Week 1: pages and blocks
Create a free account, make a private page and use the slash command to add headings, to-dos, toggles and tables. Notion's own first-page guide is the right start.
Goal for the week: a personal home page with a to-do list and one meeting-notes page.
Week 2: databases
Build a Matters database with five properties: name, client, status, stage and key date. Add ten fictional matters. Watch a full beginner course on databases.
That course is by Thomas Frank, and it is a free general Notion tutorial rather than a legal one.
Weeks 3 and 4: views, relations, then a real system
| Week | Learn | Build |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Filters, sorts, grouped boards, relations, rollups | A Deadlines database linked to Matters, with a 'next 7 days' view |
| 4 | Templates and buttons | A new-matter template with a checklist, then move three real matters in |
Where LawyerOS fits
If you would rather skip the build, LawyerOS is a Notion template we sell that gives you the Matters and Deadlines structure ready made. The plan above works with or without it, and the free starter structure is on our site.
Common stumbling blocks
- Over-designing before using: build the smallest version and run a real week on it.
- Too many properties: if nobody fills it in, delete it.
- Skipping permissions: decide who can see what before inviting anyone.
- Copying a student or productivity template that has nothing to do with matters and deadlines.
- Never reviewing: put a monthly tidy in your calendar.
Frequently asked questions
- How long does it take to learn Notion?
- Basics in a day, practical competence with databases in about two to four weeks of regular use.
- Do I need to code?
- No. Formulas are optional and work like spreadsheet formulas.
- Is there a legal-specific Notion course?
- Free general courses exist; this site offers legal-specific guides. We do not offer an accredited course.
- Can I practise without risking client data?
- Yes. Use fictional matters until you trust your structure and your security settings.
About the author
Raghav Handa trained as a lawyer, then spent years building legal technology, from enterprise legal products to custom systems for law firms.
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