A successful small law firm begins with some smart strategy

For independent lawyers, leaving big law means leaving behind expectations of long hours and lawyer burnout. However, like all business owners, lawyers who want to create a successful small law firm can too easily fall into old patterns of overworking.

The solution? Working smarter – not harder (or longer, as most lawyers tend to do).

Enterprise Nation sums up the benefits of working smarter as a small business owner:

“One of the main benefits of working smarter is being able to save energy. Instead of pushing through long hours and burning out, you can identify the times when you’re at your most energetic, then concentrate on doing your most important tasks during those periods. This makes sure you’re focusing your energy and using it effectively.”

To begin, you need to create a smart work strategy and then commit to sticking to it.

The small law firm advantage

The fantastic news here? Independent lawyers have already created more flexibility and autonomy by simply leaving big law.

What that means in practice for independent lawyers:

  • Setting a schedule that maximizes productive hours and also allows for downtime and real life
  • Creating alternative billing structures that allow for profits without unsustainable growth
  • Understanding client needs at a level that allows you to streamline and deliver client service in the most impactful ways; letting go of unnecessary process and busy work.
  • An ability to flex and shift quickly according to a rapidly changing market
  • Creating a small law firm culture that places human needs (yours, your staff and your clients) at the center

Without the layers of tradition and confining structure often baked into big law firms, you have a much greater ability to create a firm and a workflow that better matches your personal style and needs.

Smart law firm planning

Planning now will save you many headaches as your firm begins to grow. As you enter growth mode, ask yourself:

  • How can I create a targeted client profile that streamlines marketing, business development, staffing and more?
  • Which tasks do I need to handle myself and which ones can I outsource?
  • Do I need to hire now, or can I collaborate with other firms short-term?
  • When and where do I do my best thinking and best work?
  • How can I create streamlined processes using technology?

In short, plan now to create a niche where you can stand out and then create systems that allow you to grow seamlessly and sustainably.

The elements of a smart small law firm

The fantastic news for small law firms? You have much more ability to turn on a dime than behemoth law firms mired in years of tradition and process. Decisions come down to you and maybe one or two partners.

Here are a few ways that small law firms can use their size and flexibility to their advantage:

Real estate options. If you work alone or with a few staff, you don’t need to stay tied to a long-term office lease. Smart law firms remain nimble by opting for non-traditional office options like shared offices or coworking communities. These short-term office arrangements allow you to: add staff when it makes sense; set sane office hours that create work-life balance; work alongside other professionals; and save a ton of money.

Information. One of the smartest decisions you can make as an independent lawyer is staying in touch with the latest information. Attend the conferences, follow the news/bar sources for your practice area and talk to people on the ground. This practice will allow you to deliver real-time value to your clients and will also help you get a jump on any new opportunities presenting in the market. (Thomson Reuters has some great tips for how to stay in-the-know.)

Technology and tools. People who work smarter know when to lean on technology to shorten processes. From client service to legal discovery, use the tools you know will reduce your hours and increase your impact.

Strong networks. By far the smartest investment of time you can make is by strengthening your professional network. Meet other small business owners. Connect with business leaders in your community. Find fellow lawyers whose practice areas complement yours and who might become collaborative partners.

A strong network will serve you far longer than any flashy ad campaign. Reach out.