how to organize your legal case files so you can run your litigation matters with confidence, clarity & less stress
No one taught us how to organize our case files in law school. And that's wild given:
- They help you get clear on your case's underlying facts, law, and deadlines, which frees up your brain to bring its intellectual and creative A-game when it comes to case strategy.
- Organized case files make sure you have critical case information at your fingertips when a client calls or a colleague swings by.
- They help you clarify your game plan for your case in a way that will significantly reduce your stress and increase your confidence.
Since no one taught us how to keep our case files organized, and, years ago, as a first year associate buried under complaints and produced documents, I came up empty-handed after Googling around for answers...
Here's the guide I wish had existed then.
This method is derived from my 5+ years of practicing IP and general commercial litigation at firms in Boston and California.
My goal is to pass on my tried-and-true method to you so it can serve you for years to come. It will help you hit the ground running in any litigation matter.
This guide, How to Organize Your Legal Case Files, sets out in step-by-step detail:
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Exactly how to organize your main case and discovery documents so that they're at your fingertips for client calls, court hearings, when you're drafting a brief, and dashing to a colleague's office for a team meeting;
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How to organize your electronic case files (down to file structure and naming convention);
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How to keep track of all documents and information exchanged during discovery;
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How to create a clear and evidence-supported timeline of all the underlying relevant facts of your case (which comes in super handy during depo prep!); and
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How to manage and meet case deadlines.
"After implementing Kelly's guide, I have felt more prepared and less stressed because I have a quantifiable system for getting everything set up."
– Hannah Garrett, Attorney, Root Legal, Nashville, Tennessee
"Definitely invest in these guides and templates. It greatly reduced stress levels on new cases coming in. I am currently re-doing my previous cases and look forward to the same stress relief."
– Brandon Stanko, Attorney, Jacksonville, Florida
"I was really hesitant about this purchase, but the guide and spreadsheets are amazing!"
– Heather Murrell, Paralegal
"With an undergraduate degree from Dartmouth and a law degree from Boston College as well as big law firm experience, Kelly is smart as a whip – and she understands how law firms and complex organizations work. She has a PhD in decluttering and organizing. ... Kelly is worth her weight in gold. Five stars across the board."
– Rick Waite, Partner, Keeney Waite & Stevens
You have two options:
THE GUIDE + TEMPLATES
$27
The Guide: How to Organize Your Legal Case Files
Plus templates to save you time and hit the ground running. Specifically, the included templates are for:
- Your Case Management Notebook Table of Contents;
- Your Discovery Notebook Table of Contents;
- Your Dates Cheat Sheet;
- Your Timeline, a spreadsheet that helps you organize all critical case facts, dates, and people involved in each fact, and ties those facts to relevant documents, discovery responses, and other sources that underly each fact/date;
- Document Production spreadsheet, which gives you a high-level understanding of all documents produced in the litigation.
Hi - I'm Kelly Nolan.
After practicing for over five years as a patent and general commercial litigator, I now help attorneys ditch the overwhelm. Using actionable time and task management strategies, I empower you to find calm clarity in how you manage all your roles in your personal life, family and career.
If you're interested in learning more about my programs, feel free to email me at [email protected] or visit me at www.kellynolan.com.
