Business development makes many lawyers uneasy. Approaching new potential clients, asking for meetings or talking about your services can feel awkward and intimidating. Many worry about coming across as pushy or unprepared. That nervousness doesn’t mean you lack skill or talent. More often, it means no one has shown you how to approach business development in a way that fits your style and feels natural.

A Board Service Initiative is a powerful way for law firms to connect with their communities, foster professional development and make a lasting impact. By placing its lawyers on non-profit boards, law firms can offer their expertise to organizations in need while strengthening their reputations as socially responsible leaders. Here’s why this is a great idea for law firms and how to implement it effectively.

In business development, the past, present and future all hold valuable lessons. Past habits can sometimes haunt us, current best practices keep us on track and emerging trends offer a glimpse into what’s next. By learning from each of these, legal marketers and lawyers can craft strategies that are thoughtful, forward thinking and responsive to the times. Let’s explore the “ghosts” of business development past, present and future, and discover what each can teach us.

Building connections and growing your business on LinkedIn goes beyond simply having a profile. It’s about showing up regularly, building your network, sharing your expertise and engaging with your connections in meaningful ways. If you want to grow your network, attract clients and build genuine relationships (which of course you do!), LinkedIn is an effective platform to help you make it happen.

Asking for business isn’t always easy, even for lawyers who prefer to let their work speak for itself. Whether it’s worrying about sounding too pushy or not knowing how to start the conversation, it can feel uncomfortable. But if you want to grow your practice and strengthen client relationships, learning to confidently ask is essential. It’s about offering value, choosing the right time and staying authentic—because, in the end, people prefer to work with those they know, like and trust.