Top 5 Actions to Build Client Teams That Actually Drive Growth

By Stacey McReynolds
October 17, 2025 | 3-minute read

Business Development

Marketing Management and Leadership

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Client teams are one of those buzzwords firms say they have… but in practice? It’s often a team of lawyers playing defense, turf protection, or a “plan” of one-off lunches and email outreach hiding in a spreadsheet that no one has looked at since it was created. This is assuming your firm is thinking about client teams at all.

If we want client teams to work, they need structure, a purpose that aligns with strategy and execution. That’s where marketing and business development comes in — we’re the engine that keeps it all moving.

Here are five actions to build client teams that drive growth.

Learn More About Business Development with the Third Edition of the LMA Body of Knowledge

The content in this feature correlates with the Business Development domain in the LMA Body of Knowledge (BoK). Dive deeper and access the latest edition of the BoK online.

The Third Edition of the LMA BoK showcases enhanced expertise across every domain, introduces new competencies in Client Services, Communications and Technology Management, features more advanced skills across all domains and broadens coverage of competitive and business intelligence skills. Plus, it emphasizes a stronger commitment to nurturing diversity, equity, and inclusion across the entirety of the BoK. Learn more.

Stacey McReynolds
Fractional Law Firm CMO LLC

With nearly 20 years of experience leading business development efforts for law firms ranging from AmLaw 20 to boutique firms, she brings a deep understanding of what drives legal market success.

Known for turning ideas into action, McReynolds partners with clients to create tailored plans that elevate their visibility, strengthen client relationships and fuel growth. Her expertise spans practice group strategy, client team development and lateral partner integration, making her a go-to resource for firms looking to evolve and expand.

Before joining Fractional Law Firm CMO, McReynolds served in leadership roles for marketing, business development and recruiting at Clyde & Co. She also held marketing and business development roles at Jones Day and Fisher Phillips.