How much support staff/ or what support staff structure would you recommend for a new firm with about 350 cases and 3 attorneys?

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

My team is 1 attorney, 1 lit assitant and me as lit paralegal and we have over 700 cases in personal injury. We divide the work and it has not been that bad.

like

Heard that! Thank you. Keep up the good work!

like

One Paralegal or Legal Assistant for every 50 cases

like

I agree with this. My caseload fluctuates but is usually around 100 and I feel like I’m drowning.

Now plz teach me how to get so many clients as a new attorney 🤣 I recently opened my firm and came to learn its hard to break into PI. I am starting to go out and network more but if there are any other tips I would appreciate it.

like

Thank you! That’s very nice of you. DMed

You should be doing one paralegal per attorney, and depending on your lit to pre-lit ratio, you should be investing in some litigation assistants as well.

I don’t have a rule on the number of cases to be split, but I believe in controlling the way responsibilities are split between paralegal & attorney; this really depends on the stage of the case, the complexity of the work, and somewhat the amount of experience the attorney has.

If it’s prelit and the case is in the treatment stage, the attorney should be overseeing treatment and checking in with the client periodically to get status updates on their recovery; the paralegal’s role is making sure the client isn’t missing appointments and is consistent with treatment and that the attorney isn’t missing any correspondences with the adjuster and treaters.

If it’s prelit and demand stage, I have two approaches: 1) if it’s a new attorney without prior PI experience, they’re responsible for getting all records and bills from treaters and for writing all drafts of their demand letter to be reviewed and revised with their paralegal and supervising attorney; 2) if it’s an experienced attorney, their paralegal can handle reports & bills and writing drafts of the demand letters, but the attorney is responsible for the final draft that goes out and any issues that may come out from it. The experienced attorney is going to get a bigger caseload, so they won’t have as much time as the inexperienced attorney to be more hands on when it comes to records retrieval and writing demands.

If the case is in litigation, then the attorney is responsible for all written/oral discovery, motion writing & appearances, with the paralegal being on top of all calendaring, making sure correspondences are received and responded to in time, and all filings are done on time. If the case has a lot of work to be done, then the paralegal and/or litigation assistant can step in and help with discovery responses and motions, but the handling attorney is again responsible for the outcome of the case.

I’ve seen a lot of PI fins use attorneys to sign up a case, only for the case to then be dumped on the paralegals desk to be taken care of; I can’t stand that approach. Our clients sign up with us because they want an attorney to help them, so our attorneys need to be on top of all of their cases and communications with their clients.

Sorry if this doesn’t directly answer your question. The caseload split isn’t my focus; the quality of work and responsibility split is what I focus on. I hate micromanaging so I let the teams do their thing, and if at any point their work becomes unmanageable, then I - or others - will step in and help them get on track.

like

How many will be expected to be in lit and pre-lit at any given time?

Maybe 10%

Check your dm☺️

Right now I'm helping with about 100 cases and I feel comfortable with that.

Related Posts

Can someone please explain to me what a group copy supervisor is? Do you have these at your agency?

What would be an appropriate gift if I want to show appreciation to my juniors before leaving the firm to go in house? What about for partner/counsel?

like

Thought I would try planting marigold seeds indoors this year and oh my goodness

Post Photo
like

Has anyone transferred an embryo that is 1PN instead of 2PN?

like

Hi All

Received offer from HCL for 19LPA
YOE 7.1
Band E3
Associate Consultant
Domain Network Security

CCTC 14LPA
I asked 20LPA.

Is 19 LPA good package for the E3 band?

like

What’s your fave shop that integrates social/digital into their creative?

like

Anyone have luck getting a Z06 allocation?

like

Hey I'm a lawyer who has a few years of experience. Do people hire guys like me for clerkships

like

Hello all

Can someone please help me how to get an offer when we have 90 days notice period? As most of the consultancies are expecting only 30 days. I wanted to move out of tcs as I'm not much comfortable with the project and team.

Expecting a suggestion from you all.

like

Looking for used skis and boots. Are there stores around here that carry them? Online resources?

like

Few Senior positions open in Capgemini.
If anyone interested then DM me.

Post Photo
like

Please do not show to client before Partner review!

Post Photo
likefunny

How can I make $140K and above w/ 5 YOE in operations, program management, client delivery? Worked in NGO for 3 years then consulting for 2 years.

like

Do NOT claim you are "colorblind" in the workplace. 1. DE&I knowledge is now a core leadership competency. Colorblind claims will earn you the reputation of being DEI-ignorant at best & racist at worst. 2. Colorblindness within the context of workplace diversity is an obvious lie. You do NOT want to be painted as an intellectually dishonest leader. 3. Colorblind claims signal that you lack the leadership skills & vocabulary to have key conversations. Ask questions here, in this safe space.

Post Photo
likesmart

What is the average salary for business analysts with non-IT background having 2+ yoe in large banks?

like

In an attempt to be healthier, I built a permanent standing desk. Now, once every couple hours my Apple Watch reminds me “it’s time to stand up” and I feel superior to all those chair sitters out there.

like

Hey sharks,
I have 3 yrs of experience in performance marketing.

Got 3 offers which one should i choose.

Startup- 18 fixed + 3 esops
Practo - 19 fixed + 2 variable
Reliance - 21 fixed

like

I consolidated grad loans in ‘15, kept federal separate from private (w SoFi @6.75%). Can I refinance w SoFi or w Earnest? Should I combine the federal and lose the protections for better %?

Hi there, I’ve been told that Deloitte (London, UK) is going to make me an offer but haven’t heard back and it’s been over two weeks. The recruiter mentioned it would be around the “m2 grade”. Any idea what this pay range is? … I have 3 YOE working in NHS finance and have applied for a position in Risk Advisory, public sector. Curious what life at Deloitte is like? Does a work life balance exist?

like

Hi all do you know if PwC actually calls your ex employers and references ? I got an offer as a senior manager thanks

like

Additional Posts in Personal Injury Lawyers

New to PI. I filed suit and know policy limits ($500k). I want $1M but I have to live in reality. Insurance company wants to know if I have a demand. Is there any reason why I’d demand more than the policy limits?

like

Chicago attorneys: what is the base salary of a 3 year associate? What % of fee do they get on cases they bring in? Do they get paid any money on cases they’re working on but didn’t bring in? I know it varies, looking for info based on personal experience/knowledge.

like

Definitely going to be a noobie question!

My client's medical provider asked for his PIP ledger: how do I get that? Just send a LOR to the carrier and ask?

like

I currently work at a small PI firm in Atlanta were EVERYTHING is settled presuit. If we’re unable to settle, then it’s referred to another firm for litigation. This whole process seems very atypical to me and the attorneys rarely touch a file until the first liability offer is received. The paralegals handle everything from intake to drafting the demands. The attorney briefly skims (does NOT read) the demand packages and signs. Is this ethical?? Anyone else work at a firm that is run this way??

like

What’re the primary differences in PI when practicing in NJ v. NY? Benefits? Drawbacks? Which do you prefer?

likehelpful

What metrics do you think are most important to measure for success of a Plaintiff’s firm? Obviously revenue, but what else is at the top of the list for you?

like

Anyone read Reptile? Is it worth it? I’m making a move to plaintiffs work after 7 years in ID and am trying to learn more about plaintiffs strategy.

like

What are good margins for PI associate attorneys; i.e., what should they make for the firm compared to what the firm would/ should pay them?

like

What documents should I ask my insured for in slip and fall cases in the initial email? Thank you

like

Hello. Does anybody have a CA loss of consortium demand they are willing to share.

like

What's your preference for plaintiff's side? Steady pay at approximately $120k with no bonuses, or a base salary of $70k plus a cut of what you close over a minimum threashold? Midwest-ish market. In both situations, you get a cut of what you bring in.

like

Any idea on what the salaries are for junior associates at the top plaintiffs firms in Miami?

like

What do you guys send as gifts to referral sources for attorneys and/or former client referral sources?

*Assume in my jurisdiction there are no ethical issues associated with this

likehelpful

Anyone work for Morgan & Morgan? Do you know if they allow you to work remotely/hybrid? I’d like to apply with them but the closest office is an hour away and I don’t want that commute. I have a young child.

like

Anyone work in personal injury department for Morgan and Morgan in Orlando or any other central Florida office? If so, what is pay/salary for a 4th year? What can I expect case load wise? Easy transition from defense to Plaintiff? Any thoughts/experiences would be appreciated.

like

Hi all, new-ish associate here at a Virginia firm - quick question: if a pleadings filing deadline for a GDC case ends up being on a Saturday or Sunday, does that mean that it can actually be filed by that following Monday since the court and clerk's office will be open then?

like

What are good KPIs for personal injury support staff?

like

What’s the learning curve making the move from ID to PI? 6th year at an ID firm and just got an offer from a good PI firm, but just nervous bc I’ve never been on the plaintiffs end before.

like

I want to start my own PI firm. What should I know? What should I do? What should I read? Thanks!

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal