Scheduling is an important part of operating a successful law practice. Organized scheduling practices enable attorneys to make appointments, engage with clients, and complete crucial tasks on time. They also help them to significantly minimize office distractions, including many phone calls, drop-in clients, and poor concentration. Fortunately, there are several tips, gadgets, and software options that can help busy attorneys stay on task.
Tips for Effective Scheduling Practices
Time Blocking
Time blocking is one of the most effective methods that a successful attorney can use to organize his or her calendar. It involves the attorney committing a large proportion of time in his or her day to specific tasks. This method helps the attorney stay in control of things by minimizing procrastination and ineffective multitasking.
If the attorney has several workers’ compensation cases that he or she must work on within a month, for example, he or she should start by determining the amount of time to allocate to each case and block it on his or her calendar. He or she should use the specified time to work and focus on a specific case. He or she should try to avoid distractions or handle any extra tasks during the blocked time.
Using online scheduling software like Calendly is an excellent option. The software can connect up to six calendars and integrates with platforms attorneys already use. With all of its features, it can easily become a one stop shop for Lawyers’ scheduling and online meeting needs.
Making a Comprehensive Calendar Entry
Making a detailed calendar entry that consists of all the crucial information is a wise decision. In addition to the time and location of the event, the entry should include the name and contact details of the client. A detailed calendar entry would be a great time-saver should the attorney wish to postpone or cancel the event. An attorney managing a personal injury claim on an injured party’s behalf would find a comprehensive calendar entry useful.
Reviewing the Calendar Daily and Weekly
An attorney can gauge the effectiveness of his or her calendar by reviewing it daily and weekly. While this review can be performed at any time of the day, performing it in the evening would prove more valuable. During the evening, the attorney will have a chance to review and think about his or her goals for the following day.
During a weekly review, the attorney will have a chance to evaluate what he or she achieved the week before and what he or she wishes to accomplish in the forthcoming week. A weekly review, for instance, can work for a DWI attorney striving to attain a specific goal, such as developing the right legal strategy to convince the court to drop or lower a client’s DWI charges.
Making an Entry Immediately
An attorney shouldn’t procrastinate as far as making calendar entries is involved. He or she should add them to the calendar immediately after he or she commits. The attorney should avoid depending on his or her memory, as that could make him or her miss crucial events. What’s more, if the attorney forgets to add an entry to the calendar, his or her legal assistant may unknowingly add another item on the same date and time. Making calendar entries right after committing can, therefore, eliminate confusion and avoid stress. If a birth injury lawyer, for instance, has accepted an initial consultation with an injured client, he or she should ensure the calendar reflects that commitment.
ScheduleOnce scheduling software makes making calendar entries easy. It integrates a wide range of online calendars, enables attorneys to update their schedules in real-time, and sends meeting invitations with secure video links. It also features customized booking pages and sends email and text reminders so successful lawyers never miss a beat.
Smartphones and Tablets
When it comes to scheduling, smartphones and tablets can be a busy attorney’s best friend. Easy to transport and simple to use, today’s smartphones and tablets offer most of the same scheduling capabilities as computers and laptops.
