You Cannot Move a Practice From One Firm to Another

A strong practice cannot simply be lifted from one law firm and recreated in another. Revenue history, client warmth and personal relationships are only part of a credible portability forecast. Gordon Houseman explains what has to be subtracted from the old platform, why clients may not move with the partner, and how to test whether the new combination can produce a stronger practice. Gordon has been a partner at A&O Shearman, DLA Piper and Shearman & Sterling, and has spent nearly two decades inside leading international law firms advising major clients, building practices, winning work and leading cross-border teams. Learn more about the Full Potential for Lawyers Partner Program: https://fullpotentialforlawyers.com Subscribe for practical guidance on generating work, developing client relationships, leading effective teams and building a commercially successful practice. Build your business like a business. Chapters 0:00 The portable-book forecast 1:48 Subtract the old firm 3:02 Client warmth is not portability 4:31 Why should the new combination be stronger? 5:45 Rebuild rather than recreate