When you've spent years building trust with a partner who once championed your career, it can be deeply unsettling when they suddenly stop giving you work, exclude you from client calls, or even fail to support your partnership candidacy. I've seen this happen often in BigLaw. It's painful, hard to understand, and often tough to find a way to move forward without that support.

In this episode, I explain the structural, economic, and political reasons that drive this kind of behavior, and the concrete steps you can take to protect your career, your client relationships, and your reputation within your BigLaw firm. I also share how to recognize early warning signs, document your value, and rebuild momentum through new mentors, visibility, and business development efforts.

At a Glance: 00:00 Introduction and the reality of losing a mentor partner's support 02:12 The first signs of a deliberate cutoff and how to recognize the shift 03:40 Structural reasons behind the change, including billable pressure and firm economics 05:26 How your mentor may fear losing client credit or control as you become more visible 06:45 Why mentors can begin to see protégés as competitors rather than allies 08:24 The emotional impact of losing your mentor, and how to separate feelings from facts 09:54 Protecting your hours and finding alternate work streams 11:03 Documenting every contribution and communicating it effectively 12:52 How to prepare for a difficult conversation with your mentor partner 14:35 Turning insights into a strategy for next steps 15:48 Expanding mentorship, sponsorship, and visibility 16:23 When and how to escalate the issue if needed 19:52 Steps to rebuild relationships and regain career stability 23:25 Why losing a mentor can become a turning point for independence

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Interested in doing 1-2-1 coaching with Laura Terrell? Or learning more about her work coaching and consulting? Here are ways to reach out to her:

www.lauraterrell.com

[email protected]

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauralterrell/

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Show notes: https://www.lauraterrell.com/podcast