Master Case Chart

Most civil litigators have a batch of cases on their desks.

It can be easy to lose track of what's what.

When I first saw a chart like the one below, I had a lightbulb moment.

For about five, maybe even six, years, I've had a running "Master Case Chart."

It includes:

✔ Case details (parties, jurisdiction)

✔ Firm's matter number

✔ Who else is on the team (attorneys and paralegals)

✔ Key dates and deadlines

✔ Miscellaneous notes (and often a link to the electronic docket)

There's a standing reminder on my calendar--every Thursday--to review and update it.

Before I go on vacation, I circulate it to the attorneys I work with, so they know the status (and potentially who else to go to if something comes up).

I also circulate it ahead of trial or when I'm otherwise unavailable because work has piled up.

When I come back from vacation, I review it and update it, to make sure things haven't fallen through the cracks.

Outside of the regular Thursday check-ins, it is now second nature for me to update it every time something major happens in a case and, of course, every time I new file comes across my desk.

When files end or close, I move them to a separate "closed" section at the end of the document and when that gets too long, I move them to a "closed matters" document that is separate (and a good reminder of all I've done since joining my firm three years ago).

Systems and organization can free up so much time in your days and weeks.

It also frees up space in your brain--I don't worry (as much) about details and deadlines anymore, because I know I've written them down in this chart (and on my calendar and via the firm's docketing system).

Build the systems and habits--as early as possible and yet: it is never too late.

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