Using the Subject Line in Email Wisely

      As time goes on, I am more convinced than ever that the proper use of the subject line in email is critical to a proper functioning office. Too often we fail to give much thought to the wording in the subject line. We regularly reply or forward email without even looking to see whether or not the subject line adequately describes the new information included in the email. All too often, we simply find someones email address and hit reply, starting a whole new thread of discussion without changing the subject line.

      In our office, we aggressively use email as a substitute for written correspondence. We forward to most of our clients incoming mail as .gdf attachments to email. We do the same with experts, other counsel and third-parties. We are now realizing that we have to renew our commitment to the subject line in email if we are to continue to use email as a primary form of communication. As we scroll through our in-box, we need to be able to identify email not only by sender but by subject information included on the subject line.