The Danger of “We’ve Always Done It This Way” in Law Firm Operations
The Trap of Tradition in Law Firms
Law firms love precedent. It’s the foundation of the practice of law. But in operations? “We’ve always done it this way” is one of the most expensive sentences you’ll ever hear inside a firm.
Holding on to outdated processes doesn’t just slow you down — it quietly erodes profitability, frustrates your team, and pushes away clients who expect modern service delivery.
Why Tradition Sticks Around
It’s easy to see why legacy practices linger. They feel safe. They’re familiar. And when the firm has been profitable in the past, there’s a false belief that sticking with the status quo will guarantee the same results tomorrow. Spoiler: it doesn’t.
Technology evolves, client expectations shift, and competitors become sharper. The firms that cling to “old ways” are the ones that slowly become irrelevant.
A Personal Example: Challenging the Status Quo
I worked with a law firm for many years that had a core value of “challenging the status quo.” This mantra wasn’t just words on the wall — they lived it.
They were always on the forefront of testing new technology.
They evaluated systems and processes regularly, never assuming yesterday’s best practice was good enough for tomorrow.
They literally wouldn’t hire anyone who was afraid of trying new things.
The result? A culture where innovation wasn’t a threat — it was the standard. It was refreshing to see a law firm embrace change, and I can tell you firsthand: it gave them a significant competitive advantage.
Law firms should be doing more of this. Change doesn’t have to be disruptive. Done right, it’s a growth engine.
Practical Steps to Break Free from “Old Way” Thinking
If your firm wants to move forward, here are three practical steps:
Audit your processes annually. Identify what’s working and what’s slowing you down.
Benchmark against modern firms. Are your competitors already ahead with client portals, automation, or project management?
Empower a change leader. Without someone accountable for implementing new systems, ideas get stuck in “maybe someday.”
How a COO Helps
A fractional COO doesn’t just recommend new tools or strategies — they implement them. They ensure ideas become action, change becomes culture, and improvements actually stick.
If your firm is serious about growth, you can’t afford to let “we’ve always done it this way” dictate your future.
At ING Collaborations, I’ve helped law firms challenge the status quo, implement better systems, and build scalable operations. If you’re ready to trade outdated practices for growth and efficiency, let’s talk.
Take a look at how much a Fractional COO can benefit your firm and get you out of the monotony that you are in here.