Some refer to the practice of law as part art and part craft. Everything lawyers do can be reduced to a process. Intuition plays a role. Sometimes luck plays a role. But for most aspects, there is a process that if followed leads to success. Most everything is a task that can be reduced to a series of steps - a checklist. By following these checklists, not only avoid mistakes but goals can be achieved, both small and large. To ensure that all the i's are dotted and all t's are crossed, lawyers should take the time to list all their tasks and reduce each to a series of steps that if followed will accomplish those tasks effectively and efficiently.

Taking a deposition? There should be a checklist. Defending a deposition? A checklist. Writing an article? Have a checklist. Most lawyers, whether they are conscious about it or not, have mental checklists they follow whether it's getting ready for a hearing, mediation, or trial. They follow certain procedures when interviewing a witness, drafting a pleading, or negotiating a settlement. Most of the practice is a process, and by shifting the paradigm from art and craft to process, quality, efficiency, and results can improve.

The Practice and Process of Law: Checklists for Every Occasion provides direction in utilizing checklists for success.