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Efficiency in law firms can be achieved with the reduction of administrative burden, schedule flexibility, or the correct coordination between different departments

Efficiency, that element dreamed of by lawyers (and also desired by the management of all law firms). Efficiency usually means that the maximum number of tasks can be completed in the minimum amount of time. 

Lawyers are some of the professionals who spend the most time in their office, and they are aware that the number of hours is not always a guarantee of quality. 

According to several studies conducted in the United States on hundreds of firms, we rely on the following tips to increase efficiency:

- Reducing the administrative burden

This is most prevalent in small and medium-sized firms. That is, lawyers often perform tasks that are not exclusively related to their clients' requirements, such as administrative tasks (firm billing, social media management, etc.). 

This circumstance detracts from lawyers' concentration in order to provide a better quality service to their clients. 

- Mental and physical care of lawyers

Lawyers often work long hours, and are exposed to high levels of stress and pressure. Managers need to look after their employees to ensure that they have a flexible work schedule that allows them to balance their work and personal lives. 

Rest and mental health care for lawyers is not just a matter of avoiding long working hours. Firm management should encourage the implementation of extra-work activities that allow lawyers from different areas to interact with each other and feel more connected to the firm's values.

- Coordination

Coordination within departments and between different departments is a goal that managers must take care of. Lawyers often have dozens of tasks during the week, do they know what the ultimate purpose of these tasks is? Are they well informed about the paths their firm is following?

Agile methodologies are a tool increasingly used in large companies and law firms should apply them. For example, OKR (Objective Key Results) is one of the most popular agile methodologies and sets key objectives for the firm to achieve. During the OKR process, lawyers would be aware of the tasks to be performed by themselves and other departments, working to a well-structured schedule, actively communicating with their colleagues through weekly meetings, and being aware of the firm's progress.