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Lead, Grow, Thrive: Advancing Your Career & Practice

FRI-A08: Beyond Firm Ownership: How Leadership Transition Really Happens

Friday, September 18, 2026
9:00 AM - 10:15 AM PT
1.25 PDH, LA CES/non-HSW

Becoming a firm owner brings additional opportunity and compensation, yet in many firms the role is largely undefined. Without new responsibilities or clear expectations, new firm owners may continue in their previous roles, lacking authentic transition to firm leadership. Attendees will leave this session understanding strategies for meaningful leadership transition.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Examine the transition from senior project manager to firm leader through real-world stories and lessons from those who have navigated that path.
  • Identify leadership skills and qualities, such as financial literacy and emotional intelligence, and how leadership abilities are developed.
  • Define paths to leadership within your firm including existing career ladders and related obstacles such as positional incongruity, and family-related responsibilities.
  • Describe how leadership teams function as they expand and apply best practices for leadership team development.