New Hire Onboarding Checklist — Law Firm
NEW HIRE ONBOARDING CHECKLIST — LAW FIRM
Table of Contents
- New Hire Information
- Pre-Start Date Tasks
- Day One — Administrative Setup
- First Week — Systems and Training
- Ethics and Confidentiality Training
- Attorney-Specific Onboarding
- 30-Day Check-In
- 90-Day Review
- Completion Sign-Off
1. New Hire Information
Employee Name: [________________________________]
Position / Title: [________________________________]
Department / Practice Group: [________________________________]
Start Date: [__/__/____]
Supervising Attorney: [________________________________]
Onboarding Coordinator: [________________________________]
Employee Type: ☐ Attorney ☐ Paralegal ☐ Legal Assistant ☐ Administrative ☐ IT / Operations ☐ Of Counsel ☐ Contract / Temporary
Employment Status: ☐ Full-time ☐ Part-time ☐ Exempt ☐ Non-exempt
2. Pre-Start Date Tasks
Completed By: Office Manager / HR
☐ Offer letter signed and returned — Date: [__/__/____]
☐ Employment agreement / at-will acknowledgment signed
☐ Background check completed (if applicable) — Date: [__/__/____]
☐ References verified
☐ Office / workspace assigned: [________________________________]
☐ Computer / laptop ordered and configured
☐ Email account created: [________________________________]
☐ Phone extension assigned: [________________________________]
☐ Business cards ordered
☐ Building access / keys / security badge arranged
☐ Parking arranged (if applicable)
☐ Welcome packet prepared (employee handbook, firm directory, etc.)
☐ First-week schedule created and shared with new hire
3. Day One — Administrative Setup
Employment Documentation
☐ IRS Form I-9 — Employment Eligibility Verification (must be completed by Day 3)
☐ IRS Form W-4 — Federal Withholding
☐ State withholding form(s): [________________________________]
☐ Direct deposit authorization
☐ Emergency contact information
☐ Benefits enrollment packet distributed (enrollment deadline: [__/__/____])
☐ Health insurance
☐ Dental / vision
☐ 401(k) / retirement plan
☐ Life / disability insurance
☐ Other: [________________________________]
Firm Policies — Acknowledgment Required
☐ Employee handbook received and acknowledged
☐ Anti-harassment / anti-discrimination policy
☐ Drug-free workplace policy (if applicable)
☐ Social media policy
☐ Remote work / hybrid policy (if applicable)
☐ Timekeeping and billing policy
☐ Dress code / professional appearance policy
Technology and Access
☐ Computer login credentials provided
☐ Email and calendar set up and tested
☐ Case management system access: [________________________________]
☐ Document management system access: [________________________________]
☐ Time and billing system access: [________________________________]
☐ VPN / remote access configured and tested
☐ Printer / scanner access configured
☐ Multi-factor authentication enabled
☐ Firm phone system set up (voicemail recorded)
4. First Week — Systems and Training
Systems Training
☐ Case management software training — Date: [__/__/____]
☐ Time and billing software training — Date: [__/__/____]
☐ Document management system training — Date: [__/__/____]
☐ Email and calendar system orientation
☐ Legal research platform access and training (☐ Westlaw ☐ LexisNexis ☐ Other: [________])
☐ E-filing system training (☐ CM/ECF ☐ State e-filing: [________])
☐ Firm intranet / shared drive orientation
Office Orientation
☐ Tour of office (conference rooms, kitchen, supply room, file room, mail room)
☐ Introduction to all team members
☐ Introduction to key contacts (IT, accounting, reception)
☐ Copy / scan / fax machine operation
☐ Supply ordering process
☐ Mail and courier procedures
☐ Conference room booking process
5. Ethics and Confidentiality Training
Required for ALL Employees
☐ Confidentiality Policy Review — MRPC 1.6 obligations explained
☐ Duty not to disclose client information
☐ Secure document handling and disposal
☐ Clean-desk policy
☐ No discussion of client matters in public areas
☐ Conflict of Interest Procedures — MRPC 1.7, 1.9, 1.10
☐ How to run a conflict check
☐ Duty to report potential conflicts immediately
☐ New hire conflict check completed: ☐ Yes — Date: [__/__/____]
☐ IOLTA / Trust Account Policy — MRPC 1.15
☐ Reviewed and acknowledged (if role involves trust fund handling)
☐ Cybersecurity and Data Protection
☐ Password policies
☐ Phishing awareness
☐ Acceptable use of firm technology
☐ Client data protection obligations
☐ Records Retention Policy
☐ Anti-Money Laundering Awareness (if applicable to practice area)
Confidentiality Agreement
☐ Employee confidentiality / non-disclosure agreement signed — Date: [__/__/____]
6. Attorney-Specific Onboarding
☐ Bar admission verified: [State(s): ________________________________]
☐ Bar number(s): [________________________________]
☐ Malpractice insurance coverage confirmed
☐ Added to firm's professional liability policy — Date: [__/__/____]
☐ CLE requirements reviewed for admitted jurisdiction(s)
☐ Pro hac vice admission needs identified (if applicable)
☐ Supervisory responsibilities explained (MRPC 5.1)
☐ Billable hour expectations discussed: [____] hours / year
☐ Client development expectations discussed
☐ Mentorship / buddy system assignment: [________________________________]
☐ Review of current caseload / matter assignments
☐ Court admission status verified (federal courts, specialty courts)
7. 30-Day Check-In
Date: [__/__/____]
Conducted By: [________________________________]
☐ Employee adjustment and satisfaction discussed
☐ Workload and assignments reviewed
☐ Training gaps identified: [________________________________]
☐ Questions and concerns addressed
☐ Goals for next 60 days established:
☐ [________________________________]
☐ [________________________________]
Notes: [________________________________]
8. 90-Day Review
Date: [__/__/____]
Conducted By: [________________________________]
☐ Performance evaluation completed
☐ All onboarding items verified complete
☐ Probationary period outcome (if applicable): ☐ Continue employment ☐ Extend probation ☐ Terminate
☐ Ongoing development plan established
☐ Benefits enrollment confirmed
Notes: [________________________________]
9. Completion Sign-Off
All onboarding tasks have been completed.
Employee Signature: ________________________________ Date: [__/__/____]
Supervisor Signature: ________________________________ Date: [__/__/____]
HR / Office Manager Signature: ________________________________ Date: [__/__/____]
Sources and References
About This Template
Practice management documents are the internal paperwork that runs a law firm: intake forms, engagement letters, file management policies, and closing letters. Consistent practice management reduces malpractice risk, speeds up billing, and keeps client relationships organized across the life of a matter. Many bar disciplinary complaints trace back to poor practice management rather than bad lawyering, so these templates directly affect a firm's exposure.
Important Notice
This template is provided for informational purposes. It is not legal advice. We recommend having an attorney review any legal document before signing, especially for high-value or complex matters.
Last updated: April 2026