Stay on Track By Using a Time Line
We are continuing to talk about the area of "getting the work done" as one of the five parts of every business in the world. As you know, the other four parts are "clients or customers," "administration," "billing," and "collecting."
This week's "tip" is using "case time lines" or "critical pass method" of organization.
For those of you who may have some training in anything dealing with the construction field, you may already be familiar with these organizational concepts. When I first was introduced to the organizational system of " time lines" and "critical pass method" I had no previous experience with either of these organizational systems. I was quite surprised when I became familiar with these systems at how readily usable they were in the practice of law.
I had a client who was very much interested in systems of organization, to my surprise, even more interested than I was. And if you have been reading these articles, you can only imagine how fanatical this client must have been since I am clearly an "organizational nut."
The first time I was introduced to the utilizations of a "time line," I saw immediately that it was very similar to what I had been using as a chronology. The difference between a time line and a chronology is that a time line goes off into the future and a chronology recaps what has already happened.
When the client first introduced me to a time line, his concept was to establish a baseline, go off into the future and set an end goal, and then to use reasonable justification in order to change what you had set up. I remember that I fought him tooth and nail about setting up such a time line because the variables regarding litigation in particular were so monumental. It took me a long time to agree to set up a "time line" because I just could not become comfortable with regard to how much a piece of litigation can be out of your control. You are lucky to be able to control yourself and maybe a little bit of your client, but you are totally out of control of the other lawyer, the other client and the judge.. When my client's family got it into my thick head that the baseline and the subsequent parts of the time line could be readily changed, I slowly but surely realized that he was not so crazy after all.
When you establish a baseline of you want to achieve, there is a great feeling of certainty that settles over you even though litigation is anything but certain. Because you have thought through the process from beginning to end, you are better prepared to deal with changes when they come up.
A typical "time line" for a piece of litigation could be as simple as follows:
A. Initial Contacts
B. Investigation
C. Collection and Preservation of Evidence
D. Jurisdiction Venue and Service
E. Pleadings
F. Discovery
G. Settlement Negotiations
H. Trial Preparation
I. Trial
J. Post-Trial Motions
K. Appeal
L. Execution of Judgment
M. Bill of Costs
N. Expenses
Tentative dates can be assigned to each of the above that are applicable to your piece of litigation.
A non-litigation list is as follows:
A. Preliminary Matters
B. Consultations/Advice
C. Investigation/Document Review
D. Research
E. Negotiations
F. Contract Preparation/Negotiation
G. Preparation of Implementation Documents
H. Review of Existing Documents
I. Post Execution Follow-Up
J. Expenses
Similarly, dates can be assigned to each of these categories.
The important thing to remember is that the dates will change, but hopefully you will be continuing to work towards accomplishing what your client has hired you to do.
I think you will see how these lists and assigning dates to them can be helpful to you. Don't be afraid to change the dates and move them out further when necessary. Try this method of organization with one of your clients' matters, I think you will be surprised at how much they like the organizational system. I suggest that you pick your most anal client for your first try.
Next week we will talk about the critical pass method of organization and how it differs from, but can be utilized, with your case time line.
Talk to you next week.
Jim Wirken is a civil trial attorney and the Chairman of the Board of The Wirken Law Group in Kansas City.