Posts Tagged ‘legal practice’
Navigating Legal Tech Innovations: A Guide for Canadian Law Firms
In an era where technology is evolving at an unprecedented rate, the legal industry is not being left behind. Canadian law firms are uniquely positioned to leverage the latest legal technologies to not only streamline operations and improve client services but also to maintain a competitive edge in a rapidly changing landscape. This guide explores essential tools, including case management software, secure client communication platforms, and AI-based legal research tools, providing Canadian legal professionals with the insights needed to thrive.
Case Management Software
Case management software is pivotal for law firms aiming to enhance efficiency and organization. These platforms offer a comprehensive suite of tools that assist with scheduling, document storage, task management, time tracking, and billing. Notably, platforms like Clio and MyCase stand out for their user-friendly interfaces and robust feature sets tailored to the needs of legal professionals.
- Clio (Clio): A cloud-based law firm software providing case management, billing, and client collaboration features. Clio’s platform is renowned for its scalability, making it suitable for law firms of all sizes.
- MyCase (MyCase): This software offers a comprehensive suite of tools designed to streamline the day-to-day operations of law firms. Features include workflow automation, a secure client communication portal, and integrated billing.
Secure Client Communication Platforms
In the digital age, the importance of secure communication cannot be overstated. Law firms are entrusted with sensitive information, making it imperative to use secure channels for client communications. Platforms like Signal and Lexicata offer encrypted messaging services, ensuring that conversations remain confidential.
- Signal (Signal): Known for its end-to-end encryption, Signal is a messaging app that prioritizes security and privacy, making it an excellent choice for sensitive client-lawyer communications.
- Lexicata (Clio Grow): Previously known as Lexicata, Clio Grow offers a secure client intake and relationship management platform that integrates seamlessly with Clio’s case management system. It streamlines client engagement and improves the onboarding process.
AI-Based Legal Research Tools
AI-based legal research tools are transforming the way legal research is conducted, enabling lawyers to find relevant cases, statutes, and legal precedents faster than ever before. Tools like ROSS Intelligence and Blue J Legal harness the power of artificial intelligence to provide precise, efficient legal research capabilities.
- ROSS Intelligence (ROSS): By leveraging AI, ROSS Intelligence delivers a powerful legal research platform that helps lawyers conduct faster and more comprehensive legal research.
- Blue J Legal (Blue J Legal): Specializes in using machine learning to predict legal outcomes. Their platform, Tax Foresight, allows tax professionals to quickly gauge the likelihood of different tax positions, saving time and increasing accuracy in legal advice.
Embracing the Future
For Canadian law firms, embracing these technological advancements is not just about staying current; it’s about redefining the practice of law to be more efficient, secure, and client-focused. As these technologies continue to evolve, law firms that are early adopters will likely find themselves at a significant advantage, offering superior services while optimizing their internal processes.
Incorporating these technologies requires a strategic approach, considering both the potential benefits and the implementation challenges. However, the return on investment, in terms of both time saved and improved service quality, can be substantial. By staying informed about the latest developments in legal tech and proactively adopting these innovations, Canadian law firms can ensure they remain competitive in a rapidly evolving industry.
The journey towards digital transformation is ongoing, and as new technologies emerge, law firms must continue to adapt and innovate. By leveraging the right tools and technologies, Canadian legal professionals can enhance their operations, improve client satisfaction, and secure their place in the future of legal practice.
7 Tips for Solo Practitioner Lawyers to Maximize Their Billable Hours
In the competitive and fast-paced legal industry, solo practitioners face unique challenges, particularly when it comes to managing and maximizing billable hours. Unlike larger firms that have departments dedicated to different aspects of the business, solo lawyers often wear multiple hats, from handling client cases to managing administrative tasks. However, with strategic planning and the right tools, solo practitioners can efficiently maximize their billable hours, ensuring a successful practice. Here are seven practical tips to help solo lawyers make the most out of their working hours:
1. Leverage Technology
Investing in the right technology is crucial for solo practitioners looking to streamline their workflow and increase productivity. Legal practice management software can automate administrative tasks such as scheduling, billing, and client communication, freeing up more time for billable work. Additionally, adopting document automation tools can significantly reduce the time spent on drafting legal documents.
2. Implement Time Tracking from Day One
Effective time management starts with accurate time tracking. Utilize digital time tracking tools to record every minute spent on a client’s work, including phone calls, emails, and research. This practice not only ensures that you are billing accurately but also helps in identifying non-billable tasks that might be consuming a significant portion of your time.
3. Set Clear Boundaries
For solo practitioners, work can easily spill over into personal time, making it difficult to maintain a work-life balance. Establishing clear boundaries between work and personal time can help you stay focused and productive during work hours. This includes setting specific work hours and communicating your availability to clients.
4. Prioritize Tasks
Not all tasks are created equal. Prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance, focusing on billable work that directly contributes to your revenue. Consider delegating or outsourcing non-billable tasks, such as administrative duties or marketing efforts, to free up more time for client work.
5. Batch Similar Tasks
Batching involves grouping similar tasks and tackling them together in a dedicated time block. This method reduces the mental load and time lost in switching between different types of tasks. For instance, designate specific times for client meetings, email correspondence, and legal research to improve efficiency.
6. Maintain a Healthy Work-Life Balance
Burnout is a real risk for solo practitioners who try to maximize billable hours at the expense of their well-being. Ensure you’re taking regular breaks and setting aside time for personal activities and rest. A well-rested lawyer is more productive and can provide better service to clients.
7. Continuously Evaluate and Adjust Your Strategies
The legal industry and your practice will evolve, so it’s important to regularly assess your productivity and billing practices. This might involve reviewing your billing rates, evaluating new technology solutions, or adjusting your work habits based on what’s working and what’s not.
By implementing these seven tips, solo practitioner lawyers can more effectively manage their time, maximize billable hours, and build a thriving practice. Remember, the goal is not only to increase productivity but also to maintain a high quality of service for your clients and a balanced life for yourself.
Post Offices vs. Virtual Mailboxes
Many lawyers and law firms have discovered that physical offices aren’t necessary. There are two popular options when it comes to creating your business address without a designated office. Virtual mailboxes and P.O boxes are both great ways to manage your mail. However, they do have some differences. Read on to see which option will fit you and your company best.
Differences between Virtual Mailboxes and P.O Boxes
P.O boxes are something we have all seen in our local post offices. They are physical locked mailboxes where tangible mail is delivered. People commonly use P.O boxes to keep their home addresses private.
Virtual mailboxes use a real street address that receives mail on behalf of your company virtually.
Virtual Mailboxes
When it comes to reputability virtual mail boxes give your company a real street address. Each street address is linked to a familiar commercial building in your area. This will make your company come off as reliable, credible and professional.
Virtual mailboxes are fully digital. This means you do not need to leave your house in order to pick up your mail or go through address changes in the case of a move. While virtual mailboxes are digital, you are still able to have letter mail forwarded to your home address.
With virtual mailboxes you don’t just rent a mailbox, you are paying for a service. This service can include many perks some of which may include; virtual receptionists, mail management and office spaces to work from. These perks can be a real asset when it comes to meetings and business management.
P.O Boxes
P.O Boxes do not give your company a real street address. Any clients, partners or potential business partners will see that you have a P.O box rather than a “physical” location. This can come off as unprofessional and less reliable.
P.O Boxes are just a box in a post office. This means that unlike a virtual mailbox you are not able to use a professional space for meetings. The two perks that come with a P.O box are simply that they are locked boxes and that they keep your home address hidden.
When it comes to business needs such as bank accounts, taxes and certain courier arrangements P.O boxes may not work out. Most banks require your business address to be a street address rather than a P.O box. Certain couriers are unable to do drop offs in some P.O box locations. Which can interfere with the efficiency of package pick ups and drop offs.
Simply put virtual mailboxes offer more benefits than P.O boxes when it comes to having a remote business. They are convenient, practical and much more useful when it comes to business requirements.
At Wolf Law Chambers we are here to help you with your work/life balance, professional image and human interaction. We offer one-day offices, conference rooms, and executive offices that are fully serviced. It is the perfect place for individuals or small firms that need a space and are on a tight budget. We have offices in Downtown Toronto, Oakville, and Mississauga.
Wolf Law Chambers Private Offices will help you to save time, money, and effort, so you can focus on winning cases and growing your business. Our team will provide you with a wide range of services, making us the right choice for your office needs.
Visit our website www.wolflawchambers.com for more information about our spaces.
4 Signs You Need a Private Office
Working from home sounds great. You can do your work, get some chores done, cook dinner, keep your dog entertained, the list of possibilities is endless.
Eventually lines can get blurred. Work takes the back seat to all of the other distractions you have in your home. Meetings seem impossible and the only daily interaction you have is with your pets. It can go from this great option to a really difficult one pretty quickly.
Here are 4 signs that you need to get back into a private office.
You Are Getting Easily Distracted at Home
Being able to work from home sounds like the best of both worlds. Unless you are easily distracted. You have the option to fold laundry, watch a show or make snacks. Before you know it you have no time left in your day for your work. Your productivity is at an all time low. If this sounds like you, a shared workspace with a private office could be an amazing option.
You Crave Human Interaction
Working from home can get lonely. The office banter, collaborating on ideas or just a simple “hello” in the lunchroom means more than you originally thought. Sure some people can get on your nerves but in the grand scheme of things, being around like minded individuals helps elevate your mood and productivity. Joining a shared workspace will create a community of passionate,career driven people in similar careers.
You Need A Professional Image
Meeting potential clients at home or in a coffee shop doesn’t feel like a professional option. Having a space dedicated to your business with a professional business address, private office space, waiting areas and boardrooms can really boost your image.
You Need A Better Work/Life Balance
This goes hand and hand with distractions. Some people find themselves doing too much housework while working from home. Others find themselves working non-stop. Both of these things can create a stressful environment. Home doesn’t feel like home anymore, or work seems pointless. Being able to get out of the house and go to the office gives you a sense of structure. The benefit of renting your own space is that you don’t need to do a strict 9-5. You can go to your office part time and choose your own hours.
Working from home sounds easy. Roll out of bed, put on your slippers and hop on the couch with your laptop and cases to review. But, it’s not always all what it’s cracked up to be.
At Wolf Law Chambers we are here to help you with your work/life balance, professional image and human interaction. We offer one-day offices, conference rooms, and executive offices that are fully serviced. It is the perfect place for individuals or small firms that need a space and are on a tight budget. We have offices in Downtown Toronto, Oakville, and Mississauga.
Wolf Law Chambers Private Offices will help you to save time, money, and effort, so you can focus on winning cases and growing your business. Our team will provide you with a wide range of services, making us the right choice for your office needs.
Visit our website www.wolflawchambers.com for more information about our spaces.
Shared Workspaces and How They Benefit Mental Health
Mental health is an important issue. One that should be taken quite seriously when it comes to
working and your work environment.
Due to COVID-19 working from home became very common. Even now in our post-COVID
society, many employers have their employees work remotely. While it has proved to boost
productivity, time management, and work/life balance for some. For others working remotely
has taken a toll on both their productivity and their mental health.
Shared workspaces spaces such as Wolf Law Chambers offer a great solution for
lawyers, paralegals and mediators companies that may find it hard to make connections and interactions due to the isolation of working remotely.
Using facilities such as ours can prevent loneliness. Working in isolation all day, every day can be draining. While working in a shared space you may not be part of the same company/team,
but you are able to have friendly interaction with a people in the common areas. This can bring joy to your day and reduce stress.
Stress and anxiety naturally occur when you are lonely. Going hours on end without speaking to
another person, overworking yourself, or stressing about deadlines can really get to you. In a
shared workspace environment you have the chance to interact, and you can even
run ideas or worries by like-minded individuals in similar fields. This creates a sense of
community that will ease your mind.
While working from home is good for some employees’ work/life balance. Others find it
increasingly hard to split time between the two. In some cases working from home means you
are either unproductive due to the distracting things around you or you overwork yourself due to
the fact that you are only 10 feet away from your desk at all times. Being able to “clock in and
clock out” can help some employees that feel as though their home is no longer their home, but
a stressful work environment. Working in an office can also provide peace and quiet with limited
distractions that one may need in order to complete their work.
A shared workspace where individuals can interact with each other, share
their ideas, and communicate their stresses will help improve their mental health. These
employees will feel more willing to come to work, they will take fewer sick days, as well as be
able to create friendships where they can bounce ideas around. The problems that they may
have faced while working alone will be easier to handle when they are around others. Shared
workspaces like Wolf Law Chambers can be a great solution, that give multiple benefits to someone’s mental health.
Wolf Law Chambers offers one-day offices, conference rooms, and executive offices that are
fully serviced. It is the perfect place for individuals or small firms that need a space and are on a tight budget. We have offices in Downtown Toronto, Oakville, and Mississauga. Visit our
website www.wolflawchambers.com for more information about our spaces.
Wolf Law Chambers Private Offices will help you to save time, money, and effort, so you can
focus on winning cases and growing your business. Our team will provide you with a wide range
of services, making us the right choice for your office needs.
The Best Gifts for Law Students
Law students are often important contributors to a lawyer’s overall success and the success of his or her practice. Law students are busy, constantly moving and often a little stressed because of the countless hours they put into the work that is fundamental to the services the lawyer provides.
This year, you may be thinking of giving a dedicated hard working law student in your firm a gift showing your gratitude. The perfect gift will be something that can help ease their stress or help them in their future career.
To make your holiday shopping a little bit easier, we have created a small list that contains useful gadgets and stress relievers.
- Meal Kits
In a world where you feel like you work 24/7, having the time to come up with and cook a good meal can be hard. Nowadays we have amazing meal kits such as Chefs Plate, HelloFresh and Goodfood. This will make home cooking faster and more convenient for the busy law student in your life. They can say goodbye to late night McDonalds runs and hello to a nutritious and comforting meal.
You are able to purchase gifts cards online and in local stores such as Walmart or Shoppers Drug Mart.
- Temperature Controlled Mugs and Coasters
Long days and longer nights have one major thing in common. Cold coffee. Let’s face it things are busy enough on an average day let alone if you have a mountain of cases to sift through. Temperature controlled mugs and coasters will make sure they get the perfect, hot sip everytime.
- Salt Therapy and Self Massagers
Self care and stress release are important for students’ mental and physical health. With the limited amount of time they have in a day, known stress relievers can be hard to make time for. There are two easily accessible stress relievers that make for great gifts. For mental health a simple salt lamp can bring a calm and relaxing aura to any room. For physical health a hand held massager can work wonders on the built up knots from working at a desk all day.
- Noise Canceling Headphones
Focusing can be hard, especially in a communal living situation. Roommates try their best to be quiet while everyones studying but a simple clink of a pan or a TV that is a bit too loud can be really distracting. Noise canceling headphones are perfect for the law student in your life that just can’t catch a break when it comes to distractions.
- A Briefcase
A monumental gift for every law student is their first real leather briefcase. These are both practical and sentimental. You can find unique styles, add monograms & lettering. The possibilities are endless when it comes to customization.
Gag gifts can bring a few laughs upon opening. Sentimental, useful and stress relieving gifts make the gift receiver feel cared for, acknowledged and appreciated. Gifts like these that show thought and a deeper meaning are always a winner!
The law student on your team is an integral part of a smooth sailing firm. Giving them recognition and appreciation during the holiday season is important. Sentimental, useful and stress relieving gifts such as the ones listed above is a sure fire way to acknowledge their efforts.
While the thought of losing your law student once their post secondary education is complete. They may need a new space to call home once they graduate. Wolf Law Chambers offers one-day offices, conference rooms and executive offices that are fully serviced. It is the perfect place for individuals or small firms that need a space and are on a tight budget. We have offices in Downtown Toronto, Oakville and Mississauga. Visit our website www.wolflawchambers.com for more information about our spaces.
Wolf Law Chambers Private Offices will help you to save time, money, and effort, so you can
focus on winning cases and growing your business. Our team will provide you with a wide range
of services, making us the right choice for your office needs.
Why Do You Need a Private Law Office
The legal profession is a challenging one. There is no doubt about that. It is knowing the law precisely, the legal nuances, and the strategies that determine our clients' success.
However, none of that can be accomplished if you don't feel comfortable in your working space. It is sometimes necessary to feel a sense of privacy, control, and peace at the same time. It is because of these reasons that private office spaces are a great choice for legal practitioners since they offer both privacy and comfort when working on cases and brainstorming ideas. It is the best way to boost your productivity.
Would you like to know more about the advantages of working in a private space?
- It is a Peaceful Space for You
Certainly, if you're a one-person firm, it might be easier for you to work from home so that you can spend more time with family or maybe to enjoy the buzzing background sound of a busy café where no one pays you attention and earbuds let you tune out everyone.
In some cases, however, focusing fully on a case without interruptions is necessary, especially if it is a challenging case with many complexities.
Unplugging from all distractions may be the most effective solution. A private office can provide you with the peace and quiet you need to find the focus and productivity to work on your cases.
- Your Deadlines Can Be Managed Better
In some cases, you may have been overloaded with clients, others may have lasted longer than expected, or you may just have needed more time to complete a matter.
In these situations, you cannot afford to be distracted when meeting deadlines, since each case is different. Therefore, as we mentioned before, your office space should be calming, peaceful, and comfortable, and provide you with everything you need to improve your concentration and work rhythm. The benefits of a private office space include private internet access, electronic notifications, live receipt and electronic notification of clients and packages.
- You Need a Private Space for Your Consultations
Law offices are responsible for protecting the privacy of their clients. This is the law.
Solicitor-client privilege can be fulfilled while at the same time ensuring that your clients' discussions will not be shared outside your office without their consent. This is an ideal space for discussing pre-trial matters with clients and having discussions with opposing counsel.
You will also be able to gain the respect and trust of your clients if you have a private office. The entire focus of your service is on them, their needs, and how you will assist them in this legal process.
If I am a Solo Practitioner and cannot Afford a Private Office, What Can I do?
We offer private offices for individuals and small firms, which is especially convenient since office space in Downtown Toronto, Oakville and Mississauga is hard to come by, let alone affordable.
You will benefit not only from the private spaces, but also from Wolf Law Chambers’ professional legal support, including assistants to answer the phone. Our services include mailboxes, snacks, conference rooms, as well as social media promotion for your law firm. At Wolf Law Chambers, you will have access to amenities, cleaning staff, and personal and semi-private spaces, all at a competitive rate. Check out Wolf Law Chambers' workplace solutions, from a one-day office to meeting rooms to private executive offices, and you'll find something you'll like. And it’s all fully serviced! You can view our locations on our website www.wolflawchambers.ca and read our client's reviews to get an idea of what our clients think!
Wolf Law Chambers' Private Offices will help you to save time, money, and effort, so you can focus on winning cases and growing your business. Our team will provide you with a wide range of services, making us the right choice for your office needs.
The Importance of a Business Address
Businesses today compete for clients, customers, and employees. This increasingly competitive and modern world demands a business address for legal practitioners, which is usually its registered office. It is generally considered to be an effective and influential factor in attracting customers since it denotes legitimacy and professionalism. Here are several reasons why a business address will benefit you:
Contributes with a professional image
In the eyes of customers and clients, a business address is a reflection of the business. You may not realize how significant the location of a business is. When customers expect similar businesses to be in the same physical location, they usually do business with companies with registered offices in that area.
An Effective Marketing Tool
Having a business address can make marketing very effective. Your company’s business address makes it easier for clients to trust you immediately. It is essential that a prestigious, stable, and recognizable business location conveys the services provided by the company.
Qualify for Benefits
f an office is located in a less desirable location, the company might not be eligible for certain incentives and benefits.
A Competitive Advantage
If your company is the only business in the area, you can enjoy a competitive edge over your competitors. Customers who already work with your company are unlikely to switch to another.
Customer Contact Point
You can also make your customers aware of your organization by providing them with your business address. Companies with offices or registered offices have a higher chance of doing business since customers can reach them directly by phone or email.
Keep Your Business Interests Protected
Fraud can also be prevented with a business address. A valid certification verifies that your company is legitimate and that you are who you claim to be. Providing service from a legitimate organization and having staff on hand to assist your customers is a guarantee that your customers will receive quality service.
Avoid Confusion with Other Companies
When there are multiple companies based in the same region, a business address can prevent customer confusion.
At Wolf Law Chambers, you will receive amenities, cleaning staff, and personal and semi-private spaces, all at a competitive rate. Check out Wolf Law Chambers’ workplace solutions, from a one-day office to meeting rooms to private executive offices, and you’ll find something you’ll like. And it’s all fully serviced! You can view our wide variety of locations on our website www.wolflawchambers.ca and read our client’s reviews to get an idea of what our clients think!
Reinventing the legal framework
Dezso Farkas
The significance of a man’s prestige is a collective reflection of all his attributes. Dezso Farkas is a man of many attributes. Apart from being a law practitioner and an entrepreneur who helps start-ups, Dezso is responsible for the conception of Wolf Law Chambers. The chambers, described as a multi-disciplinary law practice, is an innovative approach to providing a workplace where legal professionals can seek support and resources, while maintaining their status as a singular entity.
Educational Background
Dezso graduated with a BA Honours degree from York University and then went on to earn his Master of Laws (LLM) degree (specializing in Corporate Governance) and a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, both from Osgoode Hall Law School, York University. Soon after he was called to the Bar and currently, he is licensed to practice as a Barrister & Solicitor in the Province of Ontario.
Apart from periodically visiting the courthouse, Dezso made time to publish several articles in the prestigious Delaware Journal of Corporate Law, Transnational Legal Theory Journal and the London Review of International Law. On a certain occasion Dezso also served with the Institute for Global Law and Policy at Harvard Law with his expertise on the legal side.
Professional Ventures
The scope of Dezso’s abilities is not just limited to law. On top of being a real-estate entrepreneur with considerable experience in the field, in the past Dezso has also acted as a director of the Reliant Gold Corp., a publicly traded junior mineral resources company.
Farkas Law “Business Lawyers”, the independent law firm chaired by Dezso Farkas, caters to the needs of small and medium-sized business clients. The self-description of the firm is stated as a body of “Business Lawyer” with an aim to provide customized legal services, guidance and trusted advice for business ventures of all kinds. Currently the clientele of Farkas Law includes start-ups, commercial landlords, real-estate developers, manufacturing companies, non-profit organisations and small business owners. The firm acts as an external “in-house” corporate counsel to save their valuable resources and focusing them towards successful outcomes.
Dezso’s substantial history of merit is a result of his personal ideology which can be better expressed by himself:
I believe in continuous professional growth and I am committed to gaining new knowledge and experience to better serve the needs of my clients.
Dezso Farkas
Vision
Ideally lawyers are intended to be a means of resolving problems for their clients. Sadly, not all lawyers are attuned to the needs of their clients. For Dezso Farkas, the motivation to become a lawyer came from his own unsavory past experience. As a young entrepreneur, Deszo encountered some obstacles and to resolve them he obviously pursued legal assistance; unfortunately, he got saddled with a ‘disengaged’ lawyer. At this point Dezso realized how detached lawyers are to the ideology of young entrepreneurs. Back then, if he had been a lawyer, he definitely could have handled his case more efficiently, he realized that going into law practice could be a real opportunity for him to help people.
Young entrepreneurs have no idea of the trouble they might get into when they are starting out. Its not possible for them to know everything about the line of commerce they are about to enter on their own. The consequences of their natural ignorance can sometimes be dire. Consequently, it is more complicated to undo a problematic situation than to avoid it in the first place.
Nevertheless, if an entrepreneur seeks the right advice from the very beginning, there’s no reason for them to get into trouble. According to Dezso, the biggest complaint he hears from his clients is that other lawyers don’t understand their clients’ businesses. Dezso on the other hand wants to understand his clients’ businesses and perspectives. He has a desire to leave people better than when they first came to him seeking a solution to their problems. In his own words, Dezso wants to be ‘Their Trusted Advisor’.
Wolf Law Chambers
Not all lawyers have the innate ability and the right personality to make it as sole practitioners. Lawyers who possess such qualities cannot work under others for long and can only thrive when they work for themselves. However, when these lawyers enter the domain of sole practice, they face a multitude of unique challenges they are not ready for. Support is non-existent as a result of their isolation and limited networking opportunities. The Law Society provides certain resources, to help solo firms stay compliant, but they have no avenue of providing any personalized advice in light of the ever-evolving business landscape to individual lawyers. In terms of modern-day workspace flexibility, the options for a lawyer on his own are very limited. Sometimes it becomes practically impossible for them to go out and search for law-based developmental resources to further their practice.
To Dezso the idea behind the creation of Wolf Law Chambers came as a solution to all the problems discussed above, which are being faced by lawyers. The services available at Wolf Law Chambers are uniquely targeted for law professionals, in order to allow them to grow personally in their sphere. The networking opportunities at Wolf Law Chambers are incredibly advantageous for sole practitioners. All the available resources, connections and events, allows lawyers to seek counsel from others in their profession, without any prejudice and with the purpose of benefiting each other. All of this is being carried out by lawyers at Wolf Law Chambers, while retaining their status as owners of their own law firms.
All lawyers should seek every opportunity they can to enhance their practice.
Dezso Farkas
Future
For Dezso Farkas, the future is just as promising as his present. He’s already planning to launch his upcoming project; the Legal Innovation Centre. Legal Innovation Centre will act as a ‘technology incubator’ to mentor start-ups in areas of legal research and development. According to Dezso, currently technology start-ups in the GTA West area are facing many challenges. There is a definite need for a facility like Legal Innovation Centre. The center will alleviate issues using their 3-step assistance plan; finding funding programs, providing a collaborative space and introducing start-ups to an already established network of industry experts. Legal Innovation Centre will focus resources on technological innovations which aim to shape the legal industry.
Are You Always Running Out of Time?
Are the current standards you have set in place the most efficient and viable in achieving your goals? Are you finding the right balance between your work and personal lives? Are you always pushing back deadlines and rescheduling matters? These are some of the questions you must ask yourself when assessing your legal practice. For lawyers, time is of the essence, no pun intended. They must prioritize their schedules in order to complete tasks on their daily agenda. There is always a constant influx of tasks and prioritization means everything when your most important assignment could be the next one you receive. Having the right skillset, tools, balance, flexibility, and procedures in place can simplify even the most complex matters allow lawyers to execute their plans proficiently. Such practices enable a firm to become more productive and this increased productivity is inevitably going to result in increased profits.
Let’s examine a billing trend report to determine how much billable time lawyers are actually getting out of their workday. Lawyers are working long hours to meet productivity goals but are only billing for 29% of their workday on average [1]. There is definitely a discrepancy in this figure and how occupied a typical lawyer’s schedule is. That means legal professionals are spending time carrying out tasks that do not equate to billable time. These tasks include, but are not limited to, administrative functions that are required in running your practice. Law school teaches lawyers how to carry out legal work and put their valuable legal expertise to practice. It is this knowledge and capability that allows lawyers to bill their clientele and earn an honest living. Yet, all law firms include tasks which need to be performed in order for a practice to remain functional but are not billable.
A simple business principle that can be implemented is outsourcing these tasks and leaving more time for yourself to work on assignments which can generate billable time. Bookkeeping and office administrative tasks can take up large portions of a workday but by outsourcing them to staff and paying for a particular service, more time is left for lawyers to focus on the legal matters specific to their line of work.
In realizing the proper techniques that need to be applied for running a more efficient legal practice, a quote from Mark Twain came up numerous times.
If you eat a frog first thing in the morning, the rest of your day will be wonderful.
Mark Twain [2]
and
If you have to eat a frog, don’t look at it for too long.
Mark Twain [2]
It is important to note that certain tasks can be daunting, and lawyers may push them back because they may take up most of their day. According to Twain, it is these tasks that could hold one back. Complete your most difficult assignment first thing in the morning, and suddenly, the other tasks become minute and less challenging. In doing so, you are able to prioritize your assignments, and create to-do lists for yourself in collaboration with your calendar [3].
Next, eliminating distractions will give you a sense of clarity in your work/practice. It is healthy to take breaks throughout your day and refresh but being unproductive is unjustifiable. Another healthy practice is taking care of your emotional and physical health. Being mentally and physically fit will contribute to your success just as much as your skillset and business intelligence will [4]. Being able to attract clients is not the sole determinate of success for a legal practice. It is equally important to be able to work on matters for those clients on a time efficient basis. If that includes taking a break, so be it. One should be open to the idea of stepping away from their work. Research shows that our brains are capable of solving problems while we are not actively working on them [5]. Hence, stepping away from your practice may, in fact, prove to be more beneficial than harmful.
Implementing technology may also prove to be an effective practice tool in time management. Using the most adept practice management software, communication tools, and digital services can lighten the burden on you and allow you to allocate time more freely. That simple advantage separates those attorneys who surrender focus on one aspect of their work and those who are all over the place.
A workspace committed to providing lawyers with the excellent communication tools and services to improve efficiency, is that of Wolf Law Chambers. Located in the heart of Mississauga, the chambers aids lawyers through the administrative aspects of their practice. This helps facilitate growth and expansion for the lawyers in their area of practice. Come in and see for yourself how Wolf Law Chambers is innovating time management in the practice of law. Visit us as 90 Matheson Blvd. West, Suite 101 and feel free to join us for all our upcoming events and workshops.
-Narvir Goindi