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Law firm software can be difficult to navigate with how many options are out there.
Law firms, specifically, require software that is tailored to their unique needs.
These 2 parts alone can leave law firms feeling overwhelmed and a little lost.
This guide is meant to serve as a mediator between law firms and their many choices, so you can proceed with confidence that your firm is getting the best software to suit your needs and improve your workflow.
As you go through each category we’ve laid out, evaluate the features they offer against what means the most to you.
We hope this guide provides what you require to make informed decisions, but we understand that this can feel daunting. We’re here to help! Contact us if you have any questions, and we would be glad to help guide you down the right path.
Introduction to Law Firm Software
Law Firm Software entails many things.
Whether it’s ancillary software, such as productivity software or note-taking apps, or software necessary for operations, such as Practice Management or Document Management Software, we cover it in this article.
One of the important things to remember is that you are creating a technology strategy for your firm. In doing so, you are looking to build a more streamlined workflow, give way to better collaboration, and become a more productive, successful law firm.
In our list of software for lawyers, I’ll explain and cover each of the main categories of Law Firm Software that your firm may need, a shortlist of the top software for that category, detailed features to make good decisions, and suggestions about choosing the best software for your firm’s needs.
As you go along, I recommend taking notes about the applications that speak to the needs you’re looking to fulfill. There are numerous applications that you can utilize, and with this article, you’ll have a better idea of where to start and what to pursue.
As you evaluate your law firm’s software and Tech Toolbox, you may have noticed that most law firms can benefit from having a robust technology strategy.
However, if we take it a step further, we can evaluate the future of your law firm altogether.
As your firm develops a better utilization of the software out there, it becomes easier to transition to a Virtual Law Firm. This means that you and your law firm has the capacity to work remotely.
Having a Virtual Law Firm gives way to better flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and overall happiness of both your firm and your clients.
Learn more below.
Virtual Law Firm: A Complete Guide
Explore the possibilities of a Virtual Law Firm – the why and how.
Server-Based vs. Cloud-Based Software
When it comes to any software you use, an important consideration is whether you go with sever-based software or cloud-based software.
They both have their benefits, and ultimately, it’s up to you to weigh the pros and cons of both to determine the best route for your law firm.
Here, I’ll briefly discuss the general differences between the two.
Since LexWorkplace is a cloud-based platform, we clearly promote cloud-based software over server-based software. As we were determining how we can best server law firms, we understood that cloud technology is the way of the future.
With that being said, server-based software isn’t without its advantages and reasons to pursue it, such as:
With those reasons outlined, I do want to caution you about a few things if you decide to pursue server-based software.
For example, server ownership can be an involved, expensive, and irritatingly ongoing process.
Refer to this chart for an understanding of the lifecycle of servers. Backing up data and replacing servers is a necessity to avoid the risk of data loss.
Cloud-Based Document Management
If we’re talking about Document Management specifically, you’ll find that you run into the same issues.
Dinosaur DMS platforms are difficult to use, expensive to implement, and painful to maintain.
I understand that you may have used Legacy Document Management for most of your career, but the future holds a better option — Cloud-Based Document Management.
Watch the video below to understand the difference and why I, and many others, are favoring this newer form of software.
On the other hand, choosing Cloud-Based Software provides you with great benefits:
Other Cloud-Based Software
Similar to Document Management, the conversation continues when it comes to other forms of software you’ll use.
The pros and cons that you encounter when deciding between server-based and cloud-based software are important in considering all aspects of your workflow.
We’ve already discussed what it’s like to deal with servers — it goes beyond this.
When you have software, you will undoubtedly face issues that require IT Support. It doesn’t matter how good the software is or how trained your staff is. Issues happen.
What is important is that you understand the process for getting help when you need it the most.
For example, this is what IT Support looks like when you’re using server-based software.
As you can see, the process is a bit lengthy and wrought with unexpected costs. The burden is on you to stay on top of your software and to know when to seek the proper help.
In contrast, this is what IT Support looks like with a Cloud-Hosted solution, where you delegate the hosting and operation of your software to an authorized cloud provider, like Uptime Legal.
IT Support for Law Firms
Good IT Support goes a long way in the world of technology. Learn how to get the best support.
Categories of Law Firm Software
Here at Uptime Legal, we spend considerable time helping law firms navigate the world of small law firm legal software. A recurring theme is confusion around the different types of law firm software, and specifically which categories of software do what.
Often we’ll hear that a law firm is disappointed because their newly-acquired law firm software product wasn’t meeting their needs or expectations… only to find out that they purchased the wrong category of software.
For instance, a law firm might be exploring Practice Management software and see Document Management listed as an included feature for a contender only to find out that the included “Document Management” is little more than built-in basic online storage.
Similarly, Practice Management products that purport to include “Accounting” may be limited to billing and a general operating account.
While this article will cover numerous categories of software for lawyers, it’s important to understand that the core of law firm software generally falls into one of three categories:
Practice Management, Document Management, and Accounting
We call this the Three-Legged Stool of Law Firm Software. The confusion comes in that each of these three discreet and differentiated categories of software do overlap with one another.
It’s important to understand the differences (and the overlap) in these three primary silos of law firm software. Before spending time evaluating small law firm legal software, clearly identify which of these three categories of functionality your firm requires.
Legal Matter Management Software
You may have heard this term passed around and used interchangeably with Case Management, Practice Management, and Document Management. There’s a reason for this.
Legal Matter Management broadly covers both Case/Practice Management and Document Management functionalities. Therefore, Law Practice Management (LPM) software and Document Management Systems (DMS) can be considered subsets of Legal Matter Management.
These are vast categories that can be broken down into more specific tasks, which is where they overlap.
For example, Practice Management and Document Management Software may both have features that are intended to boost productivity.
While this may not be ideal for some, and it can seem misleading, it’s not without reason.
The software that claim to handle multiple tasks that would fall under more than one of the main categories we mentioned above tend to be limited in their functionality.
But that may be ideal for a law firm that needs a full-featured practice management software with limited accounting features.
Legal Matter Management
Understanding the terminology used by law firm software helps make more informed decisions.
Documents, Email, Collaboration
Productivity is the bedrock of law firm software. Productivity software generally encompasses the tools your team will use day-to-day, and includes word processing, spreadsheets and presentation, email, and sometimes tools to keep these resources organized.
In addition to providing basic word processing, spreadsheet and email apps, some law firm productivity platforms serve as the working hub of your law firm.
Legal Project Management Software
Leverage technology to keep your company on track and progressing.
Taking, Organizing & Searching Notes
Next in our roundup of the best law firm software, we’ll cover popular note-taking software.
Note-taking apps do more than just replace the old legal pad: they bring a new level of organization, functionality and note-taking on the go.
Features of note-taking applications often include the following functionality:
Digital Signature Apps
Gain a better understanding of what Digital Signature apps have to offer, your top options, and how to choose.
Accounting Software vs. Practice Management Software (The differences and the overlap)
Law Practice Management, Billing, and Accounting are three related, but discreet functions. And each can be managed with different software (or, all in one software suite). This is where the fuzzy terminology makes understanding what any given software package does confusing.
With that clarified, let’s take a look at our list of top legal accounting software for law firms.
Explore More Legal Accounting Applications
These represent our view of the top legal accounting products s within the broader scope of law firm software. To see even more options, check out our list of all of the law firm accounting software.
Best Law Firm Accounting Software
Good accounting allows for better organization and a better understanding of where your firm excels and what needs work.
Explore More Payment Processing Solutions
These represent our view of the top payment processing platforms within the broader scope of law firm software. To see even more options, check out our list of all of the legal payment processing platforms.
Best Law Firm Payment Processing Solutions
Getting paid on time and with accuracy is important — choose the best software to ensure it.
Sidebar: Practice Management vs. Document Management
Practice Management software is well-suited to manage your firm’s time tracking, billing, calendaring, contacts and tasks. Some Practice Management software also include limited or “light” Document Management. But to be clear, Practice Management and Document Management are not the same, and you should clearly understand your firm’s document management objectives before implementing new Practice Management software.
Related:
Explore More Practice Management Products
These represent our view of the top practice management products within the broader scope of law firm software. To see even more small law firm legal software, specifically practice/case management, check out our list of all of the law practice management products.
Best Law Practice Management Software
Managing your practice starts with great software. Ensure you’re choosing software that works with your firm’s wants and needs.
Document Automation Software
Explore the different software to automate your document creation and assembly.
Top-tier document automation software for law firms offers document assembly as a core feature, but effective document management requires more.
Essential tools also encompass storage, enhanced search functions, version control, optical character recognition (OCR), and beyond.
Document Management Security
Moreover, quality cloud-based legal document management products will provide additional security features, including:
Explore More Document Management Products
These represent our view of the top document management products within the broader scope of law firm software. To see even more options, check out our list of all of the law document management products.
Best Law Firm Document Management Software
Like advanced cloud storage built for law firms, with useful features and functionality.
Law Firm Software – Next Steps
There you have it, our overview of the top law firm software. This list of applications should be useful whether you’re starting a new firm and just building your legal tech stack, or are a mature law firm looking to modernize your law firm software.
I recommend taking time to go through each category of Law Firm Software.
While doing so, start by writing down what your firm would like, love, and need. From there, you can evaluate the options that I list to determine which one best suits your needs.
As always, feel free to contact us if you need help deciding.
Onward and Upward!
WHAT’S NEXT
