Why Every Law Firm Needs a COO — And Why a Fractional One Could Be the Smarter Move
Growing a law firm isn’t just about winning more cases or signing bigger clients. At some point, operational chaos becomes the bottleneck — and that’s where a Chief Operating Officer (COO) comes in.
But here’s the thing: hiring a full-time COO isn’t always practical for small to mid-sized law firms. It’s expensive. It’s risky. And if you don’t need a full-time executive (yet), it’s overkill.
That’s why more savvy firms are turning to fractional COOs — executive-level leadership, without the executive-level overhead.
Why Your Law Firm Needs a COO in the First Place
When firms hit a certain size (usually around 10–15 attorneys, but sometimes sooner), the “we’ll figure it out as we go” approach stops working.
Suddenly you’re juggling:
Hiring and onboarding
Billing and collections
Marketing and lead generation
Compliance and risk management
Client service systems
Technology and software decisions
…and it starts pulling partners away from their true value: practicing law and bringing in business.
A COO steps in to own the business side — building the systems, people, processes, and data-driven operations that make the firm function like a business.
Without one, even great firms stall.
Why a Full-Time COO Might Not Make Sense (Yet)
Cost: A seasoned COO salary typically starts in the $200,000+ range, not including benefits and bonuses.
Workload: Many firms don’t have enough operational complexity to fully occupy a full-time COO — at least not yet.
Risk: Hiring the wrong full-time executive can be a six-figure mistake.
That’s where the fractional COO model shines.
How a Fractional COO Bridges the Gap
A fractional COO like ING Collaborations offers:
Executive-level leadership on a part-time basis
Strategic planning, execution oversight, and operational improvements
Tailored solutions based on your firm’s unique goals
Cost flexibility — you only pay for what you actually need
You get the horsepower of a COO — without carrying the full-time expense.
What a Fractional COO Can Help You Do
Clarify roles and responsibilities (no more 17-hat staffers)
Establish KPIs to actually measure firm health
Improve profitability (not just revenue)
Create a scalable foundation for future growth
Bottom line: Fractional COOs are for firms who are serious about running a smarter business — not just practicing law. If you’re ready to scale smarter, let’s talk. Schedule a free consultation with ING Collaborations today.