Three Intentional Actions for Junior Professionals to Strengthen Their Presence

Posted by

Kate Harry Shipham

Posted on

Oct 21, 2025

Building a professional presence in a law firm setting is about more than what you do. It reflects how you show up, communicate, and position yourself within a highly skilled environment. For professionals in Pre-Manager marketing and business development roles, every project, email, and conversation with an attorney is a chance to strengthen credibility and influence.

The KHS People team recently attended the Legal Marketing Association’s Northeast Regional Conference, where the final session featured a panel of attorneys sharing their perspectives on working alongside marketing and business development professionals. Their insights were thoughtful, candid, and revealing. They spoke about what earns trust, how marketing teams can add value, and what behaviors make the biggest difference in daily collaboration.

Those conversations reinforced that professional presence is not about hierarchy. It is about consistency, preparation, and communication. Attorneys value partners who anticipate needs, bring clarity, and operate with confidence. From that discussion came three clear themes that junior business professionals can start applying today to strengthen their presence and partnership within their firms.

1. Be the Expert at What You Do

You may not know everything about the law, but attorneys do not know everything about marketing and business development. That is your area of expertise and your opportunity to bring a different kind of intelligence to the table. Attorneys rely on your understanding of how the firm is positioned, how its reputation is built, and how client relationships are nurtured. When you consistently demonstrate skill and confidence in these areas, you establish credibility and show that your role contributes directly to the firm’s success.

Earning trust takes time, but it starts with mastery. Develop a strong command of the tools, systems, and strategies that drive your work. Learn the firm’s goals and understand how your responsibilities connect to them. When you see the bigger picture, your advice becomes sharper and more relevant. Attorneys respect professionals who know their craft and can explain its impact in practical, results-focused terms.

Be patient and composed when navigating feedback. Attorneys are trained to question and test ideas from every angle, which can sometimes feel like scrutiny. In reality, this is how they learn and build confidence in a recommendation. When they challenge your reasoning, it is an invitation to clarify, not a sign of doubt. View these moments as opportunities to teach and strengthen mutual understanding.

Preparation is what transforms expertise into influence. Come to every discussion with supporting data, alternate ideas, or clear next steps. Anticipate where the conversation might go and what decisions need to be made. This level of readiness not only saves time but also shows that you respect the pressures attorneys face daily. In an environment where every minute counts, professionals who arrive prepared stand out as trusted and indispensable partners.

2. Cover Your Bases Before You Step In

Before you bring an idea or question directly to an attorney, take a moment to connect with your team. Whether you are part of a large department or a smaller group, someone above you likely has valuable context or previous experience that can help guide your approach. Taking the time to gather insight from your team before approaching an attorney ensures that your question is well-informed and your message is clear. It also helps prevent duplication of work or miscommunication that could slow down progress.

This step does more than help you find answers. It builds internal alignment and consistency across your group, which attorneys notice and appreciate. When you present an idea, recommendation, or solution, it should reflect the collective expertise of your department rather than a single opinion. That consistency reinforces that your team operates cohesively and that marketing and business development are working from a unified perspective. Attorneys place high value on well-organized, coordinated communication, and they quickly recognize teams that move in sync.

Consulting with your team also strengthens your own professional growth. Each conversation helps you learn how others approach challenges, anticipate attorney feedback, and craft messages that resonate with firm leadership. Over time, you begin to understand not only what works, but why it works. That shared knowledge and collaboration can make you a more confident and capable professional when you do step into conversations with attorneys.

Covering your bases shows resourcefulness and initiative. It signals that you are proactive about gathering insights, verifying details, and considering the firm’s perspective before raising an issue or making a recommendation. This kind of thoughtful preparation demonstrates both respect and professionalism. When attorneys see that level of diligence, they are far more likely to trust your input, value your follow-through, and view you as an essential part of the team’s success.

3. Dress the Part

Visual presentation plays a subtle but powerful role in how others perceive you. Attorneys dress with purpose because they understand that professionalism begins before a single word is spoken. The same standard applies to you, even in support or junior roles.

For those who rarely come into the office, this becomes even more important. On the days you are on-site, dressing professionally makes a strong impression and signals that you take your work and presence seriously. It shows that you recognize the value of face-to-face interaction and are intentional about how you represent yourself and your team.

Dressing thoughtfully does not mean mirroring attorney style exactly, but it should reflect the same level of polish, care, and awareness. Your appearance communicates respect for yourself, your colleagues, and the firm as a whole. When how you present aligns with the professionalism of your environment, it reinforces your credibility and confidence.

A well-considered presentation builds trust quickly, especially in moments when visibility matters most. Attorneys notice the individuals who arrive prepared, poised, and composed. Those small visual cues contribute to a larger perception of reliability and readiness.

KHS Final Thoughts

Professional presence is not determined by title or tenure. It is developed through consistency, preparation, and genuine partnership. The more you refine your expertise, collaborate closely with your team, and present yourself with intention, the more naturally attorneys will view you as a trusted partner.

At its best, a law firm operates as a team of equals working toward shared goals: serving clients, strengthening relationships, and supporting the firm’s continued success. When business professionals approach their work with that same mindset, they not only elevate their own careers but also reinforce the trust and alignment that drive the entire firm forward.