How to Change Attorney Compensation Without Losing Your Team (Part 2)

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In this video, I sat down with two key perspectives from our 2024 comp change — Katie VanDeusen (Managing Partner), who led the rollout, and Nina Kelly (Partner), who experienced it firsthand.

In this conversation with Katie, one of Sterling Lawyers' Managing Partners, we explore the year-long process of modifying our compensation structure. What started with the Partner Group Model evolved into a more refined system by 2024, emphasizing individual performance and drive while maintaining firm sustainability.

🕒 VIDEO TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - Law Firm Compensation Challenges
4:15 - Partner Group Model Evolution
8:30 - Building a Transparent Compensation Structure
12:45 - Attorney Communication Strategy
18:20 - Team Implementation Process
23:00 - Legal Team Feedback Integration
27:30 - Partner Perspective on Changes

The compensation transformation required extensive planning and collaboration, involving:
* Months of research with our CFO and external consultants
* Individual attorney meetings before group announcements
* Detailed compensation calculators showing personal projections
* Visual aids and supporting documents for clarity
* Multiple rounds of legal team feedback integration
* Clear implementation timelines and expectations

Katie and the leadership team focused on creating a compensation structure that served both the attorneys and the firm's overall health. Through careful financial modeling and multiple draft revisions, they developed a system emphasizing transparency and individual growth opportunities.

Partner Nina Kelly provides valuable perspective as an attorney who experienced both the 2022 and 2024 compensation changes. She highlights how advance notice, clear communication about the changes' positive impact, and the firm's commitment to benefiting attorneys helped build trust throughout the transition.

For law firm owners considering compensation changes, this episode offers practical insights on maintaining team trust during major transitions. Our experience at Sterling Lawyers shows that with proper communication and genuine collaboration, you can implement significant compensation changes while strengthening your team's confidence in leadership.

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Disclaimer: This video shares our experience with implementing attorney compensation changes and should not be construed as universal advice. Every law firm is unique and requires individual evaluation. Connect with us to discuss your specific situation.