For many law firms, the right tech can level the playing field. That tech may be something that allows them to operate more efficiently, serve clients more effectively, and conduct case research more quickly. IT can also allow their employees to work from home and have flexible schedules.
In general, law firms such as yours are spoilt for choice when it comes to IT solutions. To help you choose, we've rounded up some tips and picked the best out of the bunch. Check out our tips and recommendations below.
Determine which business solution is best for your firm
Follow these tips to ensure that you get the right solutions for your law firm's unique needs:
Tip 1: Pinpoint the problems you're trying to solve first
IT is not a silver bullet that magically resolves operational challenges. Tech solutions are tools, and you must pick the right tool for a particular job. For example, if you're looking for an efficient way to handle clients, then a customer relationship management program may be just what you need.
Tip 2: Test the tech out to see if it's a good fit for your firm
In addition to learning about tech solutions from your vendors, you must also consult with other stakeholders to check if such solutions will indeed be helpful to them as well. You must obtain feedback from them — be they your staff, clients, or third-party partners — and determine if they'll actually use the solutions you're planning to implement.
Tip 3: Determine that the IT solution is secure and reliable
More than legal expertise, lawyers trade on trust, which is why keeping client data recoverable and safe is of paramount importance for firms. This is why you must check if the tech solution you’re choosing is employing the latest data recovery protocols and cybersecurity tools, such as encryption.
Tech solutions are tools, and you must pick the right tool for a particular job.
Our top tech choices for law firms
Now that you have the criteria for choosing tech, here are our top choices for law firms:
1. Microsoft 365: For creating and editing text documents, presentations, spreadsheets, etc.
Instead of installing local versions of Microsoft Office, many law firms today are using Microsoft 365. Microsoft 365 has the same programs as the original office productivity suite but offers the remote accessibility and flexibility of the cloud.
Further reading: How can law firms benefit from Microsoft 365?
2. HotDocs: For assembling legal documents
HotDocs provides a best-in-class document automation solution for law firms of all sizes. From traditional correspondence to complex wills, contracts, engagement letters, and trusts, HotDocs significantly reduces the time it takes to create documents. It also enhances the quality of your legal paperwork by lowering the chances of human error.
3. Fastcase: For doing legal research
Fastcase puts the complete national legal library virtually at your fingertips. It grants you online access to bar publications, cases, court rules, regulations, and statutes — and it'll even help you find the most authoritative sources quickly. Fastcase also tracks the time your staff spends doing research, granting your clients transparency over billable hours.
4. ScanSnap ix500: For digitizing paper documents
Going paperless is ideal, but businesses — especially law firms — still have to handle paper documents. Thankfully, the Fujitsu ix500 scanner can scan documents in high resolution and wirelessly transmit these to the computer or smartphone of your choice. This means you can practically carry tons of legal documents in the palm of your hand.
5. Logikcull: For eDiscovery
With practically everything now online, eDiscovery and document discovery have become one and the same. From email to social media posts to paper documents-turned-digital files, there's an ever-growing mountain of data that must be examined, indexed, and sorted. That’s why Logikcull is a godsend for small-to-medium-sized law firms with limited staff.
As a fully automated self-service eDiscovery platform, Logikcull helps firms upload and index documents in bulk, do keyword searches, and view and download files.
6. Clio Grow: For managing your client relationships
Customer relationship management platforms abound, and Clio Grow is one that's made especially for law firms. It has all the tools you need to virtually let you cultivate relationships with prospects as you turn them into loyal clients.
7. Xero: For law firm accounting
A law firm is completely different from an accounting firm. Still, you must handle your finances properly to make your law firm successful. Using a cloud-based accounting solution like Xero is like having a full-time accountant, except that you'll only have to pay a fraction of the accountant's salary.
8. Ruby: For managing inbound and outbound calls
Attorneys who are frequently buried in both legal and administrative tasks usually don't have time to answer calls. Small firms may also have insufficient budgets or not enough workload to justify hiring a full-time receptionist. Fortunately, you won't need one if you use Ruby's answering service.
Ruby’s tech-savvy staff will handle inbound and outbound calls so you'll never miss a call and never lose an opportunity again. They'll also provide you with detailed call records and messages. Everything Ruby does or produces for you can be conveniently accessed from their mobile app, so even when you get a budget to hire a receptionist, you'll hardly feel compelled to do so.
To gain assistance in picking the right IT solutions for your law firm, turn to our experts at Healthy IT.