The impact of failure and innovation on law firm success   

Lindsey Kidd, Managing Director at HM3 Legal, shares her insights on the importance of failure, experimentation, and innovation in driving a modern law firm’s success.  

In episode 13 of the Empowering Law Firm Leaders podcast, Lindsey discusses the significance of embracing failure, fostering a culture of innovation, and the impact of being a B Corp certified firm. She also shares valuable lessons learned from her journey and offers advice for aspiring law firm leaders. 

In this conversation we cover:  

• What it takes to be a successful law firm leader  
• The importance of failure and experimentation  
• The role of innovation  
• Impact of B Corp 
• Advice for aspiring law firm leaders  

What it takes to be a successful law firm leader  

Lindsey offers invaluable insights into what makes a law firm leader truly successful. Drawing from her personal journey, she shares three key lessons that have not only shaped her leadership style but also played a pivotal role in driving her firm’s continued growth and success. 

1. Embrace continuous learning 

Lindsey emphasises the importance of acknowledging that it’s impossible to know everything. She believes that continuous self-improvement is crucial for effective leadership. “It’s okay not to know it all,” she says. “You’re always on a continual journey of your own self-improvement.” Lindsey encourages leaders to seek external help and remain curious, drawing inspiration from other industries to bring innovative ideas into the legal sector.  

2. Listening is a superpower 

According to Lindsey, listening is one of the most powerful tools a leader can possess. She stresses the importance of listening not just to respond, but to truly hear and understand. “Listening and then listening again,” she advises. This involves paying attention to both employees and clients, understanding their needs, and closing the feedback loop by responding in meaningful ways.  

3. Prioritise people 

Lindsey’s leadership philosophy is deeply rooted in the belief that looking after her people is paramount. “If you’re looking after your people, they look after your clients,” she explains. By creating a supportive and empowering environment, Lindsey ensures that her employees are motivated and engaged. This people-first approach leads to happier clients, increased referrals, and ultimately, business growth. 

The role of innovation 

Innovation is at the core of HM3 Legal’s success. Lindsey shares that the firm has integrated innovation into its values and rewards employees for their innovative ideas. 

HM 3 Legal recently hired a Head of Innovation. Chris Hayes, and Lindsey explained how it’s crucial to their mission and future success for five key reasons:  

1. Driving continuous improvement: “If you’re not improving, you’re stagnant.” Lindsey emphasises the need for continual iteration to avoid stagnation and maintain a competitive edge. 

2. Bridging legal expertise and technological innovation: “He is actually a lawyer, so he gets it.” Chris Hayes’ dual expertise in law and technology ensures practical and beneficial innovations for clients. 

3. Enhancing client experience: “Delivering our services in a digital way means that we can meet the clients where they’re at.” This approach has been positively received by clients.  

4. Sustainable and scalable solutions: Lindsey notes that the innovations led by Chris will allow HM3 Legal to provide services more sustainably and efficiently, aligning with the firm’s commitment to sustainability. 
   5. Cost of doing nothing: “Can you afford not to?” Lindsey believes that investing in innovation is essential for long-term success, even for a mid-sized firm. 

Innovations at HM3 Legal 

Lindsey shared insights into several key initiatives that HM3 Legal is implementing to improve both the client experience and the firm’s overall operations. From leveraging technology to enhancing sustainability, these efforts reflect the firm’s commitment to staying responsive to client needs and evolving industry standards. 

1. AI-generated training content: HM3 Legal is rolling out AI-generated training content for clients. This includes explainer videos that help clients understand complex legal processes, such as due diligence, in a more accessible and engaging way. Lindsey notes, “Clients are responding really well to it.” 

2. Enhancing client experience: The firm is focused on using technology to improve the client journey. Lindsey emphasises that it’s not just about the legal advice but “how you’re making them feel when you provide the service.” This client-centric approach aims to set HM3 Legal apart from other firms. 

3. Sustainable service delivery: By leveraging digital solutions, HM3 Legal aims to deliver services more sustainably. This reduces the need for in-person interactions and aligns with the firm’s commitment to sustainability. 

The impact of B Corp certification 

HM3 Legal’s commitment to doing business differently is exemplified by its B Corp certification. Lindsey explains that the decision to pursue B Corp status was driven by the firm’s existing practices. “We were already doing all the things that a good B Corp business should do,” she says. “It was about getting recognised for it.” 

Being a B Corp firm (of which there’s currently only 24) helps you stand out from the crowd and attract the type of people you want to work with and for your business: “Being a B Corp certified firm helps attract clients and talent who value these principles.” 

The certification process was rigorous but rewarding, involving collaboration across the firm. “It was a really collaborative process,” Lindsey recalls. “We learned a lot about ourselves and found areas for improvement.” 

Advice for aspiring law firm leaders 

Lindsey highlighted three key skills and characteristics that she believes are essential for successful and effective leadership: 

1. Empathy 

2. Resilience 

3. Curiosity 

Lindsey also advised aspiring leaders to take time to understand their business and people, even if you’ve worked in there for some time. She emphasised the importance of listening both internally and externally and making thoughtful, incremental changes rather than drastic overhauls.

“You need a wise mind, a kind heart, and a strong backbone.”

Embracing innovation and people-centric leadership 

Lindsey’s leadership at HM3 Legal exemplifies the power of innovation, empathy, and people-centric practices in driving a law firm’s success. By embracing failure, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, and prioritising employee well-being, HM3 Legal has set a new benchmark for modern law firms.  

Aspiring leaders can learn valuable lessons from Lindsey’s journey, understanding that true success lies in the ability to adapt, innovate, and care for the people who make it all possible. 

Watch the full interview with Lindsey Kidd now to discover more advice and guidance on preparing for success. You’ll also hear Lindsey’s exclusive advice on the success measure that are required to build high-performing teams.