Lawyers e-Journal
Thursday, Jul. 15, 2010
Law Practice Management Tip
Avoiding traps when office sharing
Sharing office space is a great way to save money, develop
professional relationships, and referral sources. However,
liability and disciplinary issues may arise if you fall into an
unnecessary trap when practicing in a shared office space. Remember
these simple rules and avoid headaches in the future.
- Avoid the use of a firm name that implies a partnership
exists;
- Do not advertise in a way that implies a partnership
exists;
- Each attorney should maintain a separate sign on the door, have
separate business cards and stationery, and should not refer to
each other as "my partner" or "my associate;"
- Remember to maintain confidentiality of communications by
maintaining an independent facsimile machine, a separate telephone
line and email, and ensure that you have a secure independent data
storage area for your electronic files and paper files; and
- Remember to keep client files out of shared office space.
This tip of the week is courtesy of the Massachusetts Law
Office Management Assistance Program. You can contact MassLOMAP at
[e-mail info] or call (857)383-3250 for free and
confidential consultations.
Published July 15, 2010
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For more helpful tips, join the MBA's Law Practice Management
Section. Call MBA Member Services at (617) 338-0530 to join.
To learn more about the Law Practice Management Section,
contact Co-Chairs Andrea
Goldman or
Rodney Dowell.