What to Check After Attorney Work is Completed

After attorney work is completed, verify all documents are properly executed, review billing accuracy, confirm deadlines are met, understand next steps, and ensure you have copies of all relevant files and correspondence.

Why Should You Review Completed Legal Work?

Legal work involves complex procedures, strict deadlines, and significant consequences for your personal or business interests. Even the most competent attorneys can make oversights, and billing errors occur more frequently than many clients realize. Taking time to review completed work protects your investment and ensures nothing falls through the cracks. This review process also helps you understand what was accomplished, what obligations remain, and how the legal work affects your future decisions. Think of it as quality assurance for one of your most important professional relationships.

Document Verification Checklist

Start by examining all documents your attorney prepared or filed on your behalf:

• All required signatures are present and properly notarized
• Dates, names, and legal descriptions are accurate throughout
• Documents were filed with correct courts or agencies within deadlines
• You received certified copies of all filed documents
• Cross-references between documents are consistent and correct
• Any conditions precedent or subsequent requirements are clearly identified

How Should You Review Attorney Billing and Costs?

Legal billing deserves careful scrutiny because errors are surprisingly common. Review each time entry for accuracy and reasonableness—look for duplicate charges, excessive time for routine tasks, or charges for work that wasn't actually performed. Verify that expenses match what was discussed upfront and that any cost overruns were properly communicated and approved. Check that billing rates match your fee agreement and that any flat fees were applied correctly. If you spot discrepancies, address them promptly with your attorney's billing department, as most firms have policies for correcting legitimate errors.

What Communication Should You Expect?

Proper case closure involves clear communication about several key areas:

1. Written summary of work completed and outcomes achieved
2. Explanation of any ongoing obligations or deadlines you must meet
3. Clarification of what triggers future legal needs or follow-up work
4. Contact protocol if questions arise after the matter is closed
5. Timeline for when attorney-client privilege and file retention policies apply

What Files and Records Should You Keep?

Your attorney should provide copies of all relevant documents, correspondence, and work product generated during your representation. This includes not just final documents, but also draft versions that show important decision points, correspondence with opposing parties or third parties, and research or analysis that supports the legal strategy. Organize these materials systematically because you may need them for tax purposes, future legal matters, or compliance requirements. Some attorneys charge for excessive copying, so clarify this policy upfront. Digital copies are often more practical for long-term storage and organization.

What About Ongoing Relationships and Future Needs?

Consider how the completed work affects your ongoing relationship with the attorney:

• Whether the attorney will handle future related matters or refer you elsewhere
• How to contact the attorney if implementation questions arise
• What would trigger additional legal fees versus brief follow-up questions
• Whether annual reviews or periodic updates would be beneficial
• How changes in law might affect the completed work over time

How Do You Handle Dissatisfaction or Concerns?

If you have concerns about the quality, completeness, or cost of legal work, address them professionally and promptly. Most attorneys want to resolve legitimate issues to maintain their reputation and client relationships. Start with a direct conversation outlining your specific concerns and desired resolution. Document this conversation in writing afterward. If the attorney is unresponsive or dismissive, you may need to involve the state bar association's client assistance program or seek a second opinion from another attorney. Keep in mind that legal work often involves judgment calls where reasonable attorneys might differ, so focus on clear errors or failures to meet agreed-upon standards.

What Implementation Steps Require Your Action?

Legal work rarely ends with document signing—most matters require follow-up actions to realize the intended benefits. Your attorney should clearly explain what you need to do next, when you need to do it, and what happens if you don't follow through. This might include updating insurance policies, notifying other parties of legal changes, implementing new business procedures, or scheduling periodic reviews. Create a calendar system to track these obligations because missed deadlines can undermine even excellent legal work. Ask your attorney to prioritize action items and identify which ones require professional help versus those you can handle independently.