What would happen to your practice if your caseload doubled next month?
Would your systems flex or fracture under the pressure?
It's a question that determines whether your practice can thrive long-term or remain perpetually constrained.
Rightsizing Your Practice
Every lawyer who starts their own practice eventually confronts a critical question: what size should my practice be?
While this is a personal decision that varies dramatically between practice areas, individual preference and client needs, many lawyers launch their practices without recognizing that the answer to these questions might evolve as your practice matures. The practice that serves you well today might feel constraining tomorrow.
But perhaps more importantly, in today's economy lawyers would do well to recognize that modern practices need scalability that isn't limited by physical constraints.
While some practices thrive as boutique operations and others grow into larger firms, I firmly believe that in today's legal landscape, what truly matters is:
- How sustainable your practice is in the short term
- How scalable your practice can become for the long term
- How you can scale independent of physical space.
A Personal Anecdote
This was the central theme of a video I created last week, where I addressed a young lawyer struggling with whether to continue his solo practice. by highlighting how moving to an employer doesn't necessarily mean he would be equipped to be successfully in a digital first economy.
It also reflects a valuable lesson I learned in late 2019.
Despite being offered very favorable terms on a lease for dedicated office space to accommodate my growing team, I chose a co-working arrangement instead, prioritizing flexibility over appearances.
That decision proved fortunate when, just months later, the pandemic hit.
Without the albatross of unused office space and its accompanying expenses, I was in a better position to evolve my practice to the changing landscape, while many of my colleagues were trapped between lease obligations and the new remote reality.
The Business Reality
My experience demonstrates the maxim of Heather Suttie - one of the world’s leading authorities on legal market strategy and management of legal services firms (and fellow Canadian): Legal service is a business. Run it that way.
And in my experience, I've discovered that while physical infrastructure is often a financial drain or a ceiling on growth, digital-savvy practices can disconnect scalability from physical space.
With the right technology foundation, you could grow from three people to thirty without changing your office footprint at all.
Digital-First Practice
Embracing a digital-first approach isn't without challenges. It demands different infrastructure and mindsets than traditional law practices. You'll need to rethink how your firm delivers value when team members aren't physically present together.
In my recent conversation with Josh Schachnow, founder of Visto AI, we explored how AI is transforming immigration law practice.
Josh highlighted both the tremendous opportunities and inevitable growing pains of this transition. Learn more in the video below.
​​
Invitation to our Digital Client Experiences Workshop
That's why I'm inviting you to our practical workshop: Digital Client Experiences 101.
Unlike typical legal education where you passively consume information, this workshop follows a "learn-by-doing" approach. You'll work directly with me to implement actual systems for your practice during our time together.
By participating in this interactive workshop, you'll work alongside me to create four essential elements of a scalable practice:
- Your Custom Ideal Client Avatar Profile - Identify exactly who your practice serves best and how to attract them
- A Conversion-Focused Landing Page Blueprint - Design a digital storefront that resonates with potential clients
- A Ready-to-Activate Email Sequence - Develop automated follow-up that nurtures relationships without constant attention
- AI Communication Tools for Client Interactions - Master time-saving technology that personalizes client communications
What makes this workshop different is that you'll leave with actual assets ready for immediate implementation in your practice - not just concepts or ideas.
Workshop Details:
- Date: Sunday, March 16, 2025 (perfect timing during March Break!)
- Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Eastern Time
- Format: Interactive with implementation periods and live Q&A
- Result: Walk away with functioning digital systems for your practice
Space is limited to ensure personalized attention for each participant. Previous workshops have sold out quickly, so I encourage you to secure your spot today.
Not sure if this is right for you? Watch this quick demo of the AI communication assistant we'll be configuring during the workshop:
​​Reserve your spot today!​
I look forward to working with you to build digital client experiences that scale your practice beyond physical limitations.
Committed to your success,