Front Matter

• Library: Positive Professionals: Creating High-Performing Profitable Firms Through Engagement (ABA) (2017 Ed.)

Cover design by Lachina Publishing Services, Inc.

The materials contained herein represent the opinions of the authors and/or the editors, and should not be construed to be the views or opinions of the law firms or companies with whom such persons are in partnership with, associated with, or employed by, nor of the American Bar Association or the Law Practice Division unless adopted pursuant to the bylaws of the Association.

Nothing contained in this book is to be considered as the rendering of legal advice for specific cases, and readers are responsible for obtaining such advice from their own legal counsel. This book is intended for educational and informational purposes only.

© 2017 American Bar Association. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission contact the ABA Copyrights & Contracts Department, copyright@americanbar.org, or complete the online form at http://www.americanbar.org/utility/reprint.html.

Printed in the United States of America.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Brafford, Anne, author.

Title: Positive professionals : creating high-performing profitable firms through the science of engagement / by Anne Brafford.

Description: First edition. | Chicago : American Bar Association, 2017. | Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2017051413 | ISBN 9781641050401 (print : alk. paper) Subjects: LCSH: Practice of law—Psychological aspects—United States. |

Positive psychology—United States. | Psychology, Industrial—United States.

Classification: LCC KF300 .B73 2017 | DDC 340.068/4—dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017051413

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Law firm failures aren't always spectacular implosions that produce dramatic headlines. Many firms are suffering a slower, more insidious death through worker disengagement. Lawyers are not alone in the search for personal fulfillment through meaningful employment. But today's attorneys are suffering disproportionately from its absence. In Positive Professionals, former BigLaw partner Anne Brafford blends psychology, biology, social science, and personal narratives to develop practical solutions. A must-read for every law firm leader (are you "toxic" or "transformational"?), Brafford offers recommendations that, if followed, will enhance the quality of lawyers' lives and improve the profession.

—Steven J. Harper, retired partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP, columnist, and author of several books, including The Lawyer Bubble— A Profession in Crisis and Crossing Hoffa—A Teamster's Story

Positive Professionals is a must-read for anyone who wants to learn more about work engagement and how to create it through practical, science-backed strategies tailored to the legal profession. It is a fascinating and useful read and offers a much-needed fresh perspective on the potential for positive pathways to productivity and profitability in the law. The book will appeal to future-facing firms wanting to become magnets for the best talent and to enable all lawyers to be their best personally and professionally. It should be on the desk of every law firm partner. Morgan Lewis is proud to claim Anne as one of its own and applauds her important contribution to our profession!

—Jami Wintz McKeon, Chair, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP

What a gift this book is to the legal profession-and beyond! Positive Professionals is an impactful guide to leaders in law firms (and all professional organizations) about how to create a more engaged, committed, high-performing workforce using the best that positive organizational psychology science has to offer. Anne Brafford's deep knowledge of the practice of law shines through in her customized guidance to legal professionals who want to make their work lives and firms better. Positive Professionals offers a useful framework, compelling examples, and informed practices for transforming law organizations into workplaces where people and firms thrive. Anne has done a phenomenal job of putting science into action in a context that is so important to people and to society. Bravo!

—Jane E. Dutton...