Identifying High-Potential New Leaders in Today’s Legal Environment

By Jeff Wolf

The best lawyer doesn’t always make the best leader. Learn how to identify and develop high-potential leaders across your firm and practice groups.

Time to Read: 2 Minutes

In law firms today, high-performing attorneys are often promoted into leadership roles based solely on billable success and technical expertise, only to struggle when guiding teams or practice groups.

With Baby Boomers retiring at record rates and Millennials and Gen Z now making up the majority of the workforce, firms face an urgent need to identify and develop the next generation of leaders who can inspire teams, retain talent, and drive results.

Here’s how to spot and grow these high-potential leaders across your firm and practice groups.

Why Identifying Future Leaders Matters Now

Many firms are facing a leadership gap. As senior attorneys retire, too few mid-career lawyers are prepared to step up.

Modern leaders must think strategically about profitability, culture, innovation, and retention. Without intentional development, firms risk losing their best people and their competitive edge.

Firms that proactively identify and prepare new leaders will be far better equipped to thrive in a rapidly changing marketplace.

Why Performance Alone Isn’t Enough

For years, law firms prioritized hard skills such as legal knowledge, precision, billable results, and technical expertise. While these remain essential, soft skills are now the true differentiator.

As Thomson Reuters observes:

“Despite the fact that lawyers are intelligent and highly qualified professionals, they seem inherently ill-adapted to leadership and management roles.” (Thompson Reuters, Legal Insight)

Qualities that make someone a great lawyer, including independence, precision, and competitiveness, don’t always make a great leader. Leadership requires collaboration, empathy, and the ability to bring out the best in others.

Firms that develop these skills early create a stronger, more sustainable leadership pipeline.

Key Soft Skills to Look For

✔ Effective communication and listening
✔ Team-building and mentoring skills
✔ Curiosity and a growth mindset
✔ Integrity, trust, and sound judgment
✔ The ability to engage others and drive results

Core Leadership Questions

Before investing in potential leaders, ask:
✔ Do they want to be a leader?
✔ What are their professional goals and aspirations?
✔ Can they see the big picture, avoiding siloed thinking?
✔ Do they have the strategic mindset to navigate complex legal and business challenges?
✔ Do their experiences demonstrate judgment and resilience?
✔ Are they ethical and honest under pressure?

Bridging Generations in Leadership

Modern legal teams are more generationally diverse than ever. Successful leaders connect across differences in communication, motivation, and values.

Millennials and Gen Z attorneys value transparency, purpose, and mentorship. They want leaders who listen, invest in their growth, and align firm goals with personal development.

Leaders who meet these expectations create stronger engagement, collaboration, and loyalty.

Attitude Matters

A leader’s mindset sets the tone. A positive, resilient attitude can be contagious, boosting morale and performance across the firm.

Skills can be taught, but the ability to inspire and motivate cannot.

Observation in Action

Observe potential leaders in real situations:
✔ Do they communicate confidently in meetings or presentations?
✔ Can they make sound judgments about people, strategy, and risk?
✔ Do they remain composed under pressure, adapt when plans change, and own mistakes as learning opportunities?

How to Develop Future Leaders

To strengthen your leadership pipeline:
✔ Offer formal leadership programs tailored to career stages
✔ Provide coaching and mentoring to build emotional intelligence
✔ Create stretch assignments that give ownership and responsibility
✔ Use feedback loops that promote self-awareness and continuous growth

Bottom Line

When firms make leadership development a deliberate strategy, they build resilience, improve retention, and ensure continuity across generations.

Start Developing Leaders Now

Don’t wait until leadership gaps appear, start preparing your next generation of leaders today.

We help firms and practice groups identify, nurture, and retain top talent, building leaders who can inspire teams, drive results, and navigate today’s complex legal environment.

📞 Contact our San Diego Office today to explore a tailored leadership development plan for your firm.

About Jeff Wolf

Jeff Wolf is a nationally recognized coach and consultant for law firms. Featured on NBC, CBS, CNBC, Fox, and the Legal Broadcasting Network, he helps lawyers and firms build stronger teams, attract and retain clients, and achieve sustainable growth through leadership and business development strategies. He is founder and president of Wolf Management Consultants, LLC, and the author of two books and numerous articles on business development and leadership.

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