Maine Law Practice Management

Lawyers often focus on their own expectations when it comes to client intake .  They assume a lot about legal consumers’ preferences, without actually investigating what those preferences really are .  In that situation, it usually ends up that law firms construct intake programs that don’t reflect relevant trends respecting legal consumers, and that are created for the ease of use of the law firm, and not for the ease of use of the consumer.   But, we’re firmly entrenched in the convenience economy; and, everything a law firm does to engage legal consumers should be based on the ease, convenience and preferences of those legal consumers.     T he potential client is the hero of the client journey, and that’s where the law firm’s focus should be .  Every aspect of the intake process should address engagement, because 90% of the time, the law firm that effectively engages a new lead, closes that lead.     That means that all of your online content should focus on and anticipate

Many attorneys will try to rush through the drafting and explanation of a fee agreement .  The job, as they see it, is to get the fee out there, and to define the scope of legal services, as quickly as possible – so that the client will sign off, and so that the lawyer can go back to what they really want to do, which is to practice substantive law.     But, there’s so much more that you can do with your engagement agreements, to make them truly engaging (see what I did there), and to set the tone for a more useful attorney-client relationship.   Here are three potential additions you could consider to your standard fee agreement, that will truly turn it into an engagement agreement:     - Add a Technology Clause .   In part to better govern client communications (more on that in a second), you should relay to your clients the technology you use in the firm .  This will also allow you to get their sign-off on using that technology stack, and allow them t he opportunity to object

This is kind of a trick question .  It’s one that initiates the lawyer’s go-to response: It depends.     But , in reality, the choice of who answers your phone when clients and potential clients call has a lot of la yers to it, not unlike an onion .  And, this is reflective of the many cho ices now available to attorneys.     In a perfect world, where you have ample time ( riiiight ), it’s probably best to have lawyers answering every call – and, the more senior the lawyer, the better .  Why ?  Because it surprises and delights clients .  (Wait, I’m actually talking to the lawyer?!)  Clients and potential clients expect you to have gatekeepers; if you don’t = they’re amazed, and thrilled.  Some law firm actually employ this method.  Not surprisingly, clients are happy, and revenue increases. Of course, the vast majority of law firms can’t accommodate that arrangement.   And, if that’s your law firm, the next best option is to have a staffperson pick up the phone, bec