Delegating for Lawyers
Delegating can be difficult to do since you may not be sure what you can handle and what someone else could help you do. Read this post to find out how you can efficiently delegate tasks to make your law firm even more efficient.
  • law firm management
  • Paralegal as a Service
Meredith Boe
Published on Sep 21, 2020

 

Delegating is one of the biggest challenges for many attorneys. You may want to have a hand in every part of your practice to ensure tasks are handled correctly. Unfortunately, there isn't enough time in the day to do everything yourself, and by delegating, you can spend your time on more important tasks. Delegating will make your practice more productive and efficient.

 

Start delegating more effectively with these strategies.

 

 

Figure out what you should delegate

It’s true that some tasks just can’t be delegated, like certain client meetings or heading to court. But think through the tasks that take up a lot of time and energy that you could be spending on more important matters. What kinds of paperwork are you completing each day? Are you regularly doing tedious administrative tasks?

 

Common responsibilities for lawyers to delegate include:

  • Organizing files
  • Scheduling and setting up reminders
  • Drafting documents from law firm templates or standard forms
  • Reviewing documents
  • Client intake
  • Data entry

 

If you’re taking on all of these tasks in addition to client communication, strategizing, and research, it’s time to delegate.

 

 

Set realistic expectations

An important part of delegating is recognizing that people will do things differently then you may do them. Make sure you provide clear guidance and instructions for the tasks you want completed so that there’s no question about what needs to be done and how.

 

But, also be realistic. You may be more familiar with some of these tasks and can complete them in your sleep. When bringing on a new team member or delegating to existing staff, remember that they may not be as experienced in these tasks. Be patient, and set realistic expectations about how long each job takes to complete. Remain open to feedback so you can make changes where necessary with the involved staff members.

 

 

Avoid micromanaging

When you’re used to handling something yourself, it will likely be challenging for you to completely back off. But don’t be overbearing. Let go and truly allow your team members to be creative and surprise you. You can always review their work later, so let them take a stab at it before you come in with criticisms or suggestions.

 

Delegating is not micromanaging—it is allowing other people to help you get tasks completed so you can focus on other responsibilities.

 

 

Use Paralegal a Service from NextChapter

Another way to help you get time back is by using a virtual paralegal from NextChapter. Our highly skilled paralegals are ready to take on any scope of legal work. Paralegals assist you with document collection, client communication, preparing cases, and more. They are available in all areas of law and work on an hourly or per case basis. This is perfect for attorneys who are new to delegation or are unsure if they have enough workload for a full-time staff member. Paralegal as a Service allows you to hire a paralegal only when you need help. An added bonus is that you'll have more time to focus on running your law firm.

 

Find out more about hiring a virtual paralegal from NextChapter today.