Practice Management - Law Society of Alberta

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Practice Management

These resources support lawyers to employ a range of strategies and skills to support the delivery of efficient and effective legal services and internal processes. They help lawyers manage and mitigate risks to their practice and use technology and innovation to improve legal services.

Considerations for Choosing Accounting and Practice Management Software

Retirement Guide

Business Continuity and Succession Plan Guide and Checklist

Practice Management Assessment Tool

Practice Management Consultations

If you have feedback on any resource, please email Education.

Resource	Description	Topic	Audience	Format	Publisher
15 Myths of Small Firm Practice	This resource outlines common myths relating to starting up or running a practice.	Time Management & Organization Skills, Manage Practice Risks	Private Practice, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm	Article	Law Society of Alberta
A Lawyers Guide to Video Conferencing	To help you get started with video conferencing, this guide will walk you through the basics on how to install and use two of the most popular video apps: Zoom and Skype.	Technological Competence	Private Practice, Management, Government, In-House, Sole Practitioner/Small Firm	Guide	Law Society of Alberta
Basics of Cloud Computing	The use of cloud service providers has become increasingly common, for law firms and many other businesses. This resource provides a brief overview of the essentials for cloud computing, including risks, benefits and other resources to help you choose a cloud provider.	File Management & Security, Technological Competence	Private Practice, Management, Government, In-House, Sole Practitioner/Small Firm	Article, Guide, Checklist	Law Society of Alberta
Business Continuity and Succession Plan Guide and Checklist	This guide is designed to provide background information about business continuity and succession planning. Additionally, it identifies items to consider in developing your plan and provides resources where you can find additional information and templates so you can develop a customized plan for your unique circumstances.	Manage Practice Risks, File Management & Security	Private Practice, Management, Government, In-House, Sole Practitioner/Small Firm	Guide, Checklist	Law Society of Alberta
Checklist When Moving Law Offices	This checklist is for lawyers moving to new office space, whether they are transferring to a new firm or moving their practice.	Time Management & Organization Skills, Manage Practice Risks	Private Practice, Sole Practitioner/Small Firm	Checklist	Law Society of Alberta
Considerations for Opening a Law Office	Running a law firm entails more than just being good at the law, you have to understand how to start and run a business. This resource outlines key topics to consider before opening a law office.	Manage Practice Risks	Private Practice, Management, Government, In-House, Sole Practitioner/Small Firm	Article, Guide	Law Society of Alberta
CPD Tips: Practice Management	Keeping busy workloads under control can be a big challenge. Practice management is a competence to be honed and developed throughout a lawyer’s career.	Time Management & Organization Skills, File Management & Security	Private Practice, Management, In-House, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm, Government & Non-Profit	Article	Law Society of Alberta
Crossing the Border with Electronic Devices	Prepared by the Policy Counsel Counterpart Group, Federation of Law Societies of Canada. With travellers at Canadian airports and border crossings subject to increasing scrutiny, it is important for lawyers to have an understanding of how the privacy interests of their clients may be impacted by legislation and policies developed to address public safety issues.	File Management & Security	Private Practice, Management, In-House, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm, Government & Non-Profit	Article, Guide	External Source
Fraud Fact Sheet - Cybercrime and Bad Cheque Scam	Cybercrime and bad cheque scams are some of the most common, significant and costly problems for lawyers. Learn about the different types of fraud and what to watch for.	Manage Practice Risks, Technological Competence	Private Practice, Management, In-House, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm, Government & Non-Profit	Article, Checklist	External Source
Interactive Non-Engagement Letter Guide	A non-engagement letter confirms to a potential client, after a consultation or phone conversation, that the firm is unable to act on the matter.	File Management & Security	Private Practice, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm	Guide, Template	Law Society of Alberta
Interactive Retainer Letter	Retainer letters are recommended practice in Alberta for non-contingency retainers.	File Management & Security	Management, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm	Guide, Template	Law Society of Alberta
Law Firms and Security Strategies for Today's World	Lawyers must pay as much attention to their physical security as they do to the security if trust funds and electronic data. Learn about best practices for securing your office and ensuring the safety of your staff.	Manage Practice Risks	Private Practice, Management, In-House, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm, Government & Non-Profit	Article	Law Society of Alberta
Law Firm Startup Trust Safety Milestones	Trust Safety milestones from day one to the fourth month.	Effective Accounting & Billing Procedures	Private Practice, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm	Infographic	Law Society of Alberta
What to Look for in Limitations Software	Limitations errors can generally be avoided with the help of a well-constructed limitations system. Limitations software assists lawyers in organizing and monitoring deadlines.	Time Management & Organization Skills, Technological Competence	Private Practice, In-House, Management, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm, Government & Non-Profit	Article, Guide	Law Society of Alberta
Mastering Client Files	Adopting use of a Master Client File List will help you gain better control over your practice. Learn about the key pieces of information and the benefits of using a Master Client File List.	Time Management & Organization Skills, File Management & Security	Private Practice, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm, Government & Non-Profit	Article, Podcast	Law Society of Alberta
Password Managers: Locking the Barndoor with Better Passwords	Poor password habits have become a target for cybercriminal activity, instead of a line of defense. There are practical things you can do to restore the protective function of our passwords.	Technological Competence, Manage Practice Risks	Management, Private Practice, In-House, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm, Government & Non-Profit	Article, Guide, Checklist	Law Society of Alberta
Protecting Client Confidentiality and Data Security While Working Remotely	Learn about how to protect client confidentiality and data security while working remotely.	Technological Competence, Manage Practice Risks	Private Practice, Management, In-House, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm, Government & Non-Profit	Article, Guide	Law Society of Alberta
Retirement Guide	This guide is designed to provide information about the retirement process. It identifies items to consider in developing your plan and provides resources containing additional information and templates.	Manage Practice Risks	Private Practice	Guide, Checklist	Law Society of Alberta
Selling Your Practice Checklist	If you’re thinking of selling your practice, view this helpful checklist to know what steps you need to take.	Manage Practice Risks	Private Practice, Management, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm	Article, Checklist	Law Society of Alberta
Start-Up Kit	This resource provides some considerations for starting up a law firm.	Manage Practice Risks	Private Practice, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm	Article, Guide, Checklist	Law Society of Alberta
Top 10 Things to Include in Your Law Office Manual	This “Top 10” list is a starting point to tailor a manual for your firm. Remember to update the manual regularly, and engage colleagues and staff in its development and revision.	Supervision & Management, Manage Practice Risks	Private Practice, Management, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm	Podcast, Guide, Article	Law Society of Alberta
Top 5 Ways to Avoid Falling Into the Mortgage Fraud Trap	This "Top 5" list is a starting point to avoid falling into a mortgage fraud trap	Manage Practice Risks, Technological Competence	Private Practice, Management, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm, Government & Non-Profit	Guide, Article	Law Society of Alberta
Two Email Tips to Save You From Heartache	Email communication is effective and efficient in many ways, but we have all experienced moments when our heart skips a beat when we think a mistake has been made. Learn about two easy adjustments to your Outlook email settings to save stress and reduce errors in your email communication.	Manage Practice Risks, Technological Competence	Private Practice, Management, In-House, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm, Government & Non-Profit	Podcast, Guide, Article	Law Society of Alberta
File Retention and Document Management	Learn about your ethical obligations and best practices in file management, storage and destruction.	File Management & Security, Manage Practice Risks	Private Practice, Management, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm	Article, Guide, Checklist	Law Society of Alberta
Disbursing the Undisbursable: What to do with Unclaimed Trust Funds	Law firms occasionally hold trust funds for extended periods of time when they cannot locate the clients or other parties to whom the funds belong. What can you do in this case?	Effective Accounting & Billing Procedures, Manage Practice Risks	Private Practice, Management, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm	Article, Guide	Law Society of Alberta
Employee Theft on the Rise: Are You at Risk?	Employee theft exposes lawyers and law firms to personal financial risk.	Effective Accounting & Billing Procedures, Manage Practice Risks	Private Practice, Management, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm	Article, Guide	Law Society of Alberta
Trust Bank Reconciliations	How to review a trust bank reconciliation: trust bank balances, client trust listings and trust journals.	Effective Accounting & Billing Procedures, Manage Practice Risks	Private Practice, Management, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm	Article, Guide	Law Society of Alberta
Prescribed Financial Records	This resource is meant to assist lawyers to understand their obligations in relation to prescribed financial records.	Effective Accounting & Billing Procedures, Manage Practice Risks	Private Practice, Management, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm	Guide	Law Society of Alberta
Top 10 Tips: Financial Records Management	You must do a reconciliation of your trust and general accounts by the end of the following month even if you have no balance in either account.	Effective Accounting & Billing Procedures, Manage Practice Risks	Private Practice, Management, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm	Article	Law Society of Alberta
Trust Misappropriation: Your Ounce of Prevention	The bad news is that anyone can be a victim of fraud or theft. The good news is that there is much we can do to minimize the severity, duration and impact of loss.	Effective Accounting & Billing Procedures, Manage Practice Risks	Private Practice, Management, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm	Article	Law Society of Alberta
TS Rules Modernization Cross Reference Tables	Guide Cross-Referencing the old Trust Safety rules with the rules adopted as of Jan. 1, 2022.	Effective Accounting & Billing Procedures, Manage Practice Risks	Private Practice, Management, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm	Article	Law Society of Alberta
Trust Shortage and Reporting	The Rules, how to report a shortage and next steps.	Effective Accounting & Billing Procedures, Manage Practice Risks	Private Practice, Management, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm	Article	Law Society of Alberta
Your Role as a Responsible Lawyer	As a Responsible Lawyer, you are responsible for all trust money and property received from a client. This document outlines some of your trust safety responsibilities, at a glance.	Effective Accounting & Billing Procedures, Manage Practice Risks	Private Practice, Management, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm	Article	Law Society of Alberta
Detecting Identity Fraud	Due to recent incidents of identity fraud, it is important to investigate this question if your newest client is such a borrower.	Manage Practice Risks	Private Practice, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm	Article	Law Society of Alberta
Ethical and Effective Advertising	The best legal advertising is memorable, informative and assists members of the public to find lawyers who can help them with their legal problems.	Technological Competence	Private Practice, Management, Government & Non-Profit, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm	Article	Law Society of Alberta
Privacy Breached: Now What?	For hackers, lawyers represent a high value target. Billions of dollars flow through Alberta lawyers’ trust accounts every year.	Manage Practice Risks, Technological Competence	Private Practice, Management, In-House, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm, Government & Non-Profit	Article	Law Society of Alberta
The Code of Conduct and Your Staff	A skilled legal assistant makes for happier clients, happier lawyers and, often, a better bottom line. With this in mind, you must also empower your legal support staff with the knowledge they need to succeed.	Supervision & Management	Private Practice, Management, In-House, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm, Government & Non-Profit	Article	Law Society of Alberta
What Can a Student-at-Law Do?	You will see that the right to give legal advice and appear before courts turns upon being a lawyer, barrister, solicitor, member of the bar, advocate, avocat, attorney, agent, counsel or officer of the court.	Supervision & Management	Private Practice, Management, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm, Government & Non-Profit	Article, Guide	Law Society of Alberta
Financially Speaking – Trust Accounts July 2020	In the first-ever episode of the Financially Speaking podcast, Trust Safety team members break down the basics of trust accounting – what a lawyer needs to do once they’ve been approved to operate trust accounts, the different kinds of trust accounts and how to manage trust accounts successfully.	Effective Accounting & Billing Procedures, Manage Practice Risks	Private Practice, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm	Podcast	Law Society of Alberta
Financially Speaking – Lifecycle of a Trust Account	In the second episode of Financially Speaking, our hosts walk through the lifecycle of a trust account, from its creation through to its closure. And, in the spirit of Access to Justice Week, we’re not only going to focus on the logistics and obligations of those trust accounts but on the key role that pooled trust accounts play in funding access to justice initiatives in our province, with a special guest from the Alberta Law Foundation (the Foundation).	Effective Accounting & Billing Procedures, Manage Practice Risks	Private Practice, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm	Podcast	Law Society of Alberta
2022 Trust Safety Rule Changes	Trust Safety hosts a webinar on the changes to the Trust Safety rules, which came into effect on Jan. 1, 2022.	Effective Accounting & Billing Procedures, Manage Practice Risks	Private Practice, Management, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm	Webinar, Video	Law Society of Alberta
Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorist Financing Webinar	Trust Safety and Policy & Ethics host a webinar on the Law Society’s rule amendments regarding Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorist Financing.	Manage Practice Risks, Effective Accounting & Billing Procedures	Private Practice, Management, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm	Webinar, Video	Law Society of Alberta
Practice Management 101: Life Cycle of a File	The Practice Management team offers this recorded webinar on the basics of effective practice strategies from the beginning of a file through to the end. Listen for a discussion on these strategies that will increase your efficiency and decrease your risk.	Time Management & Organization Skills, File Management & Security	Private Practice, Government, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm	Webinar, Video	Law Society of Alberta
Practice Management 101: Road to Retirement	The Practice Management Team discusses retiring from the practice of law. If you have questions about the process and timelines for winding up your practice, the team has strategies, resources and more to help you navigate this new stage of your career.	Manage Practice Risks, File Management & Security	Private Practice, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm	Webinar, Video	Law Society of Alberta
Guidance for Video Conference Witnessing and Commissioning of Documents Submitted to Land Titles for Registration	Learn about the eligibility, requirements and best practices for video conferencing witnessing and commissioning of documents submitted to Land Titles.	Technological Competence	Sole Practitioner & Small Firm, Private Practice, Management, Government & Non-Profit, In-House	Article	Law Society of Alberta
Remote Legal Services FAQ	This resource addresses frequently asked questions about obligations when providing remote legal services. Some information is based on legislative and court announcements that resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic. Please continue to monitor ongoing news releases to ensure you have current information.	Technological Competence	Sole Practitioner & Small Firm, Private Practice, Management, Government & Non-Profit, In-House	Article	Law Society of Alberta
Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing in the Canadian Legal Profession Online Program	Using interactive tools like scenarios, videos, and quizzes, the Federation of Law Societies of Canada has developed this online learning program to provide guidance to legal professionals on how to mitigate money laundering and terrorist financing risks and comply with their legal and regulatory obligations.	Effective Accounting & Billing Procedures, Technological Competence	Sole Practitioner & Small Firm, Private Practice, Management, Government & Non-Profit, In-House	Website	External Source
The Generative AI Playbook: How Lawyers Can Safely Take Advantage of the Opportunities Offered by Generative AI	This resource serves as a starting point for Alberta lawyers seeking to harness the benefits of disruptive technologies like Generative AI while safeguarding their clients’ interests and maintaining their professional competence.	Technological Competence, Manage Practice Risks	Sole Practitioner & Small Firm, Private Practice, Management, Government & Non-Profit, In-House	Article	Law Society of Alberta
Staying Safe: How to Manage Threats and Physical Violence Risks in the Legal Profession	Lawyers being subjected to threats or physical violence while carrying out their work is a growing concern. It is important that lawyers take proactive steps to minimize the potential for experiencing harm and have a plan should they find themselves in an unsafe situation.	Manage Practice Risks, Supervision & Management	Sole Practitioner & Small Firm, Private Practice, Management, Government & Non-Profit, In-House	Article	Law Society of Alberta
Disaster Planning and Recovery	Disaster can strike a practice in many different ways, and it’s important to have a plan in place to minimize the impact of these events. This guide provides advice and resources to consider when proactively planning and responding to disaster.	Manage Practice Risks, File Management & Security	Sole Practitioner & Small Firm, Private Practice, Management, Government & Non-Profit, In-House	Guide	Law Society of Alberta
Destination AI (English)	The Pan-Canadian AI Strategy at CIFAR welcomes participants from the Law Society of Alberta. Destination AI will give you the tools to make informed decisions about artificial intelligence. Learn from some of the world’s leading researchers about the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in your daily life today, and where it’s going in the future.	Technological Competence	Sole Practitioner & Small Firm, Private Practice, Management, Government & Non-Profit, In-House	Website	External Source
Objectif IA (Francais)	La Stratégie pancanadienne en matière d’IA au CIFAR accueille des participants de la Law Society of Alberta. Objectif IA vous donnera les outils pour prendre des décisions éclairées sur l'intelligence artificielle. Apprenez de certains des plus remarquables scientifiques du monde qui se penchent sur le rôle de l’intelligence artificielle (IA) dans la vie quotidienne aujourd’hui, et sur ce que réserve le domaine à l’avenir.	Technological Competence	In-House, Government & Non-Profit, Management, Private Practice, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm	Website	External Source
Gen AI Rules of Engagement for Canadian Lawyers	Since Chat GPT entered the legal lexicon a little more than a year ago, several courts, law societies and liability insurers have issues guidance documents regarding the use of Generative AI. This resource helps lawyers understand the current rules of engagement in every jurisdiction where they practice.	Technological Competence, Manage Practice Risks	Sole Practitioner & Small Firm, Private Practice, Management, Government & Non-Profit, In-House	Article	Law Society of Alberta
Generative AI: Blessing or Curse?	Webinar focusing on current Generative AI tools, issues and trends and how they directly impact the practice of law today, as well as steps you can take to safely transform its potential into tangible outcomes.	Technological Competence, Manage Practice Risks	In-House, Government & Non-Profit, Management, Private Practice, Sole Practitioner & Small Firm	Webinar	Law Society and External Collaboration
Requesting Consent for Cloud Usage and Email Communication in your Retainer Agreement	Communication is essential to effective client service. Retainer agreements provide a first opportunity to communicate the scope of your engagement and the associated fees.	File Management & Security, Technological Competence	Sole Practitioner & Small Firm, Private Practice, Management	Article	Law Society of Alberta
Terms and Conditions of Gen AI Platforms	The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) platforms is becoming increasingly popular, and it is important to understand the terms and conditions associated with their use. The different terms and conditions among platforms are outlined to help you consider your obligations to protect client confidentiality and privilege.	Technological Competence, Manage Practice Risks	Sole Practitioner & Small Firm, Private Practice, Management, Government & Non-Profit, In-House	Article	Law Society of Alberta
Why a Generative AI Use Policy?	AI use policies for firms and organizations are essential to realizing the benefits of Generative AI while containing risks associated with the technology. A Model Generative AI Use Policy is provided for firms and organizations to adapt to their unique circumstances.	Technological Competence, Manage Practice Risks	Sole Practitioner & Small Firm, Private Practice, Management, Government & Non-Profit, In-House	Article	Law Society of Alberta
Lawyers Financial	Lawyers Financial is a not-for-profit organization that provides financial and investment products to Canadian lawyers, their families and employees. Lawyers Financial can help with many of the components critical to business continuity and succession planning, including financial management, debt management, investments, risk management, retirement planning, estate planning and tax planning.	Manage Practice Risks	Sole Practitioner & Small Firm, Private Practice, Management	Website	External Source
Considerations for Choosing Accounting and Practice Management Software	Many law firms obtain accounting and practice management software to assist them in their practice. This resource outlines various considerations to assist with making the best choice for your circumstances.	Effective Accounting & Billing Procedures, File Management & Security, Technological Competence, Time Management & Organization Skills	Sole Practitioner & Small Firm, Private Practice, Management	Checklist	Law Society of Alberta
Key Considerations for Establishing Effective File and Practice Management Systems	These Key Consideration documents will help develop effective file and practice management systems, which are critical to the delivery of competent legal services. These tools can be adapted to suit the needs of a lawyer’s specific practice area.	Time Management & Organization Skills, File Management & Security	Sole Practitioner & Small Firm, Private Practice, Management	Checklist	Law Society of Alberta
Retirement Information Session Webinar	The goal for retiring is to have you reach a position where your clients have been attended to and files have been closed or transferred, any trust monies have been managed and disbursed, and your status with the Law Society has been updated. This webinar will provide guidance on how to accomplish all of this and more, as well as how to set a realistic timeline to get you there.	Manage Practice Risks, Time Management & Organization Skills	Sole Practitioner & Small Firm, Private Practice, Management	Webinar, Video	Law Society of Alberta
Toxic Productivity in Law Webinar: How Does it Happen and How Can We Find a Way Beyond it?	Lawyers are driven individuals, who often seek a relentless pursuit of productivity and achievement. This webinar includes information on what toxic productivity is and what contributes to it, how to create a model within a law firm where productivity and teamwork sit alongside wellbeing, and different models for breaking through the toxicity and finding measures of contentment as a lawyer.	Supervision & Management	Sole Practitioner & Small Firm, Private Practice, Management, Government & Non-Profit, In-House	Webinar	Law Society and External Collaboration
Putting a PLAN in Place for Border Crossings	If you are a lawyer crossing international borders, you should be mindful of your ethical obligations to protect privileged or confidential information. This resource provides information to help develop a plan for crossing international borders ahead of time, to reduce your anxiety and stress and prepare you to meet your professional obligations should you be met with a demand to access your electronic devices.	File Management & Security, Manage Practice Risks	Sole Practitioner & Small Firm, Private Practice, Management, Government & Non-Profit, In-House	Article	Law Society of Alberta

Educational resources in this section are intended for the legal profession as an aid and are not intended to constitute legal or other professional advice. Readers must exercise their professional judgment about the accuracy, utility and applicability of the material. The Law Society of Alberta and Alberta Lawyers Indemnity Association (ALIA) accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions in any resource. If you find any information that is unclear, inaccurate or outdated, please send an email with details to Education.

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