Six Pillars that helped me grow my law firm to $5M while maintaining a healthy work-life balance:

1. Great People: Build your firm with Great lawyers that are also Great people; imagine a Ven diagram with one circle consisting of the greatest quality people that are caring, altruistic, and genuinely determined to improve the world. The second circle includes only the smartest, most educated, and best trained lawyers. Where those two circles intersect is the pool of prospective lawyers you should be partnering with, hiring, and engaging.

2. Great Culture: Build your firm with a great culture where everyone feels important, valued, and critical to the success of the firm. Everyone should be cared for; work should be fun and enjoyable, fostering an environment that creates friendships, so you attract and retain the best lawyers your firm needs.

3. Great Business Development: Every lawyer has its strengths that make them successful Rainmakers. Some are charismatic, gregarious, and great conversationalist. For those typical extroverts, Networking may come easy. For others, board membership might be the more attractive venue to meet prospective clients; small talk is minimized and everyone is focused on getting the work done. A genuine interest in the purpose and mission of the organization will come across and impress upon your colleagues your dedication and commitment to a cause they really care about. Each should do whatever they are best at and most interested in. Don't try to force a square peg into a round hole.

4. The best lawyers are always trying to improve: Whether attending or leading seminars and workshops, perfecting their skillsets or adding new talents to their repertoire, the very best and most elite attorneys are reading, studying, and learning how to be better at their craft. The best lawyers also share their knowledge, experience, and expertise because helping make others better not only benefits the profession and client results, but it improves the world.

5. Accountability: Tracking your numbers, whether it's meeting with prospective clients following a networking event, referrals received from professionals that have been frequently recommended, or return on investment from advertising, it is critical that the numbers are accurately tracked so resources can be properly, efficiently, and effectively deployed where the results are most fruitful.

6. Great online presence: If you are successful at all of the above, it is critical that you share your accomplishments with the public, so prospective employees and potential clients will learn about the firm's achievements, which should engender real pride inside and outside the firm. In addition to the humble brag, sharing poignant and thoughtful messages that demonstrate intelligence, caring, and insightful strategy will go a long way in educating and expanding your audience, using LinkedIn, Facebook, and email newsletters. #LawFirmCoach #GrowTheFirm