• You run a law firm (3-350 attorneys), that is U.S. based and are either the managing partner or a firm shareholder.
• Your firm is already successful, you now need to pivot and aggressively grow the firm, so its ultimate success is not incumbent on you carrying it.
• You are tired of throwing money at the business side of the firm with lackluster results. Or you haven’t invested nearly enough, you know you need to, and you’re not sure where to start.
• You are eager for deep insight and actionable advice, even if that means a real time commitment on your part.
• You are hungry for objective advice at the cost of directness and tough feedback.
• You are willing and able to invest in the firm for the long-term.
• You care a lot about your firm and its success, but you don’t want the firm to define you.
• On a case-by-case basis, we work with practice leads of larger firms that have a book of business of at least 3MM a year in revenue.
• If you are part of a larger firm, you have the power to make investment and business decisions without the need for committee buy-in or board approval.

The thing about the truth is, it does set you free. If you are willing to hear it. Say it out loud. Have somebody else show it to you visually and verbally communicate it. If that’s you, your already way ahead of most people in your role.

Our advisory work focuses on giving you objective advice that is industry specific and actionable. When someone is willing to receive tough feedback and then given customized advice based on their specific situation, the result is transformational.  For the firm and its leaders. We are not interested in achieving anything less than that.  If we sense that you’re not ready for this type of work, we will let you know before an engagement starts.  We are focused on diagnosing the cause of core problems that are hampering growth and guiding you to a fresh start.

This is 100% based on what the law firm leader needs to accomplish and his/her timeline.

For the most part, engagements are remote. We do travel around the country, when necessary, if our desired outcomes require it.

Yes.  We have limited, on-going engagements that help firm leaders stay on track, maintain focus and continue to hit their goals.

• We are an outcome-based organization.  Meaning you hire us primarily to achieve outcomes that you cannot achieve on your own.  Or have failed to achieve in the past with the help of others.
• We have spent thousands of hours advising attorneys on strategy, business development, marketing, operations and mergers and acquisitions.  Working in-house, as an executive, and as an advisor.
• We only work with law firm leaders that are hungry for change and are committed and aligned with our methodology to transform their firm and life.
• We have a comprehensive assessment that determines what stage the law firm leader is in, and this assessment helps us determine the level of advisory work that is needed.  
• We hate wasted time as much as you do.
• We only give objective advice.
• We spend time searching for the core issues instead of selling you something you don’t want.
• If we can’t help you, we will go out of our way to help you find someone who can.
• We love hard conversations because that’s when the most progress is made.
• We are guided by our core principles and are unwavering with our resolve.

Tom Choberka is the practice lead for Black Sail’s advisory work and the principal consultant working on all engagements. Depending on the size of the engagement, he may bring on additional consultants to service a larger scope of work or special project.

• Our most effective deliverable is our industry specific insight and advice.  For each module that we address, we will provide our recommendations verbally and in outline form.
• The main purpose of any additional deliverables is to help communicate our findings to help you achieve the outcomes that you desire.  We are not believers in long tail reports and rambling executive memos.  We do record all meetings and provide summaries and action items after every meeting.
• We excel in clear communication and will use visual representations of our findings and progress throughout the engagement.

• We bill monthly and our services are prepaid every month.
• ACH is the preferred method of payment.  We also accept credit card payment.

Usually at a tipping point.  Growth is stagnant, but your personal time involvement has been increasing.  Or maybe the firm is growing but your profits are down.  You need more clients, better clients and clients that are more profitable. You may need the firm to pivot and add new practice areas or enter new markets. Your firm needs to be refreshed, but you’re not sure where or how to start.  Burnout is inevitable and your law firm needs transformation.

• We usually start with a phone call or zoom call. (Initial calls to see if we are a fit typically last 30 minutes)
• You can fill out the contact form and we will reach out to you within 24 hours to schedule our first call.