Abby Remore is a member at Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi (CSG Law) in Roseland, New Jersey, where she leads the firm's trademark and copyright practice group. Her practice focuses on protecting brands and creative works through litigation, enforcement, clearance, counseling, licensing, and prosecution of trademark and copyright applications. She has particular expertise litigating trademark and copyright disputes in federal courts and before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Abby is president-elect of the New Jersey Women Lawyers Association.

Saying yes to every opportunity, volunteering for committees, and being the person others can count on helps associates build strong reputations and advance toward partnership. Once lawyers make partner, the job description changes. They're expected to continue producing excellent work while also developing business, leading teams, and contributing to firm management. Without recalibrating, the habits that earned the promotion can quickly become overwhelming.

The transition requires intentional choices about what work means and how time gets allocated. Business development stops being something that happens when there's time left over and becomes a core responsibility. Delegation shifts from losing control to creating capacity for higher-value work. Stepping back from committees and saying no becomes necessary instead of optional.

In this episode of The Lawyer's Edge, Elise talks with Abby Remore, an alumna of the inaugural Ignite Women's Business Development Accelerator cohort, about making the partnership transition successfully. They discuss redefining what counts as work, learning when to say no, why business development requires the same intentionality as billable work, and how lawyers can build careers that reflect their own values instead of copying someone else's blueprint.

2:52 - How Abby ended up in law without planning to be a private practice lawyer

7:11 - The challenge of transitioning from associate to leader and business generator

10:13 - How the job shifts when you make partner and why saying yes stops working

15:36 - What motivated Abby to join the Ignite program

18:01 - The biggest mindset shift: business development isn't just networking events

21:28 - Why BD and leadership development are about mindset, not just tactics

22:30 - The apprenticeship model is dying: why outside programs matter

25:49 - Staying intentional as an emerging rainmaker and avoiding old habits

28:26 - Changing your job description to include business development

31:30 - The curse of knowledge: advice for lawyers building their own vision of success

Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi (CSG Law) | LinkedIn

Abby Remore on LinkedIn

New Jersey Women Lawyers Association

Get connected with the coaching team: hello@thelawyersedge.com

The Lawyer's Edge

Today's episode is brought to you by the Ignite Women's Business Development Accelerator, a 9-month business development program created BY women lawyers for women lawyers. Ignite is a carefully designed business development program containing content, coaching, and a community of like-minded women who are committed to becoming rainmakers AND supporting the retention and advancement of other women in the profession.

If you are interested in either participating in the program or sponsoring a woman in your firm to enroll, learn more about Ignite and sign up for our registration alerts by visiting www.thelawyersedge.com/ignite.