This article was provided by Gary Mitchell, a lawyer coach since 2005, taking a unique approach with his clients by focusing on the psychological aspect of the way they work. Having coached lawyers from coast to coast spanning numerous practice areas and at all stages in their careers, Gary continues to expand and hone his knowledge of the legal industry with every new client engagement.
Have you ever wondered what it might be like to work with a business coach for your law practice or firm? I understand that looking or asking for help does not come naturally to you. You are more often than not, a lone wolf. You would rather try and figure it out on your own.
But, If you are honest with yourself, there is likely some room for improvement in any number of the following areas: Time management, organization, delegating, docketing, business development, balancing billable work with admin tasks, finding, hiring, and retaining skilled legal professionals to round out your team, building systems, processes, and templates allowing you to scale and grow, having the time to focus on longer-term strategic growth and goals, leading and managing your team, and the list goes on.
You are known to be a high achiever; you will reach your goals, eventually. BUT…why re-create the wheel in the process? Why take on unnecessary stress when you don’t have to? Why not learn from others who have gone before you? Why not work with a coach who will provide practical, incremental steps and strategies to improve your performance and show you real and tangible results faster?
Coaching isn’t a miracle pill, but it will help you speed up the time in reaching your goals by shortening your learning curve.
To illustrate what might be possible for you and your law practice or firm, in this two-part series, I will share just a few of the client success stories that have come about over the past 18 years, just a few examples of what is possible with business coaching.
- Equity partner going next level:
Here was a junior partner at a large regional litigation firm, in his view, he was already doing well. He had a successful practice, equity, and a comfortable lifestyle. But he knew he could do better, and he knew he couldn’t do it alone. He sought out the expertise of an advisor, coach, or consultant.
He confided later that he chose me because in his words, “I already know how to be a great lawyer. I want what you have, that entrepreneurial drive and mindset”.
Fast forward two years following our work together, at age 39, he became the No#1 income earner at his firm, bringing in the largest file in its one-hundred-year history.
- At 54, she becomes a lawyer and starts her law practice:
Having gone to night school to get her law degree, and now called to the bar at age 54, this spring chicken realized it would be very unlikely to be hired as an associate at a firm. So, she sought out my advice and support in starting her solo law practice.
Fast forward a couple of years and she had built a lucrative and fulfilling career in law.
- From non-equity partner to office managing partner:
This non-equity partner and I worked together to improve his business development skills. He was admittedly starting from scratch. But he was eager and open to receiving the guidance. Within a couple of years, he attains an equity partnership at this large national firm.
Then he decides to move his family and career across the country. He reaches out to me to help him in his transition. New city, new culture, new office, new people. A lot of moving parts. The move quickly proves to be successful on all accounts.
Within a few years after his move, he assumed the Office Managing Partner role. This is a great example of how business development skills can be the foundation to build a career to take you wherever you want to go.
- 4th– year call starts her own law firm
Into her career only 4 years, this ambitious young lawyer decides she’s had enough of the old law firm model and starts up her own firm. When she engaged me, she had already started on a couple of projects. I pleaded with her to have me come on board to be a 2nd set of eyes. She was adamant about getting these two tasks done before our work began.
She is quoted as saying the only time she didn’t listen to me it cost her thousands of dollars. That would be one of the last mistakes she would make.
Several years later, she has built a multi-award-winning law firm employing 25 fellow lawyers.
- 5-year call pivots his practice and career
This 5-year call associate at a large regional firm hates his practice as an insurance litigator. He reaches out to the firm management for support. They put us in touch.
We began our work together by identifying what was important to him. What were his values? In pretty short order we came upon a practice area he could sink his teeth into, IP for green energy start-ups. Soon after that he was back on the partner track and more fulfilled in his career than ever.
A great example of not accepting a position, practice, or stage in your career that doesn’t bring you fulfillment.
Stay tuned for the 2nd part of this series with even more client stories to inspire.
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