CEO Check-In: 3 Questions to Realign Your Law Firm Vision for 2025
- TLTurner Group
- Jul 22
- 4 min read
Running a law firm is a lot like captaining a ship—you can’t just set the course in January and hope it’s smooth sailing for the rest of the year. Winds shift. Storms pop up. And sometimes, you realize you’re headed in the wrong direction altogether.
That’s why a mid-year CEO check-in is one of the most powerful tools in your leadership toolkit. It’s not about making you feel bad for what didn’t get done. It’s about making sure the second half of your year aligns with your bigger goals.
This post walks you through three powerful questions every law firm owner should ask at the midpoint of the year. They’ll help you realign with your values, pivot with purpose, and finish the year feeling proud—not panicked.
1. What’s Working—And Why?
Start here. Most of us zero in on what’s not working, but high-performing CEOs do the opposite: they look at what’s succeeding and ask, “How do I do more of that?”
Take Inventory
Pull up your KPIs, client feedback, and internal team reports. Ask:
Which services are the most profitable and energizing to deliver?
What systems or habits helped us stay on track?
Where did we grow the most—financially, strategically, or culturally?
Examples to Ground You
Revenue Insight: Maybe your flat-fee estate plans brought in more referrals than your litigation cases. That’s a sign to double down on that service line.
Team Strength: Perhaps your new on-boarding checklist dramatically improved staff productivity. Don’t just keep it—refine and replicate it.
Build on What Works
Make a mini action plan:
Can you turn this winning system into a training template for the team?
Is there a marketing strategy tied to that high-performing service you should reinvest in?
Could you automate part of what’s working to free up your time?
Law firm all-stars don’t chase shiny objects. They scale what already works.
2. What’s Off Track—And What’s the Real Reason?
Every firm has friction points. The key is not to panic—it’s to diagnose why something is off.
Look Beyond the Surface
Instead of just labeling a goal as “behind,” dig into the root cause:
Were your expectations realistic?
Did your team have the tools they needed?
Did you over commit and under-resource?
Real-World Examples
Hiring Delay: You meant to bring on a new paralegal by March. It’s now July, and the role is still open. Ask:
Did I avoid the process because I didn’t trust my hiring judgment?
Did I lack time to train someone new?
Was I unclear on what success looked like in this role?
Flat Revenue: Growth stalled. Ask:
Is it a pricing problem?
Are we attracting the wrong-fit clients?
Has marketing been consistent—or reactive?
Decide What to Fix, Pause, or Let Go
Not everything needs fixing. Some things need releasing.
Use this quick decision filter:
Fix: There’s a clear path forward and strong ROI.
Pause: It matters, but the timing is wrong.
Let Go: It no longer aligns with your vision or capacity.
Reclaim your energy by trimming the dead weight. Letting go is often the most strategic move a CEO can make.
3. Who Do I Need to Become to Lead This Next Chapter?
This is the big one. Numbers and checklists matter—but the real magic happens when you evolve as a leader.
Reflect Like a CEO
Ask yourself:
Have I been showing up like the CEO or the technician?
Am I spending most of my time on urgent issues or important decisions?
Where have I avoided hard conversations, delegation, or investment?
Personal Story Prompt
Let’s say your firm grew by 30%, but you’re more burnt out than ever. That’s a sign your internal systems haven’t caught up with your external success. Now’s the time to shift from hustler to builder.
Ask:
What decisions do I need to stop postponing?
Where do I need support (not just help)?
What would my future, fulfilled CEO-self do differently?
Invest in Your Leadership
Realigning your vision isn’t just about the firm—it’s about you.
Make a CEO development plan:
Monthly CEO Days to focus on strategy, not operations.
Mentorship or Peer Groups to expand your thinking.
Delegation Map to get tasks off your plate permanently.
The law firm leaders who grow sustainably know this truth: you don’t scale your business—you scale your identity.
Bonus: Create a Mid-Year Action Map
Now that you’ve answered these three questions, here’s how to tie it all together.
The Mid-Year Action Map Template
Top 3 Wins So Far
Top 3 Lessons or Missteps
3 Things to Stop Doing
3 Things to Double Down On
1 Big Bold Move you’ll make this quarter (e.g., raise your rates, restructure your team, launch a new offer)
Put it on paper. Make it visible. Review it weekly.
You Don’t Need a Perfect Year—You Need a Purposeful Second Half
Being a law firm CEO isn’t about getting everything right—it’s about course-correcting with intention.
There’s still time to:
Realign your priorities
Re-engage your team
Re-imagine what success looks like
The second half of the year can feel lighter, clearer, and more aligned. But only if you lead it that way.
So ask yourself:
What do I want to be celebrating in December—and what needs to change now to get there?
Your future self will thank you.
Want Help Making the Second Half of the Year Your Best Yet?
We work with law firm owners to build financial systems, leadership habits, and scalable strategies that fuel long-term success.
Our support is grounded in finance—but our impact goes far beyond the numbers. Whether you need to clean up your books, forecast smarter, or get your time and team back—we’re here to help.
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