What a Fractional COO Actually Does (And Why It’s Not Just Coaching)

There’s no shortage of consultants and coaches offering law firms help “working on the business.” And while many offer solid insights, there’s a major difference between advice and execution.

That’s where a fractional COO comes in.

Coaching vs. Executing

A coach helps you think about the business differently. A COO helps you run it differently.

They don’t just suggest improvements — they build the roadmap, assign the owners, install the systems, and make sure execution happens.

What a Fractional COO Actually Does:

  • Defines and aligns strategy

  • Builds org structure with clear roles + responsibilities

  • Oversees systems implementation and integration

  • Drives accountability with KPIs and follow-through

  • Supports hiring, onboarding, and team development

They’re not just giving you homework. They’re in the business with you — driving the change alongside your leadership team.

When to Consider a Fractional COO

  • You’ve outgrown DIY ops but aren’t ready for a full-time executive

  • Projects stall out because no one owns execution

  • You're overwhelmed managing too many departments directly

  • You’re scaling but your systems haven’t caught up

The Outcome?

  • Clarity on what to focus on

  • Strategic decisions made faster

  • A team that knows what to do (and how to win)

  • A business that finally feels like it’s running smoothly


If your law firm has hit a wall with coaching and needs someone to help get it done, I can help. Let’s move from ideas to execution — together.

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When to Hire Your First Operations Lead (And When Not To)

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System Fatigue — When Too Many Tools Are Slowing Your Firm Down