Starting Your Law Firm Made Simple: Checklists & Resources
Starting your own law firm is an exciting step, but it requires both legal and business skills. LegalFuel offers essential resources to help you succeed. Below, you’ll find key tools, checklists, and articles to guide you through setting up and managing your practice.
Setting Up Your Law Firm
The New Law Practice/New Office Checklist is a great starting point to guide you through the steps of setting up your firm. It helps ensure you complete essential tasks such as:
- Establishing your business plan
- Entity setup
- Accounting/banking needs
- General office setup
This checklist is part of LegalFuel’s Document Library, which offers additional resources like:
- Sample forms for client communications, fee agreements, and intake
- Office management templates for daily operations
Be sure to explore the other links below for more guidance on corporate structure, staff management, business development, and office space.
Other Resources:
Trust Accounting
Setting up your trust account correctly is essential. Before visiting your bank, review the New Trust Account Checklist to ensure you have all the necessary paperwork.
We also recommend exploring the Trust Accounting Resources page, which provides:
- Forms and templates for opening and managing trust accounts
- Rules and Opinions from The Florida Bar on trust account compliance
- Trust accounting CLEs to help you understand and manage your trust account properly
Other Resources:
Nota by M&T Bank (The Florida Bar Trust Accounting Solution – available at no cost to members)
Technology & Practice Management
Setting up your website and professional email is a crucial part of launching your firm. Depending on your technical skills, you may choose to handle this yourself or consult an IT professional.
LegalFuel offers a basic Website and Email Setup Guide to help you understand:
- How to choose a domain name
- Options for website hosting and design
- Setting up a secure business email
Selecting the right legal practice management software is important for streamlining your firm’s operations. LegalFuel’s Practice Management Software Guide covers:
- Considerations when choosing software
- Questions to ask vendors during a demo
- A buyer’s guide that categorizes software options based on your firm’s needs
Don’t forget to check The Florida Bar’s Member Benefits page for discounted legal tech software and services.
Legal Marketing
Marketing is crucial for bringing in new clients. Your website is just the start—review LegalFuel’s marketing section to learn about social media, marketing strategies, and advertising.
Before launching marketing campaigns, review The Florida Bar’s Ethics & Advertising webpage to ensure compliance with legal advertising rules.
Insurance Options
Whether you’re looking for professional liability insurance, health insurance, or general business coverage, these resources can help:
ABA Florida Insurance List
Member Benefits: Insurance
Expanding Your Practice
If you’re looking to grow your client base, consider joining The Florida Bar’s Lawyer Referral Service (LRS). This service connects consumers with attorneys across Florida.
Local bar associations operate 10 referral services in major cities, while The Florida Bar handles referrals in other areas. Review the coverage area map to see where you are eligible to join.
Lawyers Advising Lawyers (LAL)
If you have legal questions while working on a case, Lawyers Advising Lawyers (LAL) can connect you with an experienced attorney for advice in over 90 areas of law.
- This program consists of 800+ attorney advisors
- Advisors must have at least five years of experience
- Each Florida Bar member in good standing can submit one request every 60 days
To request advice, visit the Lawyers Advising Lawyers website or log into The Florida Bar Member Portal and select Lawyers Advising Lawyers.
Free Continuing Legal Education (CLE)
LegalFuel offers free, on-demand CLE courses covering topics such as practice management, technology, ethics, and mental health and wellness. No registration is required – simply complete the course and self-report your CLE credits in The Florida Bar Member Portal.
Need More Help?
For assistance, call 866-730-2020 Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
VIEWS AND CONCLUSIONS EXPRESSED IN ARTICLES HEREIN ARE THOSE OF THE AUTHORS AND NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF FLORIDA BAR STAFF, OFFICIALS, OR BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE FLORIDA BAR.