Lawyers can significantly reduce their exposure to a claim by controlling client expectations from the
very start of the matter, actively communicating with the client at all stages of the matter, creating a paper trail that documents communications, and confirming what work was done on a matter at each step along the way.
Intuitive tools like Workflow allow you to customize tasks and deadlines at
the start of a matter, so you can you track court and statutory deadlines for each case, streamline your client intake process, or create templates for important dates that relate to specific types of cases or trials.
Therefore, improving the speed and frequency of communication, making sure assumptions are mapped out at
the start of a matter and that any changes are well telegraphed, are all ways of maintaining the golden rule around billing — that there are no surprises for the client when the invoice arrives.
At
the start of the matter, get specific written instructions as to how funds will be transferred and where they will be going.
In his post Jim says, and I wholeheartedly agree with him, that one of the most critical things lawyers need to do at
the start of a matter is discussing client expectations and making sure that new clients have reasonable expectations.
Be extra vigilant in looking for potential conflicts when you are doing work for related individuals or entities, both at
the start of the matter and as it proceeds.
By customizing tasks and deadlines at
the start of each matter, you ensure that you never lose track of tasks and important deadlines.
This means that we are clear with our clients at
the start of a matter what we anticipate our fee will be.
When you customize todos at
the start of each matter, you'll rest easy knowing that you'll never lose track of tasks and important deadlines.
Close collaboration with case teams, clients, and review teams throughout the discovery process to leverage knowledge gained from
the start of the matter through its resolution