You finish the case and send the client a letter explaining that the case is closed. You tell them what happened, what to expect, how to get their documents, and so on, and thank them for allowing you to represent them.
Your letter allows you to protect yourself, in much the way a letter declining representation does, and provides other benefits. This article does a good job explaining these benefits, the risks for not sending one, and a description of what should go in your letter.
But I write about marketing and would be remiss if I didn’t point out how your closing letter (or a secondary letter or document) can bring you more business and solidify your relationship with the client.
What should you say that speaks to that subject? That depends on your practice area, your relationship with the client, and other factors, but here are some options to consider:
- Thank you again for choosing me/your firm, how they helped make your job easier (with examples), and how you enjoyed getting to know (and work with) them and their team, partners or family
- A summary of the steps you took during the pendency of the case, or a recap of what you’ve previously sent them, so they can see how much you did to earn your fee
- If the case was lost or the result was disappointing, some perspective about that
- A request to fill out a survey about their level of satisfaction with the work you did and how you treated them
- A request to leave a review and instructions about how and where to do that; copies of (or links to) reviews by other clients as examples
- A list of your other practice areas, a description of how to recognize when they might need them, and (optionally) an offer for a free consultation or special offer
- Asking them to contact you about any future legal issue because you know a lot of good lawyers who handle things you don’t handle
- A request to share your report, presentation, brochure, business card, web page, etc. with people who might need or want information about a legal issue and how you can help them
- A request for referrals and details about what to say and do to make it easier for them and the people they refer
- Telling them you will continue to send them information they can use in their business or personal life (and/or requesting them to sign up for your newsletter)
And then, in a couple of weeks, call them to see if they got this letter, if they have questions, and to once again thank them for choosing you as their attorney.
The case has ended; the relationship continues.
