Law practice management software
Encyclopedia
Law Practice Management software is software designed to manage a law firm's case and client records, bill
ing and bookkeeping
, schedules and appointments, deadlines, computer files and to facilitate any compliance
requirements such as with document retention policies, courts' electronic filing systems and, in the UK, the Solicitors' Accounts Rules as defined by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
s do not generally teach new attorneys
the business skills to run a law office, many offices have turned to technology to ease the learning curve and reduce clerical errors. The American Bar Association
(ABA) has found that calendar and deadline related mistakes account for most legal malpractice
claims. Therefore, an initial investment in software tools can yield long term savings in defending against such claims. In fact, the ABA has an entire section devoted entirely to law office management, of which software and related programs are an increasingly important part of its mission delivery. Many state bar associations also provide assistance and discounts to their members for such software. The main purpose of these programs is allow a law firm to run more smoothly.
Case Management Software, used properly, improves efficiency, provides for conflict checking, and enables a law office to not have to search for the physical file each time a client calls with questions, thereby helping to reduce the need for callbacks since the client can get answers on an as needed basis at the time of their inquiry.
and the United Kingdom
due to the highly competitive market to gain customers. In the UK, the Legal Software Suppliers Association (LSSA) is the industry body for legal software systems developers and vendors. Representing most of the leading UK suppliers, it aims to both set and maintain professional standards within the industry and manage areas of mutual interest between lawyers and software providers – such as the Land Registry, LSC, Law Society & other legislative bodies.
Bill (payment)
A bill or invoice is a document requesting payment for an order previously supplied. Presentation of a bill is common practice on the part of credit card companies, utilities, and other service providers...
ing and bookkeeping
Bookkeeping
Bookkeeping is the recording of financial transactions. Transactions include sales, purchases, income, receipts and payments by an individual or organization. Bookkeeping is usually performed by a bookkeeper. Bookkeeping should not be confused with accounting. The accounting process is usually...
, schedules and appointments, deadlines, computer files and to facilitate any compliance
Compliance (regulation)
In general, compliance means conforming to a rule, such as a specification, policy, standard or law. Regulatory compliance describes the goal that corporations or public agencies aspire to in their efforts to ensure that personnel are aware of and take steps to comply with relevant laws and...
requirements such as with document retention policies, courts' electronic filing systems and, in the UK, the Solicitors' Accounts Rules as defined by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Purpose
Because law schoolLaw school
A law school is an institution specializing in legal education.- Law degrees :- Canada :...
s do not generally teach new attorneys
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
the business skills to run a law office, many offices have turned to technology to ease the learning curve and reduce clerical errors. The American Bar Association
American Bar Association
The American Bar Association , founded August 21, 1878, is a voluntary bar association of lawyers and law students, which is not specific to any jurisdiction in the United States. The ABA's most important stated activities are the setting of academic standards for law schools, and the formulation...
(ABA) has found that calendar and deadline related mistakes account for most legal malpractice
Legal malpractice
Legal malpractice is the term for negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, or breach of contract by an attorney that causes harm to his or her client...
claims. Therefore, an initial investment in software tools can yield long term savings in defending against such claims. In fact, the ABA has an entire section devoted entirely to law office management, of which software and related programs are an increasingly important part of its mission delivery. Many state bar associations also provide assistance and discounts to their members for such software. The main purpose of these programs is allow a law firm to run more smoothly.
Case Management Software, used properly, improves efficiency, provides for conflict checking, and enables a law office to not have to search for the physical file each time a client calls with questions, thereby helping to reduce the need for callbacks since the client can get answers on an as needed basis at the time of their inquiry.
Development of the industry
Legal law office management is a growing business in North AmericaNorth America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
and the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
due to the highly competitive market to gain customers. In the UK, the Legal Software Suppliers Association (LSSA) is the industry body for legal software systems developers and vendors. Representing most of the leading UK suppliers, it aims to both set and maintain professional standards within the industry and manage areas of mutual interest between lawyers and software providers – such as the Land Registry, LSC, Law Society & other legislative bodies.
Types of software
There are many kinds of law office management software. Attorneys/Solicitors often buy their software based on their practice area. The New Jersey State Bar Association web site lists a variety of applications by substantive law (Bankruptcy, Collections, Estate planning and administration, and Real estate) as well as by practice matter (Calendar/Schedule/Docket Control, Case & Practice Management, Document Assembly, and Document Management).General law applications
- AbacusLaw
- Amicus Attorney
- Bill4Time
- Clio
- Chrometa
- Denning Law Office Suite
- ESILAW
- Gavel
- HoudiniESQ
- Iken
- Juris Cloud eJudicate
- LawBase
- LegalTrack
- LawCloud
- LEAP Expedite
- LSSA is the UK industry body for Legal Practice Management Software vendors
- MerusCase
- Needles
- Overseer Law Office
- PCLaw
- PracticeMaster
- PracticePack WebServices
- ProLaw
- Perfect Practice
- Quill Pinpoint Interactive
- Rocket Matter
- Tabs3 Billing
- Time Matters
- Time59
- TimeSolv
- Uberall Practice League
External links
- New York State Bar AssociationNew York State Bar AssociationThe New York State Bar Association , with 77,000 members, is the largest voluntary bar association in the United States.-History:The State Bar was founded with a constitution that dates to 1877...
law practice management web site - State Bar of Wisconsin official web site
- Legal Software Suppliers Association official web site
- Law Society of England and Wales Software Solutions Guide