Legal Software: How To Make The Right Choice For Your Firm
If you’re reading this article, you’re in the market for legal software, but you’re not sure where to begin. That’s OK – there are a lot of options available to you, and it can be difficult to tell one from another.
Most law firms understand that they would benefit by implementing legal firm management software – but are you sure you know which one is right for you?
As you know very well from what you get in your inbox every day, there are a lot of software vendors out there trying to sell you their legal software solutions. But before you make your decision, it is important that you consider your unique needs, and ask the right questions
3 Questions You Need To Ask About Your Legal Software
1. Will The Software Help You Automate Tasks?
Most attorneys would prefer to spend their valuable time on clients and cases, rather than on daily paperwork. And with so many highly flexible, cloud-based firm management solutions offered today, there’s no reason not to upgrade.
If you’re ready to make the move, there are lots of benefits. Firm management software can offer the automation of daily and sometimes boring tasks like:
- Accounting & billing
- Case and document management tools
- Time tracking features
- Secure chat & email
- Calendars
- Scheduling
- Docket control
2. Is It User-Friendly & Secure?
There are many ways in which contemporary law firms can utilize technology to improve their operations. Better, more user-friendly communication platforms make sure that clients can easily reach their attorneys.
Security software that is updated as needed keeps everyone’s personal information out of the hands of criminals. Plus, there are many different managerial aspects that can be streamlined with the use of technology.
3. What Are Your Options?
There are a number of viable software programs available, including the following:
Worldox
Many document management programs for law firms offer ordinary functions like docketing or billing. But they aren’t capable of managing other forms of content like emails and spreadsheets. With Worldox, you can unify all of your content according to your clients, projects, matters, and other important tasks. Most users agree that this program has a smaller learning curve so you can become a pro in no time at all.
Features:
- Document history tools to audit a document’s history and see who did what, when.
- Access control tools so specific staff members can collaborate on a single document.
- Version control tools so you can track the evolution of a document and make sure you’re using the latest version.
- Document viewing tools to see what content they include even if you don’t have the program they were created with on your system.
- Archiving tools to prioritize storage based on the documents you use most.
- Full-Text Retrieval tools to search based on concepts as well as categories.
- Library service tools to organize and improve the way you catalog, retrieve, and save files.
- Document security tools to control user access and permissions.
- Network support tools so you’ll have a unified point of access to all of your data wherever it is in your network.
Clio
A cloud-based legal practice management solution, this software is perfect for smaller firms or solo practices. Clio is one of the most widely used legal practice management programs on the market today. Clio easily integrates with many other applications that law firms use such as Office 365. Use Clio to capture more billable time, increase your staff’s productivity, and improve your profitability.
It includes a Timekeeper that helps your employees track important deadlines and manage cases. Plus, you can access your data via your desktop or mobile devices, including iOS and Android phones.
Features:
- Time Tracking
- Trust Accounting
- Matter Management
- Billing and client payments
- Legal Accounting
- Document Management
- Legal Research
- Calendars and meetings
- Bank-Grade Security
- Lead Tracking
- Mobile Apps
Tabs3
This Windows-exclusive software performs timekeeping and billing on desktops for legal firms. It can be paired with certain add-ons to work with the Legal Electronic Data Exchange Standard (LEDES). This specifies the file formats used to facilitate the safe transmission of electronic data in the legal industry so you can remain compliant.
Although Tabs3 is fully-customizable, it is not portable, and it is a bit complex. Generally, it works well for partnerships or firms that have onsite IT assistance. It is user-friendly but can be a bit difficult to set up.
You can use this program to invoice and receive payments quickly, reconcile bank statements, and manage client trust accounts. It integrates fairly well with other software you use.
Features:
- Billing options that include standard hourly, contingency, flat fee, retainer, split fee, and task-based methods
- Security options that are tiered for user preference, and may include encryption for ultimate protection
- Conversion tools to transfer information from Timeslips and other software to Tabs3
- Extensive reporting capabilities
Colorado Computer Support Will Help You Find The Right Legal Software
Given how large and important the legal industry is, the need for constantly improving technology is ever-present, and there’s no end of options available to you.
Allow Colorado Computer Support to help you figure out which is right for you. We have extensive experience working with clients in the legal industry and are familiar with each of the above-listed firm management solutions.
Don’t risk making the wrong choice because you don’t have all the information you need to choose one, or the expertise needed to maintain it.
Click here to get started or call us at (719) 355-2440.
