As we welcome the New Year, we’re setting resolutions to refine our legal directory strategies—and we think they might inspire you too. From starting submissions early to strengthening referee management and analyzing feedback, these steps can help ensure a more streamlined and effective process in the year ahead.

⏰ Start Early
The key to a successful legal directory season is preparation. Begin by creating a detailed submission calendar that includes deadlines for drafts, internal reviews, and final submissions. Map out timelines for gathering deal highlights and referee lists to avoid last-minute scrambles. Not yet subscribed to our newsletter? Stay updated with all the latest deadlines and important updates—subscribe here! https://lnkd.in/dpReq_mf

🔎 Analyze Feedback
Take the time to carefully review feedback from the previous year’s rankings and submissions. Look for patterns in strengths and weaknesses across practice areas. If you have a profile with Chambers and have access to Research Analytics and RMT, this is a good place to start. Use this information to refine your messaging, improve the clarity of your submissions, and address gaps that might have been overlooked.

✍ Improve Referee Management
Referees are critical to your rankings, so managing this process effectively is essential. Early in the year, update your database of past referees and identify key clients who can act as strong references. Pay close attention to Chambers’ three-month rule and take into account the Referee Management Tool, if available to you. To avoid conflicts, it’s crucial to plan referees carefully for different submission deadlines. Alternatively, all referee sheets can be submitted on the jurisdictions’ earliest relevant deadline to ensure Chambers will contact “duplicate” referees from all relevant practice areas.

Secure referee permissions well ahead of time, and provide clear instructions on what to expect and when they’ll be contacted. During the research period, send gentle reminders to encourage prompt responses. Afterwards, don’t forget to thank referees for their support—building goodwill can lead to repeat participation and stronger relationships.

👔 Schedule Partner Interviews
Partners often have insights that can elevate your submissions, but they’re also incredibly busy. Schedule interviews well ahead of submission deadlines and prepare questions in advance that focus on recent key matters, client relationships, and competitive differentiators. Aim to make these sessions efficient yet thorough.

☺️ Stay Calm
Legal directory season can be stressful, but staying calm is essential for navigating tight deadlines and managing competing priorities. Break the process into manageable steps and focus on completing one task at a time. Remember, even the most complex submission process is easier to tackle with a clear head and a positive attitude.