Setting Up and Running a

Sole Law Practice

Beverly Michaelis, J.D.

Practice Management Advisor

Professional Liability Fund

Missed deadlines

Inaccurate documents

Deleted e-mail

Undetected conflicts

40% of Claims Involve an

Administrative Error

Sound Office Systems Help You

Control the Risks

Files

Deadlines

Conflicts

Your Trust Account

Your Business

Learn How to Manage

How to Manage Files

Lost Wages

Organize Paper Files

Medical BillsClient’s DiaryPolice ReportWitnesses

and Color Code

Organize Electronic Files

Give Clients Their Own File

7 Key Steps to Closing a

File

1. Closing letter sent

2. Client originals returned

3. File intact

4. Electronic documents captured

5. Destruction date assigned

6. Final bill or refund issued

7. And …

How to Manage Deadlines

Do You Enter Dates

Immediately and Automatically?

Do You Allow Enough

Lead Time?

Do You Enter Follow-Up Dates?

Do You Sync Each Day?

Do You Avoid e-Court Pitfalls?

Filing the correct document?

Creating rules to forward e-

notices?

Training staff?

White-listing court domains?

Do You Tickle

Files?

1. Use a database

2. Track dates, names,

description

3. Contact PMA for advice

How to Manage

Conflicts

Quick Conflict

Tips

SSN or TIN

DOB

123 ABC Street

FKA

How to Manage Your

Trust Account

Set it Up Right

1. Oregon Law Foundation TIN

2. Properly identify

3. Bank service charges

4. FDIC Insurance

Notify the OLF in

writing within 30 days

Keep a Paper Trail

• Each client is separate

• Track all deposits and withdrawals

Reconcile!

Each month – without fail

Do a “three way”

Supervise staff

Avoid Temptation

1. No cash draws

2. Don’t pay rent from trust

3. Use caution with transfers

Use Credit Cards Wisely

Keep Records For Five Years

Manage Your Business

Protect Yourself

Protect Your Clients

What Can You Do Now?

1. Get a buddy

2. Sign an agreement

3. Protect your trust account

4. Inform your family

5. Use the Law Office List of

Contacts

Where Can You Go For Help?

Planning Ahead:

A Guide to Protecting Your Clients’ Interests

in the Event of Your Disability or Death

Manage Files

Manage Deadlines

Manage Conflicts

Manage Your Trust Account

Manage Your Business

Summary

Beverly Michaelis - Practice Management Advisorbeverlym@osbplf.org

http://www.linkedin.com/in/beverlymichaelis

503-639-6911 or 800-452-1639

http://twitter.com/OreLawPracMgmt