“Modern practice”—two words that have been circling around the legal landscape, often used by law firms to show their commitment to adapting and embracing modernization. But what does modern practice really mean? Is it simply because you’ve adopted AI, software, or other digital tools that you’re now considered modern? Perhaps—but consider this: 73% of law firms already use cloud-based legal tools in their workflow, and that number continues to rise. In addition, AI-driven discovery tools are gaining traction, while 85% of litigators now rely on electronic filing.
These statistics show that modernization has become the new normal across the legal industry. When everyone has access to similar technology, the playing field becomes more competitive. However, as Hamid Kohan explained in a recent Forbes article, truly modern law firms scale not merely by adopting technology, but by building clear systems that create ripple effects across the practice—fueling sustainable growth.
In this blog, we’ll break down the concepts outlined by Kohan and explore how building the right systems can help law firms scale smarter and faster.
Specialization Over Generalization
To give you a picture, let’s say you allocate funding and resources across multiple areas—employee specialization, marketing, and development. You try to grow in all these areas, thinking that spreading your investments widely will create more opportunities. But in reality, not everything works out as planned. When one metric falls behind, you’ll dedicate extra time and energy to fix it—but doing so often means sacrificing progress in other areas, which can slow overall growth. Stepping back, you may realize that instead of scaling upward, you’re simply balancing things out without moving forward.
One of Kohan’s strongest arguments is the shift from being a generalist firm to becoming a specialist powerhouse. Rather than accepting every case that walks through the door, modern law firms should identify their highest-value practice areas and most responsive client segments. This focused approach creates what Kohan calls “brand gravity”—positioning your firm as the go-to expert in specific legal domains.
For law firms, this might mean choosing between corporate law, personal injury, or family law instead of trying to excel in all three. Specialization enables firms to command premium pricing, build stronger referral networks, and develop deeper expertise that sets them apart from competitors.
Intentional Business Development Systems
Kohan emphasizes that growth cannot be left to chance. Modern law firms need structured business development systems that go beyond traditional referrals and word-of-mouth. This includes forming strategic partnerships with other professionals, showcasing thought leadership through legal blogs and seminars, and using data-driven client acquisition strategies.
The key insight here is moving from reactive to proactive business development—creating systematic approaches to identify, nurture, and convert potential clients, rather than waiting for them to find you.
People and Process Integration
Perhaps most importantly, Kohan emphasizes that sustainable scaling requires building “systems over superstars.” Law firms should establish standardized processes so effective that new hires can deliver value within weeks, not months. This reduces overreliance on individual performers and ensures consistent service quality across the firm.
Consider a common scenario: a law firm’s rainmaker partner leaves, taking key clients and institutional knowledge with them. The firm scrambles to reassign cases, relationships suffer, and revenue plummets. This isn’t unusual—it’s the predictable result of building around individuals rather than systems.
While research findings vary, industry insights consistently show that firms with well-documented processes experience smoother transitions when key personnel leave. Standardization ensures clients receive consistent service regardless of who handles their case.
The Power of Standardized Processes
Kohan’s vision of new hires delivering value “within weeks, not months” isn’t just aspirational—it’s achievable through effective systems. Here are some areas where standardized processes can make an immediate impact:
- Document Templates and Workflows: Standardized brief formats, discovery templates, and client communication protocols enable new attorneys to produce quality work immediately rather than reinventing from scratch.
- Knowledge Management Systems: Centralized repositories of case strategies, legal research, and client preferences allow rapid knowledge transfer. New team members can apply proven methods instead of learning through trial and error.
- Quality Control: Standardized processes don’t just accelerate onboarding—they raise overall service quality. When every attorney follows tested workflows, from client intake to case management, the firm delivers consistent excellence across the board.
Final Thought
The combination of intentional specialization, structured business development, and process-driven operations creates what Kohan calls the foundation for “predictable, scalable success.” This is exactly what modern legal practice should strive to achieve.
If you’re ready to begin modernizing your practice, Remote Attorneys can be the partner you’re looking for in taking that first step. Our attorneys bring specialization and create standardized processes designed to deliver consistent results. Whether your goal is to streamline workflows, expand capacity, or scale smarter, our team has the experience to help your firm grow.
