How to Maximize Legal Case Value

Law firms are focusing more than ever on maximizing case value, and not just meaning big-dollar settlements. The final payout matters, but it’s only part of the story. If your team is bogged down with inefficient processes, if clients are frustrated by slow response times, or if you're missing key details that could strengthen a case, you’re leaving money on the table. And in 2025, every law firm should take advantage of productivity gains enabled by AI. 

That’s why firms like Levinson and Stefani are turning to technology—especially AI—to streamline operations, reduce wasted time, and deliver better client outcomes. The goal? Extract maximum case value at every stage of the lifecycle.

‍What Does “Case Value” Really Mean?

When we talk about maximizing case value, we’re looking at more than just the final settlement number. The top law firms measure success using multiple factors:

1. Time on Desk –

Time matters. How long does it take from case intake to resolution? A shorter timeline means happier clients and higher firm efficiency. Getting info and details earlier in the process will help you to focus resources toward accelerating those cases that have the highest value.

How to use AI to process documents faster:
Edward Kirk, Head of Partnerships at Supio, summed it up perfectly: “Being prepared is everything.” AI-powered platforms like Supio allow firms to instantly scan, summarize, and analyze massive stacks of medical records.

One of Supio’s clients was in mediation when the defense tried to downplay a plaintiff’s neck injury. The attorney quickly ran a search and found 81 references to neck pain in the records. That instant access to data changed the negotiation—and boosted the settlement value. Working fast with new tools in this case made a huge difference in the outcome.

Jay Stefani’s firm experienced similar efficiency gains. “Before AI, getting the right medical documentation was a constant headache. With Supio, we can instantly pinpoint key case details that might have been overlooked before. That changes everything,” he explained.

2. Time to Cash –

It’s one thing to win a big settlement, but how fast does that money actually hit your account? What is your inventory of cases and the probable timing of each? If you run short on cash, you might move to settle earlier and not maximize the case value. Delays can kill cash flow and impact firm profitability.

How to use AI to improve time to cash:
AI streamlines the settlement process by removing delays in documentation, approvals, and payouts. It helps firms identify high-value cases that should move faster, automate follow-ups on settlements and liens, and eliminate paperwork bottlenecks. The result? Faster case resolutions and quicker payouts for both firms and clients.

Stefani emphasized how technology has changed his firm’s approach: “Before AI, we were reactive—waiting on records, waiting on responses. Now, we have an AI-powered system that tells us where cases might get stuck before they happen. That means we’re getting paid faster, and our clients are seeing results sooner.”

3. Operational Efficiency –

Is staff stuck on low-value tasks? AI and automation can free up your team to focus on the work that actually moves cases forward.

How to use AI to automate medical record retrieval:
Tiffany Anghel, Head of Partnerships at YoCierge, highlighted a major issue firms face: missing or incomplete medical records. “About 50% of litigation delays are caused by medical record retrieval problems,” she said. YoCierge automates the retrieval process and even integrates with state-level health information exchanges to get the right records faster. Less waiting means less case drag. YoCierge is using AI to make the HIPAA authorization much faster - validating identity and getting those records into your team’s hands is crucial.

Stefani’s firm has eliminated manual follow-ups on record requests. “Before, our staff spent hours each week tracking down records. With YoCierge, that’s all automated. Our team now spends that time strategizing cases instead of chasing paperwork,” he said.

4. Client Experience –

Clients don’t always know what a “good” legal result is, but they do know what a great experience feels like. They know when they are surprised with hidden liabilities. Faster responses, clear communication, and full lifecycle transparency all drive referrals and repeat business.

‍How to use AI to simplify client communication:
Let’s face it—clients want answers fast, but case managers and attorneys don’t have time to respond to every single question in real-time. That’s where AI-driven client engagement tools help busy legal staff take control of client communication.

‍Matt Mallin, broke it down: “The average email open rate? 20% after 48 hours. But push notifications? 90% are read within four minutes.” That’s a game-changer for keeping clients engaged and on track. Plus, AI-powered recommended responses cut response time from hours to minutes.

Stefani’s firm has seen this firsthand. “Before Case Status, we’d get endless calls and emails from clients asking for updates. Now, 90% of our clients use the app, and they can check their case status instantly. That’s saved us a ton of time—and improved client satisfaction,” he explained.

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Hidden Liabilities That Can Kill Your Case Value

Beyond inefficiency, there are other risks that firms often overlook—risks that can quietly eat into your case value.

‍Tax Time Shock

Jeremy Babener from Structured Consulting warned about what happens when clients realize too late that they owe taxes on their settlement. “Most plaintiffs don’t expect to pay taxes, and by the time they find out, it’s too late,” he said. Using structured settlements can reduce tax liability and maximize the amount clients actually take home.

Compliance Nightmares

HIPAA violations and improper record handling can lead to massive fines. This highlights the importance of working with vendors who are ISO-certified and HIPAA-compliant to avoid multimillion-dollar penalties. “One of the biggest healthcare data breaches this year involved a major health tech company, exposing sensitive patient information. You don’t want to be the law firm version of that,” Tiffany said during a recent conversation with law firm operators and attorneys.

Staff Burnout and High Turnover

AI isn’t just about making firms more efficient—it’s also about making legal work more sustainable. Firms today struggle to hire and retain good talent. By automating repetitive tasks, firms can reduce burnout and improve job satisfaction. One North Carolina firm reported: “We’re doing more cases with the same staff—and they’re actually happier.”

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What Should Firms Do Right Now to Maximize Case Value?

If you’re looking to increase case value immediately, here’s where to start:

• Appoint a Tech Champion – Every firm needs someone to own the tech conversation. It doesn’t have to be an attorney—just someone who can evaluate tools and advocate for change.

• Start Measuring Client Experience – Use surveys, Net Promoter Scores (NPS), or just ask directly: How are we doing? There are tools that automatically track client satisfaction and help you take action on this data. Happy clients = more referrals.

• Optimize Case Workflows – Identify bottlenecks and test AI tools for lawyers that can streamline operations. Even small tweaks can lead to massive time savings.

• Educate and Train Your Team – The most successful firms aren’t just using AI—they’re training their people to use it well. The more experienced your team, the more they can leverage AI to their advantage.

Levinson and Stefani, a Chicago-based personal injury firm, has completely reengineered its case management by leveraging AI-powered tools. “We used to spend so much time chasing medical records, manually updating clients, and trying to predict case value,” Stefani said. “Now, we’ve automated those tasks so our attorneys can focus on more meaningful work.”

The firms that win in 2025 will be the ones that embrace efficiency, automation, and AI-driven workflows. There’s no room for wasted time, bad communication, or outdated processes. Case value isn’t just about the settlement number—it’s about how efficiently, ethically, and effectively you get there.

By leveraging AI tools and creating a culture of adoption within their team, firms like Levinson and Stefani are setting a new standard for operational excellence.