A procedural handbook for California courts, and an ideal training manual for new legal staff. A concise training tool covering most areas of the law – civil, family law, bankruptcy, criminal, corporate, and more. Of Law Practice. Office Security and Emergency Procedures. The Law Office Policy & Procedures Manual, Sixth.

1. Law Firm Accounting Procedures Manual

Law Firm Accounting Procedures Manual

Note: The following is an excerpt from a new eBook titled which is freely available with registration. We often hear the question, “If it is just me or a few people in the firm, why does a policy and procedure manual matter?” Because no matter the size of your firm, people respond well to structure and consistency. But first, let’s break down the difference between policies and procedures.

A policy is considered more external, i.e. Johnson outboard. One which might define the relationship with the client. A procedure is something that will apply more internally, i.e.

One which would define the relationships and how things are done within the firm. The need for a policies and procedure manual is important, because if they’re not written down, they really don’t exist. How to Get Started It can seem intimidating to start a policies and procedures manual, but the most important needs usually present themselves in the form of consistent “pain points.” For example, if every day you’re showing your admin how to do the same task, start there. Outline it, write it down, then be sure to ask for feedback along the way to verify you’re explaining it in a clear and concise matter.

Even if you have no staff, it’s important to establish your system from day one. Time invested now will pay off huge the minute you hire your first assistant or admin. The key to making sure it works long-term is allowing for opportunities to improve on your process.

One caveat: take care not to allow TOO much input and constant changes, otherwise it could turn chaotic with too many generals. An easy way to avoid this is to add a suggestion box to solicit input, and then get buy-in from everyone else. The complete eBook, with 14 other expert viewpoints, is freely available for download with registration. is attorney with AndersonDodson, PC; she has previously presented a session at an industry tradeshow on this topic and her core concepts are presented here:. Readers can also find her on Twitter.

If you enjoyed this post, you might also like: Photo credit: Flickr,. Dave Honaker joined LexisNexis in 2011 and currently serves as an eMarketing Specialist for the Business of Law Software Solutions group. His career has been focused on the targeted communication of thoughts and ideas for advertising and marketing firms, lobbying groups, and motion picture production companies from New York to Washington, D.C. As a current member of the LexisNexis Firm Manager® team, he has helped rebuild the product from the ground up with input from solo and small-firm attorneys around the country to best serve their needs.

He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Public Relations from Radford University.

Bookmarks Law Office Procedures Manual for Solos and Small Firms, 3rd Edition Reviewed By Austin G. Anderson Demetrios Dimitriou.

ABA LPM Section, 2005. $79.95; LPM Section members: $69.95. ISBN: 1-59031535-9.

The third edition of is a publication that should be included in every solo practitioner’s office and in all small law firms. This loose-leaf manual is replete with information that is vital to the successful organization of a productive law office. The author, Demetrios Dimitriou, knows his subject well. He currently practices as a solo (having previously practiced with a small firm) and acts as counsel to individual lawyers and law firms concerning their documentation, attorney fees, professional liability, and ethical and internal professional practice management issues. He has lectured and written extensively on law practice management issues, including ethical rules concerning fees, engagement agreements and conflicts issues.

As he explains in the author’s note at the beginning, this publication describes—for both lawyers and staff—the proper procedures, expectations, protocols and other information that constitute the effective operation of a law office. The volume provides a wonderful inventory of subjects that should be contained in all law offices’ procedure manuals. However, the reader must remember that the application of each subject needs to reflect the specific policies and practices of the given office in which the manual will be used. To enable each office to best develop and apply the practices covered in the book, the complete text is provided (in Microsoft Word) on an accompanying CD-ROM.

This enables users to customize the elements to meet the needs of their offices. Dimitriou has organized the publication into four sections, with each section organized into parts that cover the discrete elements of the section’s subject. This organization enables readers to easily locate and use the specific information that meets their immediate needs. Section One focuses on “Personnel” and is broken into seven parts. Part 1 sets forth general policies. The next part covers the issues of employee classifications, the probation period, evaluations and termination.

The third part, on “Personal Conduct,” deals with personnel management issues that many firms have difficulty addressing—such as office attire, office dating, and personal cell phones, audio equipment and e-mail. Parts 4 through 6 discuss, in order, the hours of work and policies affecting the subject; compensation as it relates to office polices governing law firm compensation; and the important and expensive element of employee benefits. Wrapping up the section, Part 7 addresses organized absences from the office, including holidays, vacations and sick leave. In Section Two, Dimitriou takes the reader through the topic of “Office Structure” in three distinct parts, including job descriptions, the office makeup, and supplies and equipment. Then, in Section Three on “Office Procedures,” Dimitriou uses eight parts to identify and describe best practices in this important area. These parts cover security; injury, emergency or disaster; representing the firm; representing clients; office filing systems; the docket control system; communications; and finance. Several parts include appendices that provide the forms necessary to implement the procedures.

This section is an outstanding tool for training a novice legal secretary or office manager. The student of effective law firm management arrives at the conclusion of Dimitriou’s lessons in Section Four, “Office Format and Sample Forms.” In two parts, it provides information vital to successfully drafting various legal documents and communications pieces.Law Office Procedures Manual for Solos and Small Firms provides the opportunity for every law office to develop and implement systems that will ensure a well-managed firm that effectively delivers legal products in a timely manner. I recommend that it be read from beginning to end by the lawyer and by anyone else who is responsible for the firm’s management.