If you’re like most business owners, you probably don’t have much time to optimize your legal department. There isn’t enough time in the day between running your business and dealing with the day-to-day tasks of managing your legal department! We’ve put together this list of 5 simple steps that will help you optimize your legal department without taking up too much of your time.
1. Evaluate your legal department’s needs
The first step in optimizing your legal department is to evaluate your needs. Take stock of the work that your department is currently handling and identify areas where you could use some help. Maybe you need more attorneys to address a growing caseload, or you need someone with expertise to help with a specific project. Whatever the case may be, identifying your needs is the first step to optimizing your department.
Once you know what you need, the next step is to find the right people to fill those needs. This might mean hiring new attorneys or paralegals or contracting with a law firm or outside counsel. Either way, the key is finding people who are a good fit for your department and can help you meet your goals.
Related: 8 Benefits of Hiring Lawyers through a Digital Platform
2. Streamline processes and procedures
This means creating a system that is easy to follow and eliminates any redundancies. Having a streamlined process will help ensure that everyone in the department works together efficiently and effectively.
3. Implement technology to improve efficiency
There are many ways to improve the efficiency of your legal department through technology. One way is to implement a document management system (DMS) to store and track all your legal documents. This will make it easier for you to find and access the documents you need, and it will also help you keep track of who has been accessing and working on the documents.
Another way to use technology to improve efficiency is to invest in a good case management system (CMS). This will help you keep track of all your cases and clients, and it will also allow you to share information and work on cases with other lawyers in your firm.
Overall, you can also use technology to improve communication within your legal department. For example, you can set up an intranet site for your department so that everyone can easily access and share information. You can also use instant messaging and video conferencing to communicate with other lawyers in your department.
Related: How to Build an Agile Legal Pilot Program for Your Startup
4. Train employees on new processes and technologies
Legal departments are constantly evolving to meet the needs of their businesses. To keep up with these changes, it is essential to train employees regularly on new processes and technologies. This will ensure that everyone is up to speed and can work efficiently.
5. Evaluate results and make necessary changes
It is vital to evaluate the results of your legal department to make necessary changes. This means looking at how much money was spent on outside counsel, how many cases were won or lost, and whether or not the department is meeting its goals. If necessary, make changes to how the department is run to improve its performance.
Closing thoughts
Optimizing your legal department doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By following these five simple steps, you can ensure that your legal team is running smoothly and efficiently. Keep in mind that these tips are just the beginning – there are always ways to improve the way your department works.
