Financial Management

• ​Managing finances
  
• Timekeeping
• Billing and collection
• Calendaring and docketing
• General Office Technology
• Malpractice insurance carriers
• Marketing
• Forms
• Client relations
• Research

Managing finances

• Client trust account forms: There are two forms that you'll need to complete for each new IOLTA trust account. The Agreement to Notify Office of Lawyer Regulation of Overdrafts on Lawyer Trust Accounts can be obtained from the Office of Lawyer Regulation. The Attorney IOLTA Trust Account Agreement​ can be obtained from the Wisconsin Trust Account Foundation. For more information on the IOLTA program, please see SCR 13. For information on safekeeping of property, see SCR 20:1.15 244 KB.
• Non Refundable Retainers and Advanced Fees under the New Rules 
• Disbursement of funds from a trust account for fees 180 KB
• ABA LPM: Finance Resources: Finance resources from the Law Practice Management Section of the ABA.
• OLR Trust Account Program
• LMRC Documents: Trust Accounts and Segregated Assets: Articles provided by the Legal Management Resource Center
• State Bar practice management & technology surveys: Research regarding the economics of law practice and technology in law practice.
• Trust Account Manual: from the Wisconsin Office of Lawyer Regulation

Timekeeping

• ABA Law Practice Management Section: Finance Resources: Finance resources from the Law Practice Management Section of the ABA.

Billing and collection

• ABA Time and Billing Software Chart: Not a comprehensive list, but a great resource. Includes practice management software as well.

Calendaring and docketing

• LMRC Documents: Find articles on calendaring and docketing easily by doing a word search in the Legal Management Resource Center.

General Office Technology

• PCWorld Business Center
• Desktop Guides​: Great comparison charts from PC Magazine.
• Technology Articles: Find technology related articles from the Law Office Management Section of the ABA.
  
• Law.com: Resources and articles on hardware, software, security and networking.
• Wired.com
• ABA Techshow: Check out the 60 Sites in 60 Minutes hall of fame. It's a great resource for the latest and greatest links that help you practice law and manage your practice.

Malpractice insurance carriers

• Classified Ads: Find insurance services for professional liability insurers in the State Bar Wisconsin's Classified Ads.

Marketing

• Market Your Law Practice: State Bar's newest affinity partner and a great web based tool for developing new business.
• Communications Tool Kit: Branding the Profession: This tool kit explains the State Bar's message to the public that lawyers are expert advisers and problem solvers involved in their communities. The kit helps lawyers incorporate this message into their client communications.
• Enhance your firm's website with consumer information: Law firms can feature the concise, up-to-date consumer information contained in the State Bar consumer pamphlets on their websites.
• Lawyer Referral and Information Service: If you have a legal problem, and you need an attorney in Wisconsin, call the State Bar's Lawyer Referral and Information Service. Clients who need legal help are matched with concerned lawyers by professional legal assistants.
• ABA Law Practice Management Section: Marketing resources: Marketing resources from the Law Practice Management Section of the ABA.
• Business Development in a Recovery Economy​: from Wisconsin Lawyer Magazine
• Lawyer Marketing Advisor: Trey Ryder provides numerous articles on marketing.

Forms

• IRS Forms: The Department of the Treasury offers free downloadable IRS forms, publications, and up-to-date information on the latest changes in tax law.
• U.S. Department of Labor: Forms by Title: Employment forms listed by title, from the U.S. Department of Labor.
• See also WI Practice Forms

Client relations

• Education Resource Library (YLD Collection): As a State Bar member, you have access to materials in the Educational Resource Library (YLD Collection) originally developed and still funded by the Young Lawyers Division.
• Law office videotapes - client education: State Bar videotapes educate clients on preparing for a deposition, going to court, and other legal matters.
• State Bar Fee Arbitration Program: This program is an informal and economic alternative to litigation for lawyers and clients who are unable to agree upon a fee charged for legal services.
• ABA General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Section: Access articles in their magazine and newsletter, learn about public service, programs, and other resources.

Research

• Research & reports: The State Bar of Wisconsin consistently researches various practice management issues, including economics of practice and technology.

 

Materials and links on these pages are intended to provide only guidance and are not legal authority. Some information is from jurisdictions other than Wisconsin and references the law of other jurisdictions. Lawyers using these materials must conform their practices to the law of the appropriate jurisdiction.