on purpose.

THE FRAMEWORK

The 85/15 Model

0%

Billable Client Work

0%

Associate Development

What Changes for Your Firm

The Impact

Firms that implement the Mid-Level Associate Retention & Development System (MLARD™) see meaningful improvements across culture, productivity, and long-term growth.

Higher Retention Rate

Keep your 4th–6th year associates engaged, motivated, and committed.

Stronger Partnership Pipeline

Develop confident, visible, partnership-ready associates.

Higher Engagement

Associates with clarity and advocacy perform better and take greater ownership.

Protection of Billable Productivity

Development happens within a strategic framework, so growth supports performance rather than competing with it.

Greater Internal Visibility

Mentorship creates intentional access to senior leadership, improving cultural alignment.

Ready to Strengthen Your Leadership Pipeline?

With the MLARD™ system in place, firms can retain top talent, develop future partners, and protect long-term growth. We’ll tailor the system to fit your firm’s culture, structure, and business goals.

"Inspiring and Helpful"

"Susan is a wonderful coach who is inspiring and helpful. She asks great questions that help me rediscover myself. I come out of her session with useful action items that help with my everyday work. I strongly recommend her for professional coaching. Susan is a wonderful coach who is inspiring and helpful. She asks great questions that help me to rediscover myself. I come out of her session with useful action items that help with my everyday work. I strongly recommend her for professional coaching."
Yingli Wang
Partner at Perkins Coie LLP

"Inspiring and Helpful"

"Susan is a wonderful coach who is inspiring and helpful. She asks great questions that help me rediscover myself. I come out of her session with useful action items that help with my everyday work. I strongly recommend her for professional coaching. Susan is a wonderful coach who is inspiring and helpful. She asks great questions that help me to rediscover myself. I come out of her session with useful action items that help with my everyday work. I strongly recommend her for professional coaching."
Yingli Wang
Yingli Wang
Partner at Perkins Coie LLP

"Gain Perspective on Challenges"

"Susan is a talented coach and a great thought partner for anyone looking to reach a goal or gain perspective on whatever challenges they face. Her experiences in the legal industry and in career counseling provide her with a great business background, but it is her ability to ask questions that explore possibilities and foster growth that makes her a great coach. I thoroughly enjoy working with Susan and highly recommend her to anyone who would like to learn what coaching is about and take steps towards their goals."
Mojdeh Pourmahram, JD, ACC
Corporate Training and Development Manager at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett

"Gain Perspective on Challenges"

"Susan is a talented coach and a great thought partner for anyone looking to reach a goal or gain perspective on whatever challenges they face. Her experiences in the legal industry and in career counseling provide her with a great business background, but it is her ability to ask questions that explore possibilities and foster growth that makes her a great coach. I thoroughly enjoy working with Susan and highly recommend her to anyone who would like to learn what coaching is about and take steps towards their goals."
Mojdeh Pourmahram
Mojdeh Pourmahram, JD, ACC
Corporate Training and Development Manager at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett

"Accountable to the Actions"

"I have had the pleasure of being coached by Susan. She listens effectively, poses insightful questions, and checks in regularly to ensure we are making progress against my goals. She has helped me work through several challenging issues and most importantly, has held me accountable to the actions identified. I would recommend Susan to anyone who desires to become their best selves and more effective in their personal and professional lives."
Scott Stehlik
Director, Integrated Swine and Poultry Technical Services at Merck

"Accountable to the Actions"

"I have had the pleasure of being coached by Susan. She listens effectively, poses insightful questions, and checks in regularly to ensure we are making progress against my goals. She has helped me work through several challenging issues and most importantly, has held me accountable to the actions identified. I would recommend Susan to anyone who desires to become their best selves and more effective in their personal and professional lives."
Scott Stehlik
Scott Stehlik
Director, Integrated Swine and Poultry Technical Services at Merck

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