2025 Look Back: Ending the Year with Purpose

As the year winds down, many lawyers find themselves caught between finishing client work and preparing for the holidays. The December rush can feel like a sprint – closing files, sending invoices, and checking CLE credits before the calendar turns. But December also offers something rare in the life of a busy lawyer: a natural pause.

For solo and small firm lawyers, this is the perfect time to look back on what worked, what didn’t, and what can be improved in the year ahead. Taking a few intentional hours to reflect and plan can turn a routine year-end into a powerful foundation for 2026.

1. Reflect on the Wins and Lessons

Before looking forward, take stock of where you’ve been. Reflection isn’t just about success – it’s about clarity. Ask yourself:

• What am I most proud of this year?
• What did I do differently that worked well?
• What challenges did I face repeatedly, and what might I do differently next time?

Write your answers down. Seeing them on paper helps transform vague impressions into actionable insight. You might realize, for example, that investing in a new case management system paid off, or that taking Fridays for administrative work kept your week on track. You may also recognize patterns, like always being overextended in the fourth quarter, that can guide better decision-making next year.

Don’t forget to celebrate the wins, large and small. Too often, lawyers move straight from one challenge to the next without acknowledging progress. Whether it’s bringing on a new client, meeting a revenue goal, or simply maintaining balance during a hectic year, those victories deserve recognition.

2. Review Your Finances and Practice Metrics

A clear-eyed financial review helps you enter the new year with confidence. Look beyond your bank balance to understand the health of your practice:

• Revenue and collections: Which clients or practice areas were most profitable? Are there accounts receivable that need follow-up?
• Expenses: Where did your money go? Identify both necessary costs and potential savings.
• Budget planning: Use this year’s data to forecast 2026, not just for taxes, but to make informed decisions about hiring, marketing, and technology investments.

If you haven’t met with your accountant yet, schedule that appointment before the holidays. A brief year-end tax review can uncover opportunities to maximize deductions or adjust timing on expenses.

For solos and small firms, consider also tracking non-financial metrics: number of new clients, referral sources, turnaround time on matters, or client satisfaction feedback. These measurements can reveal valuable insights into how your practice is evolving.

3. Reconnect with Your Team and Clients

December is a natural time to express gratitude and strengthen relationships. Take a few minutes to personally thank those who supported your practice – clients, staff, vendors, and referral partners. A handwritten card or note or a short email expressing appreciation can leave a lasting impression.

If you have staff, consider a short “year in review” meeting. Invite everyone to share accomplishments and ideas for improvement. This simple exercise not only boosts morale but also provides insight into what’s working day-to-day in your office. This meeting can also be prep for year-end reviews, but in a less stressful setting where the comfort of the team provides for a productive sharing of wins.

For clients, a holiday message or a year-end newsletter can remind them of your services and demonstrate stability and professionalism. Rather than think of this as a marketing to-do list item, consider this as an act of connection that fosters authentic and reciprocal relationships.

4. Assess Your Professional and Personal Growth

Lawyers spend most of the year focused on others – clients, colleagues, and cases. December is a good time to ask,  How am I doing?

Review your continuing legal education credits and ethics requirements. Did you attend courses that genuinely advanced your practice, or were they just boxes checked for compliance? Look ahead to 2026 and choose CLEs that align with your goals – perhaps on leadership, technology, or a new practice area.

Also consider the personal side:

• Did you maintain a reasonable work-life balance?
• What habits supported your wellbeing, and which ones drained your energy?
• How do you want to show up differently in the new year – as a lawyer, leader, or colleague?

Professional fulfillment often starts with personal clarity.

5. Set Three Meaningful Goals for 2026

Now comes the fun part – looking ahead. Instead of an overwhelming list of resolutions, focus on three meaningful goals for the coming year. Keep them simple, measurable, and aligned with your larger vision. Examples might include:

• Expanding a practice area or introducing a new service.
• Delegating more administrative work to free up client time.
• Scheduling quarterly retreats or planning sessions to stay intentional.
• Beginning (or revisiting) a succession plan to ensure long-term stability.

Once you’ve chosen your goals, outline the first small step for each – something you can do in January to create momentum.

A Fresh Start

There’s something energizing about closing out a year with purpose. While it’s tempting to rush through December consider that slowing down to reflect, recalibrate, and plan gives you an edge. You’ll start 2026 not in catch-up mode, but with direction and confidence.

In this season, many traditions observe Advent – a time of waiting, reflection, and intentional preparation. Even outside its Christian roots, Advent offers a universal reminder that slowing down has value. For people of any faith or spiritual practice, this idea of thoughtful anticipation invites us to pause before stepping into the next chapter. In a profession that prizes urgency and productivity, embracing a moment of quiet reflection can help us reconnect with our purpose, ground ourselves in what matters, and approach the coming year with a clearer, calmer mindset.

So before the decorations come down and the calendar resets, take a quiet hour, perhaps with a cup of coffee and a blank notepad, to look back at what you’ve built and look ahead to what’s next. Your future self (and your future firm) will thank you.

Camille Stell is Vice President of Risk & Practice Management for Lawyers Mutual Liability Insurance Co. of NC and is the co-author of the book, RESPECT – An Insight to Attorney Compensation Plans, 2nd Edition published October 2024. Continue this conversation by contacting Camille at camille@lawyersmutualnc.com or 800.662.8843.