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38 practice areas
New sections: AI & the Law, Practice Management
100s of current and trending legal topics
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Building a Law Firm: Wide Business Development Culture

Master proven frameworks to embed business development into firm culture, accelerate cross-selling, sharpen sales leadership, and drive sustainable revenue growth across practices, offices, and teams.

2026-06-19 13:00:00

1 hours

Program Details

2026-06-19 13:00:00

Program Details

2026-06-19 13:00:00

Over 1,000+ webinars

2026-06-19 13:00:00

1 hours

Course Overview

Building Firmwide Business Development Culture

2026-06-19 13:00:00

Most firms still operate on the premise that strong legal work produces the next engagement on its own — and the numbers say otherwise. Client willingness to recommend a primary firm fell from 79.1% to 25% over five years, yet 71% of new engagements still originate through referrals, which means firms depend on relationships their partners have stopped cultivating: BTI Consulting reports 65% of relationship partners do not engage in high-value business development, and 40% of partners cannot state their firm’s client retention rate. Any firm leader, practice group head, or origination partner relying on a handful of rainmakers carries revenue that walks out the door untracked. Catherine Alman MacDonagh and David Freeman supply the frameworks to break practice-area silos, convert lawyer-leaders into sales leaders, build the core selling competencies — discovery conversations, value articulation, asking for work — and install accountability structures, performance metrics, and leadership cadences. You leave able to embed business development into daily practice and measure it, rather than hope the referrals keep coming.

Format

CLE Credit

1h CLE Credits

Level

Intermediate

Length

1

Key topics that will be covered

01
Cross-selling
Proven strategies to accelerate cross-selling across practices and offices.
02
Sales leadership
Practical techniques to evolve from lawyer-leaders into effective sales leaders.
03
Selling skills
A clear understanding of the core selling skills lawyers must develop.
04
Activity motivation
Actionable methods to motivate consistent business development activity within firms.
05
Team building
Frameworks for building more aligned, collaborative, and high-performing legal teams.
06
Client service
Approaches to deliver exceptional client service that drives loyalty and new work.

Program schedule

clock 1:00 pm - 1:10 pm EST

Proven Strategies to Accelerate Cross-Selling Across Practices and Offices

Discover actionable methods to break down internal silos, increase attorney collaboration, and unlock untapped revenue by introducing existing clients to additional practice areas, services, and trusted firm colleagues.

Catherine Alman MacDonaghCatherine Alman MacDonagh
David Freeman J.D.David Freeman J.D.
clock 1:10 pm - 1:20 pm EST

Techniques to Evolve from Lawyer-Leaders into Effective Sales Leaders

Learn how to shift from managing legal work to inspiring revenue-generating behavior, modeling business development habits, and guiding teams toward consistent client acquisition, retention, and long-term growth outcomes.

Catherine Alman MacDonaghCatherine Alman MacDonagh
David Freeman J.D.David Freeman J.D.
clock 1:20 pm - 1:30 pm EST

A Clear Understanding of the Core Selling Skills Lawyers Must Develop

Gain mastery of the essential client development competencies attorneys need, including discovery conversations, value articulation, opportunity identification, and confidently asking for new work without compromising professional integrity.

Catherine Alman MacDonaghCatherine Alman MacDonagh
David Freeman J.D.David Freeman J.D.
clock 1:30 pm - 1:40 pm EST

Methods to Motivate Consistent Business Development Activity

Explore proven techniques to overcome attorney resistance, time constraints, and inertia by embedding business development into daily routines, rewarding meaningful effort, and building lasting habits that produce results.

Catherine Alman MacDonaghCatherine Alman MacDonagh
David Freeman J.D.David Freeman J.D.
clock 1:40 pm - 1:50 pm EST

Building more Aligned, Collaborative, and High-Performing Teams

Implement structured approaches that align practice groups around shared revenue goals, foster trust between attorneys, encourage knowledge sharing, and create teams capable of delivering coordinated value to clients.

Catherine Alman MacDonaghCatherine Alman MacDonagh
David Freeman J.D.David Freeman J.D.
clock 1:50 pm - 1:55 pm EST

Deliver Exceptional Client Service That Drives Loyalty and New Work

Adopt service standards and relationship strategies that exceed client expectations, deepen institutional ties, generate referrals, and transform satisfied clients into long-term advocates who consistently expand their engagement scope.

Catherine Alman MacDonaghCatherine Alman MacDonagh
David Freeman J.D.David Freeman J.D.
clock 1:55 pm - 2:00 pm EST

Create Accountability and Sustain Long-Term Revenue Growth

Establish measurable accountability structures, performance metrics, and leadership cadences that track business development progress, reinforce commitments, and ensure sustained revenue growth across attorneys, practices, and offices over time.

Catherine Alman MacDonaghCatherine Alman MacDonagh
David Freeman J.D.David Freeman J.D.
Catherine Alman MacDonagh

Catherine Alman MacDonagh

Legal Lean Sigma Institute

David Freeman J.D.

David Freeman J.D.

David Freeman Consulting Group Inc

Catherine Alman MacDonagh

Catherine Alman MacDonagh

Legal Lean Sigma Institute

Catherine Alman MacDonagh, JD is the CEO and Founder of the Legal Lean Sigma Institute, a co-founder and advisory board member of the Legal Sales and Service Organization, and a recognized innovator in the legal industry. With nearly 30 years of experience, she focuses on helping legal and business professionals work more effectively together by improving workflows, reducing inefficiencies, and driving sustainable change. Catherine integrates methodologies such as process improvement, project management, change management, and design thinking to enhance client service, communication, and operational performance. She is also an accomplished author and speaker, known for delivering practical, actionable strategies that strengthen both people and organizational outcomes.

Education & Credentials

Catherine Alman MacDonagh holds a Juris Doctor (JD) and brings decades of experience applying structured methodologies such as Lean Six Sigma, project management, and change management within the legal industry.

Recognition & Leadership

Catherine Alman MacDonagh is recognized as a leading innovator in legal operations and service delivery, demonstrated through her role as Founder and CEO of the Legal Lean Sigma Institute and her leadership as a co-founder and advisory board member of the Legal Sales and Service Organization.

Professional Involvement

Catherine Alman MacDonagh is actively engaged in the legal industry as a speaker, educator, and thought leader, sharing insights on workflow optimization, client experience, and service excellence. She also contributes through her authorship of multiple business books for legal professionals, including Lean Six Sigma for Law, Second Edition.

Experience

Catherine Alman MacDonagh has nearly 30 years of experience working with legal and business professionals to improve operational performance and collaboration. Her work includes applying tools from process improvement, project management, planning, change management, strategic account management, and design thinking to help organizations build competitive advantages, enhance efficiency, and deliver higher-quality client service.
David Freeman J.D.

David Freeman J.D.

David Freeman Consulting Group Inc

David H. Freeman, J.D. is a former practicing lawyer from New York, an award-winning consultant, and a two-time best-selling author recognized for his work in law firm business development and leadership. Over a career spanning more than 30 years, he has trained and coached over 10,000 lawyers across more than 260 law firms worldwide, including work with over half of the Am Law 200. He is a member of the National Law Journal Hall of Fame, having been voted the #1 business development consultant and coach in the United States for several consecutive years. David is also the creator of Lawyer BookBuilder, a structured training and accountability program designed to help lawyers become effective rainmakers, and BD Buddy, a technology platform that supports the development of firmwide business development cultures.

Education & Credentials

David H. Freeman holds a J.D. and is a former practicing lawyer from New York. His credentials are further distinguished by his extensive career as a consultant, coach, and author in the legal industry, focusing on business development and leadership.

Recognition & Leadership

David H. Freeman is a member of the National Law Journal Hall of Fame and has been voted the #1 business development consultant and coach in the United States for several consecutive years. His leadership in the field is also reflected in his development of Lawyer BookBuilder and BD Buddy, both of which are designed to enhance business development skills and culture within law firms.

Professional Involvement

David H. Freeman has been deeply involved in the professional development of lawyers and law firms worldwide, training and coaching over 10,000 attorneys across more than 260 firms, including over half of the Am Law 200. Through his consulting, writing, and program development, he continues to influence how legal professionals approach business development and leadership.

Experience

David H. Freeman brings more than three decades of experience in coaching, consulting, and training lawyers on business development and leadership. His work includes collaborating with over 260 law firms worldwide, including a significant portion of the Am Law 200, and helping attorneys build sustainable client development practices. He is the author and co-author of 16 books on law firm business development and leadership and has created programs such as Lawyer BookBuilder, which provides structured training and accountability, and BD Buddy, a technology platform designed to foster firmwide engagement in business development.
Catherine Alman MacDonagh

Catherine Alman MacDonagh

Legal Lean Sigma Institute

Catherine Alman MacDonagh, JD is the CEO and Founder of the Legal Lean Sigma Institute, a co-founder and advisory board member of the Legal Sales and Service Organization, and a recognized innovator in the legal industry. With nearly 30 years of experience, she focuses on helping legal and business professionals work more effectively together by improving workflows, reducing inefficiencies, and driving sustainable change. Catherine integrates methodologies such as process improvement, project management, change management, and design thinking to enhance client service, communication, and operational performance. She is also an accomplished author and speaker, known for delivering practical, actionable strategies that strengthen both people and organizational outcomes.

Education & Credentials

Catherine Alman MacDonagh holds a Juris Doctor (JD) and brings decades of experience applying structured methodologies such as Lean Six Sigma, project management, and change management within the legal industry.

Recognition & Leadership

Catherine Alman MacDonagh is recognized as a leading innovator in legal operations and service delivery, demonstrated through her role as Founder and CEO of the Legal Lean Sigma Institute and her leadership as a co-founder and advisory board member of the Legal Sales and Service Organization.

Professional Involvement

Catherine Alman MacDonagh is actively engaged in the legal industry as a speaker, educator, and thought leader, sharing insights on workflow optimization, client experience, and service excellence. She also contributes through her authorship of multiple business books for legal professionals, including Lean Six Sigma for Law, Second Edition.

Experience

Catherine Alman MacDonagh has nearly 30 years of experience working with legal and business professionals to improve operational performance and collaboration. Her work includes applying tools from process improvement, project management, planning, change management, strategic account management, and design thinking to help organizations build competitive advantages, enhance efficiency, and deliver higher-quality client service.
David Freeman J.D.

David Freeman J.D.

David Freeman Consulting Group Inc

David H. Freeman, J.D. is a former practicing lawyer from New York, an award-winning consultant, and a two-time best-selling author recognized for his work in law firm business development and leadership. Over a career spanning more than 30 years, he has trained and coached over 10,000 lawyers across more than 260 law firms worldwide, including work with over half of the Am Law 200. He is a member of the National Law Journal Hall of Fame, having been voted the #1 business development consultant and coach in the United States for several consecutive years. David is also the creator of Lawyer BookBuilder, a structured training and accountability program designed to help lawyers become effective rainmakers, and BD Buddy, a technology platform that supports the development of firmwide business development cultures.

Education & Credentials

David H. Freeman holds a J.D. and is a former practicing lawyer from New York. His credentials are further distinguished by his extensive career as a consultant, coach, and author in the legal industry, focusing on business development and leadership.

Recognition & Leadership

David H. Freeman is a member of the National Law Journal Hall of Fame and has been voted the #1 business development consultant and coach in the United States for several consecutive years. His leadership in the field is also reflected in his development of Lawyer BookBuilder and BD Buddy, both of which are designed to enhance business development skills and culture within law firms.

Professional Involvement

David H. Freeman has been deeply involved in the professional development of lawyers and law firms worldwide, training and coaching over 10,000 attorneys across more than 260 firms, including over half of the Am Law 200. Through his consulting, writing, and program development, he continues to influence how legal professionals approach business development and leadership.

Experience

David H. Freeman brings more than three decades of experience in coaching, consulting, and training lawyers on business development and leadership. His work includes collaborating with over 260 law firms worldwide, including a significant portion of the Am Law 200, and helping attorneys build sustainable client development practices. He is the author and co-author of 16 books on law firm business development and leadership and has created programs such as Lawyer BookBuilder, which provides structured training and accountability, and BD Buddy, a technology platform designed to foster firmwide engagement in business development.

Credits by state

AK1.0
AL1.0
AR1.0
AZ1.0
CA1.0
CO1.0
CT1.0
DC
DE1.0
FL1.0
GA1.0
HI1.0
IA1.0
ID1.0
IL1.0
IN1.0
KS1.0
KY1.0
LA1.0
MA1.0
MD1.0
ME1.0
MI1.0
MN1.0
MO1.2
MS1.0
MT1.0
NC1.0
ND1.0
NE1.0
NH60.0
NJ1.0
NM1.0
NV1.0
NY1.0
OH1.0
OK1.0
OR1.0
PA1.0
RI1.0
SC1.0
SD1.0
TN1.0
TX1.0
UT1.0
VA1.0
VT1.0
WA1.0
WV1.2
WY1.0

1000+

Live stream programs

24/7

Access to live webinars & recordings

70,000+

Trusted by Legal Professionals

1000+

Live stream programs

24/7

Access to live webinars & recordings

70,000+

Trusted by Legal Professionals

1000+

Live stream programs

24/7

Access to live webinars & recordings

10,000+

Trusted by Legal Professionals

1000+

Live stream programs

24/7

Access to live webinars & recordings

70,000+

Trusted by Legal Professionals

MCLE Credits

Alabama
Approved
Alaska
Approved
Arizona
Approved
Arkansas
Approved
California
Approved
Colorado
Pending
Connecticut
Approved
Delaware
Pending
District of Columbia
No Required
Florida
Approved
Georgia
Approved
Hawaii
Approved
Idaho
Pending
Illinois
Approved
Indiana
Approved
Iowa
Pending
Kansas
Approved
Kentucky
Pending
Louisiana
Pending
Maine
Pending
Maryland
No Required
Massachusetts
No Required
Michigan
No Required
Minnesota
Pending
Mississippi
Pending
Missouri
Approved
Montana
Pending
Nebraska
Pending
Nevada
Approved
New Hampshire
Approved
New Jersey
Approved
New Mexico
Approved
New York
Approved
North Carolina
Pending
North Dakota
Approved
Ohio
Approved
Oklahoma
Pending
Oregon
Pending
Pennsylvania
Approved
Rhode Island
Pending
South Carolina
Pending
South Dakota
No Required
Tennessee
Approved
Texas
Approved
Utah
Approved
Vermont
Approved
Virginia
Not Eligible
Washington
Approved
West Virginia
Pending
Wyoming
Pending

Alabama

Requirements

The Alabama State Bar MCLE Commission requires attorneys to complete 12 credits, including 1 ethics, by December 31 of each year. All credits must be reported by February 15 of the following year. A maximum of 12 credits, including 1 ethics credit, may be carried over for 1 year only.  

Formats

  • Attorneys can earn unlimited “live” credit through live seminars, live webcasts, and co-sponsored locations with MyLAWCLE-Alabama approved programs
  • Attorneys are limited to 6 credits per compliance period of “online” programs through MyLAwCLE On-Demand programs