The Concept vs. The Execution
At a recent PILMMA Mastermind in Charleston, I shared this idea in a group discussion— and it really seemed to resonate. We were discussing pods vs. streamlined systems for case management. Some firms had completely restructured their operations because they heard someone successful say,“ You have to use pods.”
The result? It didn’ t work. Not because the pod concept is flawed, but because it wasn’ t right for their firm— at that stage, with that culture, and those resources.
A firm with 250 employees and eight attorneys per pod operates in a very different universe than a 10-person shop where everyone’ s wearing multiple hats. What works for the former would be chaotic for the latter.
Don’ t Try to Be 250 When You’ re 10
Growth happens in phases. What works at 25 people will break at 50. What works at 50 won’ t hold up at 100. Every time you double in size, your systems, processes, and even your culture need to evolve.
It’ s tempting to emulate a“ model” firm. But remember— even that model firm didn’ t start out that way. 8 Figure Law Firms don’ t launch with a skyscraper office and hundreds of staff. They build slowly, deliberately, with a focus on what’ s working at each stage of growth. And yes, as Ken reminded me during our conversation, the firm that has 250 employees today was doing things very differently when they were just 10 people strong.
Law Firm Growth Isn’ t Linear
When I started in a law firm, I was receptionist, bookkeeper, and file clerk— sometimes all in the same day. That’ s the reality of a growing firm. People wear multiple hats until you can afford to hire the next specialist. And that’ s okay.
It’ s easy to forget the scrappy beginnings when you’ re admiring someone else’ s current success. But never lose sight of your own reality. Yes, strive for excellence. Learn from those ahead of you. But always ask,“ How can I tailor this idea to fit my firm— right now?”
Being Honest About Who You Are( and Who You’ re Not)
Ken shared a powerful question with me:“ If your mother lost her leg in a car accident, would you hire your firm?” That’ s
The Trial Lawyer 21