The legal industry is at a turning point. Senior partners are retiring, clients expect more than ever and the skills needed to lead a firm go far beyond practicing law. Being a strong lawyer doesn’t automatically make someone a strong leader. It takes business savvy, strategic thinking, relationship management and the ability to make tough decisions in a high-stakes environment.
The 2025 ACC Chief Legal Officers Survey shines a spotlight on the evolving challenges and priorities of chief legal officers. For legal marketers, it’s a wake-up call to finetune strategies and better align with client needs. This year’s findings highlight how chief legal officers are taking on broader responsibilities, facing mounting pressure to control costs, and dealing with increasingly complex legal and business issues. These trends are more than just data points – they’re a roadmap for how legal marketers can sharpen their strategies, build stronger relationships and win more business for their firms.
Walking into a networking event can feel daunting, even for experienced professionals. But here’s the thing – most people in the room feel the same way. Networking isn’t about working the room or handing out the most business cards; it’s about making meaningful connections. The best way to approach it? With a strategy that focuses on genuine conversations and follow-ups.
The 2025 ACC Chief Legal Officers Survey is out, delivering a look at how CLOs are reshaping their roles, tackling rising challenges and finding ways to drive impact beyond the legal department. This year’s findings underscore a significant shift in the role of CLOs. They’re taking on more responsibilities beyond traditional legal work, managing rising costs and navigating an increasingly complex regulatory landscape, all while facing resource constraints. For law firms, these insights offer an invaluable opportunity to tailor their services and deepen relationships with CLO clients.
Clients have more choices than ever when it comes to legal services, and the firms that actively listen and respond to their needs set themselves apart. Too often, law firms collect feedback but don’t do much with it. A survey here, a casual check-in there – but if nothing changes, clients notice. Real growth comes from taking feedback seriously, using it to improve service offerings and showing clients that their input matters. Firms that do this well strengthen relationships, build trust and create long-term loyalty. Here’s how to make client feedback a real driver of your law firm’s success.
Many law firms excel at legal work but struggle with consistent, strategic business development. Too often, firms rely on referrals, respond to RFPs and wait for opportunities instead of actively creating them. While good work brings in business, in today’s competitive legal market, it’s not enough. The firms that thrive are the ones that prioritize business development and marketing as a core part of their strategy – not as an afterthought.
Law firms balance a lot – client work, industry developments and business growth, But when marketing and business development take a back seat, firms risk stagnation. A reactive approach only goes so far. The firms that thrive prioritize strategic marketing, proactive client outreach, and relationship-building. Here’s how to make that shift.
For many law firms, thought leadership content is driven primarily by marketing. The goal? Stay visible, stay relevant and ensure the firm is top of mind. While this approach serves a purpose, it often sacrifices long-term value for short-term visibility. A thought leadership strategy driven by business development, on the other hand, offers a more targeted, strategic and lasting approach.
As the year draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to take stock of your brand’s performance and lay the groundwork for an even more successful 2025. Whether you’re running a business, managing your personal brand or overseeing a company’s marketing efforts, the steps you take now can significantly impact your success in the year ahead.
In a world where competition among law firms is fierce, the way you pitch matters more than ever. Unfortunately, many law firm pitches fall flat, not because they lack information but because they lack customization and genuine focus on the client. Most pitches are formulaic, using the same slides, templates and recycled content. They showcase the firm’s accolades and previous deals but fail to address the client’s unique needs and pain points.