Hit by a Bus, What Now?

Imagine a scenario where your only employee, your valued paralegal or legal assistant, is suddenly out of the office for an extended period of time. Where is the court calendar? How do you access your client database? How do you create month end bills in your time keeping system?

Everything effecting your client relationships, your practice management, system and firm billing – the structure of the entire firm – is in jeopardy. Even if you bring in a temp to perform your paralegal’s regular duties, can she access the data and tools she needs? Wouldn’t having access to information make things easier for everyone?

You need an operations manual. With such a manual, a 'how to' guide, anyone can fill in when an employee is out unexpectedly.

Fortunately, you don’t have to start your 'how to' guide from scratch.

Lawyers Mutual offers an Office Procedures Manual practice guide to get you started with sample forms and topic suggestions to help you develop your own manual.

If you want even more assistance, the ABA’s Law Office Procedures Manual for Solos and Small Firms and the NCBA’s North Carolina Small Law Office Resource Manual are great resources for developing your own manual.

Law Office Procedures Manual for Solos and Small Firms focuses on establishing the organizational structure and establishing protocols for office functions.

The North Carolina Small Law Office Resource Manual includes information regarding establishing an employee and office procedures manual, as well as insight into many other areas of establishing office systems.

Both books include sample forms to help you develop your own customized policies and procedures. These books are available for purchase through their respective organizations if you’d like to own a copy for your firm. Even better, you can find both of these treasure troves of information in the Lawyers Mutual lending library.

The Lawyers Mutual Lending Library is a free service for policyholders, offering books on subjects such as law practice management, technology in the law office, rainmaking, and client relations. Check out this and many other titles at http://www.lawyersmutualnc.com/risk-management-resources/book-lending-library.