What would you do if your law practice suddenly lost all of its clients and you had to start over from scratch? This scenario might sound far-fetched, but it’s closer to reality than many might think. With AI-driven layoffs impacting major companies and automation creeping into various sectors, even law practices are not immune to potential disruption.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many brick-and-mortar law firms saw their client flow cease abruptly as courts temporarily shut down and clients avoided in-person consultations. Some firms rebounded, while others closed for good. Additionally, shifts in legal trends can unexpectedly sideline a once-thriving practice. For example, after pioneering successful legal defenses for communities against interstate gas pipelines, my niche evaporated when environmental groups with more resources began handling similar cases for free.

So, what should you do when the bottom falls out? Here’s a plan based on hard-earned lessons:

1. Don’t Be Bitter Blaming external factors like AI or competition fails to address the underlying issues. For instance, high legal fees might drive clients to seek cheaper AI solutions. Acknowledging your role in a business downturn can empower you to make necessary adjustments.

2. Take Stock of What You Have Left Even without clients, your expertise and reputation remain. Offer your services on a per diem basis, reach out for referrals, or create online courses to share your knowledge. These steps can bridge income gaps and keep you engaged in the legal community.

3. Pivot to a Need — Not Just an Interest Innovate by tuning into the market’s current demands rather than following personal inclinations. For lawyers concerned about AI displacement, this might mean adopting new business models like flat fees or leveraging AI to enhance service efficiency while maintaining the human element.

4. Don’t Wait for the Market to Come Back — Create the Next One The legal field is continually evolving. Stay ahead by identifying emerging needs and positioning yourself as a specialist in new, in-demand areas. Whether it’s AI ethics, fractional general counsel services, or digital estate planning, the next opportunity arises from current challenges.

5. You Did It Before and Can Do It Again A practice drying up can feel like a failure, but remember, you’ve built a practice from the ground up before. The skills that helped you establish your firm are still with you and can be the foundation for your next success.

When faced with a professional crisis, don’t just brace for impact. Use it as a pivot point to reevaluate and reinvent your practice. Shed what no longer serves you and forge a new path that not only meets the current market needs but also aligns with your professional vision. After all, reinvention is not just about survival; it’s about thriving anew.