You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know—Reflections on 14 Years of Helping Law Firms Thrive

Fourteen years ago this week, I launched Stewart Marketing & Consulting (SMC). At the time, I couldn’t have imagined how this venture would allow me to bring together everything I had learned in nearly three decades inside law firms and channel it into helping firms of all sizes succeed.

My career began humbly as a receptionist at Wickwire, Gavin & Gibbs in Tysons Corner, VA. Looking back, I believe it’s one of the most important positions in a firm, the first voice or face that clients encounter and often the impression that lasts the longest. Little did I know that the attorneys I met and the experiences I had in that role would shape the trajectory of my career. Over the years, I served in many leadership positions including firm administrator, executive director, and eventually serving as director of marketing and client services for a regional law firm spanning three states and seven cities.

One of the turning points for me came a few years before launching SMC, when I was serving as the firm’s Marketing Director and worked with an outside consulting firm to plan and facilitate a law firm retreat. The retreat seemed like a success—well-planned, polished, and packed with goals. But deep down, I knew we had overshot the mark. The goals we set weren’t achievable with the support and bandwidth available. Months later, after missed benchmarks and a discouraged leadership team, it was clear: setting unrealistic goals can erode confidence and create setbacks that ripple through a firm. That experience taught me that success lies in meeting firms where they truly are and building from there—step by step, sustainably.

From my own experiences and from what I saw colleagues go through, it became clear that law firms, regardless of size, often face the same challenges. Large firms may have dedicated administrators and marketing directors, but solo and small to midsize firms need that same professional guidance. They may not think they can afford it or even realize how much they need it.

That’s where Stewart Marketing & Consulting began. My goal was simple but significant:

  • Meet firms where they are (sometimes they aren’t even sure where that is).

  • Cut the chaos by implementing systems, accountability, and structure.

  • Provide the insight of large-firm leadership to help smaller firms run sustainably, ethically, and efficiently.

  • Coach attorneys on intentional marketing and branding, because law school doesn’t teach you how to run a business or attract clients.

When I launched my consulting firm, I didn’t advertise. Instead, I leveraged my professional connections from decades in the legal industry, my involvement in professional associations, and my robust LinkedIn network to make the announcement. The response was overwhelming and immediate. Several solo firms reached out right away to schedule time to talk. They became my first clients, and the rest, as they say, is history.

For 14 years, that has been my focus. Every client is different. Every day is different. But the reward is the same: seeing firms become more confident, more stable, and more successful. At times, the solution is as simple as defining clear job descriptions to minimize risk and promote consistency. Other times, it’s serving as a fractional COO or CMO for a period of time while getting systems, structure, and people aligned. And often, it’s building out marketing strategies that give lawyers the confidence to share their stories and grow their practices.

I often tell my clients: You don’t know what you don’t know until someone points it out or the pain point becomes impossible to ignore. Helping them identify those gaps and create solutions is deeply gratifying.

Today, as I reflect on 14 years of Stewart Marketing & Consulting, I’m grateful for the privilege of working alongside so many firms and attorneys. Bringing order to chaos, creating systems that last, and helping lawyers market intentionally has been a joy and an honor.

If your firm could benefit from clarity, structure, or intentional growth, let’s talk. At Stewart Marketing & Consulting, I work with attorneys and firms to provide:

  • Fractional firm administrator and marketing director services

  • Strategic planning and firm retreats

  • Business development and attorney coaching

  • Marketing strategy and brand management

  • LinkedIn training to maximize professional presence and connections

  • Systems and process development for greater efficiency

  • Staff structure, accountability, and training

  • Risk reduction through policies and procedures

No two firms are the same, but each one can run with greater confidence, clarity, and sustainability with the right systems in place.

Here’s to building stronger firms, creating lasting systems, and celebrating every success along the way.

 

Brenda Stewart