Picture this – you’re getting ready to meet with a VIP client and feel great. You know their case inside and out, and you’ve never felt more confident in yourself. However, if you’re missing a few files because they’re stored in the wrong location, it can leave you scrambling.
Instead, you’ll want to take the time to implement an efficient storage and filing system in your office. This helps you avoid losing important documents and increases efficiency and productivity.
If you’re struggling to keep your legal files in order, you’ll want to keep reading. You’ll learn some of the best tips and tricks to help you keep your documents organized.
Gather Your Supplies
Before you can start organizing your documents, you’ll want to gather the necessary supplies to help make the task easier. This includes upgrading your file storage to expand if you need more space to store files.
You should also invest in organizational supplies like custom binder tabs from https://tabshop.com/custom-binder-tabs, manilla folders, and expanding file folders.
Using these tools can help you easily identify what file is stored where, as the tabs provide a label while the folders keep documents separated.
Ordering Choices
Next, you’ll need to decide how you organize your files. This is an essential step and should be consistent throughout your entire office. Ensuring your legal documents follow the same file organization system is crucial to locating papers quickly and easily.
There are a few options for ordering documents. Many choose to store papers alphabetically, chronologically, or by genre. For example, types of files can include legal issues, clients, or case notes.
If you choose to order your files by genre, it’s essential to have something to represent each sub-type. For example, you can invest in different colored folders to store certain types of files, so it’s easy for you and your workers to access them.
As previously mentioned, implementing your filing system across the entire law firm is crucial, as it saves time as workers won’t have to ask where to locate a specific document.
Don’t Forget Digital Copies
If you’ve embraced a digital filing system, you’ll want to keep the same tips in mind when organizing your documents.
However, one of the most essential organization tips is to name your files properly, as this prevents you from scrolling through document after document to find the one you’re searching for.
You will also want to ensure you have your files stored in multiple locations. This helps keep documents safe in case of technical difficulties or computer crashes.
Keep Your Legal Files in Order
Whether you work from home or in a big firm office, your legal files are the lifeblood of your business. Ensuring they’re organized and safely stored will save you time, money, and frustration.
If you’re ready to revamp your office organization thanks to this guide, you’ll want to check out the rest of our website. There, you’ll find more valuable organization and business content.