In the legal world, success isn’t just about winning cases — it’s about the people who make it happen. Behind every thriving law firm is a team that works in sync, communicates well, and shares a common purpose. But building that kind of team isn’t easy, especially for smaller firms juggling countless responsibilities. That’s where Hiring & Empowering Solutions steps in, helping law firms find the right people, nurture their skills, and create workplaces where everyone can do their best work.
Leading this effort is Molly McGrath, Founder and driving force of Hiring & Empowering Solutions. With over 27 years of experience working closely with law firms nationwide, she understands what helps teams succeed and what obstacles they face. Molly is recognized for her hands-on approach, attentive listening, and dedication to helping firm owners realize the full potential of their staff. She believes that when teams are empowered, law firms flourish, and clients experience the positive impact.
The Path to Legal Team Empowerment
Molly’s journey into the legal industry began when she moved from New York to Colorado and applied for a position as a program director at a legal organization that provided coaching to law firms across the United States. At that time, coaching and business development were not common practices in the legal field. She was fortunate to work with an exceptional supervisor who was a trained coach, communicator, and mentor. Together, they launched the very first coaching program for law firms in the late 1990s.
Through this experience, Molly learned that for business owners to gain the support of their team members and employees, they must first be present and supportive themselves. She and her team traveled to conferences nationwide, where law firm owners expressed a strong interest in coaching programs accessible to their employees. However, many found it challenging to apply coaching concepts effectively within their teams.
This inspired Molly to develop a training and coaching program specifically designed for law firm administrators and key assistants, running alongside the coaching provided to attorneys. This program helps align the entire team to work toward their goals and aspirations. This initiative became the foundation for founding Hiring & Empowering Solutions.
Hiring & Empowering Solutions: Industry Recognition & Leadership
- Top 100 Law Dragons
- Recognized in Law Firm Consulting
- Clio Certified Partner
- Member
- National Association of Legal Search Consultants
- Women-Owned Business
- Proudly certified
- Molly McGrath
- Forbes Coaching Council Member
- Author of Amazon #1 Bestselling Books
- Host of a Top 10% Business Podcast in the Legal Sector
Core Values That Inspire and Empower
The core values of Hiring & Empowering Solutions shape the company culture and empower its people:
- Courageously Clear Communication – It communicates with honesty, clarity, and respect, ensuring transparency in every interaction—even during difficult conversations.
- Deep Curiosity – It views challenges as opportunities, approaching them with open minds and hearts. It consistently asks questions, seeks understanding, and pushes boundaries.
- Radical Responsibility – They take full ownership of their roles, outcomes, and impact without making excuses. They take initiative and lead from wherever they are.
- Solution-Oriented Mindset – It focuses on finding solutions rather than dwelling on obstacles. Challenges inspire their creativity and innovation.
- Self-Accountability – It holds itself to the highest standards, understanding that personal growth and integrity are essential to the success of the entire team.
These values create an environment where individuals feel empowered, valued, and motivated to give their best.
Bridging the Gap Between Attorneys and Their Teams
One of Molly McGrath’s greatest challenges was closing the gap between attorneys and their employees by promoting entrepreneurial leadership among staff. This challenge came from both sides.
First, many employees had a traditional mindset from previous jobs: simply show up, do the work quietly, and receive a paycheck. Molly’s coaching program encouraged employees to speak up, share ideas, and take initiative. The difficulty was helping employees feel confident that respectfully offering suggestions or feedback would not put their jobs at risk.
On the other hand, many attorneys struggled with control. Trained to be skeptical in law school, they naturally questioned everything, making it difficult for them to trust employees with daily operations. Their instinct was to maintain tight control rather than delegate responsibilities.
To address these challenges, Molly facilitated conversations where attorneys and employees could work together, taking small and manageable steps toward building trust and collaboration. As attorneys repeatedly experienced letting go of certain tasks without negative outcomes—and often achieving better results—their confidence in their staff grew. Similarly, employees gained confidence as they were recognized for their contributions and successes.
Once both sides saw these positive results, trust deepened, creating a healthy, two-way relationship that supports growth and expansion. The key lesson is that trust and empowerment develop gradually through consistent communication and shared achievements.
Proven Programs That Transform Law Firm Teams
Molly McGrath has developed proprietary methods that deliver strong results for her company and clients. One of these is a registered trademark called the Smart Hire Solution Process. This is a flat-fee retained search and recruiting system designed to find talent in today’s employee-driven market. The process goes beyond traditional staffing by including six months of training and coaching after hiring, using a proprietary onboarding system.
This approach ensures that new hires fully embrace the firm’s culture, systems, and processes while also establishing a clear framework for key performance indicators (KPIs). It is considered one of the most effective tools for employee retention.
Another important program is the Law Firm Admin Bootcamp and Academy, created for both new and current employees. This program trains legal leaders, administrative assistants, and support staff—both within the United States and overseas—to become effective CEOs in their roles. With over 500 law firms enrolled, the program’s tagline is “Creating Legal Leaders, Leading Legal Leaders.”
Expanding Opportunities Across Borders
A major focus for Hiring & Empowering Solutions’ future is developing strong partnerships. The company does not view others as competitors but collaborates with legal vendors and innovators both within and outside the legal industry. These partnerships are based on a team approach to achieve visionary results.
Its mission is to transform businesses one employee at a time. Because of the growing shortage of U.S.-based talent, the company is expanding globally, particularly through virtual staffing. The Law Firm Admin Bootcamp and Academy now serves many firms that hire employees overseas. This program goes beyond skill development to include mindset and confidence training, empowering administrative assistants, marketing coordinators, receptionists, and intake coordinators to excel in their roles.
Hiring & Empowering Solutions has a meaningful global impact. For example, its team of 15 full-time employees in the Philippines has experienced life-changing growth—they are buying homes, investing in their families’ futures, and affording important services such as therapy for their children. In weekly meetings, the team celebrates personal and professional achievements while monitoring mental, physical, and financial well-being. Molly considers witnessing these transformations the highlight of her week.
This mission is deeply personal for Molly McGrath. When she was 27, her first boss recognized potential in her that she had not seen in herself and invested in her growth through coaching and confidence-building. She is committed to paying that forward and, together with her team, changing lives and families worldwide.
Culture in Action, Not Just Words on a Wall
Molly explains, “A major trend in the legal industry—and across all sectors—is that employees no longer work just for a paycheck. The days when employees felt lucky simply to have a job are over.” Employers must understand that they are hiring human beings first and workers second. Since most of our waking hours are spent either working or thinking about work, the quality of that experience greatly affects our energy and emotional well-being.
The term culture, often overused since COVID, truly means giving employees time, attention, and meaningful feedback. In the legal field, especially among owner-operators and managing attorneys, time is limited. Many say they need hires who come “batteries included” because they lack time for training. However, even the most experienced employees require time, attention, and feedback in order to succeed.
With AI rapidly changing the industry, firms that emphasize relational lawyering—building strong internal team connections and genuine client relationships—will stand out. The legal sector’s unemployment rate is only 1.2%, and Molly has observed people accepting pay cuts of $30,000 to $50,000 just to join firms that align with their mission and treat their employees well. These firms focus on community, collaboration, and enjoyment, which fosters loyalty and reduces turnover.
Molly McGrath adds, “Many confuse culture with merely creating core values and displaying them on a wall. True culture is about living those values daily—walking, talking, and behaving according to them.” She believes that this authentic culture will shape the future of law firms and the legal profession as a whole.
Sharing Her Expertise on Stages, Podcasts, and in Print
Molly is actively involved in industry thought leadership. She regularly speaks at events and participates in several legal organizations across the country. She is the author of two Amazon bestselling books: Don’t Be a Yes Chick and Fix My Boss.
For the past six years, Molly has hosted a top 10% podcast, releasing new episodes weekly and featuring industry thought leaders as guests. She also frequently appears as a guest on other podcasts hosted by thought leaders.
Additionally, Molly is a member of the Forbes Coaching Coaches Council and has been featured as a published author on Forbes.
Learning to Lead by Letting Go
A defining experience in Molly’s leadership journey took place while she was building her own team during an especially difficult time. She was under immense stress, managing a growing client base, closing one business, starting another, and coping with the loss of both her parents within eight months.
During this period, her team—who had been learning from the principles she taught—showed true leadership. In a daily meeting, they bravely told her that she had become a bottleneck and that her frustration was making the situation worse. They insisted that she take a mandatory week off to focus on personal matters, assuring her they would manage everything in her absence.
This moment was transformative for Molly. While teaching these principles was one thing, experiencing them firsthand within her own company changed her approach to leadership coaching. It emphasized the importance of systematizing processes and using real case studies to show how effective change can be implemented.
Attorneys, in particular, respond well to case studies because emotions often run high when addressing sensitive issues, such as confronting the person causing workflow bottlenecks or questioning long-standing practices. Presenting real examples helps people understand that courageous conversations are both possible and productive.
One of Molly McGrath’s favorite quotes that guides her work is: “It takes 20 seconds of insane courage, and you have no idea what’s waiting for you on the other side.” This experience strengthened her commitment to helping others find that courage and transform their leadership style.
Open Letter for Emerging Leaders
Dear Reader,
One key piece of advice I always share is this: the answer is already in the room—you already know the next right move. As someone on the front lines of your organization, I encourage you not to be afraid to use your voice, even if you feel nervous, doubt yourself, or worry about the consequences.
Approach challenges with deep curiosity and bring proposed solutions, not just problems. This mindset is the foundation of everything I teach. When you present thoughtful solutions, you will gain recognition and open doors for career advancement as a leader within your organization.
I understand that many new professionals struggle to confidently express their ideas. However, speaking up with respect and honesty about what you believe is the right next step can truly transform your career.
In your corner,
Molly McGrath
5 Key Takeaways from the Molly McGrath Cover Story
1. People are the Foundation of Success
Molly McGrath believes that the true measure of a law firm’s success isn’t just about winning cases, but about the people and teams who make it happen. She focuses on helping firms find the right employees and empowering them through training and support, believing that an empowered team is a successful one.
2. Trust is Built Through Action, Not Just Words
Molly addresses the common gap between attorneys and their staff, showing that trust is a two-way street. She helps attorneys learn to delegate and their employees to take initiative by facilitating small, consistent successes. This gradual process builds mutual confidence, proving that trust develops through shared achievements, not just conversations.
3. Culture is Lived, Not Just Displayed
A law firm’s culture isn’t just about a list of core values on a wall. According to Molly, true culture is lived out daily through actions, behavior, and communication. It’s about valuing employees as human beings, providing them with time and feedback, and creating an environment where they feel motivated and respected.
4. Leadership Means Empowering Others
Molly’s own leadership journey was defined by a moment when her team showed her the power of her own principles. They courageously took charge and gave her the space she needed to deal with personal issues. This experience taught her that true leadership often means stepping back and trusting your team to take ownership and lead from wherever they are.
5. Be Courageously Clear and Solution-Oriented
A key piece of advice from Molly McGrath to emerging leaders is to be “courageously clear” with your communication and to bring solutions, not just problems. She encourages professionals to confidently use their voice and present thoughtful solutions, which she believes is the foundation for career advancement and earning recognition.
