Systematize to Optimize Your Legal Practice – Part 3
In this issue of “Raising the Bar”, Debra L. Bruce continues with the final part of her series which addresses how law office systems work to provide improved efficiency, increased quality control, and cost reductions. Part 1 focused on “Why Systems Matter”, Part 2 introduced “How to Employ Systems”, and this final part continues with some additional steps to “Employ the Systems”. If you missed Parts 1 or 2, follow the links on our blog to read them.
1. Stop recreating redundant letters and emails. All lawyers have forms as starting points for longer documents like interrogatories or purchase and sale agreements. Many continue to prepare common emails and letters from scratch, however. Even if they will need some customization, design forms for frequent letters and emails. Begin with one you have already written, or the next time you write one, save an extra copy of it in your forms folder. You’ll be able to whip out future emails more quickly, or let your assistant do the first draft for you to edit. Email forms can be saved in the drafts folder in Outlook (or another email program) for a quick copy and paste into a new email. […]
Systematize to Optimize Your Legal Practice – Part 2: How?
In this issue of “Raising the Bar”, Debra L. Bruce continues her three-part series with a starting point to employ systems. The series addresses the creation of law office systems for increased efficiency, improved quality control and cost reductions. As a bonus, systems help lawyers to focus on and enjoy their law practice more.
How to Employ Systems
Now that you have been persuaded that it would be worthwhile to develop and document some systems, how do you get systems in place and how do you use them? You’re probably already struggling to get all your own work done or trying to cut down your nonbillable time. How will you ever get around to creating systems?
Have each staff member create a desk manual.
Ask them to spend a few minutes each day documenting the tasks they do repeatedly and the steps involved. In a couple of months, you will have a manual, without extraordinary effort on anyone’s part. […]
Systematize to Optimize Your Legal Practice – Part 1: Why?
In this issue of “Raising the Bar“, Debra L. Bruce presents the first of a three-part series addressing the creation of law office systems for increased efficiency, improved quality control and cost reductions. As a bonus, systems help lawyers to focus on and enjoy their law practice more.
Image credit: thingamajiggs / 123RF Stock Photo
Why Law Office Systems Matter
Increased competition, downward pressures on fees, and elevated client expectations require lawyers today to respond faster while maintaining high quality. Law firms and individual attorneys need structural aids to improve productivity and assist in quality control. Systems let lawyers spend more of their time on the high level, challenging work they enjoy most. […]
Negotiating with Belligerent Opposing Counsel
Initially, I tried letting him vent. When he wound down and I responded, however, he launched into another ear-splitting tirade. In a very calm voice, I said, “I’m going to hang up the phone now. Call me back when you have calmed down, and we can discuss it further.” I pushed the disconnect button.
The phone rang immediately, and the screaming began again. I responded calmly, even gently, “I’m going to hang up again. Call me back when you calm down.”
The third call began with him yelling, “Stop treating me like a child!”
“I will,” I reassured him, “when you stop acting like one.” I quietly hung up again. […]
Have You Noticed What Siri Can Do for a Solo Attorney?
The iPhone 4S added a much advertised voice-activated feature called “Siri,” which performs tasks that legal blogger Ernie the Attorney called “purely magical” because Siri allows you to avoid typing on that tiny keyboard. Lawyers can speak to Siri to transcribe dictation into an email, a text message or a document. Siri can do web searches or answer any question that the WolframAlpha.com website can calculate. Siri can provide weather forecasts and locate nearby office supply stores or other retail establishments for the lawyer on the go. You can ask Siri what time your dinner engagement is tonight, and then Siri can call your spouse so you can say you’re running late…again.
A busy lawyer can use Siri a bit like a personal assistant that keeps track of your appointments and answers questions you don’t have time to look up. That assumes, of course, that Siri understands you and you get an adequate signal wherever you are. […]
Sample Partnership Agreement Provisions Respecting Compensation – Appendix A (Part 7 of 7)
This is the Appendix A mentioned in the previous seven articles discussing structures that law firms tend to adopt for partner compensation. In Part 1 we discussed the Monarch structure, in Part 2 the Parity structure, in Part 3 the Executive Committee Monarchy, in Part 4 the regular Lock Step, in Part 5 the Modified Lock Step, and in part Part 6 the Eat What You Kill structure. Appendix A provides an example of some partnership agreement language in a Modified Lock Step compensation system.
APPENDIX A
to Partnership Compensation Plans
Selected Provisions Of
Agreement Of Limited Liability Partnership
Of
A & B, L.L.P.
[Not Intended As A Complete Partnership Agreement]
This AGREEMENT OF LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIP of A & B, L.L.P. is entered into to be effective as of the __ day of ___, 200_,
by and among A (“A”) and B (“B”) (collectively, the “Partners”) pursuant to the provisions of the [State] [Partnership Law], and according to the terms and conditions set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE PARTIES AGREE AS FOLLOWS: […]