Case Study 6 
Firm Founder Coaching
 

Assessment

We kicked off the coaching engagement with a half-day planning planning session during which we:

• Discussed personal and professional challenges and opportunities​

• Identified her personal mission, vision, and values

• Articulated the firm's mission, vision, and values

• Assessed her leadership skills, abilities, and shortcomings

• Identified individuals and situations perceived to be obstacles to her success as a leader and to the firm's ability to grow

• Set personal and professional goals 

Alignment and Implementation

Following the planning meeting, we created a coaching plan that included objectives, goals, metrics, and timelines to provide direction and accountability. We designed a business plan that included a budget, hiring targets, performance management practices and metrics, and ideal client descriptions. The goals and action steps were designed around the client's vision and her highest and best use. We held monthly coaching sessions that provided her with guidance, advice, brainstorming opportunities, and support. 

In addition to our regular monthly calls, the client frequently reached out to us for real-time assistance with crisis management, handling internal conflicts, idea sharing, marketing support, and strategy discussions. These timely conversations provided her with a fresh perspective, clarity, and moral support.

Measuring Results

• Together we created an expectations document for both attorneys and staff designed to provide accountability and complement the client's vision and effective execution of the business plan.

• She was able to improve the performance of the struggling associate and establish good billing habits.

• The client was able to take a 5-day vacation with her family with little interaction with the office.

• She became more intentional about her marketing and business development efforts by following a specific plan with strategic activities and more selective targeting.

• The client carefully reviewed her current book of business, case load, and new business opportunities to determine current and future hiring needs.

• She carved time out of her schedule to train, develop, mentor, and hold her team accountable to their goals and her expectations.

• She instituted a regular cadence of team meetings focusing on measuring successes, reviewing missteps, and identifying opportunities for growth.

• We established best practices that significantly improved billing hygiene, leading to a 32% increase in billing and reduced A/R.

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FIRST YEAR PROJECT OUTCOMES:​​​​

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• The establishment of a healthy, robust, and supportive firm culture.

• Higher levels of trust and collaboration among team members, reducing tensions and encouraging a focus on solutions, not problems or criticisms. 

• Her clear vision along with the business plan promoted more accountability among the lawyers, staff, and clients.

• Enhanced profitability throughout the firm.

• The client was able to pay herself a healthy salary.

• The average case size increased by $10,000 and the firm stopped working on matters that drained resources and limited profitability.

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SECOND YEAR OUTCOMES:

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• The firm brought on an associate with a small book of business.

• A law clerk was hired for the summer and was invited to join the firm once they passed the bar exam.

• The client was able to take on larger and more complex cases, delegating smaller matters to her associates.

• We helped the firm to redesign their website, improving their search engine optimization (SEO) and created a substantial thought leadership presence on LinkedIn, leading to a growing referral network.

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THIRD YEAR OUTCOMES:

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• The firm surpassed their revenue growth goals

• The client was invited to take on a leadership position within the local bar association

• Two of the associates showed interest in originating business and brought in 3 new clients

• The client was able to expand the office space to accommodate her growing team

• The firm was able to hire an experienced administrator to oversee operations, improve systems for billing and technology, and refine the intake process, freeing up the client to do more business development, handle larger matters, and have more personal time.