Ep5 Mastering the After Meeting Email: Your Secret Weapon for Legal Productivity
Want to master the art of follow-up emails and keep your projects on track? 📨✨
In this solo episode of Legal Lightbulbs, Verity White dives into the power of the humble after-meeting email, a simple yet mighty tool to improve productivity, align teams, and demonstrate professionalism.
You’ll discover:
Why after-meeting emails are essential for lawyers and in-house teams.
How to structure your email for maximum clarity and impact.
Pro tips on using text expanders and templates to save time.
The importance of including action items: What, Who, and When.
How to use follow-ups to add nuance, share resources, and keep momentum.
Whether you're leading the meeting or just attending, this episode will show you how to turn discussions into action and ensure every meeting delivers results.
🔗 Ready to elevate your follow-up game? Download the after email template HERE.
Listen Now on Spotify, Apple Podcast or Youtube
"An after-meeting email is more than just a follow-up—it’s your secret weapon for driving action and alignment."
— Verity White, Legal Director, Checklist Legal
In Episode 05 of Legal Lightbulbs, Verity White dives into the power of the humble after-meeting email and how it can transform your legal productivity. Packed with practical tips and strategies, this episode is essential listening for legal professionals looking to streamline projects and ensure accountability.
The episode begins at [00:00:45], with Verity introducing the concept of after-meeting emails as a simple but impactful tool to keep meetings productive and projects on track. She explains how using tools like text expanders or templates can save time and make follow-ups seamless.
At [00:02:00], she discusses the importance of sending these emails to demonstrate active listening, validate client expectations, and ensure alignment. Verity highlights that this practice is especially valuable for in-house lawyers who may not typically create formal file notes.
By [00:04:00], Verity breaks down her go-to structure for after-meeting emails:
Subject Line: Use a clear, descriptive subject like "Notes from today's meeting on [Topic]."
Summary: Briefly outline the key discussion points.
Next Steps: Include a table listing action items with clear ownership and deadlines (Action | Owner | Timeframe).
At [00:05:00], Verity shares how this approach prevents ambiguity, ensuring everyone knows who is responsible for what. She also offers a clever tip: if a decision wasn’t fully resolved during the meeting, use the email as an opportunity to propose actions or assign responsibilities.
The episode wraps up at [00:06:00], with Verity encouraging listeners to integrate additional resources or nuanced details into the email, such as links to internal playbooks or relevant guidelines. She emphasizes that this habit not only streamlines communication but also helps build trust and credibility with clients and colleagues.
If you’re ready to elevate your meeting game and keep your projects moving forward, this episode is a must-listen. Plus, don’t forget to download Verity’s after-meeting email template in the show notes to get started.
#LegalLightbulbs #LegalInnovation #AfterMeetingEmail #ProductiveLawyers #InHouseLegal
Key Takeaways
Let’s recap the secrets of the after meeting email:
1. Make it a habit
The after-meeting email is a simple yet powerful tool that keeps projects on track and ensures accountability. Use it consistently to reinforce alignment and drive action.
2. Use a clear structure
Organise your email with a clear subject line, a brief summary of the discussion, and a detailed list of next steps including actions, owners, and deadlines.
3. Leverage technology
Tools like text expanders or templates can save time and make creating follow-ups effortless. However, even a Google Doc or OneNote can work. Use what suits you best.
4. Ensure accountability
Be specific about who is doing what and by when. If a decision wasn’t finalised during the meeting, suggest a plan or assign responsibilities in your follow-up.
5. Add value with resources
Include links, internal playbooks, or relevant guidelines to provide additional context and support for the action items.
6. Build trust and alignment
Demonstrate active listening and validate expectations through your follow-up email. It’s a powerful way to show engagement and build credibility with clients and colleagues.
Episode Highlights
Go-To Productivity Tool: Verity’s after-meeting email template is a game-changer for tracking actions, assigning ownership, and maintaining project momentum. Check the show notes for the downloadable template and step-by-step instructions.
Advice for In-House Lawyers: A clear, concise follow-up email after meetings can elevate your communication, validate expectations, and ensure alignment with your clients and colleagues.
Recommended Resource: Explore Verity’s tips on using text expanders or simple tools like Google Docs to streamline your after-meeting emails. Details are available in the show notes to help you get started!
💡Legal Light Bulb Moment:
"Here’s the magic formula for follow-ups: action, owner, timeframe. This simple formula will keep your projects on track and your team aligned."
Links
Connect with Verity!
Verity White: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verityw
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/checklistlegal
Head to the The Checklist Boutique for access to the other templates and examples mentioned in the show.
