A practical, ethics-aligned framework for lawyers to build trust, develop clients, and generate sustainable revenue without compromising professionalism.
Technical excellence alone no longer guarantees growth in the legal profession. Across jurisdictions and practice areas, lawyers are increasingly expected to contribute to client development, strengthen key relationships, and support firm-wide revenue strategy.
Yet many legal professionals remain uncomfortable with the commercial aspects of practice, particularly the perception that business development conflicts with professional integrity. Modern legal markets reward those who can lead client conversations, demonstrate value, and build durable networks grounded in trust. Effective business development is not transactional selling; it is the disciplined cultivation of relationships, clarity of positioning, and consistent follow-through.
This program provides a structured framework for lawyers and legal leaders to approach business development strategically. It examines mindset, communication strategy, relationship mapping, and measurable growth systems designed to convert influence into revenue while maintaining credibility and ethical standards.
Chief Business Development Officer | Vedder Price
Chuki Obiyo, J.D. has practiced the art and science of business development for over 15 years, helping to lead successful sales programs at LinkedIn Corporation, Wolters Kluwer, and CEB. He is currently the senior manager of business development for Vedder Price, a global law firm. He is also the founder of Chuki Law, a professional networking initiative to help lawyers and leaders sell better.
