It was never going to be easy. The basic pyramid-shaped structure of firms means that, inherently, there is less space at the top than there is at the bottom. Added to that, there’s this unpleasant phenomenon which many associates are experiencing for the first time. Recession.

Legal Week: Shrinking revenues, pay cuts and layoffs mean that making partner is becoming an increasingly elusive goal for associates.

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Making the partner grade is no easy process. Besides the requisite billable hours and sizable book of business, one legal consultant told Kolker that prospective partners must pass the so-called Cleveland Airport Rule. The rule itself is simple: would a partner at your firm be comfortable getting stuck at the airport with you?

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So besides being hard working and a rainmaker, you need to be likeable. Particularly tricky if you are stringing together 17 hour days, constantly fear redundancy or use this guide for inspiration. Is there any point then? How about remaining as a well paid associate with the ‘limited’ responsibility that entails and the spoon-fed work?

It’s not like everyone wants to make partner anyway, right? But how do you communicate that to management without looking like a coaster. Can it be done – one “38-year-old partner at a prestigious firm” had this to say:

Top firms used to be populated with ambitious, sleep-deprived deal junkies gunning for partner. Now they’re overflowing with entitled, whiny pussies. Yes, pussies. And I mean that in a gender-neutral, non-sexual way…

…I know lots of you smug, work-allergic associates out there don’t want to make partner. I get it. It’s beneath you. I understand. But that doesn’t mean you’re entitled to work less than lawyers who actually want to accomplish something with their lives…

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So, basically your chances of making partner are about equal to a win at the dog track but even if it’s not what you want, it may still be in your best interests to look like you want it. Got it.