Set Yourself Up for a Breakout 2025; Plus 6 Foundational Skills at Every Stage of Practice

As we approach Q4, now is the time to focus on building a strategy that sets you up for success in 2025. Whether you're an attorney ready to take your practice to the next level or a law firm leader dedicated to supporting your team’s growth, smart, strategic business development planning is the key to maximizing your efforts.

New: 10-Week Business Development Coaching Program

Maximize your business development efforts for 2025 with my personalized 10-Week Business Development Coaching Program. Designed specifically for attorneys, this program will help you build an actionable marketing plan to increase visibility, cultivate relationships, and drive real results.

This coaching program will help you:

• Define a clear focus for business development and marketing message
• Raise your visibility with decision-makers and key influencers
• Develop a simplified, actionable business development plan tailored to your goals
• Build and nurture relationships to stay top of mind with key contacts

Program Highlights:

• One-on-one coaching tailored to your unique practice and goals
• A clear action plan that focuses on strategic visibility, relationship-building, and thought leadership
• Accountability systems to ensure follow-through and long-term success

At just $2990, this personalized program is designed to give you the tools, strategies, and confidence to take your practice to the next level.

The Six Foundational Skills Necessary for Attorney Success at Every Stage of Practice

Published by NALP Bulletin September 2024, by Lana Manganiello

In the legal profession, the journey to success is built on a foundation of essential skills that remain relevant throughout an attorney's career. From the moment a new lawyer steps into a firm, these foundational skills—enthusiasm, ownership of work, adding value, growth focus in select areas, relationship building, and visibility—play a critical role in shaping their professional trajectory. These skills not only help attorneys establish themselves within their firms but also pave the way for long-term success in business development and client retention.

1. Enthusiasm

Enthusiasm is a driving force behind continuous learning and resilience. Demonstrating enthusiasm for specific areas of law, types of clients, or particular skills helps early-career attorneys differentiate themselves and attract opportunities to learn and grow. An attorney who intentionally chooses and thus enjoys their work and clients is more likely to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, staying motivated even when faced with setbacks. This positive attitude enhances personal development and inspires confidence in colleagues and clients alike. Enthusiasm fosters a collaborative and dynamic work environment that benefits the entire firm.

2. Ownership of Work

Taking full responsibility for tasks and outcomes fosters a sense of accountability and commitment to excellence. When attorneys own their work, they are more likely to go the extra mile to ensure high-quality results. This dedication is noticed by supervisors and clients, building a reputation for reliability and competence. Demonstrating ownership can lead to greater trust and autonomy in handling more complex and significant cases, accelerating professional growth and development.

3. Adding Value

Adding value to colleagues, referral partners, prospects, and clients is paramount for establishing strong relationships and a solid professional reputation. By understanding and aligning with the individual goals of key professional contacts, attorneys can provide tailored solutions that address specific needs and challenges. This other-centric approach enhances satisfaction and trust, positioning the attorney as a valuable partner in the success of others.

One crucial aspect of understanding how to add value is paying close attention and asking insightful questions. By actively listening and engaging in meaningful conversations, attorneys can uncover the unique needs and objectives of their clients and colleagues. For example, an early-career attorney might notice that a partner is overwhelmed with a complex research task. Proactively offering to handle this research not only alleviates the partner’s workload but also demonstrates initiative and a willingness to contribute beyond assigned duties. Early-career attorneys who consistently add value are more likely to secure meaningful mentorship and opportunities within their firms, setting the stage for long-term success.

Experienced attorneys who consistently think about what they can do for others and add value outside of paid work earn a reputation as trusted advisors and indispensable partners. They are seen as generous, reliable, and genuinely invested in the success of those they work with. This reputation enhances their professional standing, fosters loyalty, and creates a network of supporters who are eager to collaborate and refer new business opportunities.

4. Targeted Growth Focus

A practice focus is essential for attorneys aiming to develop expertise and a reputation in desired legal areas. By concentrating on select types of matters or clients, attorneys can deepen their knowledge and become go-to experts within their firms and in the marketplace. As attorneys build their expertise, they can take on more complex cases, contribute to thought leadership through writing and speaking engagements, command higher rates, and position themselves as leaders in their chosen areas of law.

A focused practice area also simplifies the formulation of an effective marketing strategy. By clearly defining their niche, attorneys can strategically select organizations to join, identify key individuals who need to recognize their expertise, and determine relevant topics for thought leadership. Additionally, they can target the most appropriate publications, associations, and conferences to enhance their visibility. This targeted marketing approach not only maximizes the impact of their efforts but also ensures recognition as experts in their specific fields, significantly increasing the likelihood of success.

5. Relationship Building

Being adept at relationship building plays a crucial role in networking that leads to professional development, client acquisition, and retention. Developing strong relationships with colleagues and mentors within the firm can lead to valuable guidance, support, and opportunities for professional growth. Externally, building and maintaining professional relationships with clients, prospects, and referral sources is key to ensuring a pipeline of clients as well as client satisfaction and loyalty. Attorneys who excel in relationship building are adept at understanding client needs, communicating effectively, and providing proactive and personalized service, fostering long-term client partnerships and generating repeat business.

6. Visibility

Strategic visibility is crucial for attorneys at every stage of their careers, helping them gain recognition for their interests and attract opportunities for growth. Early in their careers, attorneys should be proactively visible within their firms by showcasing specific expertise, demonstrating a willingness to go the extra mile, or effectively handling difficult clients. This approach allows them to attract opportunities and build experience and relationships, setting a strong foundation for their legal practice. In large national firms or hybrid work arrangements, where physical presence alone is insufficient to gain recognition, being proactively visible is particularly important.

As attorneys advance in their careers, continuing to enhance their visibility becomes essential for sustaining and growing their practice. By actively participating in professional organizations, attending industry events, and contributing to legal publications, experienced attorneys can maintain and increase their visibility within the legal and professional community. This increased visibility helps attract new work and clients, opening doors to speaking engagements, leadership roles, and other opportunities that can further elevate an attorney's profile.

Maintaining strategic visibility is crucial as attorneys transition from internal practice to external business generation. This consistent effort ensures that attorneys remain top-of-mind for key opportunities and continue to advance their careers, solidifying their professional standing and driving long-term success.

Continuous Relevance and Career Success

These foundational skills are indispensable at every stage of an attorney's practice. By investing in them early and continuously nurturing them, attorneys can achieve long-term success and satisfaction in the legal profession, ensuring a fulfilling and prosperous career.

Let’s Make 2025 Your Best Year Yet

Don’t wait for the new year to get started. By putting the right business development strategies in place now, you can hit the ground running in 2025. Whether you’re an early career attorney or a seasoned practitioner, this program will equip you with the insights and tools you need to drive meaningful growth.

?? Reach out to learn more about the 10-Week BD Coaching Program at [email protected]