As the world slowly resumes to pre-COVID status, traveling—whether it be for family reunions, vacations, or work—is back in action! Traveling to get away from a routine and out from behind the desk can be invigorating, but for many lawyers, it’s a necessity for increasing productivity. Moreover, coordinating travel plans for yourself or your witnesses can be time-consuming and even complicated without the proper resources. Created and led by two plaintiff attorneys, LevelEsq understands the obligations of lawyers who travel for the good of their clients, cases, and overall practice.  

Read on for the top essential tips and tools for lawyers who travel on business!

Why are Traveling Tips Important for Lawyers?

Traveling can be quite the hustle and bustle. Therefore, it is crucial to have everything prepared before your big legal case in a different city or state. Creating convenience is key to ensuring you maximize your time away. Being away from the office and home can be difficult—especially when traveling for legal cases is often. Top tips of the pros can greatly reduce the stress and anxiety of traveling for lawyers. Several legal professionals may be required to travel for work. They may include trial and litigation attorneys. The most common legal niches that require traveling for legal cases are personal injury and medical malpractice. The main purposes for lawyers needing to travel for work include but are not limited to:

• Legal and business seminars
• Client cases
• Depositions
• New firm opening
• And more

Top Tips for Lawyers When Traveling

If you are getting ready to travel on behalf of your law firm, these tips and tools are proven to maximize productivity, stay connected when you are away, and garner further client satisfaction.

1. Legal Case Management

When you are traveling for a client, it is vital to be adequately prepared for the legal case. Not only do you need to be top-notch organized, but you must also prepare for any unforeseen circumstances. A wide variety of legal case management tools are available. Managing the lifecycle of the case is essential for traveling for your clients. You need each and every step of the case on hand as if you were in your office. Ensuring you are adequately covered for your legal case is another great tip. Companies that offer insurance for cost disbursement, increase your ROI, and allow you to pursue justice across state lines are available to protect you and your firm.

2. Travel Technology and Tools

Cloud computing and DropBox are two of the most popular travel technologies for lawyers. The programs allow you to access documents from any electronic means. Whether it be a cellphone, tablet, or laptop, your desktop computer and online documents can be accessed from anywhere in the world. Video conferencing is another app that is useful when lawyers travel for cases. Should you need to converse with legal professionals at the office when you are away, apps such as Zoom and Skype are great choices to conduct video calls.

3. Send Documents Beforehand

If you have a big litigation case coming up that requires you to travel to a different state, ship your documents ahead of time. There is nothing worse than showing up unprepared. Make copies of the documents and consider sending them to the appropriate location. Shipping documents keeps you organized and is more convenient than carrying large boxes full of important documents.  

Tip: Send your typical office supplies in advance, too, such as:

• Legal pads
• Pens and pencils
• Highlighters
• Return shipping labels (to send the materials back when you are done)

4. Maintain Etiquette

When traveling, it is important to keep in mind that you are traveling for business reasons—not personal. Keep your best foot forward and practice both personal and legal etiquette, even off the clock. It can be easy to get swept away in the excitement, but you should never allow your traveling activities to distract you from the business matters at hand. Limiting alcohol consumption, if not avoiding it entirely, staying professional, and maintaining composure is of the utmost importance. You may be perceived in a different light and risk your career should you show up to your legal meetings intoxicated or hungover.

How Do These Investments Improve Your Law Firm?

Lawyers who travel for legal cases can reach a wider range of clients. More clients equal more exposure, an expanded network, and a steadily growing reputation. Travel tips can keep both new and established lawyers relevant, positively impact the image of the law firm, and prove the firm’s trustworthiness and reliability to clients. Longevity in the legal industry is one of the most important factors for a lawyer.

Bottom Line

When traveling for legal work, it is imperative to stay professional and have the availability of running your law firm from a different location. Clients’ trust will greatly improve in you and your firm when you show them your reliability to aggressively defend them even across state lines. Law firms can rapidly expand across the country when clients see you are available to represent them from a different location. Productivity increases in addition to the great reputation of the firm.