#82: Fighting Back Against Credit Theft in BigLaw

If you’ve ever lost credit for work you led, grown a client relationship that someone else now claims, or watched a colleague take center stage at a pitch you prepared, this episode is for you. I walk through what professional credit theft looks like in Big Law and how to respond in a way that’s smart, strategic, and fact-based. Whether it’s origination, execution, or visibility, losing credit can hit your comp, promotion, and internal standing hard, and it can happen pretty often in law firms.

I break down how to document your contributions, when (and how) to raise the issue, and what to do if things escalate. I'll also share some specific language you can use in emails and comp memos to reclaim credit without causing unnecessary friction. Big Law isn’t always a level playing field, but this episode arms you with the tools to assert your value and protect your future.

At a Glance:
00:00 Why credit theft is such a serious issue in Big Law
01:20 The three types of credit theft: origination, execution, and visibility
02:41 How to assess the real impact—on comp, promotions, and perception
03:40 What to document: emails, billing records, client praise, and more
04:57 Power dynamics: how seniority affects your strategy
05:39 When and how to confront the credit thief directly
06:20 Sample email language that’s assertive but professional
07:51 The range of responses you might receive—and how to handle them
09:01 What to do next if the response is defensive or dismissive
09:40 Escalating the issue without sounding like a complainer
10:13 What to say to a mentor, group head, or comp committee member 
11:02 Proactively increasing your internal visibility
11:44 A real example of leadership backing the right person
12:35 What to include in your comp memo to document your role
13:36 Why context, not just credit, matters in compensation conversations
14:23 How to quote client feedback to strengthen your case
14:57 Sample language for your comp memo when someone else has claimed your work
15:41 Why visible, fact-based stories beat vague complaints every time
16:06 The importance of defending your contributions at every stage

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts & Spotify

Do you enjoy listening to Big Law Life?  Please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps support and reach more people like you who want to grow a career in Big Law. 

For Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast here! 

For Spotify, tap here on your mobile phone, follow the podcast, listen to the show, then find the rating icon below the description, and tap to rate with five stars.

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 

[e-mail]  

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraterrellcoaching/ 

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