You’re a mid to senior level black lawyer with years of experience and a track record of billing hours and running deals.

Yes this will make you eligible for promotion, but it doesn’t make you entitled to it.

One of the common misconceptions I hear is that years worked, hours billed and weekends and evenings sacrificed should guarantee you that next role.

Have you ever thought: “they owe it to me” or “after everything I’ve done / all the hours I’ve worked, they better give it to me!” or something along those lines?

Many of you have come to me shocked and disappointed when a promotion you thought was guaranteed, unexpectedly went to someone else. How could this happen? you ask. After everything I’ve done!

Here’s the thing. Promotion isn’t about your past performance. It’s about your future promise – i.e. what the powers that be believe you’ll bring to the table and contribute to the pie after you’ve been promoted. While your past performance is an indicator of that, it is by no means a guarantee.

This means your no. 1 job as a senior black lawyer is to position yourself as someone who belongs in the room and brings a lot to the table.

I tell you exactly how to do this in episode 101 of Legal Imposters: Position Yourself for Promotion.

In it I give you a 6 step process and the powerful mindset you need to position yourself for promotion and guarantee your success in a white world.

Although it’s only 6 steps, positioning yourself for promotion can be challenging to do alongside your day job and particularly as a black lawyer. That’s why I created BE THE FIRST – the career progression coaching programme for mid to senior level black lawyers where I give you a blueprint for progressing to the next level and I coach you every step of the way.

If you’re a mid to senior level black lawyer and you have your sights set on promotion in the next 6 to 12 months, now is the time to join. ENROLMENT for the September 2025 class opens TOMORROW Thursday 21st August for 7 days and there are 10 slots available. DM me on social or email me at caroline@carolineflanagan.com for details, or follow me on LinkedIn (remember to click the bell in my profile so you see my posts) so you don’t miss the announcement.