It’s not uncommon for a larger law firm to separate into two smaller firms. This can be done to focus on a more specialized area of law, or when a partner decides to open his or her own firm. It’s vitally important to handle the split correctly and law management software can be a key tool in this process.

1. Is Your Law Practice
Splitting? Ease The
Transition With Law
Practice Software
Presented by:
LexisNexis
http://www.lexisnexis.com

2. Splitting Firms
n It’s not uncommon for a larger law firm to separate into
two smaller firms.
n This can be done to focus on a more specialized area of
law, or when a partner decides to open his or her own
firm.
n It’s vitally important to handle the split correctly and
law management software can be a key tool in this
process.

3. Things To Consider With
Law Management Software
n Only one office can keep the license for the legal
practice software.
n The other firm will likely wish to stick with familiar
office applications and will need to purchase its own
license.
n Should this cost be the burden of the new office or
should both firms split the cost?

4. Things To Consider With
Law Management Software
n Law management software can’t be the only
consideration.
n Who owns the information held within the software?
n Will the database be split, held by one company or
copied to both?
n Many legal practice software applications let you create
more than one database so firms can switch between
old and new databases.

5. Legal And Financial Issues
n Law firms should spell out all details related to the split.
n This can include how clients will be divided and how to
handle conflicts of interest.
n Some firms may be tempted to handle this themselves,
however, it’s a good idea to get outside counsel to help.
n This will help ensure everything is spelled out and a firm
that specializes in business agreements may be able to
point out something you haven’t thought of.

6. Legal And Financial Issues
n Finances can be complicated.
n Some clients don’t pay in a
timely manner, which means
earnings can come in even after
the split.
n Setting up a separate account that can handle joint costs
and earnings is a great way to handle this.
n Legal practice software can be vital in keeping these joint
assets separate from each firm’s individual assets.

7. Communication With Employees
n Expect some anxiety from employees before, during and
after the split.
n Some will worry that they will lose their jobs while others
will be concerned that they won’t be supported in their
positions.
n Assure employees that they’ll have job security, but if this
isn’t possible try to hire a recruitment firm to help them
find other positions.
n The best way to eliminate worries is to be honest and keep
the communication lines open throughout the split.

8. Communication With Clients
n Clients should also be informed of the split well in
advance.
n You don’t want clients to hear about the split from a
competing firm.
n Define the role of each firm and let clients know who
their contact will be.
n Use your law management software to create accurate
client lists to ensure that you don’t forget to notify
someone, even if they haven’t been an active client in a
while.

9. Finishing The Transition
n The transition can be
difficult, even if it brings
positive changes.
n Think ahead, plan carefully
and use legal practice
software to smooth out any
kinks that may arise during
your split.

10. About LexisNexis
n LexisNexis is a leading provider of content-
enabled workflow solutions designed specifically
for professionals in the legal, risk management,
corporate, government, law enforcement,
accounting and academic markets.
n The company can customize its products to the
needs of the modern law firm and offers unique
features that generic software solutions cannot.