Legal Software Programs
Apple App store has a 4.9 rating and tens of thousands of reviews.
Cut Emails & Calls by more than 50% with Updates via the App
Transformative Law Firms that use Case Status see Results
See How Case Status Works
Seamless Client Experience
With the Case Status App firms achieve 80% bi-directional App Engagement.
This means you get to:
Hang up the phone!
Delete Email!
Reduce Texts!
And messages from the App flow right into your CMS!
Keep the Case Moving by Keeping Your Client Organized
When you can reach your client, the case stays on track. The App is like the client's personal assistant, helping them bring over documents, manage their checklists items, keep their appointments, and even track the outcome of an appointment or treatment.
No more chasing clients down - the App keeps them on task!
Stand Apart From Your Competition
The Best Brands leverage highly rated Apps because:
Consumers spend 5 hrs a day in apps that empower them.
The stakes are high. That's why they hired you. Nothing is more important than their case!
No more buyer's remorse for your client: they will be reminded every day that they hired the right legal team.
Case Status Growth Calculator
Learn how to maximize the reach and impact of the firm
Partner with trusted integrations
We Are the #1 Client Portal for Your Case Management Software
Be a Client Whisperer and Drive Growth the Easy Way!
Unlock the Full Potential of Your Firm
Legal Software Programs
What’s the hardest thing for a lawyer? Anyone familiar with the job would tell you it’s time management.
The average attorney's day is spent doing a litany of different tasks, from researching cases to appearing in court. Many attorneys are also responsible for drafting and filing legal documents, preparing contracts, meeting with clients, and negotiating settlements. It often works out to a few hours in the office, and then several more at home to get all the work done.
Attorneys need great organizational skills if they want to succeed. It's not enough just to know the laws; legal professionals must be able to keep track of a wide variety of cases at once while delivering quality results. While managing it all was once a very real challenge, technology has made it much easier.
Legal software effectively addresses the workload plights of attorneys, paralegals, and legal secretaries by automating tedious items on their to-do lists. It's an increasingly popular solution that improves productivity, simplifies complex processes, and helps to ensure accuracy. This article will explore everything you need to know about legal software programs, from the different types available, to how they can help your practice succeed, to finding the best tools for lawyers at your firm.
Why is Legal Software important?
Legal software is a type of computer application that is designed to help legal professionals manage their day-to-day activities. Examples include electronic filing systems, digital document management programs, practice management systems, and trial presentation tools.
These types of applications provide attorneys with the ability to keep track of important documents and organize them in an easy-to-access format. They can also store case notes and evidence for easier retrieval when needed down the road during litigation or settlement negotiations. Really, legal software is a broad classification that encompasses many different types of tools with unique sets of features.
The key, common characteristic between them all is the market they cater to - law firms and individual lawyers in need of solutions to help make them more efficient and effective in the practice of law. Legal software can range from highly specialized and expensive enterprise-level systems to much simpler cloud-based programs that are a fraction of the cost.
Do Law Firms Use CRM Tools?
Yes, law firms can use CRM platforms as a means of facilitating their day-to-day operations. Solutions like HubSpot and Salesforce are two common options for law firms that want to manage their contacts, store documents, and capture key analytics. Although it's primarily built for sales teams, CRM software can make things easier for legal professionals as they progress clients through the journey of a case.
But to expand on that point, most of the CRM tools available on the market today aren't worth the investment of time and money for law firms. They just don't have the features that legal professionals need to manage their cases efficiently.
That's why many law firms are turning to legal-specific CRM tools that are specifically designed for the unique needs of attorneys.
What is CRM Software for Lawyers?
CRM software solutions for lawyers provide a variety of features that enable users to better manage their cases, such as case tracking and document storage. They also offer additional functionalities like legal billing and time tracking, which is invaluable to attorneys who need to stay on top of their invoices.
What does Legal Software Do?
Across its many forms, legal management software is intended to make lawyers' everyday workloads easier to manage. This can manifest differently depending on what a given individual's day looks like - a corporate lawyer may get the most benefit from software that helps organize and track contracts. A criminal defense attorney, on the other hand, may rely more heavily on an application that was designed to store evidence and organize case notes.
But what kind of tools does a lawyer need to succeed, regardless of practice area? Here are some of the most commonly used and sought-after features in law firm software:
Document Management
Document management solutions are the backbone of any legal practice. They allow users to store, organize, and search through documents quickly and securely. Document management systems provide a centralized repository for all relevant case documents that is easily searchable by keyword or metadata tags. They can also make it easier to collaborate with colleagues, allowing for simultaneous editing across multiple devices and office location
Billing and Invoicing
Billing and invoicing software streamline the process of tracking billable hours, client payments, accounts receivable, and outstanding invoices. It also eliminates the tedious task of manually entering expenses and time entries into a spreadsheet. Billing software is essential for any law firm that bills clients by the hour, as it helps to ensure accurate billing records and timely payment processing.
Case Management
Case management software helps lawyers stay organized while managing their cases. They allow users to track deadlines, document progress, and store key information in one place. Case management software is often integrated with document management solutions for added convenience.
Practice Management
Practice management software is designed to automate and streamline a law firm’s daily operations, such as client intake, appointment scheduling, and more. Leveraging cloud-based technology, practice management solutions enable law firms to be more efficient and productive while allowing them to work remotely from any location.
Legal Research
Legal research software helps attorneys quickly find court decisions, statutes, regulations, and other legal materials related to their cases. It allows for the efficient investigation and analysis of case law, enabling attorneys to be more prepared in their legal proceedings.
The Benefits of Legal Software
Legal automation software can revolutionize the way law firms operate, allowing them to be more efficient and provide a better experience for their clients in more ways than one. Take a look at a few of the biggest benefits that come with investing in it below.
Enhanced Productivity
The first and foremost thing any lawyer stands to gain by investing in quality legal practice software is better productivity. Being designed specifically for the purpose, these tools are incredibly useful when it comes to delegating repetitive tasks and streamlining everyday workloads.
Time-consuming processes such as document drafting, data entry, and report generation can be drastically reduced or even eliminated with the help of automated legal practice software.
Improved Communications
Law firms need to take special care in how they manage client communication and expectations. As a high-stakes, time-sensitive industry, individuals expect accurate and timely responses to their inquiries at all times.
Legal software takes the load off of administrators' shoulders by automating milestone messages, notifications, and appointment reminders. It keeps clients happy and informed by sending automated notifications in the event of changes to their case status or critical deadlines.
Enhanced Client Service
Anyone who's practiced law before, or even seen how the business side of it works, would be able to attest that clients expect much more than due communication. They want to feel valued. They want to have a rapport with their lawyers and understand that they are being taken care of. Adding to the pressure of it all is the fact that local law firms have reputations to keep up - winning cases is obviously a priority, but someone is just as likely to recommend services if they had a pleasant experience. There’s no better way to promote a small law firm than word of mouth.
Legal software makes it easier for lawyers to stay on top of their cases' progress and provide top-notch customer service by addressing issues early on. Client portals can be used to give clients access to their case information and documents, while automated messages and reminders can be sent to ensure clients are kept up-to-date on their case's progress. These features go a long way in reassuring clients that they are being given the attention and care they deserve.
How Much Does Law Firm Software Cost?
This is a difficult question to answer, as like with any software, digital legal tools come in a range of different varieties with varying price tags.
At a basic level, most law firm software suites are offered as a subscription-based service. This means that firms pay an upfront fee for access to the tools and then continue to pay monthly or annual fees for ongoing use of the platform.
For larger firms, the cost of monthly or annual subscription-based software can be quite substantial. For example, a full-service legal practice management system could cost in the range of several hundred dollars per month to thousands of dollars for an enterprise-level product. SaaS vendors typically charge on a per-user basis, meaning larger firms may need to pay more for a product that can accommodate their staff size.
For smaller businesses or solo practitioners who are just getting started with legal technology, however, there are plenty of affordable options available that don’t require a large upfront investment. Many digital solutions offer starter plans that allow firms to pay as they go or pay on a monthly basis. It's also worth considering a demo or free trial period to ensure that the solution is right for your firm.
Picking the Best Law Firm Software for Your Practice
Choosing the right legal software for a law firm can be an overwhelming and daunting task. The market is filled with legal software companies that each have their own take on the question of what a solution should be capable of, or what features or tools it should be able to provide.
It all ties back to the importance of knowing what your specific needs are.
Take a minute to assess your firm’s needs and consider which features are most important for you. Do you need document automation or an integrated case management system? What about AI-driven legal billing software?
Once you have identified the features that your firm needs, you can start looking for solutions. There are a number of different types of legal software that all have their own advantages and drawbacks, such as cloud-based solutions, desktop applications, or integrated systems.
Don't Forget...
In every case, we can confidently say that everyone should be factoring the three following things into the legal software buying process:
Security
In today's digital era, data security has become a major concern for most legal firms and attorneys. Legal software should make sure that confidential information is stored securely, so it’s important to investigate the security protocols and features in place to protect your data. Depending on the size of the firm, you may choose to invest more heavily in a robust security system with additional features such as biometric authentication or two-factor authentication.
Implementation and Training
The right legal software should be easy to implement and require little setup. Any training necessary should be provided onsite by the vendor or through online resources. It’s important to consider how quickly you need your firm to become proficient with using the system and make sure that you have access to the resources necessary in order to do so.
Cost
Cost is always a factor when selecting any kind of technology for your firm. Make sure that you understand all of the associated costs and any potential hidden fees. This includes things like user licenses, setup, and implementation fees, hosting fees for cloud-based systems, maintenance costs, etc. Keep in mind that costs may change over time, or add up if you're going with a subscription-based plan.
The best legal software for small firms and big firms alike, Case Status is a comprehensive solution designed to streamline and automate your legal workflows. Our software offers a robust suite of features including secure client portals, automated document assembly, case calendars and deadlines, matter management tools, and more. Deliver the best possible legal services to your clients - reach out to our team to discover how we can help your business thrive.