DC Bar - Practice Tips and Compliance

The D.C. Bar and D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center are closed from November 23 – November 25. The D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center’s Family Law Assistance Network and Landlord Tenant Legal Assistance Network are also closed. For legal information and resources, call the Legal Information Help Line at 202-626-3499 or visit LawHelp.org/DC.

The D.C. Bar and D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center are closed from December 23 – January 2. The D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center’s Family Law Assistance Network and Landlord Tenant Legal Assistance Network are also closed. For legal information and resources, call the Legal Information Help Line 202-626-3499 or visit LawHelp.org/DC.

Best Practices in Billing

Information compiled as part of the D.C. Bar’s Practice Management Advisory Service.

Checklist for Starting a Law Practice

Prepare a Business Plan, Choose the Entity Type and Know Why, Office Space Considerations, and more.

Practice Guidance

The Practice Management Advisory Service offers guidance to help attorneys avoid disciplinary problems and improve management skills in the practice of law.

Opening an IOLTA Account

Client or third party funds in the lawyer’s possession as a result of a representation must be placed in a trust account.

Resource Line

The Management Resource Line is a telephone advisory service, or helpline, designed to help you with practice management issues.

Self Check

Practice Management Advisory Service - Law Firm Management Quiz (Self Check)

Business Entity Selection

Launching a Law Firm Entity selection and startup considerations, presented by Heather Batzel of Batzel Law PLLC. (Presentation | Handout)

COVID-19 Resources

Bracing for the Unexpected: Disaster Preparedness for Lawyers

Quick Start Guide to Launching a Firm During the Pandemic

New Law Firm Quick Start Technology Guide

Working Remotely During the Pandemic: A Guide to Bar Member Benefits

Washington Lawyer Articles

2023

Ready to Launch? Talk to Us. (July/August 2023)

The Power of Feedback (May/June 2023)

How Did Firms Fare in 2022? (March/April 2023)

The Fear of Going It Alone (January/February 2023)

2022

The Risks of Waiver of Entrustment (November/December 2022)

Small Firm Lawyer, Savvy Entrepreneur (September/October 2022)

It All Comes Down to Planning (July/August 2022)

Matching Your Value With Your Client’s Needs (May/June 2022)

Tailoring Technology to Your Ideal Client (March/April 2022)

10 Ways to Step Up Your Marketing (January/February 2022)

2021

Does Your Client Need a Payment Plan? (November/December 2021)

Back to the Office Some of Us Go? (September/October 2021)

Clarity & Precision in Fee Agreements (July/August 2021)

10 Ways to Protect Your Clients’ Data (May/June 2021)

10 Ways to Protect Your Clients’ Data (May/June 2021)

Earning Mechanisms for An Advance Fee (March/April 2021)

Earning Mechanisms for An Advance Fee (March/April 2021)

Survival of the Fittest in the New Normal (January/February 2021)

Survival of the Fittest in the New Normal (January/February 2021)

2020

Building a Positive Firm Culture (November/December 2020)

An Innovation Model for Firms to Follow (September/October 2020)

Leverage Downtime, Boost Your Business (July/August 2020)

Think Like an Entrepreneur (June 2020)

Practice Management Metrics for Success – Part One of Two (May 2020)

Options for Working with Other Lawyers (March/April 2020)

Ways a Newsletter Can Work for Your Firm (January/February 2020)

2019

Got a New Client? Document It (November/December 2019)

Blocking Out Time: The Secret to Working Smarter (October 2019)

Choosing the Technology That Fits Your Needs (September 2019)

How to Avoid Becoming an ODC Statistic (July/August 2019)

Risky Business ’Non-Refundable’ Legal Fees (June 2019)

How to Choose the Right Clients (May 2019)

Why Empathy is Key to Small Firm Success (April 2019)

The D.C. Bar Practice Management Advisory Service A Beacon for Lawyers (April 2019)

Going Small: Essentials for Starting a Law Firm (April 2019)

Maximize the Benefits of Annual Reviews (March 2019)