Starting a Practice |Starting a PracticeChecklist for Opening a Sole PracticeWritten byThe LPM DepartmentJune 10, 2025Share this PostClick here to download the checklist!Starting your own law practice is exciting, but it can also be nerve-wracking if you are unsure what to consider before you open your doors. This checklist covers the core items attorneys should contemplate …
Law Practice Management|Starting a Practice|||Maintaining a PracticeAttorney Fee Agreements and Miscellaneous FormsFrom theThe LPM DepartmentJune 3, 2025Download PDF VersionShare this PostDISCLAIMER: These sample agreements are provided for individual review and analysis, and are delivered without warranty or representation of fitness for specific use or compliance. The receiver hereof is advised to make any necessary modifications …
Starting a Practice |Starting a PracticeAlternative Fee ArrangementsWritten byThe LPM DepartmentMay 13, 2024Share this PostNotes: In addition to the legal ethics considerations listed in the table, see Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.04 regarding fees and Rule 5.04 regarding fee sharing. Other than a true nonrefundable retainer agreement, which are relatively rare, any fees …
Starting a Practice |Maintaining a Practice|Starting a PracticeLegal Malpractice InsuranceWritten byPatricia PetersonFebruary 28, 2024Share this PostWhat is Lawyers Professional Liability (LPL) Insurance? In the legal profession, it is often referred to as legal malpractice insurance. I will use both terms interchangeably throughout this article. LPL insurance insures a law firm and its employees for acts, errors …
Starting a Practice |Starting a PracticeNonrefundable Retainers: Proceed with CautionWritten byThe LPM DepartmentFebruary 28, 2024Share this PostIt’s tempting to put a nonrefundable retainer clause in your standard fee agreement. The client agrees that the funds are earned upon receipt so the money can go straight into your operating account. No need to mess with trust or …
This guide discusses the proper handling of monetary funds belonging entirely or partially to a client or third person that, as required by the rule, must be kept separate from the lawyer’s own funds by depositing the funds into a trust account.
Starting a Practice |Starting a PracticeOpening a Small or Solo Law Firm in Texas: Choosing an Entity Structure and Other RequirementsWritten byThe LPM DepartmentNovember 7, 2023Share this PostThe State Bar’s Law Practice Management Department often receives questions about starting a small or solo law firm in Texas. The most common questions include whether there are specific …
Starting a Practice |Maintaining a Practice|Starting a PracticeSample File Retention PolicyWritten byThe LPM DepartmentOctober 12, 2023Share this PostThis file retention policy is a sample to help lawyers prepare their own file retention policies and should be adapted to meet the needs of each lawyer’s individual practice. This sample policy does not cover all situations in all …
Starting a Practice |Maintaining a Practice|Starting a PracticePractice Tip Checklist for Developing a File Retention PolicyWritten byThe LPM DepartmentOctober 11, 2023Share this Post1.) Ask your malpractice carrier for file retention guidance 2.) At a minimum, include the following in your file retention policy How the client will be notified of your file retention policy. How the …
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