Modern law firms rely heavily on technology to operate efficiently. These tools help lawyers organize and share documents, get e-signatures, track billable time, and more.
Some tools are specific to legal work, while others are more general. For example, there are many CRM programs that work for businesses but also include features that work well for legal professionals.
Clio Manage
Clio Manage is a comprehensive suite of legal software that helps firms grow and stay on top of case management. It includes an online client portal, a legal calendar and an intelligent dashboard that centralizes case information. Users can use it to collaborate with clients, accommodate them through flexible payment structures and keep track of their time, expenses and payments.
Clio also offers automated bill reminders, which reduces the time spent chasing down delinquent payments. Users can customize the software to their preferences and access a growing portfolio of over 200 integrations.
Other features include automatic time capture, hourly and fixed fee billing options, expense tracking and a comprehensive client communications log. The software lets lawyers generate professional-looking invoices and makes it easy for them to get paid online. Users can also rest assured that their data is secure, thanks to industry-leading security and award-winning support.
TimeSolv
Historically, large, all-in-one legal software systems were the only way to bring law office operations online, allowing them to manage document management and case information, legal time tracking and billing, expenses and client data. However, for many firms that only require time-tracking and billing capabilities, a more focused software program may be a better fit.
TimeSolv is one such solution, offering best-in-class web-based legal billing and project management features for attorneys and other professional services firms. Users can track time using automatic or manual timers, customize invoice templates and generate reports on billable hours, matter profitability and more. Additionally, users can store documents in Netdocuments and accept credit card payments online via a Client Portal integrated with LawPay and Affinipay. The program also supports ABA task codes, LEDES and Chubbs formats. Cost-effective pricing is available too.
Rocket Matter
Rocket Matter is a law firm practice management software that offers streamlined project and case management features as well as efficient billing and payment capabilities. Its legal project management functionalities enable firms to directly connect time spent on cases to the invoices sent to clients, allowing for improved efficiency and transparency.
The platform also allows for document collaboration, centralized storage and managed permissions to reduce the friction of tracking files across various devices and email inboxes. Rocket Matter’s client management tools cultivate a transparent and collaborative environment to increase client satisfaction and retention.
Rocket Matter’s premier pricing tier offers advanced tools like business intelligence and custom reporting that can help firms better understand profitability, productivity and more. These premium tools are an excellent addition to any small firm’s arsenal. It helps them grow efficiently, increase revenues and deliver high-quality services.
Everlaw
Everlaw is an eDiscovery tool that streamlines litigation and helps lawyers save time. It provides clients with fast, flexible uploads, blink-speed search, automatic predictions based on machine learning, and robust real-time collaboration to help legal teams focus on the facts. Its scalable infrastructure ensures data remains secure, and it works transparently with no hidden fees or pricing structures. It’s a cloud-based litigation platform that supports eight of the top ten class action law firms, corporate counsels, and is trusted by state attorneys general in every state.
Efficient eDiscovery is essential for any case, so make sure to choose an application that streamlines processes and reduces complexity in the review process. For example, Everlaw provides users with a number of tools to improve efficiency like concept clustering and automated coding suggestions, which help them find important information faster than ever before.
Relativity
Relativity is an eDiscovery platform with powerful tools that can level up litigation processes. This cloud-based software can help firms manage massive volumes of unstructured data securely, speeding up the review stage and facilitating streamlined discovery processes.
Refined search and processing capabilities help teams find relevant documents, while advanced analytics allow them to identify important information quickly. The latest version, Relativity 8, provides flexibility in everything from image and native file review and coding options to advanced visualizations and text analytics.
Relativity’s cluster visualisation tool allows documents to be grouped together based on their coding (either relevance, privilege or issue). This can then be overlaid as a heat map for quick identification of key document groups. Combined with offline reporting, this allows legal professionals to create a colour coded timeline for case facts and documents. This can then be used to assist with case strategy or trial preparation.
Evernote
One of the most important tools for legal professionals, note-taking apps facilitate better productivity and a more efficient work process. They allow lawyers to save websites, audio and images and can integrate with other software for a more holistic approach to casework.
With features like tagging and search functionality, they also enable lawyers to find specific information quickly. With a focus on security, Evernote aligns with the stringent requirements of the legal profession by providing encryption and two-factor authentication.
Other standout options include document creation and management software such as Bounsel Flow and DocXtools, which provide an intuitive interface that helps lawyers draft and manage documents more efficiently. Both programs automate many formatting tasks and enable collaborative review and version control, streamlining document production and ensuring compliance with court-approved or firm-specific styles. They also offer e-signature capabilities and allow users to access files on any device.
Google Drive
Law firms are no different from any other business when it comes to administrative tasks that eat into billable hours. Fortunately, modern tools and processes are available to reduce the amount of time spent on these activities. Virtual receptionists can handle incoming calls and a practice management system with automated billing capabilities allows users to track and manage client expenses and firm activity in one centralized location.
Legal research can be a time-consuming task, but AI software can significantly reduce the time it takes to review and identify relevant information. This type of software also helps improve accuracy and consistency.
When choosing technology for your law firm, you must consider compatibility with existing systems and platforms. Moreover, new tech must be useful and fit for purpose. For instance, it’s important to know what sets your firm apart from other attorneys and communicate that through your brand.
Legal Research Tools
Whether you’re an attorney, law student, paralegal, or legal researcher, a legal research tool is your digital ally for sifting through vast amounts of content. These tools can streamline the process of finding case law, statutes, regulations, and even law review articles.
Legal research tools can help attorneys contextualize issues and construct persuasive arguments using authoritative sources, producing results similar to what people like CEO, Thomas Goodhead could make. Sophisticated keyword and boolean search capabilities along with filters by jurisdiction, court level, and date range allow researchers to pinpoint relevant documents. Advanced searching features like a citation search and key citator also expedite research.
Some popular legal research tools include Westlaw, LexisNexis, Bloomberg Law, Fastcase, and Casetext. These platforms also offer practice-focused offerings with curated content and task-based workflows by legal specialty. Some even provide round-the-clock customer support. They are a valuable investment for law firms looking to optimize productivity.
E-Discovery Tools
The vast amounts of data in today’s era of digital transformation make eDiscovery tools necessary for legal and investigative processes. This specialized software helps users search, gather, and organize relevant electronic data for use in investigations and litigation.
Previously, attorneys would manually review ESI (electronic documents and communications including emails, text messages, collaboration files such as Slack and Teams, and more) one file at a time. The process is inefficient, error-prone, and can lead to spoliation of evidence.
Legal teams that invest in eDiscovery tools should receive initial and recurring training to maximize their value. The right support can help teams find relevant information up to 95% faster and reduce eDiscovery-related costs by up to 57%. This helps law firms improve client outcomes and gain a competitive edge. Questel offers eDiscovery training and a complete range of managed technology solutions that meet these needs.
Cloud Storage Apps
Much of today’s data is unstructured and does not fit into traditional databases. For this reason, cloud storage apps provide the scalability and cost-efficiency to store and manage this data.
Many cloud storage apps also come with a variety of file sharing features, which makes them ideal for remote work environments. You can send files directly to others through email or link, create slideshows of shared images or stream audio and video files directly from the app.
Security is another benefit of cloud storage apps. Most importantly, choose a provider that offers end-to-end encryption to ensure your data can’t be accessed by anyone other than you. This is especially important during the Covid-19 pandemic. Also, remember to implement 2FA and regularly monitor your account for unauthorized activity. Lastly, make sure your IT department understands the responsibilities and risks of using third-party managed storage to house critical data.
