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 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.
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.
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.
November is a perfect time to reflect, show gratitude and give back by appreciating the people and opportunities that have shaped our year. It’s a moment to acknowledge those who’ve made a difference and to give back in meaningful ways.
For junior lawyers, the idea of building a personal brand may seem like something reserved for senior attorneys or partners, but this couldn’t be further from the truth.
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If you’re a legal business development or marketing professional, you’ve probably felt the frustration of not having direct access to the existing clients you’re trying to engage or the prospects you’re aiming to secure as new clients. It’s like trying to solve a puzzle with missing pieces. How do you create the perfect pitch when you don’t know exactly what the client needs? How do you build relationships when you can’t even get in the same room? These are real challenges but they’re not impossible to overcome.
Whether you’re looking to highlight your firm’s achievements, offer valuable legal insights or show the human side of your practice, September is full of opportunities to make your social media presence stand out. Here’s a guide to help you leverage key holidays, industry news and creative content ideas to boost your law firm’s online engagement this month.
Does it feel like your social media efforts are lagging behind, like you’re in the prehistoric era roaming around with the dinosaurs? I recently visited the American Museum of Natural History, and while looking at the dinosaur fossils, I started thinking about how this relates to many law firms’ and individuals’ social media posts. The legal industry tends to lag behind others, especially in social media. Many firms and lawyers post the same dry self-congratulatory content. If you follow everyone else and don’t innovate, you run the risk of potentially becoming extinct.