Partners fail to clarify what they expect of one another. One partner accepted deadbeat clients that resulted in low realization of fees. One partner rarely used associates, despite the presence of a strong associate group. Partners are not satisfied with the compensation system. They feel that the compensation system is unfair, that either their share of the income is too low, or their income relative to another partner is too low, or both.
Partners fail to address retirement issues.
Lack of goal congruity. One partner wants the firm to grow 20 percent a year and expects his partners to work long hours to attain that goal. Another partner is satisfied with his income and would rather address quality of life issues. Partners have differing values. We're all a team.