Counselors for the Profession

Strategic Advisors to the Legal Industry

Navigating the business and ethical complexities of modern legal practice requires more than sound judgment, it requires counsel with a deep understanding of the law governing lawyers.

As Counselors for the Profession, we serve as trusted advisors to law firms of every size, from Am Law 100 firms to boutique and solo practices. Whether guiding firms through a merger, addressing a partnership dispute, or advising on ethics and professional responsibility, we help clients operate with confidence in high-stakes, high-complexity environments.

Our work spans the full lifecycle of law firm operations, including law firm formation and dissolution, partner transitions, lateral integration, internal investigations, business structure and governance, compensation systems, and responses to regulatory inquiries or professional risk. We also provide confidential counseling on technology use, cyber risk, and reputation management, helping firms stay secure and aligned with evolving standards.

At the heart of our work is practical risk mitigation. We advise on day-to-day ethics questions, conduct policy audits and hotline counseling, draft engagement terms and internal policies, and lead CLE trainings tailored to firm-specific risks. When issues arise, we guide lawyers and law firms through bar complaints, professional liability exposures, or sensitive internal matters with discretion and clarity.

Our team is nationally recognized for thought leadership in legal ethics and law firm risk management. We publish the Lawyers’ Lawyer Newsletter, a leading publication in the space, and we host the Legal Malpractice & Risk Management Conference (LMRM)—the preeminent event for leaders, insurers, and general counsel in the legal industry.

Trusted Experience Across the Legal Ecosystem

• Law Firm Transactions: We advised an Am Law 200 firm in its merger with a prominent 50-attorney regional practice, and have counseled on dozens of affiliation agreements, lateral integrations, and joint ventures—ensuring compliance with multi-jurisdictional ethics rules and business model design.

• Firm Dissolution and Partner Departures: We represented a departing partner in a contested law firm dissolution, negotiating key terms and resolving the matter through successful mediation. We’ve also handled wind-downs involving accounts receivable, lease liabilities, and compensation disputes.

• Operational Counseling: Our attorneys routinely advise firms on updating partnership agreements, restructuring compensation and governance models, and launching new affiliated businesses such as lobbying and consulting ventures.

• Practice Sales: We represent both buyers and sellers in the purchase or sale of legal practices, advising on regulatory compliance and crafting agreements that balance continuity with risk mitigation.

National Insight. Confidential Counsel. Practical Strategy.

Hinshaw’s Counselors for the Profession team is committed to helping lawyers and law firms manage risk, navigate change, and uphold the standards of the profession. Whether you need strategic advice, operational support, or discreet conflict resolution, we’re here to guide you.