28th Oct 2022

How to Be a Good Lawyer (Hint: Get Organized)

As a lawyer, your days are probably hectic to say the least. Dealing with clients, making court appearances, and handling tons of paperwork is only a fraction of what you contend with day in and day out.

Task management and organization are critical for running a successful law practice, but keeping track of everything and staying organized can be overwhelming at times.

If you're dealing with too much clutter or confusion in the office, you may need to find ways to organize your office space. You already know how to be a good lawyer. But are you as confident about your organizational skills?

We can help! Here are some tips for better law firm organization.

Establish a Routine

There are only so many working hours in a day, so the way you choose to use them impacts your productivity. Begin each day by tackling a priority list that outlines your must-do tasks for the day. This can help keep you on track, especially if you get distracted easily.

If you finish, get a jump on a task or two for the next day. As you plan your routine, be sure to add time for phone calls, meetings, and emails.

Add in time for lunch and a daily break as well. Before you leave for the day, take a few minutes to consider what you accomplished and create a list for the next day.

Starting and ending your work day at the same time can be helpful as well. Many lawyers find that following a regular routine helps them stay on task and accomplish more throughout the week.

Maintain an Organized Workspace

Busy lawyers often find themselves shuffling multiple tasks and paperwork on any given day. Legal technology and remote work have modernized a lawyer's tasks, but there are still plenty of documents and forms to contend with.

If your law firm relies on paper, consider transitioning to more digital processes. End the day by tidying your desk, so it's ready for the next day.

Although some paper, binders, and folders will always be necessary, adopting a digital filing system can help. This allows you to lower the amount of paper you use and decrease the clutter in your office.

Being able to access what you need when you need it will improve productivity and help you become a more organized lawyer.

Block Time

Your smartphone keeps you connected to friends, family, and work colleagues. But it can also be a major distraction that can affect your productivity as a successful lawyer.

Blocking your time can help. Consider blocking your work hours into chunks on your calendar. For some types of attorneys, this system can be very productive.

Divide the day into blocks of time and denote a specific task for each block. You may find this helps to break up the day into manageable segments of time.

Consider trying time blocking as another law firm organizational tool.

Communicate More Efficiently

A disorganized law office can affect client satisfaction. Clients do not want to wait. It's highly unprofessional to have papers, files, and documents piled up for clients to see.

Your level of organization can affect how efficiently you communicate with clients. Blocking your time can help, but leveraging modern technology can transform the way you communicate with clients.

Consider using a client portal where clients can log in and access information and ask questions. Rather than answering the phone and emails throughout the day, set aside specific times to communicate with clients and address their concerns.

Improve Time Management

Becoming a lawyer requires many hours of service to clients and their cases. Many lawyers struggle with keeping multiple tasks in balance.

Time management is a huge issue for all types of lawyers. It can be difficult to find enough hours in the day. Balancing caseloads and non-billable hours can be time-consuming and stressful.

If you're not using time-tracking technology, it's time to give it a try. It allows you to separate your time and expenses, organize files, add notes, collaborate with colleagues, and more.

Customizable features can help you stay on task and set notifications and reminders to fit your specific needs.

Practice Self Care

If you're giving all your time and effort to your clients and your law practice, there's little left for you. You can't be a successful lawyer for long without practicing a little self-care.

Getting enough sleep, eating well, exercising, and taking needed breaks are all ways to care for yourself. Too much work and stress can be hard on your mental and physical health.

Regular exercise can help lower your stress levels and help you be more productive at work. Consider taking a daily walk, joining a gym, taking an exercise class, or participating in a sport you enjoy.

Don't forget your social life. Make a point to do something fun, such as taking a date night, getting outdoors, or playing with your kids. Caring for yourself really can make you a better and more organized lawyer.