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Free Legal Template

Free Client Intake Procedure Template

Download a free client intake procedure template in Word, PDF, or Markdown. Or bring your notes, PDFs, or a recording and let Docsie AI fill in every section for you.

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Initial Screening Checklist Conflict Check Engagement Letter Process Document Collection Matter Opening

Client Intake Procedure

Use this template to new client onboarding for [practice area].

Template Metadata

Field Details
Category Legal
Owner [Team or owner]
Version [Version number]
Effective Date [Date]
Review Cycle [Monthly / Quarterly / Annual / Event-based]
Status [Draft / In Review / Approved]

Initial Screening Checklist

Step-by-step checklist for the first client contact. Include key questions to determine matter viability, jurisdiction, statute of limitations concerns, and whether the matter fits the firm's practice areas.

Item Details Owner Status
[Item or requirement] [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] [Owner] [Open / Complete]
[Item or requirement] [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] [Owner] [Open / Complete]

Notes

[Add context, assumptions, exceptions, evidence links, screenshots, calculations, or reviewer comments.]

Conflict Check

Detail the conflict-of-interest screening process. Specify which databases and records to search, what information to collect from the prospective client, who reviews potential conflicts, and the escalation process for.

Item Details Owner Status
[Item or requirement] [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] [Owner] [Open / Complete]
[Item or requirement] [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] [Owner] [Open / Complete]

Notes

[Add context, assumptions, exceptions, evidence links, screenshots, calculations, or reviewer comments.]

Engagement Letter Process

Describe the engagement letter workflow: who drafts it, required terms, fee structures, scope limitations, client approval steps, and filing procedures.

Item Details Owner Status
[Item or requirement] [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] [Owner] [Open / Complete]
[Item or requirement] [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] [Owner] [Open / Complete]

Notes

[Add context, assumptions, exceptions, evidence links, screenshots, calculations, or reviewer comments.]

Document Collection

Provide a table of documents to request from the client organized by category. Include document type, required vs. optional status, format preferences, and deadline.

Item Details Owner Status
[Item or requirement] [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] [Owner] [Open / Complete]
[Item or requirement] [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] [Owner] [Open / Complete]

Notes

[Add context, assumptions, exceptions, evidence links, screenshots, calculations, or reviewer comments.]

Matter Opening

Steps to formally open the matter in the firm's systems: file numbering, team assignment, calendar deadlines, and initial task creation. Use checklists and tables. Be precise about responsible parties and timelines.

Item Details Owner Status
[Item or requirement] [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] [Owner] [Open / Complete]
[Item or requirement] [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] [Owner] [Open / Complete]

Notes

[Add context, assumptions, exceptions, evidence links, screenshots, calculations, or reviewer comments.]

Review and Signoff

Document review conclusions, approvals, unresolved items, and next review date.

Role Name Date Notes
Preparer [Name] [Date] [Notes]
Reviewer [Name] [Date] [Notes]
Approver [Name] [Date] [Notes]

Template Structure

What the Client Intake Procedure Template Includes

Use this legal template as a starting point, then customize each section to match your internal workflow, evidence, and signoff needs.

1

Initial Screening Checklist

Step-by-step checklist for the first client contact. Include key questions to determine matter viability, jurisdiction, statute of limitations concerns, and whether the matter fits the firm's practice areas.

2

Conflict Check

Detail the conflict-of-interest screening process. Specify which databases and records to search, what information to collect from the prospective client, who reviews potential conflicts, and the escalation process for.

3

Engagement Letter Process

Describe the engagement letter workflow: who drafts it, required terms, fee structures, scope limitations, client approval steps, and filing procedures.

4

Document Collection

Provide a table of documents to request from the client organized by category. Include document type, required vs. optional status, format preferences, and deadline.

5

Matter Opening

Steps to formally open the matter in the firm's systems: file numbering, team assignment, calendar deadlines, and initial task creation. Use checklists and tables. Be precise about responsible parties and timelines.

Recommended Structure

Write a Client Intake Procedure for a law firm practice area. Use a formal but practical tone appropriate for administrative and legal staff. Structure with:

Initial Screening Checklist

Step-by-step checklist for the first client contact. Include key questions to determine matter viability, jurisdiction, statute of limitations concerns, and whether the matter fits the firm's practice areas.

Conflict Check

Detail the conflict-of-interest screening process. Specify which databases and records to search, what information to collect from the prospective client, who reviews potential conflicts, and the escalation process for identified conflicts.

Engagement Letter Process

Describe the engagement letter workflow: who drafts it, required terms, fee structures, scope limitations, client approval steps, and filing procedures.

Document Collection

Provide a table of documents to request from the client organized by category. Include document type, required vs. optional status, format preferences, and deadline.

Matter Opening

Steps to formally open the matter in the firm's systems: file numbering, team assignment, calendar deadlines, and initial task creation.

Use checklists and tables. Be precise about responsible parties and timelines.

Example Filled Template

New Client Intake — Commercial Litigation Practice

Firm: Whitfield & Associates LLP | Version: 3.0 | Effective: January 2026

Initial Screening Checklist

  • [ ] Record prospective client's full legal name and contact information
  • [ ] Identify all adverse parties and related entities
  • [ ] Determine nature of dispute and approximate amount in controversy
  • [ ] Confirm jurisdiction and venue considerations
  • [ ] Check applicable statute of limitations — flag if less than 90 days remaining
  • [ ] Assess whether matter falls within firm's practice capabilities
  • [ ] Determine client's budget expectations and willingness to engage in discovery
  • [ ] Schedule intake meeting with assigned partner within 5 business days

Conflict Check

  1. Collect names of all parties, affiliates, subsidiaries, and key individuals from the prospective client
  2. Search firm conflict database (ProLaw) for all identified names and known aliases
  3. Search attorney personal recollection — circulate conflict memo to all partners in the litigation group
  4. Review results within 48 hours; if potential conflict identified, escalate to Ethics Partner (currently M. Torres)
  5. Document clearance in the intake file with date, reviewer name, and search terms used

Engagement Letter Process

Step Responsible Party Deadline
Draft engagement letter from template Intake Coordinator Day 1 after clearance
Review and customize scope, fee terms Assigned Partner Day 2
Send to client via DocuSign Legal Assistant Day 3
Follow up if unsigned after 5 days Intake Coordinator Day 8
Countersigned copy filed to matter Legal Assistant Within 24 hours of execution

Document Collection

Document Type Required Format Deadline
Contracts or agreements at issue Yes PDF or original Intake meeting
Correspondence between parties Yes PDF / email export Within 10 days
Prior legal opinions or filings If applicable PDF Within 10 days
Financial records (damages) Yes Excel / PDF Within 21 days
Insurance policies If applicable PDF Within 21 days

Matter Opening

  1. Assign matter number in ProLaw using format [Year]-[Practice]-[Seq] (e.g., 2026-COMLIT-0048)
  2. Create matter folder in the document management system with standard subfolder structure
  3. Add all critical deadlines (statute of limitations, response dates) to the firm calendar
  4. Assign partner, associate, and paralegal in ProLaw
  5. Send welcome packet and secure portal credentials to client within 24 hours of engagement execution
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Bring what you already have: meeting notes, an old PDF, a spreadsheet, a walkthrough recording. Docsie AI drafts every section of this client intake procedure template in the structure above, then exports to Word, PDF, or Markdown for review and signoff.

Free to try. The template above was itself generated by Docsie — see it work on real videos at /tutorials/.

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Template FAQ

Client Intake Procedure Template FAQ

Common questions about downloading and generating a client intake procedure template.

Using This Template

Q: What is a client intake procedure template?

A: A client intake procedure template is a structured document for new client onboarding for [practice area].

Q: Is the client intake procedure template really free?

A: Yes. The client intake procedure template is completely free to download in Word (DOCX), PDF, and Markdown formats. No signup or credit card required to download.

Q: How do I turn a video into a client Intake Procedure?

A: Upload a process walkthrough, training recording, or screen capture to Docsie. The AI analyzes the video and generates a complete client Intake Procedure using this template's structure — every required field auto-filled from the footage.

Q: Can I edit the client intake procedure template after downloading?

A: Yes. The DOCX format opens in Microsoft Word or Google Docs. The Markdown format imports into Notion, Confluence, Docsie, or any markdown editor. Customize fields, add your branding, and adapt to your internal workflow.