There are a lot of different barometers out there for judging whether or not an individual has the personality skills to be a rainmaker. Unfortunately, LSAT results might not be amongst them.

According to a chart prepared by the Tax Prof Blog, the best “candidate” for law school, the person with the highest LSAT score, is most likely to be a Math or Physics major.

Ugh. That explains it!!

At a prior AmLaw 100 firm, I was chastised for not getting the chair of the IP department “out there more,” writing, doing press. My response, “The guy has an undergrad in Chemistry, then went off to law school. I’m lucky if he opens his door.”

As the BUSINESS of law, and the success of any given individual lawyer, is becoming more dependent on the development of personal relationships, the ability to reach out and promote one’s self, and SALES, then we need to remove the barriers that keep those who are so predisposed out of law school.

I’m not saying that the logic questions, while fun, should be excluded, but should we not be testing other skills as well that would identify good business leaders and business developers? Those of us who are in-house know that the role of service partner (smart, in high quantity, little ability to build a personal book of business) is being inched out in favor of rainmakers (smart, in low quantity, lots of personality and ability to build a personal book of business).

Simply stated: The success of any given lawyer in today’s law firm is dependent on many factors, the greatest of which are 1) good lawyering; and, 2) the ability to bring in new business.

I really don’t think that a Sociology/Social Work, Marketing, Business Management, Education, Business Administration, Health Professionals, Prelaw, and Criminal Justice major is less capable of LEARNING law school lessons than a Physics/Math, Economics, Philosophy/Theology major. We all understand that the APPLICATION of the lessons takes place AFTER the bar results are reached.