How Internal BD Teams Can Help Lawyers Follow Through on BD

This panel explored how law firms can help lawyers bridge the gap between learning and implementing business development strategies.

The discussion focused on practical ways firms can support long-term follow-through, including:

1. Understanding why lawyers struggle to sustain business development efforts
2. Assessing readiness for coaching and other support
3. Individual and group coaching
4. Accountability partners
5. “Office hours” with in-house business development professionals
6. Peer learning groups and alumni communities
7. Measuring meaningful progress
8. Building trust between lawyers and business development teams
9. Creating a culture that supports action

One theme emerged repeatedly throughout the discussion: Business development should not be a solo pursuit. Lawyers collaborate every day on client work, yet business development is often treated as something they should figure out alone. Firms that combine BD training with the kinds of ongoing implementation support described above give lawyers a much greater opportunity to build lasting business development habits.