Today’s Lesson: Treat Legal as Strategy, Not Admin
One of the biggest mindset differences I see between large law firms and small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is this:
Big Law treats legal as a strategic asset.
Most SMEs treat legal as an admin headache.
And honestly? That difference can cost a business more than just fees. It can cost you control, resilience, and sometimes the business itself.
So, today’s quick takeaway: if you want to learn from Big Law, start thinking of your legal processes the way they think about theirs - as infrastructure.
Legal Isn’t Just for When Things Go Wrong
In SMEs, it’s all too common to hear:
“We’ll call a lawyer if we get sued.”
“We don’t need contracts; we know them.”
“It’s just a small deal — handshake is fine.”
In Big Law-advised businesses? Legal is in the room before the pitch deck is final. Before the supplier signs anything. Before recruitment policies are written.
They use legal as a risk lens, a compliance shield, and a growth enabler - not just a last-minute triage team.
What SMEs Can Do Today
You don’t need an in-house counsel. But you do need structure.
Here are three moves SMEs can steal from the Big Law playbook:
- Template with intelligence - Use clear, reviewed contract templates for sales, suppliers, and staff.
- Schedule legal reviews - Just like tax or payroll. Whether it’s employment terms, IP protection, or your website’s T&Cs, put it on a calendar.
- Know your red flags - What clauses can sink a deal? What terms expose you to risk? Get to know them beforeyou’re in a bind.
Big Law Isn’t About Size - It’s About Structure
Yes, big firms have the budget and manpower. But a huge part of their advantage comes from process, predictability, and prevention.
That’s what SMEs can copy without needing a City law firm retainer.
Final Thought
If you want your business to grow like a business - not like a gamble - treat legal like infrastructure. That’s what the big players do.
And if you’re not ready to hire full-time counsel? You don’t need to. But you do need to stop treating law like an emergency service.