Most family law attorneys feel deluged by client calls. We end up with message slips and voicemails that overwhelm us and our staff. Can you stop it? Can you slow it down?

Absolutely.

Here’s how you can do it:

1. Create a list of all active clients along with their phone numbers.

2. Put two check boxes next to each name.

3. Print a fresh copy of the list before Monday morning and keep it on your person.

4. As you drive to the office on Monday, start calling the list. If you get the client on the line, give the client a quick update on the status of his or her case and answer any questions. If your call goes to voicemail, leave a short message with a brief update on the case. Explain that there is no need to return your call unless the client has a question.

5. Get through the whole list by noon on Wednesday. Check off the names as you go. Use your time in the car, train, or on the bus, between meetings, and while waiting at the courthouse to check off some names. If all else fails, then stop at 11 AM on Wednesday and go solid until you’ve completed the list.

6. Start over at noon on Wednesday and run through the list again. Get it done by the close of business on Friday. Don’t assume that a call from them to you is the same as a call from you to them. It’s not. A big part of this systems is that you initiated the communication. It’s key that you’re being proactive and that the client isn’t initiating the communication. They’ve got to feel that you’re taking the lead and driving things forward.

7. Print a fresh copy of the list and start over again on Monday.

That’s it. It’s simple.

Of course, now you’re wondering how you’ll find the time to make all those calls. You’re right: it’s going to be tough for the first two weeks, and then it’ll get easier. The time will come from the time you save from not having to return all those calls. It will come from the time you save avoiding client upsets. It will come from the time you save not having to argue with clients about paying your bill. It will come from avoiding the “whose side are you on” conversations.

This approach works—I promise. Get proactive, get ahead of the client, and you’ll find your desk clear of message slips and your e-mail box clear of client calls. Please, please, please try this for two weeks. If it doesn’t work, you’ll be entitled to a full refund. However, I’m not worried about refunds because this approach works. It just works.