A strong law firm culture begins and ends with the leaders’ values

Many of our members operate independent law practices, but even businesses of one can develop a strong law firm culture.

Leaders create culture

The best company cultures develop over time, but strong leaders drive that evolution.

If you set an intention to create a desirable culture at launch, you can better guide how it grows and transforms. If you have recently launched a solo law practice, now is the time to set the tone for your firm’s trajectory. Your values should become an integral part of how you do business, how you hire and how you attract clients.

As this piece from Clio sums up:

“A strong law firm culture is an opportunity to set your law firm apart from the pack. It clearly tells potential clients and staff exactly what your firm stands for and the values it practices day-to-day. By building a stronger culture that aligns with the values that are important to you, you can effectively create an environment that makes lawyers more supported and motivated. When people feel like they are valued, they tend to be more engaged and productive. That’s a win for them, and for your business.”

Expressing a values-based culture even as a solo lawyer shows clients where your priorities lie. When it’s time to recruit and hire staff, you should already have a clear vision and culture in place.

Redefining success

A recent article in Inc. magazine highlighted a trend of people leaving their jobs en masse. Many have cited burnout as the reason, but behind the stress and overwork sits a desire for more meaning in their lives:

“More and more people have come to see that defining ourselves by our résumés, and chasing an idea of success based solely on the metrics of money and status, isn’t sustainable. What we’re seeing is a shift to living lives based on a more fulfilling, intrinsic, and sustainable definition of success that adds to the first two metrics the third metric of well-being — which includes resilience, and being able to tap into our own inner peace, joy, and wonder.”

We have been covering this trend in the legal industry since our inception. In fact, we wrote an ebook about it. We know how many lawyers have reached that place of burnout. Many have left traditional, big law firms in search of something more fulfilling.

That something usually takes the form of launching a new law firm with a firm culture that supports work-life balance. As a law firm founder, you have the ability to shape it from the ground up. You can create a new business model, go after only the type of clients that align with your values, and you can create a flexible work model that allows you and your employees to be people as well as lawyers.

What goes into culture

Do the work now to create the law firm culture you want. Whether you have recently launched your firm or have spent years building it, you can shape and define your firm’s culture.

Think about:

  • How you want your clients and key stakeholders to view your firm (if you have an established firm, ask them how they currently view your culture)
  • What success means to you beyond profit
  • The experience you want to have at work, as well the experience of your employees
  • What is your purpose and who do you serve?
  • Do you want a hierarchical structure or a flat one?
  • Can you create a flexible work structure that includes remote work, coworking, flexible hours and generous PTO?
  • Will you do more than give lip service to work-life balance? What policies and practical strategies can you employ to ensure it?
  • How can you create efficiencies that support both business growth and people growth?

Law firms across the country, and around the globe, have challenged the traditional model. Legal industry leaders have made headway toward creating a new kind of law firm. You can shape your own law firm’s culture and continue to challenge the status quo along the way.

We serve law firms in Las Vegas and Denver with a range of flexible and affordable office space options. For small law firms, we offer coworking and shared office space. For large law firms, we connect you with vetted sublease tenants for your existing space. To learn more or to schedule a tour, reach out today.