Setting goals are an effective and accurate way to measure the success of your law practice’s performance. Goal setting allows you to identify what is working, what is not working, where you need to pivot, and what elements in your law firm need an overhaul.

Goal setting should not be a one-time event – you can continue to edit and adjust your goals as needed and as your law career progresses. Career goals will vary as you hit different milestones so it’s important that you customize and personalize your goals at every stage.

It is key that your goals are clear, precise, and measurable. You can also use “I” statements to make it personal and to describe the way you feel, think, and need. Using “I” statements also provides clear communication.

Research shows that 90% of the time, setting specific goals leads to more success and those with goals are ten times more successful than those without.

Another practical way to set goals is using the S.M.A.R.T method – specific, measurable, achievable/attainable, relevant, and time-based. Here are some law firm goal examples using the S.M.A.R.T method.

S: Specific
Examples of specific goals comes from, “How Good Attorneys Become Great Rainmakers“ –

• Number of new clients to be brought in during the next year
• Dedicate three lunches per week to cultivating referral sources
• Write three articles per month

M: Measurable
Track progress, grow by a specific number or percentage.

A: Achievable
Make sure this goal is something that you can reach for AND accomplish. Set a realistic goal and make it challenging.

R: Relevant
Have the goal tie into a larger vision, have it be relevant to your business.

T: Time-based
Set an end date and provide a realistic time frame of when you would like it to be accomplished. Assess and evaluate your goals according to your time line.

Build yourself up for success by creating goals that are specific to you and create the career that you desire. Goal setting will help you not only reach your goals, but show you what you are capable of in both your personal and professional life. When considering your goals, it is important that they align with the mission and vision of the law practice. Take the time today to sit down and focus on your 2023 strategy.

• Author Details

Abbie Guerrero

Abbie Guerrero

Assistant Marketing Manager/Resource Advisor

Abbie joined the Atticus team in 2021 with more than a decade of digital marketing experience. She is results driven and has an extensive background in content creation, lead generation, understanding the customer development process, solving problems, and advertising. She is an expert at building relationships and sets high quality expectations. She loves to set and exceed personal and professional goals.

Abbie is currently the Resource Advisor for Atticus livestream webinars and workshops. In addition to her Resource Advisor role, she is the Assistant Marketing Manager. In this role she leads the strategy for digital marketing, creates content for weekly newsletters, all advertising campaigns and executes many ad hoc marketing projects.

Abbie has her bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Utah Valley University. She is a blogger and published author and enjoys spending time with her family in both Utah and California.