Profit Is a Function of Efficiency

“Everyone is better off when your law firm is more profitable. No one is better off when your law firm is less profitable.” – RJon Robins, author of Profit First for Lawyers

If you’ve ever caught yourself saying, “It’ll be faster if I just do it myself,” this episode is for you. That is a trap many lawyers and business professionals fall into without even knowing it. The reality is that every hour spent on tasks beneath your role, whether it’s admin, paralegal work, or chasing invoices, impacts your law firms profits.

In this episode, RJon explains why profit depends on efficiency and why the most ethical, professional choice is making sure the right work goes to the right role. In a 2021 clip from a pre-book livestream, he shares memorable examples of why law firm owners cannot afford to do paralegal, receptionist, or admin tasks – even when it feels faster.

Key Takeaways

• Profit is a function of efficiency: Every stakeholder, (clients, family, staff, and referral sources) benefits when your law firm is more profitable.


•  Protect your highest-value work: Identify the highest and best use of your time as a lawyer and law firm owner.


• Define work by the work, not the worker: Work value should be defined by the minimum skills required, not by who performs it.


• Spot invisible inefficiencies: From lawyers chasing invoices to receptionists handling tasks that automation could handle.


• Fix workflow leaks: Hiring, delegate, train and automate. Leaks often hide in plain sight. These aren’t just business moves, they’re ethical obligations to your stakeholders.

When you structure your business so everyone does their highest-value work, you don’t just increase profitability, you also deliver better client service. Read more: matching work with appropriate skill levels, law firm efficiency, profitability, and more in the Profit First for Lawyers book. Order your copy today!

Resource: Profit Leak Assessment

The Profit Leak Assessment is a practical, on-demand course to help law firm owners find thousands of dollars in potential profit leaks. Karli teamed up with Evelyn Aucoin, Financial Literacy and Strategy Expert with How To Manage A Small Law Firm to create this resource for law firm owners. Click the link below to start plugging the profit leaks in your firm. Your future self will thank you for it!

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And most importantly, order your copy of Profit First for Lawyers today!