Excellent article from Boodle Hatfield's COO Andrew Wansell on how to approach those excellent lawyers that are unlikely to make partnership. As always good, and early communication is key.
If a lawyer is not partnership material it is in their and your firm’s best interests to make them aware of this, rather than dragging things out. Bob is a great associate. He has a terrific work ethic. He really knows his stuff. Clients like to see him on the team. But he is not going to make partner. We have known it for a couple of years now. He is great doing the work, but he struggles when it comes to finding new clients or getting existing clients to send us work that was not already coming our way.