What does it mean to be organized?
Why does it matter?
How are lawyers different?

On a regular basis, attorneys are sanctioned for many misdeeds that can be traced back to disorganization. Often, the sanctions are for actions that are inexcusable, but not malicious. Rather they are examples of how bad things can get when one is disorganized. Examples include:

• commingling of funds,
• failure to produce records to opposing counsel,
• failure to file in a timely manner,
• being inaccessible to clients,
• and seeming ill prepared to represent clients during hearings.

Just the thought of all of the responsibilities we need to handle can be overwhelming.

How does one do so and remain organized?

What's Your Organizational Style?

There's more than one way to be organized, but you wouldn't know it from most books and television shows. There's so much more to creating and maintaining an organized space than purchasing a bunch of plastic bins and attractive containers from the local office supply store. Add stress and time constraints and multiple types of items to control and it's a recipe for failure — or a belief that organization is impossible. That's where this book comes in.

How Can This Book Help?

The Organized Lawyer is designed to address the needs of all types of lawyers - corporate, nonprofit, government, private, academic, and solo practitioners. Whether you're in a cubicle, corner office, or working out of your home, this book will help you develop and maintain a more organized space.

What sets this book apart from other organizational guides is its approach. Many books offer valuable tips and tools, but they fail to address how different people have different ways of looking at their things. I believe we all have a particular organization style that impacts how we view our things, live with them, and keep them organized — or disorganized. What works for some does not work for others.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Your Organizational Type
3. Office Layouts
4. Desk Arrangements
5. Paper and Electronic Files
6. Financial Recordkeeping
7. Planners and Electronic Organizers
8. Organizing Your Home Office
9. Alternative Work Areas
10. Home and Office Libraries
11. Personal Services
12. Marketing and Entertaining
13. Your Professional Wardrobe
14. Keeping on Track