Estate planning? Tax law?
You’ve given extensive thought to the FUNCTION of your law firm, but have you thought about the type of law you want to practice? The values you want your firm to embody? The kind of work environment you want to be in every day?
I bring this up as a marketer because I often find that the reason clients end up hiring me over a marketing “bro” is because they themselves have gone through a common modern-day phenomenon: burnout. And in that season of burnout, they realized that their chosen path was at odds with their deeper values, their ideal work culture, or their personal fulfillment. They were simply burnt out from not practicing the kind of law they truly cared about.
So, I ask about the type of law you want to practice. Because, I don’t want to encourage anyone to build a business that ignores their own passion and purpose. Because, that’s a recipe for burnout.
Think about 3-5 adjectives that describe the kind of law you’re drawn to and the values that are most important to you:
- Impactful: Perhaps you want to practice a type of law that makes a real difference in people’s lives, like family law or immigration law.
- Intellectually stimulating: Maybe you thrive on complex legal challenges and want to specialize in areas like intellectual property or corporate law. You might even want to build a reputation for taking on impossible cases.
- Collaborative: Do you value teamwork and want to work in a firm where everyone supports each other? Do you envision a practice where you can learn from and mentor colleagues, fostering a culture of continuous growth and development?
- Supportive: Maybe you want to create a positive and encouraging work environment where everyone feels valued.
- Flexible: Perhaps you want to build a practice that allows for work-life balance and autonomy.
These adjectives are just a starting point. Take some time to reflect on what truly matters to you in your legal career. Choose words that resonate with your personal values and professional goals. Your firm’s identity and the type of law you practice should align with your passion and purpose, ensuring a fulfilling and sustainable career.