Law360 Canada (July 25, 2024, 1:48 PM EDT) — 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
Gary Mitchell
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 recreate 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.

2. 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 adviser, 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 100-year history

2. 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 that she would 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.

3. 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 of 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.

4. Fourth-year call starts her own law firm

Into her career only four 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 second 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. Five-year call pivots his practice and career

This five-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: intellectual property for
green energy startups. 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 second part of this series with even more client stories to inspire.
Gary Mitchell has tailored his coaching practice exclusively to lawyers since 2005. He has three books
published; his latest, Growing a Law Practice During COVID-19, was published by LexisNexis in 2021.
Recently, Mitchell launched a new app to help lawyers grow their practices, The Law Practice Builder
App™. He now hosts The LawBiz Podcast™, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube. He
can be reached at gary@cohanleon.saimrasool.com.
The opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the
author’s firm, its clients, LexisNexis Canada, Law360 Canada or any of its or their respective
affiliates. This article is for general information purposes and is not intended to be and should not be
taken as legal advice.
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