Its holiday season has come to a close, and we are approaching the new year. This is the time when most people start thinking about setting goals for the new year and their new year’s resolutions. But are you aware of the fact that 80% of the new year’s resolutions? New Year’s resolutions for lawyers can be more challenging than others as they have to balance legal matters, clients, court dates, and personal life. However, having more realistic goals for the new year can keep you motivated towards achieving them.
New Year’s resolutions for lawyers can actually be a big success in both personal and professional life if it is realistic. Let’s take a look at some of the realistic New Year’s resolutions for lawyers.
Realistic New Year’s Resolutions For Lawyers
Below are a few realistic resolutions for lawyers that they can set for the upcoming year to grow and succeed:
Get Organized
One of the best New Year’s resolutions that you can take up this year is to get organized. Start your new year with a clean slate and by tying all loose ends.
Ask yourself questions like:
- How do I want to start my new year?
- What matters do I need to close on priority?
- Do I have any unpaid invoices?
- How will I be billing my clients?
- What expenses are unpaid?
All these questions will help you become more organized and stay on track.
Use Engagement Letters
Engagement letters are crucial for lawyers and attorneys. In malpractice claims, there is a scope of engagement. If you don’t use engagement letters on file. It can become difficult to maintain the lawyer wasn’t retained to perform certain services. This year’s New Year’s resolutions for attorneys should be using engagement letters. Make sure to define everything properly in your letter. Mention who the client is, who is not, what are your hourly rates and what service is included, etc.
Start Accepting Online Payments
If you or your law firm is already not accepting online payments, make this a top priority for the new year. Accepting online payments is a powerful way of improving cash flow. According to the survey, 82 percent of Americans are using digital payments which means most of your clients might want to make payments online. If you offer them this convenience, they will appreciate payment flexibility and you will be able to improve cash flow at your firm.
Limit Texting with Clients
Texting clients is necessary, but overdoing it is not a good idea. All your texts should be professional and you should be texting clients only when needed. Text your clients for logical purposes only. For instance, if you want to set a meeting with your client, to share important legal matters, or confirm court times. Don’t send texts that could be ammunition in a legal malpractice case.
Revamp your Online Reputation
In this digital age, an online law firm’s reputation is necessary. It is the key to get more visibility and attract clients. If you don’t have a web presence, you are limiting your firm’s client base. No matter how clients get to know about the first thing they will do is search for you online. If you don’t have a law firm website, you will probably lose such clients.
If you are wondering how to create an online web presence, here are a few ways:
- Create an account on different social media platforms and share your details.
- Having a law firm website is essential in today’s era.
- Register yourself on Google Business
And if you don’t have your website already, check out CaseFox law firm website design plan to get a turnkey website at an affordable price.
Give Technology a Chance
This is one of the most important New Year’s resolutions for lawyers. You should give technology a chance in 2024. There are various practice management software, apps for lawyers, and other tech tools available. This is the time you should start using these tools.
If you are not sure about softwares and tech tools. You can simply begin your journey with CaseFox. It is simple to use and understand. Its customer support will help you gain momentum with the software and the best part is that it is the most affordable software available for lawyers in the industry.
Prepare For Client Intake Before Meeting Them
New Year’s resolutions for attorneys should also consist of this. Clients are the center of the legal profession and before meetings, you should also be prepared for the client intake process. An automated client intake form can eliminate potential human error that can take place in the case of manual entries. If you have a pre-planned intake process, it will create a good first impression for clients. You can use the CaseFox client intake form to collect all the necessary information from your client. Your intake form can be customized to match your requirements.
Practice Wellness
When we are talking about New Year’s resolutions for attorneys, we can’t miss wellness and self-care. The legal profession is tough and it can sometimes take a toll on your mental and physical health. So make a resolution to practice wellness every day. Take regular small breaks during the work day, avoid taking calls after work hours, and spend time with your family and friends. You should also plan weekend getaways, holidays, meditate, walk, and practice yoga. Try to stay active during the day, eat well, don’t miss your meals for work, sleep well, and learn to prioritize your mental and physical well-being.
The Bottom Line
As a lawyer, begin your new year by setting some achievable resolutions. It can pave the way for both personal and professional growth. Think carefully about what are your goals for the upcoming year and make your resolutions according to them. But you should add practicing wellness and using technology in your daily life. It will improve your daily practice.
This is the time when you decide how you want your year to look like. If you add any of this to your New Year resolution list, make sure to share it with us.