Building the next generation of
Law Firm Leaders
The Mind Behind the 85/15 Model
“I know the pressures of practice and how to build stronger leaders from within.”
Former attorney and business development expert Susan B. Silverman helps law firms retain top mid-level associates, strengthen their leadership pipeline, and implement structured, firm-aligned systems that drive long-term growth. Susan B. Silverman is a former practicing attorney, business and leadership development expert, and trusted advisor to law firm leadership on talent retention, associate development, and long-term growth.
After practicing commercial litigation for six years, Susan experienced firsthand the structural gaps that law firms often leave unaddressed, particularly at the mid-level associate stage. While firms invest heavily in recruiting and early training, development too often becomes informal, inconsistent, and misaligned just as associates approach the partnership track. That disconnect, Susan saw, is where firms lose both people and future leaders.
“I know the pressures of practice and how to build stronger leaders from within.”
Today, Susan partners with firm leadership to solve that problem systemically.
Through Susan B. Silverman Consulting, she helps law firms replace ad hoc professional development with a structured, integrated approach to mentorship, sponsorship, and leadership development designed specifically for mid-level associates. Her work is grounded in the Mid-Level Associate Retention & Development System and the 85/15 Model, which aligns strategic development with billable expectations and firm priorities.
Developing leadership pipelines grounded in experience, clarity, and results.
Susan brings a rare combination of legal experience, business acumen, and executive coaching expertise. She holds a Juris Doctor from IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law, an MBA from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Illinois. She is an International Coaching Federation Associate Certified Coach (ACC).
As a former attorney, entrepreneur, and advisor to law firm leadership, Susan understands both the pressures of practice and the business realities firms face. Her approach is practical, data-informed, and deeply attuned to firm culture, focused not on doing more, but on building smarter systems that protect talent, productivity, and the future partnership pipeline.
Susan is known for her clarity, strategic insight, and ability to translate complex people challenges into actionable firm-wide solutions. Her work helps firms retain their strongest associates, develop confident leaders, and build a sustainable path forward.
Ready to Strengthen Your Firm’s Future Leaders?
Partner with Susan B. Silverman to implement a structured, firm-aligned system for mid-level associate retention, development, and leadership readiness.