Strategies For Taking Charge Of Your Life And Law Practice

Presented by Cynthia Sharp• Professional CLE Speaker• Attorney Business Coach

Wednesday, December 19, 2012


Event Sponsor:

December 19, 2012

Strategies for Taking Charge of Your Life and

Law Practice


Business Expertise

• Business Creator

• Business Operator

• Business Innovator

• People Developer

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Strategic Skills

• Manage client expectations

• Create a culture of client communication

• Deliver top notch client service

• Develop a powerful & loyal staff

• Stay on top of pending cases

• Minimize daily stress & irritation

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2 Top Areas of Ethics Complaints

MRPC 1.4 Failure to Communicate

MRPC 1.3 Lack of Diligence

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“Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

- Albert Einstein


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“A lawyer shall act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client.”

MRPC 1.3


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Symptoms of Lack of Diligence

• Failure to timely file pleadings

• Missed court appearances/meetings

• Files have grown mold

• Numerous requests for extension


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Causes of Lack of Diligence

• Too much work

• Procrastination

• Disorganization

• Incompetency

• Personal issues


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“Procrastination is a mechanism for coping with the anxiety associated with starting or completing any task or decision.”

- Neil Fiore, Ph.D.


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MRPC 1.1

“To maintain the requisite knowledge and skill, a lawyer should keep abreast of changes in the law and its practice, including the benefits and risks associated with relevant technology, engage in continuing study and education and comply with all continuing legal education requirements to which the lawyer is subject.”

- Comment 6 to MRPC 1.1 (as amended)

Competence

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Activity Management Concept - Covey Quadrant

I. Urgent/Important

II.Not Urgent/Important

III.Urgent/Not Important

IV.Not Urgent/Not

Important


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The One Year Challenge


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The One Year Challenge


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The Ideal Week


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The Ideal Week


Take Charge Plan

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Branding Tip:Create a Culture of

Communication


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Communication“... A lawyer should promptly respond to or acknowledge client communications.”

- Comment [4] of MRPC 1.4 (as amended)


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Duties to Prospective Clients

“...[a] person becomes a prospective client by consulting with a lawyer about a client-lawyer relationship with respect to a matter”.

- Comment 2 to MRPC 1.18 (as amended)


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Strong Case Management System


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Develop Rapport


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Ask Open Ended

Questions


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Listen Actively


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Keep Client Informed


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Defining The Terms of Client Service

• Retainer Agreement

• Non-engagement Letter

• Termination Letter


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Retainer Agreement• Responsibilities of Lawyer

• Obligations of Client

• Scope of Representation

• Lay Out Stages of Case

• Payment of Costs

• Retainer Policy

• Billing and Payment Policies


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Retainer Agreement• Grounds for Withdrawal

• Nonpayment

• Client Misrepresentation

• Failure to Cooperate

• Client Requests Unethical Behavior

• Include Sunset Provision

• New Agreement for Each Matter


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Non-Engagement Letter

• Anytime You Don’t Accept Matter

• Recommend Second Opinion

• Be Brief and Polite

• Record of Transmittal


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Termination Letter

• Reason for Termination

• Conclusion

• Nonpayment

• Conflict Discovery

• Client Terminates

• Failure to Cooperate


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Termination Letter

• How to Obtain File

• Status of Fees

• Client Satisfaction Survey

• Ask for Referral

• Ask for Testimonial


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Client Relations

• Welcome Letter

• Client Satisfaction Survey

• Phone Appointments


Four Decisions

• Decide what you want

• Decide what you will give up to get what you want

• Decide to take personal responsibility

• Decide what value and service you are going to offer

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Work/Life Balance

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Questions?


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Documents

Strategies For Taking Charge Of Your Life And Law Practice