Core Values Aren’t Just for Your Law Firm—They’re for You, Too
In recent years, law firms have gotten wise to the power of core values. They’ve realized that defining who they are isn’t just a feel-good exercise—it’s a strategic one. Core values help attract the right clients, recruit aligned talent, and create consistency in culture and communication.
But here’s the thing: your firm’s values can’t do all the heavy lifting.
What about your core values—the ones that guide you as a professional, a leader, a partner?
You are more than just a function of your firm. You make decisions every day that shape your professional path. So ask yourself: What are the values that define how you show up?
Not just in a vague, “I try to do good work” kind of way.
But really:
• How do you decide which clients to take on?
• What kind of leaders do you want to work with?
• What are your red flags?
• When do you walk away—even if the money’s good?
• What does alignment actually mean to you?
Spoiler alert: if your answer to “which clients do I take?” is just “whoever needs help and can pay,” you might be setting yourself up for burnout.
Because here’s the truth: your core values should be the compass that guides all of it.
They should shape:
• The clients you work with
• The opportunities you say yes (or no) to
• The engagements you end
• The people you hire or collaborate with
• The way you lead, communicate, and grow
When your values are clear—and you actually use them in your decision-making—you’ll notice something: your work feels better. You feel more fulfilled, more energized by your day-to-day, and more confident in the direction you’re heading.
But here’s the catch: you have to be diligent about honoring those values. Even when it’s inconvenient. Even when it means walking away from a lucrative deal or saying no to something “prestigious.”
I’ve done it. I’ve ended engagements that were financially beneficial but personally draining—because they didn’t align with my values.
Why? Because I didn’t trust or respect the leader.
Because I wasn’t having fun.
Because I knew I’d regret staying more than I’d regret walking away.
Can you guess what my core values are?
1) Trust
2) Mutual Respect
3) Fun
They’re my filter. If those three things aren’t present, I know it’s not the right fit—no matter how shiny the opportunity is.
And I have never regretted those decisions. In fact, I’ve been lucky to find even better engagements that align beautifully with what matters most to me. I even had a potential client recently ask, “Do you like to have fun?” And I thought—now that’s my kind of client.
If you’re a law firm founder, I challenge you to get clear on your personal core values—not just your firm’s. Because when your values are aligned, your decisions get easier. Your path gets clearer. And your professional life feels a whole lot better.
At ING Collaborations, we help law firm leaders clarify their personal and organizational core values, and build businesses that actually reflect them. If you’re ready to do the deep work and build something real, we’d love to talk.
Click here to schedule a consultation
Let’s align your business with what matters most—to you.
And stay tuned for my next blog post:
How to Create Authentic Core Values—for Yourself or Your Law Firm.