Law Practice Management Newsletter
January
Note from Law Practice Management leadership
Welcome to the January 2011 issue of the Law Practice Management
Section newsletter.
As 2010 just closed and we all look forward to a prosperous
2011, this would be a good time to share some of the Law Practice
Management Tips of yesteryear to put to use in 2011. Some tips are
listed below that are worth a second look. The current and past
tips can all be found here.
It's been too long since we have been reminded to track our firm's
revenues by referral source, a prior tip from Leanna Hamill. Knowing how your
clients are locating you, whether it be word of mouth, former
clients, or various marketing media, will make it easier to decide
where to focus your marketing efforts. If you are not tracking your
referral sources already it is not too late to start.
It is everyone's goal to work more efficiently. Efficiency leads
to productivity. There are many tips focused on these objectives.
If you practice in the superior courts you have no excuse not to
have already signed up for access to the Superior Court docket. Many telephone calls to
the Clerk-Magistrate's Office can be avoided by checking the docket
at your office first. You can check on upcoming hearing dates,
filings, and even get a list of all or your appearances in cases.
If you have not signed up the instructions for doing so are here.
Using your software programs to their fullest capacity can be a
great time savings. There have been many tips about different
software programs and their use. Adobe's Acrobat is a popular and
useful program. Adobe Acrobat's typewriter tool may finally render that old
IBM Selectric you have been holding onto obsolete. Adobe Acrobat
has many other features that may help your practice depending on
whether you have the Standard or Professional version. You can use
it to redact sensitive information documents, add Bates numbering,
stamps, or even highlight and comment documents during review
without altering the original. Back in April we told you about a
great resource for lawyers using Adobe Acrobat: Adobe's
Acrobat for Legal Professionals Blog.
If you are looking for small ideas that may have a big impact on
improving your practice check out the Law Practice Management Tips
of the past and present. If you have a tip to share with others
send it in to the LPM section chair or vice chair for consideration.
Andrea Goldman, chair
Phil Taylor, vice chair
Law Practice Management Section Council