Writing for Business Development as a Mid-Career Lawyer :: Amplify Your Expertise and Expand Your Reach :: Part 1

By Christine Shimoda

As a mid-career lawyer, you’ve likely established a solid foundation in your practice. You’ve built a network, gained experience, and refined your legal expertise. But if you’re looking to take your business development efforts to the next level, one tool you might not be using to its full potential is writing. Unlike when you were just starting out, writing at this stage isn’t just about demonstrating competence—it’s about amplifying your authority, expanding your reach, and positioning yourself as a go-to expert.

Here’s how you can leverage writing to grow your business as a lawyer with experience.

1. Solidify Your Thought Leadership and Niche Expertise

At this point in your career, you’ve likely honed a specific area of expertise or built a niche practice. Writing can now serve to solidify your position as a recognized authority in that area. Rather than just demonstrating that you’re knowledgeable, your goal should be to stand out as a trusted voice others in the industry look to for insights.

This isn’t about simply covering the basics. It’s about sharing deeper analyses, offering predictions on where your practice area is headed, and commenting on high-level issues that impact the industry. Whether it’s a complex regulatory change, a high-stakes court decision, or an evolving area of law, your writing should reflect your deep understanding and nuanced perspective.

Pro tip: Write with an advanced audience in mind. Focus on insights that will appeal to other lawyers, corporate counsel, or sophisticated clients who already know the fundamentals and are looking for more strategic or forward-thinking perspectives.

2. Drive Referrals and Strengthen Your Professional Network

As a mid-career lawyer, your professional network is one of your greatest assets. Writing gives you the opportunity to not only expand that network but also deepen the connections within it. By consistently publishing valuable content, you remain top-of-mind with peers, past clients, and referral sources.

Your writing can serve as a form of ongoing professional communication. Articles you write about industry trends or significant legal developments provide an organic way to reconnect with contacts—whether that’s through sharing your content via email, on LinkedIn, or through industry groups. By positioning yourself as a consistent thought leader, your colleagues are more likely to think of you when they need to refer a client or collaborate on a complex case.

Pro tip: Use your writing to acknowledge and reference the contributions of others. Quoting a colleague or referencing an interesting point from another expert can open up conversations and strengthen your network, making your writing a relationship-building tool, not just a marketing tactic.

3. Showcase Your Maturity and Business Acumen

Clients who hire mid-career lawyers expect a certain level of experience, both in the law and in understanding their business needs. Writing allows you to not only demonstrate your legal knowledge but also highlight your business acumen and your ability to offer practical, real-world solutions.

Your writing at this stage should reflect the sophistication of your client base. Clients want to see that you understand their industry and its unique challenges, and that you can translate legal complexities into business-friendly strategies. You’re no longer just a legal expert—you’re a business partner who can help them navigate risk and seize opportunities.

Pro tip: Consider writing content that blends legal insight with broader industry knowledge. For example, an article that discusses the legal implications of new AI technology in a specific sector or one that explores how recent legislative changes might impact the real estate market will resonate with business-savvy clients looking for well-rounded advice.

Writing isn’t just a tool for communication—it’s a strategic asset for business development. As a mid-career lawyer, leveraging your expertise through well-crafted content can elevate your authority, deepen your professional relationships, and showcase your business acumen in ways that set you apart. Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll explore more practical strategies to refine your writing and maximize its impact.