---

name: efirm-partner-review-routing
description: Use when a document, decision, or action in the eFirm system requires partner-level review and approval before it can proceed. The skill defines the routing logic — which partner receives what type of review, at what threshold, with what SLA — and ensures that nothing requiring senior judgment is auto-processed or lost in a workflow queue. Part of the eFirm firm-management product suite.
license: MIT
metadata:
id: efirm.partner-review-routing
category: efirm
jurisdictions: [multi]
priority: P2
intent: [review-routing, approval, escalation, governance, workflow]
related:
- efirm-matter-creation-flow
- efirm-conflict-check
- efirm-engagement-letter-draft
- efirm-document-versioning-rule
- efirm-team-handoff-summary
source: Louis — HAQQ Legal AI (github.com/sboghossian/mini-claude-for-legal)
version: "1.0"

Partner Review Routing

When to use this

Use this skill to:

• Define which items in the eFirm workflow require partner review before proceeding.
• Route a specific document or decision to the correct partner based on matter type, risk level, and available capacity.
• Track the status of pending partner reviews and escalate overdue approvals.
• Set up the routing rules for a new firm or practice group deploying eFirm.

Partner review routing is the governance backbone of a law firm's operations. Without it, junior lawyers may unknowingly take on conflict-riddled matters, send unapproved fee quotes, or file documents without supervisory sign-off.

Items that always require partner review

The following workflow items must never be auto-processed without partner sign-off:

Item	Routing target	SLA
New matter opening — conflict check result	Conflicts partner	24 hours (business)
Engagement letter — before transmission to client	Responsible partner	48 hours
Fee quote — before transmission to client	Responsible partner	48 hours
Document marked vEXEC or vFINAL	Responsible partner	24 hours
Invoice exceeding threshold (e.g., >,000)	Billing partner	48 hours
Write-down above threshold (e.g., >10% of matter fees)	Billing partner	48 hours
Trust account exception (negative balance, imbalance)	Managing partner	Immediate
AML flag at client intake	Compliance partner	Immediate
Conflict-check "Concern" result	Conflicts partner	24 hours
Conflict-check "Conflict" result	Managing partner	Immediate
External filing (court, regulator)	Responsible partner	Before filing
Opinion letter	Responsible partner + senior review partner	48 hours

Routing logic

By responsibility type

Review type	Default routing	Fallback if unavailable
Matter governance (conflict, engagement)	Responsible partner	Managing partner
Billing and financial	Billing partner	CFO / Finance director
AML / compliance	Compliance partner	Managing partner
Specific practice advice	Practice group head	Most senior available partner in practice
Urgent external filing	Responsible partner	Named emergency backup partner

By urgency level

Level	Trigger	SLA	Escalation if missed
Immediate	Trust account exception; AML flag; active conflict	Within 2 business hours	Managing partner alert
Urgent	Court filing deadline T-1; conflict concern	Within 4 business hours	Managing partner alert
Standard	Engagement letter; fee quote; invoice approval	Within 48 business hours	Reminder at T+24h; escalate at T+48h
Routine	KB addition approval; template update	Within 5 business days	Reminder at T+3 days

By document threshold

Firms may set financial thresholds above which additional sign-off is required:

Threshold	Requirement
Fee quote > $[X]	Managing partner co-sign
Write-down > $[Y]	Billing partner approval
Invoice > $[Z]	Billing partner review before dispatch
Matter budget overrun > 20%	Responsible partner + client notification

Thresholds should be set in firm configuration and referenced here.

Review workflow

1. Item reaches review queue: eFirm creates a review task assigned to the designated partner.
2. Notification: partner receives alert (push + email) with:
   • Item type and description
   • Matter reference
   • Required action (approve / reject / amend + resubmit)
   • Deadline
   • Link to the item in eFirm
3. Partner action:
   • Approve: item proceeds; timestamp recorded; audit log entry written.
   • Reject with comments: item returned to originator with partner comments.
   • Request amendment: item held; partner adds notes; originator revises and resubmits.
4. SLA tracking: if review is not completed within SLA, an escalation is sent to the next level in the chain.

Delegation rules

Partners may delegate review authority under defined conditions:

• Delegation must be recorded in eFirm (who delegated what to whom, for what period).
• Only delegation to another partner or senior counsel is permitted; delegation to associates is not allowed for the categories above.
• Delegations expire automatically after the specified period.
• The delegating partner remains responsible for all items approved under their delegation.

Out-of-office handling

When a partner is on leave:

• eFirm auto-routes items to the designated backup partner.
• Backup assignment is set by the managing partner at the start of any absence > 1 business day.
• If no backup is set, items escalate to the managing partner.

Audit trail

Every review action is recorded:

• Item ID + type
• Submitted by + timestamp
• Reviewed by (actual reviewer, not just assigned partner) + timestamp
• Action taken
• Any comments
• Final status

The audit trail is immutable and forms part of the matter file for all matter-related items.

Common failures

• Partner as rubber stamp: if partners approve without reading, the routing system provides false assurance. Quality review requires training and a firm culture of responsibility.
• No escalation: a review item that sits unanswered is as dangerous as no review. Escalation paths must be live and tested.
• Wrong routing target: if the conflicts partner is also the responsible partner (conflicted reviewer), route to an independent senior partner.
• Excessive items in queue: if partners are overwhelmed with routine approvals, the firm should consider raising financial thresholds or delegating more routine items to senior counsel.

Related skills

• [[efirm-matter-creation-flow]]
• [[efirm-conflict-check]]
• [[efirm-engagement-letter-draft]]
• [[efirm-document-versioning-rule]]
• [[efirm-team-handoff-summary]]