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LITIGATION SOFTWARE PROGRAMS
What is legal practice management software?
Legal practice management software, or law practice management software, helps lawyers manage day-to-day case workflows and business operations within their law firm. It offers the ability to manage cases, contacts, calendars and scheduling, documents, tasks, time tracking, billing, payments, accounting, client communications, manager-level reporting, and more from a centralized platform.
While there are a number of management software options available, legal practice management software is designed to suit the unique needs of legal practice. Not only is law software made specifically for law firm workflows, it is often vetted by regulatory bodies to ensure that it complies with rules of ethical conduct in the legal profession.
What are the benefits to using legal practice management software?
The primary focus for any legal office is the practice of law. Yet general business and clerical operations are also necessary to the success of any law firm. The consequence of errors in any of these duties can not only result in negative outcomes for law firm operations, but also for case outcomes and client satisfaction. In worst-case scenarios, problems like missed deadlines or lost information can also result in malpractice claims and potentially disbarment.
Managing administrative duties properly often requires significant investments in time and resources. To minimize overhead, many lawyers are turning to legal technology to increase efficiencies and reduce the chance of error.
1. More efficient workflows
According to the 2017 Legal Trends Report, the average lawyer spends only 2.3 hours on billable work in a given day, and 48% of their non-billable time is taken up by administrative tasks.
Legal practice management software can help legal professionals complete administrative tasks more efficiently and with more confidence and transparency. With better access to information and more opportunities for collaboration, legal practice management software can help improve staff productivity and satisfaction, which can also increase staff retention and reduce investment in training.
2. Reduced costs
Legal practice management software can help reduce the cost of running a law firm by simplifying technology investments and reducing the need to hire more legal staff. Working with a comprehensive software system can also reduce the need to rely on multiple software services. When working with complementary software services, practice management software can also sync information across your firm to avoid repetitive data entry.
Developments in internet-based technologies have also introduced several cost-effective legal practice management options that offer more modern interfaces at more affordable prices.
3. Increased data protection and client confidentiality
Data security and client confidentiality are also major concerns for law firms, which must manage large volumes of information across several cases in accordance with ethics requirements. Legal practice management software can help ensure best practices are in place for storing and backing up all firm information, keeping it protected even in the event of a theft, fire, or natural disaster.
Who is legal practice management software for?
Legal practice management software is designed specifically for lawyers and other legal professionals. Some platforms also have the benefit of being designed for law firms both small and large, operating within multiple practice areas. Often, these systems can be implemented across multiple departments, working in multiple jurisdictions.
The right legal software also supports both front and back office workflows. For attorneys and legal support staff, the goal of legal practice management software is to ensure every member of a law firm can manage their own personal tasks in coordination with the rest of the firm. Whether you’re a practicing lawyer, paralegal, office administrator, legal assistant, bookkeeper, or IT professional, legal practice management software can help consolidate workflows and improve office productivity.
Practice Management Software Programs for Attorneys
AbacusNext
AbacusLaw is a legal practice management software for small law firms and solo legal practitioners. Abacus Law features include legal calendaring, legal workflow processing based on court rules, time tracking, billing and invoicing, payroll processing, law firm accounting and law firm trust accounting. AbacusNext‘s main advantage is that it is customizable so that almost any law firm can set up for its office regardless of specialty.
Bill4Time
Bill4Time is a time and billing software for any company that bills based on hourly rates, although Bill4Time has an industry-specific legal edition for attorneys. Bill4Time’s legal billing software features include the America Bar Association (ABA) Task Codes, conflict of interest checking, trust accounting, and trust reporting.
Clio
Clio is a practice management, time and billing, and client management software for small law firms and practicing attorneys. Clio features legal calendaring, task management, time tracking, trust accounting and document management. Clio is a cloud-based law firm software, so your data is stored on the company’s servers.
HoudiniESQ
HoudiniESQ is a legal practice management software targeted to law firms that seek a single integrated software solution to run both MAC and Windows operating systems. HoudiniESQ features include client management, email management, invoicing, trust accounting, and customizable workflow automation. You can choose between running the desktop version of HoudiniESQ or a cloud-based solution.
Legal Files
Legal Files is a case and matter management software that is used by law firms, insurance companies, governments, and universities. Legal Files features matter management, litigation management, file notes, response tracking, document text searching, automated task scheduling and phone messaging.
MyCase
MyCase is a web-based legal practice management software. MyCase offers a secure client portal, communications tools so you can send messages to clients or staff, activity streams and online payment processing. MyCase also has certified consultants who can assist clients with using the legal practice management software.
Needles
Needles is a legal case management software for attorneys and small law firms. Needles features include billing, contact management, case status, and reporting. Needles also maintains a list of local hardware vendors and other legal service vendors on its website if you need help installing, implementing, or using this software.
PCLaw
PCLaw is a client, matter, billing and legal program from LexisNexis Practice Management solutions. PCLaw features contact and client management, case and matter management, billing, trust accounting, and law firms accounting modules, such as cash, accounts receivables, and accounts payable modules. You can add payroll processing and credit card processing for additional fees.
ProLaw
ProLaw is a legal practice management software from Thompson Reuters. ProLaw’s program includes court docketing, legal calendaring, document assembly, time and expense tracking, budgeting, billing and contingency analysis and disposition. You can add on other legal modules such as electronic billing, Westlaw legal calendaring rules, Westlaw Litigator Integration and Westlaw QuickView to enhance the functionality.
Rocket Matter
Rocket Matter is a law practice management software for small law offices. Rocket Matter features include the ability to work from iPads, Macs, PCs, and smartphones. Rocket Matter also works with Dropbox for file synchronization, Gmail for email, Skype for video conferencing, and QuickBooks for accounting.
Tabs3 Billing
Tabs3 Billing is a legal billing software for attorneys. Tabs3 Billing features include time tracking, customizable billing statements, client status reports, and advanced compensation formulas to calculate what each law partner has earned.
Timeslips
Timeslips is a legal, time, and billing software by Sage. Timeslips features include legal invoicing, billing, and time-tracking. You can also add-on electronic billing delivery, accounting integration, and enhanced timekeeping functionality for additional fees.
TimeSolv Legal
Time Solve Legal is a web-based time, billing, and project management software for law firms. Time Solve Legal features include multiple timers, conflicts management, trust accounts, Uniform Task-Based Management System (UTBMS), and performance monitoring reports. You can also outsource your legal billing processes with TimeSolve Legal.
Total Attorneys
Total Attorneys is a practice management software for attorneys and law firms. Total Attorneys features bank-grade security, document storage and sharing, conflict interest checking time management, billing and payment processing. Total Attorneys also offers marketing and leads and an appointment engine for law firms to help you build your legal practice.
TurboLaw Time and Billing
TurbowLaw Time and Billing is a legal time and billing software. TurbowLaw Time and Billing features include a stopwatch, automatic time entry to client’s records, built-in PDF Creator and customizable bills and statements. TurbowLaw Time and Billing is specifically designed for small law firms.
