2026 New Year's Resolutions for Lawyers + Law Firms

It’s a tale as old as time. As each year comes to a close, reflection often follows suit. As a lawyer, looking back likely includes reflecting on the wins, the challenges, and the moments that reminded you why you got into this profession in the first place. 

Whether you're a solo practitioner, part of a growing law firm, or working in the public sector, the new year is the perfect time to set intentions that'll make 2026 your most productive, balanced, and successful year yet.

New Year’s resolutions for lawyers are professional goals you can set to boost productivity, win more cases, or even achieve a better work-life balance. 

Below, we've rounded up 13 realistic New Year's resolutions for lawyers that'll help you work smarter, grow your practice, and actually enjoy what you do. Plus, we talked to legal professionals across the country to get the inside scoop on what they’re law firm's goals are for the new year. Let's dive in.

1. Embrace Legal Technology That Saves Time

When you first got to law school, did you realize how much manual review and paperwork you were signing up for? 

For most legal professionals, reviewing evidence and taking meeting notes takes up a huge portion of their day-to-day (for some, legal tech could save 12+ hours a week). This year, commit to adopting legal tech that gives you time back for what matters: building case strategy and serving clients.

"The aim is not to mash up judgment with software, but to leverage tech to buy time back,” ​​says Keith L. Magness, an attorney and CEO at Magness Law. “That way I can spend more time doing what the law is about: listening, analyzing, and advocating," 

Start by identifying your biggest time drains. Is it transcribing client calls? Reviewing hours of audio or video? Finding the right digital evidence management solution can transform how you handle multimedia files, turning hours of manual review into searchable, actionable insights.

2. Set Measurable Law Firm Goals For The New Year

"Grow the practice" as a goal sounds great on paper, but it's not specific enough to drive real change. This year, set concrete law firm goals and objectives you can actually track.

Ron Harper, Paralegal and Owner of OTD Ticket Defenders Legal Service, has a clear target: "The only New Year's resolution for the firm is to get dismissals or significantly reduced charges in 90%+ of all eligible traffic court cases. This resolution is focused on improvable success rates in court, which my firm recognizes as a definitive indicator of successful legal service and firm performance."

Whether it's increasing your case closure rate, boosting client satisfaction scores, or hitting specific revenue targets, make sure your goals are measurable and tied to outcomes that matter.

3. Streamline Your Client Intake Process

First impressions matter. If potential clients struggle to reach you or get lost in a confusing intake process, you're leaving money on the table.

"This year, I am working on enhancing the process of communicating with clients and simplifying the way we receive case intakes," explains Robert Tsigler, attorney at the Law Offices of Robert Tsigler. 

"I also want to ensure that the clients feel that they have been supported throughout the entire process. This is why I am establishing new methods of updating them on a regular basis. I will also introduce more legal technologies that will help boost efficiency and improve the outcome of cases."

Consider implementing a system that automatically transcribes and organizes intake calls, making it easy to flag case-critical details and streamline follow-ups. This will help you stay on top of the highest priority tasks and build a strong defense strategy from day one.

4. Invest in Continuing Legal Education (CLE)

The legal landscape is always evolving. Just consider the new precedents and legal tools that have emerged in the past year alone. Instead of constantly playing catch-up, make 2026 the year you stay ahead by committing to ongoing education.

Whether it's attending CLE events on AI in legal practice, joining webinars about evolving compliance standards, or simply reading industry publications regularly, continuous learning keeps you sharp and competitive. Block out time each quarter specifically for professional development, and watch how it transforms your practice.

5. Reduce Unnecessary Meetings and Admin Work

Time is your most valuable asset as a lawyer. Every hour spent in an unproductive meeting or handling administrative tasks is an hour you're not billing or strategizing. So for 2026, follow in your fellow lawyer’s footsteps and make optimizing your schedule a high priority.

"We are now focusing on eliminating unnecessary meetings and streamlining our internal processes so that every hour counts," says David Gammill, Attorney at Gammill Law Accident & Injury Lawyers. 

"We are also planning to expand our use of legal tech, especially for research and document review, since some firms are already seeing a considerable reduction in research time with the right technology in place."

To get started, first audit your calendar. Ask yourself: Which meetings could be emails? What administrative tasks could be automated or delegated? Be ruthless about protecting your time for high-value work, and you’ll see the payoff in both your mental health and the bottom line.

6. Make Unbundled Legal Services More Accessible

Justice shouldn't be out of reach for clients with limited financial means. Consider how you can offer more flexible service options for those facing criminal charges (or even civil suits).

Emma Alves, Lawyer at Alves Law, shares: "My New Year's resolution for the firm is to make unbundled legal services more accessible to better serve the large number of clients that have limited financial means. Providing services on a per-step basis, such as helping a client to negotiate a settlement themselves, decreases the upfront financial cost of access to justice by an average of 60%."

This approach expands your potential client base while making legal help more accessible—a win-win for everyone in the legal system. 

7. Establish Regular Process Improvement Sessions

Small inefficiencies add up to massive time drains. Create a repeatable system for identifying and fixing them to tackle small issues before they become bigger problems. Michael Kruse, a Criminal Defense Lawyer at Kruse Law Firm, is doing just that:

"As a resolution for our firm, we are trying to be more efficient internally. To include a weekly 'Lessons Learned' meeting to review completed files and identify repeated administrative problems. These meetings usually uncover issues like inefficient internal filing or duplicated data entry, and removing them is likely to result in over 60 billable hours annually."

Pressed for time? Even a monthly 30-minute session where your team discusses workflow bottlenecks can lead to significant improvements over the long term. Who knows, you may even improve enough workflows to gain some time back in your day!

8. Prioritize Work-Life Balance and Prevent Burnout

Lawyer burnout is real, and it doesn't just hurt you—it affects your clients, your staff, and your bottom line. This year, make balance a priority, not an afterthought.

First, set boundaries around your availability. Take actual vacation time (and disconnect while you're away), and find sustainable ways to manage heavy caseloads without sacrificing your well-being. Consider using paralegal software to delegate tasks more effectively, freeing up your schedule for strategic work and personal time.

9. Expand Your Online Presence

Whether you like it or not, potential clients are researching lawyers online. If you're not showing up where they're looking, you're missing opportunities.

John J. Malm, Owner of John J. Malm & Associates Personal Injury Lawyers, admits: "Our New Year's resolutions are to break out of our comfort zone more. Lately, we have been experimenting with posting on TikTok, which has been an uphill battle, but something we need to do in order to compete with other personal injury lawyers."

However, you don't have to become a social media star to see the benefits of your marketing efforts. Simply committing to a consistent content strategy (that could be LinkedIn posts, blog articles, or educational videos) can significantly boost your visibility and credibility. In addition, updating your Google Business listing and investing in some local marketing campaigns can offer huge returns on your investment.

10. Improve Case Documentation Practices

Strong documentation isn't just good practice—it's your safety net. This year, commit to creating more thorough, organized records that protect you and serve your clients better.

"In the new year, I am looking to add more secure cloud-based communication systems, which will allow for documents to be transferred in a secure manner and opposing counsel to be conferenced on matters that are sensitive," explains Emma Alves, Lawyer at Alves Law. 

"This new digital security ensures client confidentiality and minimizes the normal back-and-forth…by at least twenty-four hours."

Start by auditing your current documentation process. Are you capturing important case details consistently? Can you easily find what you need when you need it? Implementing secure, taggable, and searchable systems for all your case files saves time and reduces risk.

11. Enhance Client Education and Empowerment

The best lawyer goals aren't just about winning cases; they're about serving clients in a way that leaves a lasting positive impact.

"[My goal is] to make every client encounter educational — so they leave not only compensated, but empowered. That mindset forges both reputation and resilience," notes Magness.

Look for opportunities to educate clients throughout their case journey. Explain legal terms in plain language. Help them understand their options. When clients feel informed and empowered, they become better advocates for your practice.

12. Explore Alternative Dispute Resolution

Sometimes the best resolution happens outside the courtroom. If you've been litigation-focused, consider expanding into mediation or collaborative law. By stepping away from criminal proceedings and the like, you give yourself a mental reset without significantly impacting revenue.

"I hope to expand my mediation practice,” says Manisha P. Patel, Attorney at Law Office of Manisha P. Patel, PLLC, of her New Year’s resolutions.

“Over the past two years, I've shifted the majority of my practice from litigation to alternative dispute resolution. I hope to take the strategies from my book to help more North Carolinians in finding peace as they navigate their new normal with their co-parent or separated spouse."

Alternative dispute resolution services can offer clients faster, less expensive outcomes while opening new revenue streams for your practice.

13. Build Stronger Referral Networks

Your network is one of your most valuable assets. Make 2026 the year you invest in building genuine relationships with other attorneys, court professionals, and community members who can refer clients your way.

Set a goal to attend at least one networking event per quarter, whether that's bar association meetings, legal conferences, or community events. Focus on creating real connections, not collecting business cards. When you help other professionals succeed, they'll think of you when opportunities arise.

Why New Year's Resolutions Matter For Lawyers

New year’s resolutions matter for lawyers and law firms because they can help you practice better, lead better, and live better. 

They serve as a chance to evaluate what’s working, what’s not, and set a clear direction for the months ahead. With rising caseloads, evolving legal tech, and increasing client expectations, setting targeted goals helps you stay competitive rather than constantly trying to play catch-up.

Resolutions also offer an opportunity to build healthier work habits. Committing to improvements in case management, client communication, and prep doesn’t just benefit your practice; it also directly supports your well-being and long-term success.

How To Make Sure Your Resolutions Stick

Setting lawyer career goals is easy. Following through? That's the bigger challenge. But lawyers are always up for the fight.

Here's how to make sure your 2026 resolutions actually happen:

• Start small: Pick a few resolutions to focus on first rather than overwhelming yourself by trying to do too many things at once.
• Set specific deadlines: Set deadlines for each goal, and stick to them. This will help ensure your legal process is always improving, instead of stalling out when you get too busy.
• Build accountability: Share your goals with your team, a mentor, or a colleague who'll check in on your progress.
• Track your progress: Make a spreadsheet or try out a project management tool to monitor how you're doing each month or each week.
• Celebrate wins: Acknowledge when you or your team hit big milestones! It can help keep momentum going.
• Adjust as needed: If something isn't working, don't be afraid to pivot. Not every goal is achievable for every firm, and it’s ok if some don’t work out—as long as you don’t throw in the towel entirely.

What Goals Should a Lawyer Have?

Lawyers should have goals that balance professional growth, client service excellence, and personal well-being. But you don't need to wait until January 1st to set these types of meaningful goals. Whether it's March or September, any time is the right time to commit to positive change.

The best lawyer and defense attorney goals are specific, measurable, and aligned with what success looks like for you. For some, that means growing a thriving solo practice. For others, it's about winning more cases, achieving better work-life balance, or making legal services more accessible. There's no one-size-fits-all answer.

Start 2026 With the Right Tools in Your Corner

The lawyers who thrive in 2026 will be the ones who embrace change. They'll leverage technology to handle time-consuming tasks, freeing up hours for strategy, advocacy, and the work that really matters (and can be billed).

If better evidence management and more efficient case review are on your resolution list, Rev can help you get there. Our platform transforms hours of recorded evidence into searchable transcripts with AI-powered insights, helping legal teams find case-changing moments faster while maintaining the accuracy and security your practice demands.

Ready to make 2026 your most productive year yet?