Why Standardizing Work Is Hard for Some Lawyers And How to Make It Easier
If you're a lawyer with ADHD, or you've probably been told—maybe even by yourself—that you're disorganized, inconsistent, or “too creative” to run a streamlined practice. And yet, you’re great with clients, thrive under pressure, and have brilliant insights when the stakes are high.
So why is it so hard to standardize your work?
Let’s be clear: it’s not a character flaw. It’s a brain difference. ADHD minds are wired for novelty, complexity, and deep focus on things we care about. But that same wiring can make repeatable, routine tasks feel like swimming through concrete. In a profession built on precision and predictability, that’s a tough dynamic.
Let’s unpack why standardization is so hard—and how to do it in a way that actually works for your brain.
Why ADHD Brains Resist Standardization
Standardizing your processes sounds simple on paper: create a checklist, template, or routine and then stick to it. But for lawyers who think differently or have been diagnosed with executive dysfunction, there are a few unique blockers:
Boredom Aversion
If something feels repetitive or too predictable, it’s hard to engage. Your brain craves novelty, and using the same intake form or checklist again and again can feel like intellectual sandpaper.
2. Perfectionism & Over-Customization
You might believe that every client or matter is different—and in many ways, that’s true. But this often leads to reinventing the wheel every time. ADHD brains love nuance, and that can derail standardization efforts.
3. Working Memory Struggles
Without visual cues or structured reminders, it's hard to remember how you did something last time—even if it worked great. That leads to missed steps or inconsistent client experiences.
4. All-or-Nothing Thinking
“If I can’t build the perfect system, I won’t build anything.” This mental trap keeps a lot of lawyers from even starting to systematize their practice.
But What Happens Without Standardization?
When every task gets tackled from scratch, you spend a ton of cognitive energy just figuring out where to start. This leads to:
Wasted time on admin tasks
Lost documents or disorganized files
Delayed billing or follow-up
A chaotic client experience
Burnout and overwhelm
Standardization is about creating anchors that help you deliver consistent, high-quality work without having to think about it every time.
Most advice about standardizing your work assumes that your brain loves step-by-step routines. But if you’re a creative thinker, or if your brain thrives on novelty (as many ADHD brains do), that kind of rigid structure can feel like a straight jacket.
Here’s a better way to think about it:
Standardize the container, not the content.
Imagine your workflow like a flexible framework—a checklist, template, or folder structure that holds your work without dictating how you do it. It’s like having a blank legal template that reminds you of the essential parts, but still gives you room to add your own voice or tailor it to the client.
Let systems carry the mental load.
The goal of a system is to save your brain from spending energy on repeat decisions like “Where do I save this?” or “What’s step one again?” That way, you can use that energy where it matters most—solving problems, thinking big, or serving clients.
Make it easy to lean on when you’re overwhelmed and invisible when you’re in flow.
You don’t have to follow the system rigidly every time. The best systems are the ones you barely notice when you’re in the zone, but catch you when your brain feels foggy or distracted.
Starting with Low-Dopamine Tasks
For many individuals with ADHD, the most challenging tasks are often the mundane ones: opening a new matter, sending follow-up emails, or reconciling time entries. The trick? Make those tasks easier to start, not just to finish.
Try this:
Pre-filled templates for client onboarding, invoices, or engagement letters. Pro-tip, can you make these automations using tools like Zapier?
Saved email drafts that you edit and modify instead of writing from scratch.
Voice-to-text notes or mind maps instead of blank-page drafting.
Timers and micro-rewards for completing checklist items.
ADHD-Friendly Tools That Help
Here are a few tools and systems that lawyers with ADHD have found helpful:
Clio, PracticePanther etc..: Legal CRMs that allow for custom workflows and templates.
Notion or Evernote: Flexible enough to handle nonlinear thinking, great for building “case kits” or reference libraries.
Gavel or Woodpecker: Automate document creation tools with a few inputs—less decision fatigue.
To-do apps with recurring tasks (like Todoist): So you never have to “remember to remember.”
How to Actually Get Started
You don’t need a firm-wide overhaul. You just need one system that saves you 15 minutes a week. Start with these:
Find one repeatable task: client intake, file closing, billing, etc.
Create a “minimum viable template”. Don’t try to make it beautiful, make it usable.
Record yourself doing the task next time and document each step. Loom is a great tool for this.
Save this somewhere you’ll look like in your task app, not a forgotten folder.
Over time, these micro-systems will add up. You’ll reduce the mental load of “What do I do next?” and free up bandwidth for the work you actually enjoy.
Conclusion
Standardization doesn’t have to feel soul-crushing. It can be an act of self-support; a gift from past-you to future-you. And, when done right, it makes your ADHD brain more—not less—powerful.
You don’t need to become rigid to be reliable. You just need systems that flex the way you do.
And if you need help figuring out what that might look like for your firm, book a call with Renata and The Firm Edit.