Once you get a feel for how you like to operate, assessing tools will become easier. If you are starting a new practice, you don’t know yet what your best practices are. I think legal timekeeping and billing (T&B) is most important workflow, so let’s use that as an example. To be clear, a workflow is just a repeatable sequence of processes needed to complete a task. To begin, think about which of your workflows is most important. When you are in the market for practice management (PM) software, you need to do some serious thinking about whether PM software will be convenient or effective for you. No attorney should ever have to enter time more than once with today’s legal timekeeping and billing software.Īccording to the American Bar Association, practice management (PM) software “provides attorneys with a convenient method of effectively managing client and case information, including contacts, calendaring, documents, and other specifics by facilitating automation in law practices.” New software tools are built with the idea of automation, without the historical manual workarounds that you are used to, like entering your time on your yellow pad and into an excel document and then into an invoice. Yes, this is a lot of research, but if you find the right tools for your law firm, you can not only save money, but time. The Right Fit:Is the platform or tool built with my size practice in mind?Įxit Strategy:If I invest into a platform or tool, how difficult will it be to move to another platform if the tool isn’t working to my liking. Interconnectedness: Does it work with the tools I already have? QuickBooks, Box.com, Outlook/ Office365, GSuite? Can I integrate these tools into an automated workflow or do I have to do a manual workaround? While it may seem slick, are you and your cohorts willing to invest the time to use it?įlexibility:Can the all-in-one tool integrate for a smooth workflow with my other tools? Make sure you try it out for real and don’t just rely on what the sales rep says. Necessities: Ask yourself, will I really use all the features in an all-in-one tool? Do I need a full practice management suite or am I better off using tools for specific functions? Will you feed the software the data it needs? These tools are only as good as the data you are willing to add. This way, you can compare the specific function of different products against each other. Understand what you’re looking at and what is most important. Priorities:Make sure you prioritize those features that best match your core needs – whether a la carte or the full menu. I’m going to break down the issues you should consider: Every day you will send and receive emails, create documents and bill for your time. You have make sure you get the basics right: timekeeping and billing, email, document storage and management and accounting. ![]() modular tools built for specific functions e.g, core tools like Microsoft 365 or GSuite, QuickBooks Online and Box.com, with specialty tools as needed like Factbox, Law Toolbox, Evernote, and shameless plug, LeanLaw for legal timekeeping and billing. You have to think about what best suits your law firm: All-in-one practice management solutions (e.g., Clio) vs. Law firm practice management (PM) software is not always the solution for your law practice. ![]() Legal Practice Management Software or A La Carte?
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