The Oklahoma Bar Journal March 2025

to ensure consistency, accuracy and collaboration. Dr. Gawande outlines how checklists, when designed thoughtfully, can enhance communication, streamline pro cesses and ultimately impact lives – whether in an operating room, an airplane cockpit or a law office. This, in a nutshell, is why law firms should have procedures manuals. The book constitutes a call to action for all of us to embrace the simplicity and rigor of checklists to navigate complexity, reduce errors and achieve excellence. Since the book, a former New York Time s bestseller, was originally published long ago, it is inex pensive. The current paperback version is listed for less than $10 on Amazon. We often use to-do lists to make certain we get the day’s tasks completed. But wouldn’t it be nice if many of the lists were already created?

for amplifying efficiency, improv ing client service and driving long-term success.

Start Small, and Scale Lesson : Applying automation incrementally to specific areas ( e.g. , timekeeping, billing or e-discovery) allows law firms to test its impact on efficiency before scaling up. Action : Begin by automating low-risk, repetitive tasks. Once successful, expand automation to other operations. Emphasize Client Experience Lesson : Automation should not only improve internal efficiency but also enhance client interac tions. For instance, automating client updates or providing access to information through a client portal can improve transparency and satisfaction. Action : Use technology to streamline communication and improve the overall client expe rience without sacrificing the personal touch. By focusing on these lessons, law firms can ensure that technol ogy and automation serve as tools

LESSONS FROM THE CHECKLIST MANIFESTO

The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right by Atul Gawande is a book I have been recommend ing to Oklahoma lawyers for more than two decades. It is timeless, containing a compelling explora tion of how simple checklists can significantly improve outcomes in complex situations. Drawing on his experiences as a surgeon and case studies from diverse fields – such as aviation, construction and disas ter management – Dr. Gawande illustrates how the human brain often struggles with managing intricate tasks and avoiding critical errors, especially under pressure. The book emphasizes that even experts can overlook essential steps, especially when working under tight time constraints. Checklists serve as a powerful tool

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THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL