01/31/2008 11:53:48 AM EST
Checklist for Setting up a Law Office
I. Obtaining Clients
a. Determine what kind of clients to represent
i. Small businesses
ii. Family law
iii. Personal injury
iv. Collection work
v. Insurance defense
b. Solicit clients
i. Advertising
ii. Announcement letters
iii. Word of mouth
c. Potential client Interview
i. How often
ii. Length of time
iii. Fee or no-fee
iv. Information to be gathered
d. Retainer letters ($)
i. Hourly fee
ii. Contingency fee
iii. Flat fee with expenses
iv. Meets with Ethics Requirements
v. Non-retainer letters/declining representation
e. Ethical considerations
i. Conflict of interest
ii. Competency
II. Setting up an office
a. Office equipment
i. Furniture
ii. Computer and printer
iii. Telephone and fax
b. Office software
i. Word processing
ii. Time and billing
iii. Research
c. Office supplies
i. Preprinted – Letterheads and envelopes
ii. Pleading and document papers and covers
iii. Pens and pencils – Preprinted?
iv. Files and folders
v. Desk top supplies
d. Assistance
i. Secretarial help
ii. Temporary help
iii. Investigators
iv. Contract employees
e. Banking and finance
i. Checking accounts
ii. Escrow accounts
iii. Trust accounts ($)
f. Ethical considerations
i. Retainer accounting
ii. Escrow responsibilities
III. Case Handling
a. Setting up Files
b. Document preparation
c. Calendar
d. Discovery
e. Trial Preparation
f. Negotiations and settlements
g. Appeals
h. Post-judgment actions
i. Ethical considerations
IV. Terminating attorney-client relationship
a. Withdrawal letters
b. Termination by time
c. Destruction of files
d. Ethical considerations