LibGuides: Starting a Law Practice: Law Practice Management

Introduction

This page provides resources for handling the business and procedures of practice, such as client intake, billing, and law office technology.

ABA Magazines

Law Practice Management Systems
From the ABA Law Practice Management Section
GP Solo Magazine
From the ABA General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Division

Other Resources

Setting Up and Managing Your IOLTA Client Property Trust Account
Archive of 2010 Total Expert Radio show on IOLTA accounts
How Do I Choose? Selecting and Implementing Law Practice Technology
Lists relevant considerations and resources for an attorney searching for a client management and/or time billing service/software
Document Management & Automation
The Lawyerist's reviews of firm management software intended for small law firms

Books

The following books provide information about the day-to-day management of a firm and client matters.

Attorney and Law Firm Guide to the Business of Law: Planning and Operating for Survival and Growth by Edward Poll
Call Number: Law Library Stacks KF315.Z9 P64 2014
Flying Solo: A Survival Guide for the Solo and Small Firm Lawyer by K. William Gibson, editor
Call Number: Law Library Stacks KF298 .F34
Sections addressing ongoing operations include issues such as risk management, fees and billing, personnel, technology, and marketing.
From Law School to Lawyer by Jonathan McDowell
Call Number: Law Library Stacks KF300 .M38 2015
Includes tips on starting a firm, writing a business plan, getting clients, and practicing law.
How to Start and Build a Law Practice by Jay Foonberg
Call Number: Law Library Stacks KF300 .F66 2004
Includes lengthy sections on getting clients, setting fees, managing the law office, and ethics and professional responsibility.
Introduction to Law Firm Practice by Michael Downey
Call Number: Law Library Stacks KF300 .D69 2010
This guide to how law firms operate includes such information as law firm governance, referral arrangements, fees, client intake, pro bono work, and more.
Law Practice Management in a Nutshell by Gary A. Munneke
Call Number: Law Library Stacks KF318 .M88 2003
Topics covered include "the marketplace for legal services, forms of law firm organization, management of human resources, setting up and operating a law office, financial planning, and law office systems"
Minding Your Business: The Solo and Small Firm Lawyer's Guide to a Profitable Practice by Ann M. Guinn
Call Number: Law Library Stacks KF318 .G85 2010
Guidance on client intake, billing and collection, personal habits to help make the firm more profitable, and more. A CD-ROM accompanies the book.
Principles of Law Office Management by Robert Yegge
Call Number: Law Library Stacks KF318 .Y44 2004
Addresses such issues as law firm structure, fees and billing, pesonnel management, and risk management, among others.
Run Your Firm Like a Business: An Operations Guide for Solo Practitioner and Small Law Firm by Frank T. Lockwood
Call Number: Law Library Stacks KF318 .L63 2013
Solo by Choice: How to Be the Lawyer You Always Wanted to Be by Carolyn Elefant
Call Number: Law Library Stacks KF300 .Z9 E44
Advice on choosing clients, billing, finding contract work, and more based on the author's experience.
Solo by Choice: The Companion Guide by Carolyn Elefant
Call Number: Law Library Stacks KF300.Z9 E442 2012
50 solo practioners reflect on questions about why they went solo, their typical day, necessary business skills, and more.
Survival Skills for Practicing Lawyers: Best Articles from Law Practice Management Magazine by Theodore P. Orenstein
Call Number: Law Library Stacks KF318 .S97 1994
Unlearning Law School: The Key to Running Your Own Office by Jeremy Robin
Call Number: KF300 .R578 2006
Advice on getting clients, setting up trust accounts, billing, and more based on the author's experience.