Staying Organized as a Young Lawyer
*Matthew Coleman
There’s no worse feeling than when you are on an important phone call and you cannot find a key document on the point you are trying to make. As a new lawyer, your day-to-day responsibilities can feel overwhelming. However, staying organized is one of the most critical skills that will set you apart.
In this post, I will share some practical tips to help stay organized as you embark on your legal career.
1) Keep your Desktop Clean and Clutter Free
It’s easy to let paperwork pile up on your desk. However, a cluttered workspace can lead to unnecessary stress and hinder your productivity. A clean and organized desktop is crucial. Start by clearing out old documents and sorting files into specific folders. For your physical desk, consider using trays, file organizers, and labeled folders to keep everything in order.
On your computer, keep your files organized in a way that makes sense to you. Use clear and consistent naming conventions for your files, and make sure you regularly back them up to avoid losing critical data.
2) Create a Daily To-Do List and Prioritize Tasks
The practice of law is filled with tight deadlines and urgent tasks. To avoid feeling overwhelmed, create a daily to-do list each morning. Writing down everything you need to accomplish will give you clarity and help you stay focused.
Once you have your list, prioritize tasks based on deadlines and importance. Identify the high-priority items that must be addressed immediately and leave less pressing matters for later in the day or week. Prioritization ensures that you won’t miss any important deadlines and that you stay on track.
3) Keep a Calendar and Stick to It
An organized calendar is one of your best tools as a new lawyer. Whether you use a paper planner, digital calendar, or task management tool, make sure you have an up-to-date record of important dates such as court appearances, deadlines for filings, client meetings, and team conferences.
Stick to your calendar as much as possible to avoid missing any critical deadlines. And don’t forget to leave some buffer time for unexpected tasks that may arise.
4) Ensure your E-mail is Organized
As a lawyer, your email inbox can quickly become overwhelming if you don’t stay on top of it. An inbox full of unread messages and flagged items can be a significant source of stress, and important emails may get lost in the shuffle.
Use filters to automatically sort incoming emails into designated folders, such as "Urgent," "Follow-up," and "Reference." This will help you prioritize your responses and keep your inbox from becoming overwhelming.
Additionally, when reading an email, take immediate action rather than letting it linger in your inbox. By taking small steps to stay on top of your email, you’ll prevent it from piling up and ensure that nothing slips through the cracks.
Remember, organization is a skill that takes time to master. Be patient with yourself, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different methods.
* Matthew Coleman is a graduate of the University of New Brunswick (B.A. 2016 and J.D 2023).
He was admitted to the New Brunswick bar in 2024. He has worked for the law firm of Correia & Collins since 2016, advocating for accident victims.