How to Use Notion: The Essential Moves for Legal Work

The six essential moves

1. 1

   Slash commands

   Type / and choose a block: heading, to-do, table, toggle. This is how most content is added.

2. 2

   Nested pages

   Create sub-pages inside pages so a matter holds its notes, documents and tasks.

3. 3

   Databases

   Create a table, add properties, and treat each row as a record.

4. 4

   Views

   Save filters and sorts as views such as 'Active matters' and 'Due this week'.

5. 5

   Relations

   Link databases so deadlines, tasks and time connect to their matter.

6. 6

   Templates

   Save a page layout so every new matter starts with the same checklist.

Shortcuts worth learning

A short video of five shortcuts saves time every day. The creator, Thomas Frank, publishes free general Notion tutorials.

• Notion help: views, filters and sorts
• Notion help: buttons

Habits that keep a legal Notion tidy

• Name things consistently, for example Client - Matter - Type.
• Put one source of truth for each fact and link to it elsewhere.
• Review permissions before sharing any page.
• Archive closed matters with a status, not by deleting.
• Do a weekly five-minute tidy of your Active view.

Confidentiality deserves its own attention before you add client material, so read our security guide.

• Client confidentiality in Notion
• Learn Notion for lawyers: four-week plan

Your first useful page

A practical first build is a Monday page. Create a database of Actions with a title, due date, status and matter name. Add a view called This week that filters for due dates in the next seven days and not done, then pin it to the top of a home page. Opening that page each morning is the habit that makes everything else worth maintaining.

Frequently asked questions

What should I learn first in Notion?

Pages and the slash command, then databases.

Do I need formulas?

Not at first. They help with calculated fields like days until a deadline.

Can I share a page with a client?

Yes, with permissions, but consider confidentiality and whether a portal built for clients suits you better.

Where are the official guides?

In Notion's help centre, linked from this page and our resources section.