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The Maroons & the Grays: An Update

by Bruce | August 16, 2026 | Articles, Branding, Business Models, Client Relationships, Generative AI, Leadership, Partnership Structures, Strategy

Back in 2019 we published a three-part series introducing and fleshing out our model of the competitive market segmentation of law firms.   We posited that the two primary segments of BigLaw are the “maroons,” go-to firms for bet-the-company matters garnering...

Scale Matters

by Bruce | June 26, 2026 | Articles, Branding, Business Models, Client Relationships, Generative AI, Leadership, M&A, Partnership Structures, Strategy

In the past we have written that for law firms scale—number of partners and total lawyers, number of offices, total revenue, &c.—doesn’t really matter.  The distinctions that clients care about center around specific domain/practice area expertise, track record, a...

Cross-serving vs. Cross-selling; yes, there’s a difference

by Janet Stanton | August 3, 2025 | Articles, Branding, Client Relationships, Cultural Considerations, Marketing, Strategic Client Management

The following column is by Janet Stanton, Partner, Adam Smith, Esq., LLC–Bruce Firms are increasingly realizing the value of expanding relationships with their existing clients – be it involving more partners, additional practice areas, offices or other...

10 mistakes law firms make in managing their client relationships…

by Janet Stanton | June 30, 2025 | Articles, Client Relationships

  The importance of enhanced client focus continues to ratchet up.  With good reason.  In the “battle for market share” your current clients are both more valuable and vulnerable than before.  Further, as supported in numerous studies, nurturing and building...

Why Does Intake Matter? It’s the Future of your Firm

by Bruce | June 6, 2024 | Articles, Branding, Business Models, Client Relationships, Finance, Leadership, Marketing, Strategic Client Management

This column is by Janet Stanton, Partner, Adam Smith, Esq. At far too many law firms, client or matter intake consists of a perfunctory credit and conflicts check, and you’re off to the races.  This forfeits the opportunity to intentionally and purposefully manage the...

Who Needs To Be Listening To Your Clients? You do.

by Bruce | January 17, 2024 | Articles, Branding, Client Relationships, Cultural Considerations, Marketing, Practice Group Management

The following column is by Janet Stanton, Partner, Adam Smith, Esq. For unfathomable reasons many law firms and lawyers eschew client feedback. The reason we’re baffled by this is that at its most basic, the business of law firms is to serve client’s needs.  Let me...
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