Using Excel To Track and Grow Business
7.24.2026
Lawyers may excel in learning case law, but a working knowledge of Excel spreadsheets and other bookkeeping tasks can be daunting. A recent program sponsored by the New York State Bar Association offered tips and tricks to better navigate spreadsheet programs.
The webinar was presented by Jordan Turk, a family law attorney in Texas and the director of education and attorney development at Smokeball. Turk says that understanding technology is more than just good business – it’s an ethical consideration. Forty states including New York have adopted an ethical standard relating to technology. One has a duty, Turk said, to keep abreast of the benefits and risks of technology used in law practice management. The webinar is free to view on-demand for members and available for purchase by non-members.
“I have seen some attorneys, especially in family law, outsource their Excel work, which to me is unacceptable,” Turk said. “We have a duty to be competent in the tech we use, and Excel is vital to certain areas of law.”
For those still using pen, paper and a calculator as organizational tools, a basic knowledge of Microsoft Excel can help streamline the workflow, organize case data, support compliance and improve day-to-day practice management. Saving time on bookkeeping leaves more time for other more substantive work.
Formatting and Customizing A Spreadsheet
The hour-long demonstration is available to members as an on-demand video. Turk shows viewers how to customize the size, font, dates and toolbars. She also instructs viewers on how to freeze cells and protect worksheets with locking functions and password protection.
“You can designate files as read only so that staff cannot save over or rewrite your work. This protection includes an option to add a password for an extra level of security,” she said.
Lastly, Turk demonstrates several SUM formulas to track work hours for lawyers and staff. This includes how to multiply an hourly rate and track projected revenue.
Bottom Line: Get Comfortable With Data
“Becoming more comfortable with Excel means that you get more comfortable with your law firm data. You can start creating things like pivot tables and data forecasting,” she said. “For instance, you can forecast what it would take to make 20% more next year based on this year’s numbers.”
Turk closed the webinar by reminding attendees that NYSBA members have access to free trust accounts and billing software from Smokeball. Access to Smokeball is available on the member dashboard.
The webinar was sponsored by the NYSBA Committees on Law Practice Management, Technology and the Legal Profession and Continuing Legal Education.
