The Truth About Succession Planning: What High-Performing Leaders Do Differently

Research shows that only 34% of organizations have effective succession plans, and the legal profession is experiencing a succession crisis with high-profile firm failures after decades of success. Most succession planning fails because it starts with legal documents and financial structures instead of addressing the deeper psychological barriers that keep successful lawyers from letting go of control.
This program explains why smart lawyers resist succession planning and offers a psychology-first approach to help lawyers move beyond the practice grind mentality and design succession plans that provide freedom. It addresses the emotional aspects of letting go while building practical systems to ensure firm continuity.
Speaker: Doug Brown, J.D., The Law Firm Leadership Coach and Chief Learning Officer, Summit Success, LLC
- February 17, 2026
- 1:00 PM
- 2:00 PM
- 1.0
- 1.0
- Virtual Participation
1:00 p.m. – 1:05 p.m.
Welcome and Introduction
1:05 p.m. – 1:55 p.m.
Research shows that only 34% of organizations have effective succession plans, and the legal profession is experiencing a succession crisis with high-profile firm failures after decades of success. Most succession planning fails because it starts with legal documents and financial structures instead of addressing the deeper psychological barriers that keep successful lawyers from letting go of control.
This program explains why smart lawyers resist succession planning and offers a psychology-first approach to help lawyers move beyond the practice grind mentality and design succession plans that provide freedom. It addresses the emotional aspects of letting go while building practical systems to ensure firm continuity.
Speaker:
Doug Brown, J.D.
The Law Firm Leadership Coach and Chief Learning Officer
Summit Success, LLC
1.0 Credit in Law Practice Management
1:55 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Q&A
- Doug Brown, JD, Summit Success International
- Webinar
- 0QK81
- Committee on Law Practice Management
- Committee on Continuing Legal Education

