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Does Your Law Firm Need an Updated Logo?
- Cooper Shattuck
- Nov 7, 2025
- 3 min read
A law firm’s logo is often the first impression it makes on clients, potential hires, referring lawyers, and even opposing counsel. Yet too many firms are still using logos that look like they were designed in the 1980s (and sometimes were).
If your logo feels dated, indistinct, or out of sync with your firm’s identity today, it might be time for an update. Your visual identity should reflect who you are now, not just who you were when the founding partners’ names were first painted on the door.
The Problem with “Traditional” Legal Logos
For decades, law firm logos have relied on the same tired imagery and tropes. If any of these sound familiar, your logo may be sending the wrong message:
Initials or partner names in serif font: Think “BS&H” in navy blue Times New Roman. It looks respectable, but also interchangeable.
Gavels, scales, or columns: These icons scream “law,” but they don’t say anything about your firm. A gavel is a courtroom cliché, not a brand identity.
Clip art justice scales: The universal shorthand for “legal,” now universally overused. They make your firm look generic rather than authoritative.
Latin mottos or taglines no one remembers: Gravitas doesn’t come from Latin. It comes from clarity and confidence.
Shadows, bevels, or gradients: These dated design effects make logos look more like early PowerPoint slides than modern brands.
A logo that looks old-fashioned can subtly suggest that your firm’s thinking, or its technology, communication, or culture, is also outdated.
Why Modernization Matters
Today’s clients make decisions differently. They research firms online, read reviews, and form opinions before ever calling or emailing. A clean, contemporary logo conveys credibility, competence, and confidence at a glance.
It doesn’t mean your firm needs to look trendy or flashy. It means your visual identity should feel intentional, consistent, and relevant.
A refreshed logo can also energize your team. It signals progress, unity, and pride in your shared brand. For firms navigating leadership transitions or generational shifts, a rebrand can be a meaningful step toward defining what the next chapter looks like.
Signs It’s Time for a Redesign
If any of the following ring true, it may be time to take a fresh look at your firm’s branding:
Your logo looks pixelated or awkward when used digitally.
You have multiple versions floating around (different colors, fonts, or taglines).
Your competitors’ branding looks cleaner, more modern, or more cohesive.
You’ve expanded your practice areas, merged, or changed leadership.
You don’t actually like how your logo looks on your website, signage, or proposals.
A logo should serve your firm, not the other way around.
What a Modern Law Firm Logo Should Do
A well-designed modern logo should be:
Simple and adaptable: Works as well on a pen as it does on your homepage.
Timeless, not trendy: Clean lines, confident typography, and balanced composition never go out of style.
Distinctive: Avoids overused imagery in favor of shapes, fonts, or colors that express your firm’s unique character.
Aligned: Reflects your firm’s purpose, tone, and clientele, whether that’s professional and traditional or bold and innovative.
Sometimes a subtle evolution like updating fonts, simplifying shapes, or refining color can refresh your look while preserving brand recognition. Other times, a full rebrand is the right move.
If your logo features a gavel, Latin phrase, or ornate serif font, it might be time for a conversation. Because while the law values precedent, your branding shouldn’t live in the past.
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