Insights

Why did I love this dinner last week? Not only because it helped launch "Breaking Ground: How Successful Women Lawyers Build Thriving Practices," my book (for women and men!) Not simply because of the program itself, though the book signing and moderated conversations with others were inspiring. It was due to the conversations that happened around it, before, during, and…

After training thousands of professionals at law and consulting firms, you begin to see what works in making the training impactful. While I love speaking at firm retreats, I am not a big believer in one-and-done communications. I think that to really make an impact, there needs to be a plan for follow-up. A few ideas: 1. Involve both your…

Trigger Warning: One of the hardest conversations in a law firm isn’t about strategy. It’s about capacity. Managing partners often have a clear sense of where the firm wants to go: growth priorities, practice focus, lateral integration, client expansion and furtherance of their reputation. Each is important. CMOs are usually equally clear about what it actually takes to support those goals: people,…

When lawyers make a lateral move (whether from another firm, government, or in-house), the instinct is often to start fresh: build a new internal network, learn the culture, and prove yourself quickly. All of that matters. But "Breaking Ground" research surfaced two lessons from rainmakers that all partners, but particularly lateral partners, often underestimate. Both can make the difference between a slow…

Several years ago, I co-wrote an article with McKinsey & Company’s Dan DiPietro about alignment in law firms — specifically the link between compensation and business development. I’ve been thinking about it again recently, and if anything, the point feels even more relevant today. Here’s the uncomfortable truth. You can invest heavily in business development training, coaching, CRM systems, and…

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with a cohort of extraordinary lawyers at Baker McKenzie about business development. As part of our program, I shared several ways artificial intelligence can help lawyers save time, strengthen marketing and business development efforts, and ultimately serve clients more effectively. The conversation was a reminder of what makes this firm so forward-thinking. Baker…

Decades ago, I was in a conference room with two female lawyers. We were waiting for a male partner to join a discussion he had requested about how we could help him jump-start his practice. He was late to the meeting — perhaps the first indicator of what was holding him back — so we began reviewing his client list…

When it comes to organizing a marketing department, mid-sized and smaller law firms often find themselves in a unique position. They may not have the sprawling teams or massive budgets of global firms, but that doesn’t mean they can’t run a top-notch, effective marketing operation. With thoughtful planning and a focus on the essentials, smaller firms can build smart, scalable…

Excuse my lack of artistry, but I’ve been experimenting with Midjourney in my spare time to deepen my understanding of AI-generated graphics. No matter how long we’ve been practicing a craft, there is always room to grow as professionals. Lawyers spend years honing legal skills, but continuous improvement is just as essential when it comes to business development. It is…