Can My Law Firm Automate Fee Agreements?

When it comes to running a law firm, automation can save you valuable time. For instance, document automation allows you to quickly create standardized agreements, including documents like fee agreements.

Speed and consistency

To harness the time-saving power of automation, start by having your clients fill out client intake forms online. This is typically more convenient for them—and it saves a number of administrative steps for you.

Your practice management system can then use fields from the intake form to merge the client’s personal information with a fee agreement template. You need to draft the initial wording for the template, but once that original document is complete, filling in and adjusting provisions can be done in a matter of clicks.

This process is much faster than copying the client’s information into a saved document every time you need to create a fee agreement. It also tends to be more accurate because there’s less opportunity for human error.

Electronic signatures

Once the automated fee agreement has been created, you can share it with your client through your practice management system’s secure online portal.

Sharing legal documents in this way helps you to better safeguard client information.^[1] It also lets you avail yourself of the expedited process offered by electronic signatures.^[2] After your new client signs the fee agreement and you countersign, you can both access fully executed copies through the client portal.

In the era of remote work, this digitized process is often more convenient for all involved. With the help of a modern practice management system, automated fee agreements are not only feasible but valuable tools that streamline your office administration—and leave you with more time for billable work.

References

1. American Bar Association Model Rule 1.6: Confidentiality of Information
2. U.S. Chapter Code 96—Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce