Profit First for Lawyers

Profit First for Lawyers


How To Hire (And Keep) A Superstar Staff

July 25, 2024

In this episode we look at the critical aspects of building and retaining a superstar staff for your law firm.  Nichole Hanscom, Director of Special Projects at How To MANAGE a Small Law Firm makes a return visit to the show. Nichole, drawing from her extensive experience, shares invaluable insights on recruiting top talent, implementing effective onboarding processes, and developing essential leadership skills. She challenges law firm owners to rethink their hiring strategies, the long-term benefits of hiring experienced attorneys, and the power of specialization.


This episode offers a roadmap for transforming your law firm into an A-plus business that attracts and retains A-plus talent. Whether you’re struggling with high turnover or looking to take your team to the next level, Nichole’s wisdom and actionable tips will help you build a thriving, profitable law practice.



If you want A-plus employees, you have to start building an A-plus business. You have to become an A-plus leader.



Key Takeaways

  1. Recruiting Superstar Staff

    • Use professional recruiters to find top talent
    • Look beyond job boards and work your network


  2. Effective Onboarding

    • Invest time in proper onboarding for new hires
    • Ensure new employees understand your mission, vision, and values


  3. Leadership Skills

    • Develop self-awareness as a leader
    • Aim to hire people smarter than yourself


  4. The Importance of Job Descriptions and KPI’s

    • Use objective metrics to evaluate employee performance
    • Protect both employees and employers from favoritism


  5. Hiring Experienced vs. Newly Barred Attorneys

    • The benefits of hiring more experienced, higher salaried lawyers
    • How to calculate return on investment for higher-paid employees


  6. Niche Down and Dominate

    • The power of specializing in a specific area of law
    • How niching down can improve marketing, hiring, and systems



Links Mentioned

– Ep 53 with Nichole Hanscom: Stages of Law Firm’s Growth


– Profit First for Lawyers curated resource page


– Leave us a review on AppleSpotifyAudible or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts


–  Buy your copy of Profit First for Lawyers


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