Law Practice Tips

Organizers are binders that can help gather important data and documents that will be needed in case of disability or death. Organizers usually include lists of advisors, assets, debits, passwords, and preferences for personal care and finances. Click here for an article about a binder help organize personal information and documents for family members, caregivers, and advisors.  

Marketing plans help firms attract clients and retain existing ones.  The best plans set specific targets and measures progress towards achieving them.   They include timetables for using marketing tactics like networking, publishing, and public speaking.  Set aside sufficient time and money to ensure that your plan succeeds. Use the plan to be  proactive rather than reactive. Get started by review the resources listed below, including a  year-by-year plan for associates and a checklist for solos and small firms.   Articles Strategies to Grow Your Practice   Law Firm Marketing Tactics Writing a Business Development Plan Books Lawyers Guide to Marketing on the Internet . Checklists Associates Checklist Checkist for Solos and Small Firms Marketing Checklist

Legal checkups are a win-win for lawyers and their clients. Checkups enable firms to alert clients to opportunities for avoiding problems with a lawyer's help. Legal specialties suited to checkups include corporate, estate, employment, family, and real estate practices. Below are resources for conducting checkups for individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations. The resources include articles, books, forms, and websites  for conducting checkups for legal checkups.  Articles Businesses Conducting Elderly Guidelines Issues Veterans Reasons Timing Books Legal Compliance Checkups Promoting Preventive Legal Health Forms Morningstar Mann Firm Mosten Firm NSW PracticePro Slideshare US Legal Forms Websites Canadian Bar Association American Federation of Government Workers

Managerial audits help organizations avoid malpractice by assessing procedures and processes. Law firms of all sizes can use managerial audits to implement best practices in the office and the courtroom. Below are tips for conducting a managerial audit and resources for implementing them.   Tips Checklist - create an audit questionnaire to identify strengths and weaknesses.  Frequency - conduct audits as a year-end review in December to assess progress and identify opportunities for improvement. Scope . - cover accounting, calendaring, communicating, marketing, personnel, and technical matters.   Report - prepare a checklist or a report  of findings and goals for improvement.  Articles Personal Development Plan Conducting a Managerial Audit Year-End Evaluations   Using Self-Assessments to Enhance Competency   Forms Business Colorado Bar   DC Bar Tech Audit Resources Management Assistance Programs Law Firm Consultants   Software Ven...

Checklists have become popular method of getting things done properly in the accounting, construction, education, and healthcare. Read articles about using checklists to better serve clients  and  tips for using checklists to avoid problems . See sample checklists for  practice management , file management , and starting la law practice . Read the ABA's book about Checklists for Lawyers  and Forms, Checklists and Procedures for the Family Lawyer .

Getting organized can help you improve your productivity and reduce stress. Techniques include creating checklists, managing by objectives, and setting deadlines, Get smarter by reading articles about  adopting strategies ,  apps for organizing ,  de-cluttering emai l, deleting files ,  organizing work , using checklists ,   using personal technology , and time management . For in-depth study, read books like   the ABA’s  Guide to Lawyer Well Being , CAP’s  Organized Lawyer  and Penguin’s Getting Things Done . 

Greeting cards can be sent to clients to give holiday greetings, recognize special occasions, provide thanks for past business, and invitations to firm events. Cards can also be sent to welcome new clients, remind clients about appointments, and ask for referrals. Learn more by reading articles about using greeting cards to  market legal services  and  build client loyalty . Buy greeting cards for clients from Blumberg ,  Deluxe , or  Hallmark . 

An impressive logo establishes your firm’s professional presence and helps it stand out from the competition. Logos can be used on printed materials like brochures, business cards, and stationery. They can also be used on electronic media like e-mail, firm websites, and social networking.  Make your logo distinctive with colors, design, and imagery.  For more tips, read articles about building a brand ,  choosing a firm name ,  creating a firm logo ,  illustrative examples , and types to consider . Study Pentagam’s book on logo designs . Also see below for links to creative logos used by small law firms with injury, family, and criminal law practices. Samples of Logos Used by Small Firms Bicycle  (Law office of Jeffrey Glassman, Boston MA) Monogram Incorporating Initials of Firm Name (Abdo Law Firm, Clinton, MI) Animal  (David Wolf, Jacksonville, FL)  Abstract  (Sandy Fox, Miami, FL)

Law firm brochures make prospects aware of your firm and alert clients to your services. Click here for an article with tips for do-it yourselfers. The article also has tables that provide cost details and links to sample brochures created by solos and small firms.

Letter writing is an effective method of communication. Letters are useful for persuading an adversary, explaining complicated issues to a client, and submitting detailed proposals and replies. Letters also work well for personal matters like condolences, congratulations, and thank you’s. Read on for tips for writing professional letters that improve your communications. Electronic vs Paper As a first step, consider whether to send a text message or email since they serve a different purpose than letters. Text messages are best for urgent communications, but they can be intrusive, misplaced, and misunderstood. Emails are less intrusive and work well for short requests, quick updates, and distributing information quickly to a large number of people. Letters are effective for communicating lengthy, complex, or confidential information. Letters must be carefully written since they are held to a higher standard of care than electronic communications. Consider using a hybrid approach of com...