The Final Phase of Legal Project Management:
The Close phase is the final and arguably the most critical stage in the 4-stage Legal Project Management (LPM) framework. Yet, it’s often the most overlooked.
As new matters and client demands emerge, it’s tempting to move on. But taking the time to properly close a matter ensures all loose ends are tied up, and lessons are captured, creating value for both law firms and clients.
Here’s why a controlled matter closure is essential:
Complete the Legal Objectives:
All legal deliverables, documents signed, filings complete, and closing checklists ticked off and finalised. This ensures the matter meets its legal goals and the client’s needs. Tools like Litera Transact can streamline closing checklists and digitally manage conditions precedents.
And don’t forget: there are non-legal deliverables to address too.
Wrap Up with Discipline:
Use a checklist to ensure all operational items are completed efficiently:
- Time: Finalise all time entries
- Disbursements: Close any outstanding third-party costs
- Status: Share final report with client — scope, outcomes, and costs
- Invoice: Raise and send the final invoice
- Bible: Provide a digital transaction bible (e.g. via HighQ)
- Archive: Store physical materials appropriately
- System: Close the matter in the PMS to avoid timekeeping errors
Listen to the Client:
Don’t miss the opportunity to ask: “How was your experience — not just with our legal advice, but how we managed the matter?”
Gathering feedback strengthens relationships and unlocks real, actionable insights to enhance service delivery.
Lessons Learned:
Reflection creates improvement. Hold a short team debrief. Capture:
- What worked well?
- What would we do differently?
- What processes or precedents need refining?
Feed these lessons into your wider knowledge-sharing efforts to build a culture of continuous improvement.
Recognise the Team:
Legal matters demand focus, resilience, and teamwork. Celebrate the contributions of your team:
- A team lunch
- A personal thank-you email
- A shout-out in a team meeting
Recognition keeps morale high and helps maintain a positive, high-performance culture.
Closing Matters Like Landing Planes:
It’s just as important to land the plane safely and smoothly as it is to take off. The same principle applies to legal matters. A disciplined Close phase strengthens client relationships, captures learning, and elevates future performance.
Next-generation matter management starts here — contact us at Telescope.
By Aaran Scott, a global legal operations strategist and keynote speaker, drawing on 10+ years of partnering with leading law firms to transform matter management and deliver exceptional client value.
