Lawyers, It's Time to Start Spring Cleaning
It's the first day of spring -- unless you live on the East Coast, in which case, you might be in for continued snow storms. Still, with the technical beginning of spring comes spring cleaning.
If you're like me, you've got piles of things hanging around the office that don't need to be there anymore. Time to get rid of all that old junk!
Ugh, Client Files
As we told you last fall, the best thing to do with client files, in order to save space, is to digitize and give away. Put the client file in a box for five years, then, if the client doesn't want it, scan the contents, remind the client again that the file is available, and shred it if the client doesn't seem to care.
Time to Organize
If you do have to keep client files around for a while, spring is a great time to organize all your files, whether it's in boxes in the office or at a secure, off-site storage facility. Though the latter might cost more money, it's safer than filing stuff away in the basement or attic, where leaks or other unforeseen problems might render all that paper useless. You're a professional; plunk down the money for professional storage.
Remind Former Clients You're Still Alive
You should send updates to current and former clients periodically throughout the year so that they keep you in mind in the event that legal issues come up. Spring is an especially great time to send a reminder because of the construction issues that come up during the transition from winter to spring. Receding snow reveals all sorts of home maladies that need to be fixed, and if the repairs go wrong, someone's going to need a lawyer.
Let's Go Shopping
March is apparently the best month for buying golf clubs and luggage, according to Lifehacker. Last year's golf clubs are cheaper because stores are clearing out old inventory to make way for this year's models before summer. If you need some new luggage for all that business travel, stores are cutting prices because we're between travel seasons.
How are you cleaning for the spring? Let us know via Twitter (@FindLawLP) or Facebook (FindLaw for Legal Professionals).
Related Resources:
- Spring (Fall) Cleaning for Law Firms (Above the Law)
- Practice Tips: 7 Tips to Spring Clean Standardized Form Contracts (Wisconsin Lawyer)
- Spring Cleaning Your Law Firm Before Summer Comes (FindLaw's Strategist)
- 5 Spring Cleaning Tips for Lawyers (FindLaw's Greedy Associates)