Big Law Life #88: How Strategic Planning Can Help BigLaw Attorneys Succeed in Their Firms - with Sheri Palomaki
Strategic planning often feels like corporate jargon that doesn’t belong in law firms. Yet without a clear plan, too many lawyers end up chasing random opportunities, wasting time, and missing the clients and matters best suited to help them succeed with building their practice and their business.
In this episode, I talk with Sheri Palomaki, Director of Practice Operations at K&L Gates [Energy, Infrastructure, Resources] about why strategic planning is a critical skill for lawyers today, what makes it so difficult in our environment, and how attorneys in BigLaw can use practical tools like SWOT analysis, SMART goals, and accountability partners to align priorities with results. If you’ve ever wondered how to turn priorities like “bring in more clients” into real progress, this conversation will give you a concrete path forward.
At a Glance: 00:00 Why strategy feels elusive for lawyers but is essential to your practice 01:20 Framing why strategic planning matters for lawyers and practice leaders 03:29 Sheri’s career path from practicing at Skadden to law firm operations and strategic planning, and how that shaped her perspective 05:21 Why law firms resist planning: cash-basis financials, partnership politics, and individual achievement culture 08:17 The dartboard and football analogies: why random wins aren’t a strategy 10:04 The trap of setting too many priorities and why 2-3 is the sweet spot 12:15 Using SWOT analysis effectively and avoiding the problem of one partner speaking for everyone 14:04 Turning priorities into SMART goals and why specificity matters 16:27 How to avoid chasing the wrong kinds of clients by segmenting your long tail 18:29 Fitness and sports analogies: daily actions, not lofty goals, drive results 21:12 Guarding against shiny object syndrome and staying intentional about shifts 23:10 How recurring accountability meetings and role assignments keep execution on track 25:02 The “accelerator program” model for training rising partners in business development 26:12 First steps: finding an accountability partner and communicating priorities
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Learn more about Sheri Palomaki and Legal Value Network LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheripalomaki/ https://www.legalvaluenetwork.com/
Interested in doing 1-2-1 coaching with Laura Terrell? Or learning more about her work coaching and consulting? Here are ways to reach out to her:
laura@lauraterrell.com
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Show notes: https://www.lauraterrell.com/podcast