Law firms are prioritizing business development more than ever.
As we approach the mid-way mark of the year, it’s clear that my clients are filling more Business Development roles than any other position. And recent research shows that firms are increasing their BD budgets in meaningful ways.
This combination will be powerful for firms looking to bring in more work.
This is where I see firms spending their hiring dollars:
Business Development Managers. Increasing headcount and budget for BD teams provides a pathway for one-to-one support for lawyers. BD professionals who focus on fostering meaningful attorney connections help develop business relationships that produce new work.
Client Relationship Managers. It’s encouraging to see firms value direct client dialogue more than ever. BD professionals are helping lawyers anticipate client needs and identify opportunities that fuel practice growth.
Practice Development. Smart firms are bringing business development professionals into strategy conversations early. By embedding BD into practice groups, these professionals keep opportunities moving forward and facilitate cross selling.
Lawyer Coaching. Strong BD professionals are helping lawyers translate opportunity into focused, disciplined behavior. Individualized coaching provides structured approaches and accountability for moving relationships forward.
Business development in law firms has long run on individual habits, uneven skills, and partner-dependent execution. It’s great to see the shift to empowering BD professionals to help lawyers. The firms that do this will move faster, convert more opportunities, and grow steadily.
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