Blog | Law Practice Tips and Tricks

February 13, 2017
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3 Steps to Make Legal Document Assembly Software Pay Off

Tags : law practice legal software marketing

Category : Law Firm Management , Legal document software

Imagine you are part of a small-to medium-sized law firm (for many of you that may be extremely easy) that is considering the implementation of document assembly software in your practice. What might on the top of your “must have” column when deliberating such a decision?

Is it “a chance to be labeled an innovator?” Or, “a need to keep up with the times?” Maybe those are on your list, but I’ll bet you’ve saved the top slot for “get a return on investment.” And, I certainly don’t blame you. When spending money on integrating any new technology, you want to know that — eventually, quickly — it will be worth the up-front expenditures.

#1 Start with a Baseline Measurement

Understanding whether you will get that return on investment (ROI) requires accurate measurements of what you spend and what you will get back. That in itself might involve some data gathering. Before you spend a dollar on automation, it’s a smart idea to know how much time and person power — and therefore, money — go into the workflow tasks of your office.

How long does it take to create a legal document? How many partner hours go into it? How about the time commitment of your support legal secretary, paralegal or admin staff? Remember, you can’t measure anything effectively without good data.

#2 Define Your Win

Even if you have a clear measurement on how much time and money currently goes into your document assembly process, the concept of ROI is not defined universally across all law practices. For some firms, ROI is measured in minutes saved, and those minutes translate to time that can be spent on client work or other billable hours.

According to a 2011 study by LegalFutures, taking instruction and drafting one of several common legal documents requires about 86 minutes on average. When using an automated system, that time can be cut by an average of 50%. That time saving can be passed on to more premium billable hours, and over the long term, can generate substantial new revenue.

Some firms may measure that ROI in increased efficiency. Document assembly software streamlines processes, manages version control, and reduces typos. Whether your firm handles high-volume, low-profit margin documents or low-volume, high-profit ones, production time for producing high-quality contracts or agreements without multiple rounds of revisions is slashed.

#3 Calculate the Numbers

Many firms may want to use dollars and cents to measure the advantage of incorporating document automation into their offices. Researching cost and scope of software alternatives — and there are many — can give you a better idea of what kind of system would be most advantageous to your infrastructure and current staff. Using the simple ROI formula of:

Net Profit/Total Investment x 100 = ROI

to determine your short-term and long-term returns will help calculate cost-benefit analysis.

ROI can be measured in many ways, but at JurisDOC, we believe that time is money. Our software — with legal document assembly, time tracking, billing, and processing payment functions — is newly priced at only $50/month per user, which delivers a quick return on investment, no matter how you measure it.

We’re so sure that you’ll find JurisDOC useful that we offer a free trial. Click here to learn more or click here to download your free trial. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you can start saving time and money.

December 14, 2016
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A Good Lawyer Is Not Enough

Tags : business growth law firm management

Category : Law Firm Management

For many lawyers looking to run their own firms, taking the idea of a solo or partner practice and putting it into — well, practice — requires one part entrepreneurship, one part business acumen, and two parts patience to handle a transitional period that could take years.

Bringing in the clients — and the money that comes with the clients — rests on the shoulders of you and your associate lawyers, but once the work becomes regular enough to warrant extra help, you’ll find yourself ready to take on non-lawyer personnel. Whether you view and treat your staff as overhead or as valuable assets will determine how critical they become to the growth of your firm.

Know the Right Position
Traditionally, law offices have been supported by legal secretaries and paralegals — each having a unique and separate list of responsibilities. Legal secretaries performed administrative and office duties, while paralegals, or legal assistants, conducted research and provided support to lawyers on client cases.

But, times, they are a changin’. Like every other industry, the business of doing law has evolved with technological advances in workflow and communication.

We lawyers no longer rely on secretaries to transcribe and mail letters for us. We write our own emails and hit the send button. Paralegals search for information in databases rather than in law books or cardboard boxes of files. Legal assistants use automated legal software to populate paperwork instead of cutting and pasting from previous documents.

In fact, many times the functions of these positions can blur job roles or spawn new ones, like that of a legal technology specialist or an e-discovery professional — someone with a background in IT and law, who uses technology to assist in legal proceedings.

For lawyers who may not be as versed in technology, hiring a tech-savvy staff member provides a crucial element of support for the firm. To attract someone who is looking for a career in the field, make sure you get a good understanding of the value such a team player brings to the table and offer a competitive salary and benefits package.

Nurture the Right Personality
While hiring from a pool of prospects with high-level skills may guarantee an employee who is competent and understands how technology supports a modern office, you can’t ignore the basics of matching the right personality with the job description and day-to-day tasks.

If you’re looking to fill a client-facing position, you need someone who enjoys working directly with people. Conversely, a researcher should feel content sitting alone sifting through online databases for hours at a time. Fulfilling careers are ones that align with people’s attributes, and if you understand that as a manager, you’ll foster a team of dedicated and fulfilled employees.

Incentivize Right for Success
Even if you don’t consider work as fun, you want to at least be content in an office where you spend a large percentage of your time. Make sure you are aware of the importance of how your employees’ environment and office structure affects morale and productivity. Are managers encouraging and empowering? Is the work-life balance tipping too much to either side? Are you giving quality of work precedence over hours logged? Take regular stock of how you are motivating your staff to put forth their best.

Remember, too, that the needs of your office will change as it grows. Are your staff members evolving, as well? Talented personnel may desire an increasing level of challenge over time. Being open to developing roles and responsibilities within your office structure can prevent personnel turnover.

Nurturing your non-lawyer staff can result in increased productivity and efficiency in your office, which is well worth the initial investment you may make in people and technology. At JurisDOC, we believe in making those investments. At JurisDOC, we believe in making those investments. Click here to download a free trial of our legal document assembly software and see how quickly you can save money — and time.

November 22, 2016
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4 Fundamentals for Managing a Law Office

Tags : Administration law firm management

Category : Law Firm Management

Fellow lawyers, whether you are green around the ears or counting the days until retirement, the amount of time you spend in your law firm office probably rivals the hours you spend outside of it. How smoothly that office is maintained and how effectively the management is handled makes a huge difference in how content you are spending all of that time there.

A law office, whether large or small, is only as successful as the team running it. Without clear policies and procedures in place, a lack of cohesion creates a shortfall of focus. If you’ re in charge of managing that office, it could mean the difference between efficiency and chaos. Consider these fundamentals:

#1 Do One Thing at a Time
Multi-tasking is only an effective practice if you’re able to focus equally on each task you’re tackling. And, since it’s a good idea to give 100% of your focus to whatever endeavor you’re undertaking — especially client work — the benefits of multi-tasking quickly dim.

I know we live in a business world that’s short on minutes, patience, and tolerance, but promoting an office atmosphere that focuses on doing one job right the first time may save money and hours in the long run. Encourage partners and employees to turn off device notifications when concentrating on client work. Suggest follow-up phone calls for clarification rather than an endless stream of misunderstood texts or chats.

#2 Respect and Be Respected
Get a whole bunch of lawyers — or actually a whole bunch of anybodies — working together in an office and there are bound to be conflicting personalities.

The key to maintaining harmony in the office is ensuring everyone understands how to play nice. Create and keep a respectful workplace by having established rules of conduct. No aggressive behaviors, no bullying, and no personal attacks. It may sound obvious, but some folks with larger personalities may need to be reminded about the basics of appropriate decorum in an office setting.

When possible and practical, gather your staff to socialize and get to know each other. Practicing the law can be a full-court press of client interaction, research, deadlines, and court appearances. Taking time to celebrate, to commiserate, to motivate each other builds relationships and strengthens the whole team.

#3 Invest Today and Save Tomorrow
Investing in an office means spending time and money on technology and people. Central workplace servers and automated legal document software streamlines workflow and saves hours.

Take the time to train employees on standard policies and procedures. Educate associates on the way the office is run, the internal billing structure, and other supporting technologies. Instruct office staff on integrated systems and software.

And whether it’s the administrative staff or associate attorneys — professional development supports individual career growth and increases each person’s value to the firm. Encourage your team to explore and exploit learning opportunities, and if you can, help them pay for classes or workshops.

#4 Write It Down
As lawyers, we know that anything worth doing is worth documenting. We tell our clients to document their actions, and it’s wise advice that we should follow, too.

Remove ambiguity and keep policies and procedures clear and concise by compiling them into an employee handbook to be reviewed and signed by staff and partners. Include any non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and professional contracts together with documentation on confidentiality and client rights.

Promoting a client-focused office environment means creating a cohesive group of like-minded lawyers and employees. That’s exactly what we strive to do at JurisDOC. Visit our website to learn more about a free trial of our legal document assembly software and see how quickly you can start saving time — and money.

October 27, 2016
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Firing Law Firm Employees: Keep Your Humanity Intact

Tags : employees firing hiring management

Category : Law Firm Management

One of the most difficult tasks of running a law firm, or any business for that matter, is firing someone. There’s no easy way, and both sides — being let go or letting someone go — are very unpleasant.

As uncomfortable as the situation might be, sometimes firing is unavoidable. Whether you must fire an associate attorney who is just not working out or you let go of office staff because you don’t have the amount of work hoped for, you can follow these guidelines to make sure that everyone walks away from the table on the best terms possible.

Make Sure It’s Legit
All states, with the exclusion of Montana, allow employers to exercise an “at-will” employment policy, giving them the option of terminating for any reason at any time. Except for a few reasons that are illegal, which include:

Military duty
Violations of the Family Medical Leave Act
Jury duty
Discrimination
Whistle-blowing

As a lawyer, following the letter of the law in my business practices rates pretty high on my list of priorities. Make sure the situation in which you dismiss an employee is on the up and up. And, don’t forget to check your original employment contract to ensure you’re not violating any of your own binding language.

Firing Well Starts with Hiring Well
Getting fired should never come as a shock to the employee. When someone feels they’ve been fired out of nowhere without prior discussion or forewarning, they’re more likely to seek legal redress. And that’s something disgruntled associate attorneys may know quite a bit about.

The best way to avoid firing people is to be careful when hiring and working with them. When you make your expectations for employees clear and provide regular and constructive criticism through feedback, there should be no surprises if those expectations are not met. Commit to the practice of CYA (Cover Your Assets) and document disciplinary issues, performance reviews, and applicable client feedback.

Keep Calm and Carry On
During a closed-door termination discussion, volatile emotions may arise and be expressed (sometimes, loudly). If you’re not the type to enjoy confrontations – and really, who is – you may find yourself in an increasingly negative situation of accusatory back-and- forth. A terminated employee — especially a lawyer — may want to argue in their own defense.

Once you’ve made a formal decision to let an employee go, don’t belabor the point or debate it. Stay calm, follow your script, and end the discussion. Getting emotional and saying things you might regret later paves the way for legal retribution.

Don’t Make Them Fight for Their Rights
Getting fired is upsetting and sometimes humiliating. When an employer drags their feet on providing details about continuing health coverage and unemployment insurance, it’s like pouring salt in the wound (not to mention, it’s illegal).

Don’t stand in the way of former employees’; rights, and instead, let them get on with their lives as quickly as possible. Know your responsibilities as an employer and obligations when it comes to offering temporary health insurance and eligibility status for unemployment.

Running a successful law firm sometimes means reorganizing your staff to best serve your clients. At JurisDOC, we pride ourselves on hiring and keeping employees who provide an outstanding level of customer service to our lawyer customers. Visit our website to learn more and download a free trial of our legal document assembly software. An asset to any law office, JurisDOC can save you time — and that means saving money, too.

September 20, 2016
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How Law Firms Hire for Success

Tags : staff success

Category : Law Firm Management

I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase “a chain is only as strong as its weakest link.” I can think of many situations that old adage applies to, including the process of successfully building and maintaining a staff for a small law firm.

As a lawyer, you understand the process of research and negotiation to arrive at a favorable outcome for your clients. As a business owner, you need to apply the same techniques to develop team of lawyers and support staff to keep your office running smoothly.

Hire Lawyers with Hearts
When hiring for junior associate positions, you may assume GPAs and alma maters matter most, but that thinking is out of date across many industries. What’s become just as important are “soft skills,” or emotional intelligence capabilities, which are not taught – at least, certainly not in the school I attended. For a fellow lawyer, qualities like resilience, leadership, and empathy ensure a level of dedication to the firm and its clients.

Attorneys, like the rest of the human race, have all different kinds of personalities. Some possess a strong entrepreneurial spirit, and others feel most fulfilled working as part of a group. Since the hiring process for small businesses is expensive, make sure the lawyers you interview are the right “fit” for your business culture and will contribute to the overall atmosphere of camaraderie and mutual support.

Just as a football team comprised solely of quarterbacks will not win the Super Bowl, a team of lawyers with identical traits will not win the most clients. Understanding the unique attributes of your firm’s associates and hiring someone new, who brings something different to the table, allows you to serve the most diversified clientele.

Hire Staff with Smarts
You might not want to believe this, but there IS such a thing as “too many lawyers.” If your small firm doesn’t have a strong support staff keeping up with research and office management responsibilities, you can’t provide quality services to your clients.

Hiring paralegals, assistants, and office managers of the highest caliber requires looking beyond resumes. Folks who are adaptable, communicate effectively, and are genuinely interested in the law make the best employees. Remember, you are investing more than just a salary in a new hire. You are spending time, providing training, and allowing access to your firm’s confidential documents – make sure the fit is right.

Today’s small business must adapt and change to industry trends; it is critical to any company’s success. Today’s small law firm relies more heavily on emerging technologies designed to expedite tasks and cut costs. Your support staff needs to develop and sustain these capabilities. They should feel comfortable using legal form software and customer relationship management tools. Hiring staff who are capable, willing, and eager to keep up with new technologies is as important as implementing them in the first place.

Hire Teams Who Start
When choosing both lawyers and staff, you want a team that leans forward. You don’t want a group who just waits around until they’re told what to do. Find people who take initiative, work collaboratively, and think innovatively. This is the team who will propel your firm to the next level.

Above all, create a cohesive workplace of associates and staff who are committed to your company ethics, vision, and culture. This takes a bit of work, but, the pay-off is worth it: a team of trustworthy, adaptable, and client-focused professionals who deliver expertise, confidence, and success.

Implementing document assembly software and training staff to use it is one way law firms can support client needs. At JurisDOC, we pride ourselves on hiring employees that provide an outstanding level of customer service to our lawyer customers. Visit our website to learn more about a free trial of our legal document assembly software and see how quickly you can save money – and time.

August 24, 2016
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Why Good Legal Accounting Matters

Tags : accounting software billable hours legal accounting

Category : Billable Hours , Invoicing , Legal Document Automation

I became a lawyer because I enjoy practicing law.

But, as many who have opened their own law firms know, running a business means wearing a few different hats. And, one of the most uncomfortable hats you might wear is one of an accountant.

Legal firms present unique challenges, even for professional accountants. One reason is the complicated nature of the law. Legal accounting requirements involve so much more than “money in, money out.” Client trust accounts, recovery of costs advanced, alternative fee arrangements, and other intricate law firm accounting standards can make some CPAs’ heads spin.

So unless you are independently wealthy and plan to work strictly pro bono, you must understand how to keep your business afloat. Good accounting practices are more than important – they will provide the life preserver your business will cling to in choppy waters.

All Dollars Are Not Created Equal
All funds received by your firm are not categorized the same way. As you may know, retainers and client trust accounts are legally not the property of the firm until work has been done, invoiced, and approved by the client.

Those monies should be kept separately from an account being used for general expenses and money paid on invoices. Personal injury settlements should also be kept isolated from funds belonging to the firm. Keeping everything discrete will avoid problems with compliance issues, as well as improve accounting clarity.

Timing Is Everything: Clock Your Hours
From research to client calls to contract negotiations – a lawyer’s time is a client’s money well spent. Or, at least it should be. Accurately capturing the billable hours of everyone in your office is more critical than ever as clients become increasingly educated on standard rates and competitive pricing across the industry.

Work-in-progress tracking requires a commitment from all lawyers and your team’s supporting staff. Without a clear view to differentiate billed hours versus what is documented in each invoice, your firm won’t know where earnings might be lost. Choose accounting software created especially for law firms to track hours and billing; it will distinguish between items like indirect and direct matter costs, reimbursements versus regular billings and alternative fee arrangements. And, this may go without saying, but good software will ensure client invoices are being paid timely and not languishing.

Decrease Overhead to Gain the Upper Hand
Most lawyers heading up small firms know that while revenue may be variable each month, expenses tend to be fixed. Rent and electricity are non-negotiable – even for the best lawyers! Working to keep overhead down and focusing on profitability rank high on the to-do lists of most law firms.

Maintain a central database system to allow you to keep accounting and practice management in one place. This can cut down on manual data entry and reduce discrepancies. Invest in technology to improve the efficacy of your office. Automate your legal documents with legal form software. Submit bills electronically and cut down on paper and ink.

Good accounting practices may not be the most exciting part of running a law firm, but if profitability is high on your priority list (and I assume it is), it’s a critical step towards your firm’s success.

And, if you’d like to learn more about how our automated document assembly software can make your law office more efficient and profitable, you should consider a free trial of JurisDOC. There’s no better way to see how quickly you can save time — and money!

July 26, 2016
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Legal Document Automation: What’s Stopping You?

Tags : attorneys document automation legal services

Category : Legal Document Automation

I tend to repeat certain phrases when I talk to people about legal document assembly software. Increased productivity. Time and money savings. Overall profitability.

Because, after all the years I spent authoring and re-authoring pleadings and documents myself, the idea of using software is a no-brainer.

Many of my fellow lawyers agree. The 2015 American Bar Association Tech Reportsection on solo and small firms noted that 44%-50% of lawyers have access to document assembly software. The report also stated that almost 58% of respondents indicated that they budgeted for legal technology in 2015.

Of course, as the CEO and founder of JurisDOC, a legal document assembly software company, I’m a bit biased when it comes to the benefits of automation in the legal field.

That said, I sometimes hear legitimate concerns from other lawyers as they think about switching over from their tried-and-true method of manual document manipulation to software that does the job for them. Perhaps one of the following reasons for waiting is yours.

“It’s too expensive.”
Streamlining operating expenses is always a critical concern, especially for smaller firms. And, obviously, purchasing assembly software requires an upfront investment.

But, time, as they say, is money. Consider the amount of time you or your staff spend manually recreating or “cutting and pasting” words and phrases to generate legal documents for each new case.

Time that you could be using to, gee, I don’t know…find new clients, market your services, focus on research, play golf. You get the picture. Creating a new level of efficiency for your office will absolutely save you money, sooner than you think.

There are different priced tiers of software available, but unlike some software companies that nickel-and-dime you for customizable features, JurisDOC offers a flat monthly fee for unlimited use of all our software has to offer.

“Why would I want to cut down on billable client hours?”
Very few lawyers got into this business to run a charity, and the idea of being efficient at the risk of having to charge less overall can be a complicated issue.

Perhaps it’s time to reframe your thinking on the value you offer your client. A faster and improved level of service is a key benefit. One that can lead to more work, improved client relationships, more referrals, and ta da! More billable hours! The ability to convert part of your fee structure from hourly to flat can also improve customer satisfaction by eliminating hidden costs.

“I’m doing fine without it.”
Change can be challenging, especially within the sometimes traditional, conservative culture of the legal profession.

But, in his book “The End of Lawyers?“ Richard Susskind noted that document assembly software is one of 10 “disruptive technologies” that have radically altered the face of the legal profession.

The demand for faster and cheaper has led many would-be clients to seek out online services that have replaced the traditional role of lawyers. If you are not embracing this evolution of change, you’re going to lose business. Maybe not today, but definitely in the future.

“It will take too long for me and my team to learn it.”
Like every other technology, document automation has evolved from the old method of cutting and pasting from previously drafted forms to intelligently-merged document templates with existing data. Ease-of-use needs to be a critical selling point for any software provider.

JurisDOC provides a comprehensive collection of forms and pleadings that cover more than 10 keys areas of law including divorce, adoption, criminal defense, trusts, and wills. User-friendly, the software allows you to collect, edit, or add all the law forms you need to complete your casework.

Plus, we train your team on how to use the forms. With a QuickStart package, we’ll convert forms for you, plus you get administrator training, user training, and technical support.

So, what’s holding YOU back? JurisDOC can help you operate with the efficiency and profitability of a much larger office, but I’ll let you be the judge. Click here to try JurisDOC for free.

June 15, 2016
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Why Customer Service Should Matter to Law Firms

Tags : legal software sales Software Sales

Category : Law Firm Management

Fellow lawyers, here’s a quick question for you: If I were to ask your last few clients what most impressed them about your firm, what would they say? Would they marvel at your ability to put together a flawless legal brief? Would they sing the praises of the wording choices on your non-disclosure agreement? How about your skill in breaking down your billable activities on an invoice?

I’m guessing none of those things really impress your clients. Because they’re probably not lawyers. And, although obtaining legal advice and representation is a commodity that folks are willing to pay substantially for, increased competition and access to information online means a broad range of choices for potential customers.

In fact, a recent survey found that 60% of corporate clients had replaced one of their primary law firms in the past 24 months due to dissatisfaction. Just like companies in any other service industry, law firms are increasingly expected to provide more than just the requested forms and motions; they are required to deliver outstanding customer service.

So, how can you make sure that you are keeping your clients happy enough, not only to stay on with your firm, but refer you to others? Provide a level of service and care that your customers can recognize as above and beyond.

Be Available — and, I Mean YOU
Your clients are paying top dollar for your advice, so when you don’t respond to their voicemails and emails, or have your assistant make a call for you, they can feel cheated. Not to mention, legal proceedings can be confusing and anxiety provoking for non-lawyers; they need to know you’re handling their case effectively. Make sure you are keeping your clients informed and get back to them promptly when they reach out to you.

Listen to Your Clients — and, I Mean REALLY Listen
Clients want to know they are more than just the 2:00 p.m. slot in your Outlook calendar. Building customer loyalty means learning about your clients and understanding their unique needs and perspectives.

Think about client interactions beyond the case particulars and instead consider how successful ones can enhance your professional relationships and strengthen loyalty. Remembering a child’s name or an interesting hobby can go a long way towards providing that warm and fuzzy feeling.

Value Can Be Priceless
If customers feel they’re being nickeled and dimed, I can guarantee they won’t recommend you to others. Be clear on your invoices as to what is being charged and why – make sure clients understand how every activity billed supports their case.

And, remember that value goes beyond dollars and cents; it’s a feeling you want your clients to experience. Figuring out how to provide that to each person you’re helping is priceless.

Use Technology to Your Advantage — and Your Client’s
Implementing technology to cut down on the time it takes to serve your clients helps them and you. Whether you’re storing contacts and leads in an online database, incorporating a customer relationship management solution in your office or leveraging JurisDOC document assembly software to make your firm more efficient, you should be taking advantage of leading-edge tools that make customer service a heck of a lot easier.

Great customer service should start with the first client interaction and should end…well, it shouldn’t end. At JurisDOC, we pride ourselves on providing an outstanding level of customer service to our lawyer clients, and that commitment has paid off.

Are You Ready for a New Opportunity? We’re Hiring!
JurisDOC continues to grow, and we’re excited to expand our team. We’ve got the software and law aspects of the business covered, and we’re looking for a person who will focus on sales — introducing potential customers to JurisDOC and helping them get up and running with the software.

The ideal candidate will come equipped with successful experience in tech sales and also be knowledgeable about law office operations. We’re offering a commission-only compensation arrangement that can deliver significant income to a successful salesperson. If that’s you — or someone you know — please contact me directly at .

And, if you’d like to learn more about how our automated document assembly software can make your law office more efficient and productive to keep your clients coming back for more, you should consider a free trial of JurisDOC. There’s no better way to see how quickly you can save time — and money.

May 9, 2016
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Civil Legal Aid…and Justice for Some

Tags : attorneys legal assistence legal services

Category : Legal Document Automation

The term “justice” can be found within the first few words of the Constitution, but for the 80% of low income individuals facing civil legal issues threatening their homes, jobs or families, it’s a concept that might be out of reach.

Here’s a grim statistic: According to the U.S. Department of Justice, 63 million people qualify for free legal assistance, and 50% of those seeking civil legal help are turned away for lack of resources. Folks who might be the most in need of quality legal assistance with civil matters – those living below the poverty line or close to it – can’t access it half of the time.

How did we get here?

If You Cannot Afford an Attorney, None Will Be Provided for You
As you and I know, unlike criminal legal aid which guarantees accused offenders free assistance, civil legal help is not a right. It’s provided by a variety of sources – from nonprofit organizations, state and other government-funded programs to small private foundations and pro-bono work.

A lot of that funding comes from the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), a government sanctioned non-profit organization set up in 1974 to support grantees that operate civil legal assistance programs at various government levels. However, there are limitations on whom the LSC can help. Financial eligibility and citizenship status can still prevent those in need from getting aid.

Sadly, three economic recessions since the 1980s have affected the accessibility of civil legal aid in two ways: through budget cuts to critical programs and an increase in unemployment, which in turn creates larger need for those very programs. A disheartening catch-22, to say the least.

What’s being done to dig civil legal aid out of this hole? I’m glad you asked.

LSC: Let’s Get with the Program
The current government administration has committed to expand civil legal aid on a federal level through increased funding to the LSC and the elimination of certain restrictions on whom it’s allowed to help.

Initiatives developed by the Justice Department like the Access to Justice Initiative and the Legal Aid Interagency Roundtable help facilitate targeted federal grant programs. State funding is also increasing, as are more integrated systems across the country to support the delivery of help where it’s needed.

Technology: Advancing the Disadvantaged
Access to information about available legal help is becoming more obtainable than ever before through the internet and other technologies. Every state across the U.S. now has a website designed to provide community legal education information and resources for legal assistance.

Many even offer advanced functionalities like video conferencing to connect remote folks in need with local attorneys. In fact, just this past month, LSC announced a partnership with Microsoft and Pro Bono Net to create online statewide portals designed to provide a simple, “one-stop shop” for low income and vulnerable individuals searching for legal aid.

JurisDOC: Doing Our Part
In 2014, the LSC committed to providing “some form of assistance to 100% of persons otherwise unable to afford an attorney for dealing with essential legal needs.” Taking advantage of available technologies is a huge part of that mission, which includes creating automated forms and legal documents to support self-help and limited scope legal assistance – which is a big part of what we are all about here at JurisDOC.

We want to help deliver justice into the hands of those who need it. That’s why we’re offering JurisDOC software to nonprofit legal aid providers—at no cost. Please share this post with any attorneys you know who are working for a nonprofit to provide legal aid services. Not involved in legal aid? You can still try JurisDOC in a 7-day free trial.

If you’d like more information about a free trial, feel free to contact me and check out our website.

April 11, 2016
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4 Reasons Lawyers Should NOT Do Pro Bono Work

Tags : attorneys document automation legal services

Category : Pro Bono Work

To avoid any misunderstandings, let me start by saying that I believe that pro bono work is a good thing, and a mainstay of the legal profession (check out my last blog to learn why). Attorneys are in a unique position to make the legal system work for those who are desperately in need of our services, and I believe we ought to make the most of that.

However, I also believe that there are times when it’s inappropriate or unwise to take on pro bono clients. If you’re experiencing any of the situations below, it might be best to refrain from pro bono work for the time being.

#1 You’re biting off more than you can chew.
If you’re running your own law firm, don’t consider pro bono requests until you’ve reached business profitability and stability. It does no one any good if your firm goes under because of financial woes; least of all your pro bono clients. Similarly, don’t accept pro bono clients if you already feel like you’re in over your head with paying clients. Pro bono work is admirable and can make you feel happier and more fulfilled, but only if you truly have the time to take it on. Otherwise, you’ll just make yourself miserable.

#2 You don’t feel invested in the work.
Don’t take on pro bono work that doesn’t interest you. If you do, it will probably begin to feel like a chore, and you’re likely to wind up regretting and/or resenting it. There’s a plethora of pro bono options out there, so don’t just take the first thing that comes along. Find work for an issue or cause that you actually care about; that way the work will feel more meaningful to you.

#3 Your services aren’t appreciated or valued.
If you feel like your pro bono work isn’t appreciated or that you are being taken advantage of, it’s probably time to stop. While doing pro bono work is an important part of the legal field, having your services undervalued is not. Before making any drastic decisions, have a conversation with the client or organization you’re working for to see if the situation can be improved. If the feeling persists that your work is not respected, don’t feel guilty if you decide to leave.

#4 It’s taking a toll on you, the client, or the firm.
This point basically touches on all the previous ones. If for any reason your pro bono work starts to take a toll on you, the client, or the firm, it’s time to stop. This can be anything from being overwhelmed to providing subpar services because you’re not invested in the work. Everyone deserves the best possible pro bono experience, and if that’s not what’s happening during a given situation, it may be in everyone’s best interest to find an alternative solution.

These points are not meant to discourage you from taking on pro bono work. They are simply guides to the “whens” and “whats” of accepting such work. I hope that you choose to offer pro bono services to causes that interest you; when you do, though, it’s critically important to have the time to do it.

JurisDOC can help you find that time by making it easier and faster to generate pleadings and other legal documents. Try it out with a free trial at https://jurisdocpro.com/download.

Photo courtesy: SandorWeisz/flickr.com; https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)

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