In Episode 39 of LawyersGoneEthical, Megan gives some important tips to guide lawyers into properly wrapping up their year and preparing for 2019. You can listen to the full podcast by clicking here. Below, you can read a summary of Megan’s end of year law firm practice management tips.
Review the Ethics Rules in Your Jurisdiction
Take the time to re-read the ethics rules in your jurisdiction. It’s important to refresh yourself on the current rules. Thinking that you know the rules without reviewing them can be dangerous for your law firm. Don’t rely on what you think you remember from law school. It’s also important to look for upcoming changes.
Read Ethics Articles and Opinions
Ethics articles and opinions play an important role in law firm practice management. Reading the ethics rules on their own may leave you with questions. Ethics articles and opinions that are published through your local bar can help provide clarity. This will help you gain a better understanding when you’re ready to prepare your law firm for 2019.
Pay Close Attention to the Small Changes
The small changes can have a big effect on your law firm practice management decisions. Consider how those changes directly affect your law firm. Keep those small changes in mind as you go through the next couple of law firm practice management tips.
Objectively Examine Your Law Firm for Weaknesses
Now that you’ve spent some time reading the ethics rules and related articles and opinions in your jurisdiction, it’s time to examine how your law firm operates. This isn’t about conducting a full-fledge audit. Rather, it’s about an objective self-assessment. What’s working well? What isn’t? What improvement options may be used for 2019?
Start Planning for 2019
Now it’s time for goal setting. Based on what you know about the ethics rules, changes to the rules, and weaknesses in your practice, it’s time to set your goals. What do you want 2019 to look like? Consider what you want to accomplish as well as any ethical hurdles that may arise. You don’t have to necessarily solve any potential ethical speed bumps now, but knowing they may exist can help you clarify exactly what you need to do to meet your goals.
Spend Time Reflecting on Achievements
The final law firm practice management tip is to spend some time reflecting on the things you accomplished in 2018.