What Features Should Legal Case Management Software Have?

When it comes to legal case management software, particular needs will vary by firm and practice area—but there are a few specific aspects that all law offices should think about before signing on.

Fits your firm’s work patterns

The point of case management software is to set you up to run your law office more efficiently and smoothly—and ultimately, save you time and money.

Therefore, it’s important to consider whether or not the software fits with how you and your team work. For instance, if you work remotely, run a hybrid office, or even occasionally work from home, cloud-based software is going to be your best bet. Cloud access lets team members log in from anywhere, on any device. It ensures that everyone is working with the most up-to-date version of a document and accommodates on-the-go work with mobile access.

And look for software that functions intuitively, such as by letting you quickly find notes via client name or matter.

Fully integrated

Whether you’re using a la carte services or one platform to run your entire practice, integration matters.

For those who want to use their case management software with other tools such as Dropbox, integration makes for a far smoother—and more efficient—experience.

Or your firm may decide to streamline by using one platform. A fully integrated experience means that notes from a client call are time-tracked and added to the client’s invoice, which can be auto-generated and sent electronically in just a few clicks. If the client pays online, your billing and accounting will update seamlessly.

Ultimately, the single platform is about saving time.

Security features

Finally, always vet the security features of any software you use—because making reasonable efforts to safeguard client information is an important part of attorney-client privilege.^[1]

Check for U.S.-based servers, data redundancy, and encryption in transit and at rest.Additional security features such as multi-factor authentication are also a good idea.

At the end of the day, a service you’re paying for should deliver what you need: flexibility, intuitive use, integration options, and security that lets you sleep at night.

References

1. American Bar Association: Rule 1.6 Confidentiality of Information – Comment