Guide to Law Firm Software

Streamline operations and increase profitability with legal software

By Frances Sharpe, freelance writer/editor

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Practice management

Basics to look for in practice management software include case management, calendaring, contact management and document management. Some solutions also offer communications management, conflicts checking, barcoding for documents and more.

I recommend: Download a demo of Legal Files case management software, which was developed in a working law firm environment and is both easy to use and easy to customize. Time Matters from LexisNexis manages all of your firm’s front-office activities.

Time, billing and accounting

Every lawyer knows how tedious it is to track billable hours. Software can simplify this process along with several other time-tracking accounting functions, such as accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, split billing, 1099 reporting and budgeting. Look for software that offers billing solutions whether your firm does contingency, hourly or flat-fee billing.

I recommend: Billing Matters from Lexis-Nexis is a total billing and back-office accounting solution. Tabs3 billing software helps you get your bills out faster and includes powerful reporting features.

All-in-one solutions

Looking for a single software solution to handle practice management and time, billing and accounting? Several options geared to smaller firms are available.

I recommend: Amicus Small Firm is a comprehensive practice management and time, billing and accounting software solution designed for solo attorneys and small firms with up to 10 users. ProLaw, one of the industry’s leading all-in-one solutions, offers ProLaw READY for smaller firms. Other all-in-one solutions include AbacusLaw and PCLaw.

A la carte solutions

If you prefer to cherry pick the solutions you need most, find a provider who offers software on a piecemeal basis.

I recommend: Juris offers a la carte pricing on a number of time, billing and accounting tools as well as management tools.

Web-based applications

Choosing a Web-based software solution offers a number of advantages. With a simple Internet connection, you can gain 24-7 access to your files from anywhere, whether you're at a client’s office or in court.

I recommend: Legal Files, a desktop software solution, also offers MyLegalFiles, a fully customizable Web-based application that opens to a user-specific home page that lets you manage your day, your files, your users or your contacts. CompuLaw, a major player in the legal software industry, offers both a desktop version and a Web portal that offers anywhere/anytime access to your files.

Specific practice software

No matter which type of law your firm handles—bankruptcy law, corporate law, family law, tax law, immigration law, real estate law, criminal law or some other type—there’s a software solution that fits your needs.

I recommend: Find a list of practice-specific software solutions at FindLaw.com.

Court rules databases

Court rules regarding calendaring and deadlines vary from state to state and from one jurisdiction to another. It’s imperative to keep track of these rules, or you risk serious consequences. In fact, according to the American Bar Association, calendaring mistakes and deadline errors are the leading cause of malpractice claims against law firms and attorneys. Look for legal software that offers Federal and/or State court rules databases to assist you in scheduling.

I recommend: CompuLaw offers the most extensive rules databases available, covering hundreds of jurisdictions in all 50 states and courts at the State, Federal, Appellate and Supreme Court levels. Some practice management software providers, such as AbacusLaw, offer Federal and State rules as optional features.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider the cost of upgrades when budgeting for law firm software, especially if you’ll need to upgrade frequently. Web-based applications may include upgrade costs in their monthly fees.
• •  If you have more than one office, or you work from a home office in addition to your business office, look for solutions that offer multi-office features.
• •  Make sure your legal software integrates with any other software programs you’re using.