Summit Driven was founded out of passion and frustration.

I have always been passionate about coaching associate attorneys, but I have always been frustrated with the lack of law firm resources devoted to mentoring associate attorneys between their first day on the job and partnership. 

THE PROBLEM

Unfortunately, when law firm associates graduate from law school, they know very little about the nuts and bolts of practicing law (i.e., procedural questions, taking a deposition, how evidence fits into the big picture, etc.), and this problem often times goes unaddressed for years as partners are too busy to supervise associates. To further complicate matters, a lack of associate coaching/training means important skills like business development, making partner, work/life balance, staff supervision, productivity and billing, office politics and delegation are never properly emphasized.

Over time, the lack of feedback and positive reinforcement does everyone a disservice: the client is negatively impacted because the untrained associate has no idea how to handle their case; the partnership loses money because the associate's profitability plummets; and the associate stays on the hamster wheel of trying to make their billable hours while simultaneously handling cases they feel unqualified to manage.

At the end of the day, law firm associates need to be heard, valued and empowered to succeed. However, when their supervising partner is slammed with work, there is competition among associates and there are stressors at home, the associates have no place to turn and this isolation grows. When there are unanswered questions on a daily basis, this situation ultimately leads to an associate's lack of confidence, unhappiness, unprofitability and attrition.

THE TRANSFORMATIVE SOLUTION

There is a better way: having a dedicated coach. Whether you are a law firm partner who needs a dedicated resource for your associates, or you are a law firm associate who needs individual coaching separate from your law firm on issues related to your day-to-day practice, your litigation skills, your employer, your motivation and confidence, your next career move or you just need a sounding board on other related issues, I am here to provide unmatched personal service along with the needed motivation and guidance to help you succeed.

Founder

Rob Hadden

Over my 25 year career as a trial lawyer, I have been fortunate to spend a tremendous amount of time coaching, mentoring and recruiting associate attorneys, and I have held a number of roles in law firms: partner, associate, solo/owner or of-counsel.

Also, my experience as a litigation attorney (listening intently to my client's difficult struggles, evaluating the most viable option and offering sound guidance on the best path forward) has been an excellent background for coaching law firm associates.

I received my undergraduate degree in 1993 from Wake Forest University and my law degree in 1997 from Mississippi College. Having worked in law firms ranging from 130 attorneys to a boutique setting to having my law firm for over a decade, I have a diverse background working with associates in both corporate and small firm environments. 

For me, Summit Driven represents the intersection of my life experiences, my passions and my desire to help people be the best version of themselves, and I bring the same drive and compassion to the table which I have used in the legal world for over two decades.