Anyone in the legal world will tell you that case and client management is the life blood of a successful firm. For lawyers, this can refer to the process of effectively managing the relationship between the lawyer and the client, or the delegation of cases within a firm to foster that relationship. It involves not only building and maintaining a positive relationship with the client to ensure their satisfaction, enhance their experience, and reduce the risk of conflicts or complaints; but also involves anticipating the direction of the client relationship impacting case management.

Client Management 101

Strong and consistent client management requires lawyers to understand the needs and expectations of their clients and to communicate their own needs effectively with them. This involves setting clear expectations, keeping the client informed about the progress of their case, and being responsive to their questions and concerns.  Essentially make sure to have an “open-door” policy when it comes to client management.

This will also involve managing client expectations regarding costs and fees, and ensuring that clients understand, and remain knowledgeable, about the billing process and the costs associated with their case. Lawyers should be transparent about fees, provide detailed invoices, and discuss any issues or concerns with the client.  Again, remember “open-door” policy.

Lastly, effective client management involves managing conflicts or disputes that may arise during the course of the relationship. This can and will often include identifying potential conflicts early on and taking steps to address them proactively, such as communicating clearly with the client, seeking alternative solutions, or withdrawing and delegating representation to other firm members if necessary.

Overall, effective client management is critical for lawyers to build and maintain strong, lasting, relationships with their clients, enhance their reputation, and grow their firm.

Case Management 101

Case management will go hand in hand with client management as case management refers to the process of managing a legal case from start to finish. In other words, you may have multiple cases with one client however they may have to be managed differently. This can involve organizing and coordinating all the tasks, deadlines, and documents related to a case, ensuring that everything is completed on time and within budget, and if it needs to be delegated or managed differently.

Effective case management requires lawyers to have strong organizational and communication skills with their team and the client, as well as the ability to multitask and prioritize tasks. It involves several key steps, including:

1. Intake: The initial step in case management involves gathering information about the case and the client, such as the nature of the legal issue, the client’s goals and expectations, and any relevant documents or evidence.
2. Planning: Once the case has been accepted, the lawyer develops a plan for managing the case, which includes identifying the key tasks, deadlines, and milestones, and allocating resources as needed.
3. Communication: Throughout the case, the lawyer communicates regularly with the client, providing updates on the progress of the case, answering questions, and addressing any concerns or issues that arise.
4. Documentation: The lawyer creates and maintains detailed records of all aspects of the case, including correspondence, pleadings, motions, discovery requests and responses, and court orders.
5. Time management: The lawyer must manage their time effectively to ensure that all tasks are completed on time and within budget, while also managing the expectations of the client.
6. Evaluation: After the case is completed, the lawyer evaluates the results and assesses the effectiveness of the case management process. This evaluation can help identify areas for improvement and inform future case management strategies.

Overall, effective case management is critical for lawyers to provide high-quality legal services, meet client expectations, and build a successful practice.