Even the smallest of law offices can easily become overwhelmed with paper. And, even a “paperless” law firm will still use paper for many legal documents.
Keeping paper organized is a full-time job, and also requires the proper supplies. A law office has many specialty supply needs that are peculiar to their mission. Not every office supply retailer will have these specific items and not every legal supply retailer will offer them at a low price.
So, where can a law office of any size get the best supplies for the money? Read on to find out.
What Supplies Does a Firm Need?
A law office does need many of the same supplies as other types of offices. This includes, but is not limited to:
- File folders
- Legal pads
- Computer paper (legal and standard sizes)
- Envelopes
- Sticky notes and flags
- Stationery and envelopes
- Pens, pencils, highlighters
- Hole punch
- Stapler
- Printer ink
But many supplies are specifically used for the practice of law. Some of these include:
- Legal brief covers and folders
- Custom stamps
- Custom labels and file tabs
- Partitioned and accordion folders
- Preprinted stock certificates
- Custom will and trust supplies
- Court reporter supplies
- Exhibit labels and tabs
While you can get your basic office supplies from a big box store, for crafting some legal documents, you will need to look a little further.
Finding Your Legal Supply Vendor
An internet search for “legal supplies” will lead you in the right direction, but you will need to do some comparison shopping and possibly some negotiating to get the best price.
Your best plan is to find one regular supplier who will work with you not only on price but with meeting all your supply needs in the time frame they occur. That supplier is optimally a business-to-business vendor, that understands the special needs of a legal office, and keeps a full stock of high-quality legal supplies on hand, to be shipped directly to you.
Your particular law firm needs to be well-known by your supplier, and that supplier should be able to answer your questions and care for issues like missing or delayed items without hassle.
Keeping Supply Costs Down
First, consider what you need, and make a list. Once you’ve purchased and received supplies, make sure someone keeps track of how often they are used, and by who.
You can consider buying supplies in bulk if you have storage space. However, it may be difficult to time your supply needs all at once, especially if you have a lot of people working at your firm.
Decide what supply items need to be of the best quality, such as storage folders, presentation covers, and heavy-duty envelopes. Be willing to pay more for items of quality, and less for things that less crucial, such as paper clips or computer paper.
These steps will help your firm obtain and steward your office supplies in a way that serves everyone there and at the best price to you.
Stay Loyal
Loyalty to your legal supply vendor can sometimes pay off in reduced prices for quality goods, so once you find that vendor, use them for all your supply needs.
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