Grand Slam: 4 Workflows You Need In Your Law Practice

Building and managing processes is the key to managing a successful business.  That includes law firm businesses, by the way.  Even if attorneys have been reticent to adopt processes into their business models. 

 

Processes are rooted in workflows – which are just aggregations of tasks.  Tasks within a workflow each need to be assigned to at least one individual.  Entire workflows can be managed via software tools, like productivity software, task management software and/or law practice management software – which means that lawyers don’t have to be overbearing micromanagers any longer.  Checking on the status of a case is as simple as logging in, and seeing which tasks are due -- which have been done, and which have not. 

 

Law firms that use workflows tend to be more efficient, make fewer mistakes and offer their clients a more consistent customer experience. 

 

But, what sort of workflows do you need?  At least these four types: 

 

(1) Administrative Workflows: A successful (and, by that I mean: efficient and profitable) law firm is one in which attorneys can delegate work effectively, and practice at the top of their law licenses – because you can’t pilot the plane, and pass out the pretzels at the same time.  But, for administrative staff, workflows ensure that everybody is on the same page, and can quickly access specific task sets, allowing them to get back to (potentially billable) substantive work, faster. 

 

(2) Substantive Workflows: These are case workflows.  While every law firm thinks their work product on each case is a special little snowflake, there are similarities among case types.  And, it’s likely that, if you sat down and thought about it, you could probably generate anywhere from 5-10 tasks for each case type, that you need to do every. single. time.  And, that’s the root of your case management process.  Installing these means that you and your team will make fewer errors, and that your customers will have a common and streamlined experience with your firm. 

 

(3) Intake Workflow: After the COVID pandemic hit, law firms became hyper-aware of the fact that they were lacking in automated and/or virtual intake processes, as the traditional, in-person systems they relied on became suddenly unavailable.  For modern law firms, then, it’s essential to develop a ‘client journey’, or a map of how a lead becomes a client, and then automate that, to the extent possible, using technology applications. 

 

(4) Closing Workflow: When a case completes, most law firms don’t do much of anything; but, there should also be a case-closing workflow in your practice.  Rather than simply archiving your file (electronically or otherwise), and calling it a day – truly close out the file.  If you’re a personal injury attorney, make those disbursements.  If you’re a real estate attorney, get those mortgage discharges.  And, for each and every one of your closed cases, transfer an electronic version of the client file, or make it accessible to the client + add them to an email list of former clients for remarketing purposes. 

 

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If you want your work to flow better, give us a call! 

Through a unique partnership between the bar association and Jared Correia's Red Cave Law Firm Consulting, National Creditors' Bar Association members have access to experienced law practice management consultants at a special discount rate. 

To get started, visit Red Cave's NCBA landing page, and start running your law practice like a business.