A close-up of a box with office items like notebooks and clipboards, representing a law office preparing to move to a new location

How to Create a Move Plan Checklist: A Guide for Lawyers

The LPM Department Law Practice Management, Maintaining a Practice

Law Practice Management|Maintaining a Law PracticeHow to Create a Move Plan Checklist: A Guide for LawyersWritten byThe LPM DepartmentJune 29, 2020Share this PostThe information provided and the opinions expressed in this monograph are solely those of the author. Neither the State Bar of Texas nor the author are rendering legal, accounting or professional advice and …

An illustration of a female attorney holding a folder next to a light bulb, a gavel, and a scale atop a stack of three books

Set Up Your Client Trust Accounts

The LPM Department Law Practice Management, Starting a Practice

 |Starting a PracticeSet Up Your Client Trust AccountsWritten byThe LPM DepartmentJune 23, 2020Share this PostThe Texas Equal Access to Justice Program is designed to provide funds to be used for indigent legal services. As a result, the IOLTA (Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts) was implemented. IOLTA provides that attorneys must deposit all client funds, which …

Retention and Destruction of Client Files

The LPM Department Law Practice Management, Maintaining a Practice

 |Maintaining a PracticeRetention and Destruction of Client FilesWritten byThe LPM DepartmentJune 23, 2020Share this PostRetention and Destruction of Client Files Unfortunately, there is no one specific rule in Texas regarding the requirements for retention and destruction of client files. Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct However, Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct give us some …

Cloud Computing for Lawyers

The LPM Department Law Practice Management, Practice Technology

 |Practice TechnologyCloud Computing for LawyersWritten byThe LPM DepartmentJune 22, 2020Share this PostWhat is cloud computing? Cloud computing is a term used to describe off-site storage or software as a service that utilizes Internet connectivity to access its benefits. In other words, instead of being stored on a local computer or server, data is stored on …

Paperless Office for Lawyers

The LPM Department Law Practice Management, Maintaining a Practice

 |Maintaining a PracticePaperless Office for LawyersWritten byThe LPM DepartmentJune 22, 2020Share this PostThe paperless office is getting more press now than ever, and lawyers should consider this as an option for practice management. There are several reasons to go paperless: It can save you money. You won’t need file cabinets, which saves you space. You …

An attorney reading a disaster readiness plan on an ipad in her office

Creating a Disaster Readiness Plan

The LPM Department Law Practice Management, Maintaining a Practice

 |Maintaining a PracticeCreating a Disaster Readiness PlanWritten byThe LPM DepartmentJune 22, 2020Share this Post×Print PDF version Of This HOW TO GUIDE. Creating a Disaster Readiness Plan There are a number of ways to go about creating your plan. My advice to you is pretty simple—find one that appeals to you and then use it. But …

user typing login and password in the concept of cyber security, information security, data protection, and encryption for secure access to user's personal information

Encryption Basics for Lawyers

The LPM Department Law Practice Management, Maintaining a Practice

 |Maintaining a PracticeEncryption Basics for LawyersWritten byThe LPM DepartmentJune 22, 2020Share this Post×Print PDF version Of This HOW TO GUIDE. Introduction Electronic communications and “cloud” based computing continues to expand for lawyers. We are also using more tablets, smart phones, jump drives, and other portable devices in our practice. As such, a basic understanding of …

legal coworkers working together in contemporary office

Prepare a Needs Analysis for Technology

The LPM Department Law Practice Management, Maintaining a Practice

 |Maintaining a PracticePrepare a Needs Analysis for TechnologyWritten byThe LPM DepartmentJune 22, 2020Share this PostIntroduction The world of office automation is constantly expanding. It would be senseless to think that anyone could make an effective decision regarding technology, without a carefully thought out analysis of need. Following is a list of questions to ask yourself …

Establish Internal Controls

The LPM Department Law Practice Management, Maintaining a Practice

 |Maintaining a PracticeEstablish Internal ControlsWritten byThe LPM DepartmentJune 22, 2020Share this Post×Print PDF version Of This HOW TO GUIDE. Introduction A law firm’s practice objectives are best met by implementing a good system of internal control procedures and policies. An internal control structure is a system of safeguarding the firm’s resources. It provides a way …