Checklist for Starting a Law Practice
Reba J. Nance
Director, Law Practice and Risk Management
Colorado Bar Association
reba@cobar.org
Business Plan
Mission statement
Firm goals and strategy
Practice area(s)
Pro Bono commitment
Financing
Budget
Practice Setting
Sole proprietor
Partnership
Office Sharing
Home Office
Administrative
Ownership
Firm name
Firm description
Firm management/decision making/operation
Outsourcing
Employees
Read ethics opinions and rules of professional conduct
Procedures manual
Choice of Entity
Sole proprietor
P.C.
Some form of partnership
LLC
LLP
Partnership agreement
Consider taxes and liability
Office Space
Own building
Office sharing
Home office
Executive suite
Geographic location
Location/access
Elevators
Parking for clients
Size
Revised May 2012
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Lease
Parking
Furniture
Financial
Budget
Financing sources
Expenses
Overhead
Compensation plan
Start up costs
Billing projection
Fee structure
Financial projection
Break-even point
Merchant credit card setup
File setup and naming
File storage
Marketing
Firm image – branding
Budget
Find a Lawyer Directory
Website
Marketing plan
Target clients
Current and potential clients
Competition
Differentiation from competitors
CBA economic survey
Blog
Marketing professional/coach
Write for The Colorado Lawyer
Client seminars
Client newsletter
Accounting
Select CPA/Bookkeeper
Chart of accounts
Financial software
Outline procedures
Filing taxes/reporting income/estimated tax payments
Payroll service
Banking
Operating account
“Regular” trust account
COLTAF trust account
Line of credit
Technology
IT Consultant
Software
Revised May 2012
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Time and Billing
Accounting
Conflicts
Document management
Redlining
Practice Management
Practice specific
Document assembly
Utilities
E-mail
Contacts
Calendar
Word processing
Database
Presentation
Spreadsheet
Law Tool Box – date calculation
Hardware
Computer – PC vs. laptop
Phone System
Smart phone
Long distance – VOIP
Conference calling
Answering service/system
Printer
)
Scanner
)
or “All in One”
Copier
)
Fax
)
Internet
T1
ISP – High speed connection
Cable vs. DSL
Get domain
Website
Broadband connection for laptop
Twitter
Blog
Face Book
Office Equipment/Supplies – Lease or buy
Postage meter
Furniture
File cabinets – locking
Paper, Pencils, file folders, etc.
Business cards
Announcement cards
Refrigerator
Microwave
CBA Member Benefits
Revised May 2012
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Casemaker legal research
YMCA
Corepower Yoga
Colorado Athletic Club
Rental Car Discounts – Alamo, Avis, Hertz, National
Ruby Receptionists
Magazine subscriptions discounts
ABA Web Store discounts
ESQSites for websites
FedEx
Anthem – small group health insurance
Marsh – CNA – professional liability insurance
OfficeMax
Flatiron Web marketing
Costco
Brooks Brothers
BIG – Benefits & Incentives Group
LawPay
T-Mobile
Brief-Lynx
EasySoft - Billing, Trust Accounting, Divorce Financials, Real Estate Closings, Family Law Apps
Rocket matter
LookingForSpace.com
SurePayroll
Cherry Creek Mortgage
RMFA – new car purchasing
Geico Insurance
Verizon
Clio
PayChex
World Points MasterCard
Wells Fargo
Legal Community Credit Union
Law Practice Management Department
Website with resources and forms
Professional Associations
CBA
Local bar
Specialty bar
ABA
Forms
Retainer agreements
Hourly
Contingency
Flat rate
Not to exceed
Blended
Declination letter
Revised May 2012
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Representation is over letter
Intake sheet
Conflicts checking
File retention policy
Templates
Legal Research
Casemaker
Free on Internet
Treatises
Paid services – LEXIS and Westlaw
CLE books
Insurance
Malpractice/Professional Liability
Disability
Health/Dental/Vision
Workers’ compensation
Property and Casualty
Transition Plan
Revised May 2012
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