As the weather starts to turn and the sound of birds chirping becomes more common, many homemakers begin to think about spring cleaning, commonly known as a top to bottom cleaning, dusting and airing out of a home. However, Wikipedia acknowledges that the practice is synonymous with any kind of heavy duty cleaning or organizing enterprise, and it may not be a bad practice for attorneys to engage in annually as well.
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Krista B. Lockyear 812-422-9444 |
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For attorneys, spring cleaning can occur in a variety of ways:
Physically clean the office. Try moving all those files that have sat on your desk or along the edges of your office for weeks or maybe months. If there is any dust, you allergies will certainly improve after you have shifted the files and given your office a thorough dusting
Resolve the older files. Deal with any files that have been sitting too long. Whether they have been collecting dust mites because you are waiting for the client to get back to you for final review of documents, waiting for claims period to pass or other deadline, or simply waiting to be organized for storage, either deal with them yourself or delegate them to someone to handle.
Update your forms files. Attorneys are like pack rats when it comes to forms. However, you may find that laws have changed and the older forms are merely taking up space in your file cabinet or hard drive. You may also find that you have several forms that are nearly identical. Review the forms, save the ones you like or are reasonably likely to use, and get rid of the rest of the clutter.
Update your Research. The periodicals and reporters are often easily stacked and forgotten. Go through these stacks and organize them. You may be ready to archive half the stack, and catch up on some of the more recent updates.
Update your Computer. While we get periodic downloads for new software updates, when is the last time you cleaned or updated your favorite links, or your desktop? With the rate of change occurring in technology, certain websites may be more helpful than those you are currently using, and some of your favorite links may no longer exist. The newest technology and web information can make your practice more thorough and efficient.
Update your Contacts. If you regularly collect stacks of business cards, go through them and scan them, or enter them into your contact software.
Don’t forget the Windows. Remember, spring is right around the corner, so get out the Windex so that when the sun begins warming our offices, the rays can shine through.
Okay, after providing these suggestions, I must admit that I am an organizer by nature and heavily motivated by seasonal changes, especially after a cold nasty winter. However, knowing how much work all attorneys juggle, a little spring cleaning can’t hurt anyone! Have fun!
This article was originally published in the March 2011 issue of the Evansville Bar Association’s monthly newsletter The Summation.
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