In-House Seminars / Half-Day Time Management Seminar
Time Management for Lawyers:
How to Keep Up with Email, Master Your To-Do List,
and Work Productively
Description
Of all the elements you have to work with, none is more precious than time. You have invested years learning the substance of the law. Now invest a few hours to learn the productivity-enhancing techniques of organization and time management, and how to apply them every day to do more work in less time. Designed to address lawyers’ unique organizational and time challenges, this solution-oriented program offers practical strategies for managing time, projects, paper, and people (including yourself).
Designed to address lawyers' unique ethical obligations to be competent, prompt and diligent in all professional functions, this solution-oriented program covers practical, specific organization and time management strategies you can put to use immediately to become more productive, less stressed, and provide superior client service. Topics include best practices for keeping up with email, creating and using a simple yet comprehensive task management system, how to concentrate on "deep work" while still responding promptly to colleagues and clients, keeping track of billable time, how to maintain good organization habits, delegating appropriately and efficiently, best practices for calendaring deadlines and pending matters, dealing effectively yet diplomatically with interruptions, managing digital distractions, and minimizing procrastination. Lawyers who are organized and manage their time well are able to think more clearly, find information more quickly, work more productively, and utilize their technical skills more effectively than those who are disorganized or have poor time management habits. Learning and applying even a handful of this program's techniques can make a big difference in your work and in your life.
Within the context of a busy legal practice, you will learn how to:
• Work more productively and make the most of your time
• Track your projects and assignments
• Delegate appropriately and effectively
• Develop systems for tracking pending matters and deadlines
• Handle client matters diligently and competently
• Reduce your risk of malpractice through better organization
Sample Outline
(Actual outline will depend on the results of the customizing process.)
INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW
I. GETTING AND STAYING ORGANIZED
A. Managing Paper, E-mail, Voicemail and Other Information
B. Filing Systems: How to Transition from Piles to Files
1. The Project File System
2. How to Grow and Maintain a Reference File System
3. The Many Uses of a Tickler File
C. Organizing Your To-Do Lists
1. Low-Tech Approach: Tips for Using Handwritten Lists
2. Mid-Tech Approach: Tips for Using Word-Processed Lists
3. High-Tech Approach: How to Use Outlook to Manage Your Lists
(with demonstration)
D. Eight Good Organization Habits to Develop
II. TIME MANAGEMENT THROUGHOUT THE DAY
A. Keeping Accurate Time Records: Don’t Sell Yourself Short (or Long)
B. Managing Interruptions
1. Dealing with External Interruptions
2. Dealing with Internal Interruptions (AKA How to Maintain Your
Concentration)
C. Effective Delegation: How to Leverage Your Effectiveness
III. MAINTAINING MOMENTUM
A. Keeping Your Life in Balance
B. Dealing with Procrastination
1. Ways to Overcome Chronic Procrastination
2. Ways to Avoid Low-Grade Procrastination
CONCLUSION AND CHALLENGES
For more information about this program, please e-mail MegSpencerDixon@TimeManagementForLawyers.com.