If you’ve ever been involved in a law firm’s electronic billing process or explored this topic online, you might be wondering: What is LEDES billing?

LEDES, pronounced like the city in England (Leeds), stands for “legal electronic data exchange standard”. Just as many industries have billing and accounting best practices, LEDES is a global standard format for legal billing and invoicing.

While commonly used with corporate business clients, it’s valuable for all lawyers to understand the basics of LEDES billing. Read on to familiarize yourself with this international standard you’re more than likely to use at some point in your legal career.

The history of LEDES billing

First launched in 1998 by the Legal Electronic Data Exchange Standards Committee, LEDES billing created a standardized format specifically for electronic legal invoicing. LEDES was released to the legal world in 1998 and facilitated the exchange of legal billing information between law firms and corporate clients.

Today, with growing law firms being 37% more likely to use online payments (according to our 2021 Legal Trends Report), it’s no surprise that LEDES has become increasingly fundamental for thriving law firms around the world.

Part of the reason why LEDES billing is so widely accepted is because it continues to go through enhancements to keep up with technological changes, as the below timeline indicates.

• 1995: The Legal Electronic Data Exchange Standards (LEDES) was created as a non profit organization to create and maintain digital billing standards for the legal profession.
• 1998: The first version of what we know as LEDES billing today, was launched as LEDES 1998B. These standards included guidelines for invoice formatting, timekeeping, and expense reporting.
• 2006: LEDES XML is introduced.
• 2008: LEDES XML updates to LEDES XML 2.0
• 2014: Format documentation was revised involving timekeeper classifications in LEDES 98B1.
• 2020: More updates were made to extend the tax rate field in LEDES 98B1.

Well known for LEDES billing, the Legal Electronic Data Exchange Standards Committee have also created standardized formats for budgeting, timekeeping, and transmitting IP matter information. Implementing repeatable processes is one of many ways legal professionals can save administrative time and free up more hours in the day for billable work.

LEDES billing codes

The LEDES billing process provides standardized codes for lawyers and firm members to use when categorizing legal tasks for billing purposes. What some might refer to as “LEDES billing codes” are actually called UTBMS (uniform task-based management system) billing codes. UTBMS is the correct terminology and, as mentioned above, these codes categorize billing activities.

Examples of UTBMS billing codes

While the LEDES billing process is fairly straightforward across all practice areas, UTBMS codes are generally practice area and activity-specific. The American Bar Association provides a comprehensive list of UTBMS codes that legal professionals can download, including:

• Expense codes
• Litigation codes
• Bankruptcy codes

The benefits of LEDES billing

Understandably, global billing standards benefit the legal industry as a whole. And, if your firm works with large commercial clients, they may require LEDES-formatted invoices.

However, LEDES billing offers many benefits to law firms, even if their clients don’t require it. Below are just a few of these benefits:

Standardized billing—no matter where you (or your clients) are

LEDES is a globally-recognized billing standard. Using it ensures that your work is meeting these standards no matter the geographies of you, your team, or clients. Implementing LEDES billing practices can bring peace of mind and ensure that your team and clients are “speaking the same language.”

Comprehensive, clear billing information for clients

LEDES billing provides clear billing and task description instructions. Thus, there’s no risk of entering custom descriptions for each task, which can lead to discrepancies, even on the same file.

For example, different team members might use different descriptions for the same task when entering custom time descriptions (like “phone call with client” or “client communication”). These discrepancies may require staff members to edit custom time descriptions (taking up valuable time), or, if left as-is, can confuse your clients when they receive their invoices.

Worry-free record keeping

LEDES billing can take the guesswork out of record-keeping by standardizing billing descriptions across the firm. And, if a client disputes a bill, you’ll have a better understanding of what the itemized tasks mean and be in a better position to provide an informed response.

LEDES billing and Clio

Ready to try LEDES billing? If you’re using the leading legal practice management software, Clio Manage, all it takes is a few clicks to enable the functionality.

Enabling UTBMS codes in Clio Manage

Enabling UTBMS codes in Clio Manage is an easy process. Simply:

1. Go to Settings > Billing > UTBMS Codes.
2. Select Use UTBMS Codes and then select the codes you want to use.
3. Click Update UTBMS Settings.

Once enabled, all Clio Manage users can apply UTBMS codes. Learn more about how to use these codes in time and expense entries.

You can also download a LEDES 1998B formatted invoice in just five quick-clicks.

LEDES billing and Clio integrations

Clio’s 250+ integrations ensure the easiest LEDES billing process for you and your firm. Below are some relevant integrations that can help with LEDES billing:

• Convert, combine, or edit LEDES invoices with InvoiceConvert.
• Automatically apply UTBMS codes with Effortless EasyCodes.
• Clean, compliant LEDES billing in real time with BillerAssist.

Learn more about Clio’s integrations by visiting our App Directory.

Final thoughts on LEDES billing

Every lawyer can benefit from learning about and, of course, adopting LEDES billing. And, with leading legal practice management platforms like Clio Manage, it’s easier than ever to implement LEDES billing and select UTBMS billing codes to provide a streamlined and efficient invoicing process.

Eager to learn more? Watch our free webinar to Watch How Law Firms Use Clio.

When you think of holidays, chances are that celebrating lawyers isn’t top of mind—however, we’re here to share why International Be Kind to Lawyers Day should be on your radar. 

Established in 2008, the annual International Be Kind to Lawyers Day falls on the second Tuesday of April (April 11, 2023). On this day, consider showing appreciation for the lawyer(s) in your life. 

How?

Read this post to learn more about the history of International Be Kind to Lawyers Day and some easy, helpful tips to share some love for lawyers! 

The history of International Be Kind to Lawyers Day

History has not always been kind to lawyers. As a small token of appreciation, Steve Hughes, a renowned communications expert and speaking coach, created International Be Kind To Lawyers Day in 2008. This unofficial holiday falls on the second Tuesday of April each year. 

Timeline of International Be Kind to Lawyers Day

While we’re all familiar with lawyers—both those we work with and those we see on TV—the profession has a long and storied history. Below are just a few key dates in the history of the legal profession in the United States. Feel free to share these with the lawyers in your life or save them for a rainy day. After all, you never know what questions might come up in a trivia competition!

• 3000 BC: The first references to “law” appear in Ancient Egypt. These “laws” were based on Ma’at, which promotes concepts like truth, balance, order, harmony, law, morality, and justice.
• 1215 AD: The Magna Carta comes into force in England. This document limited royal authority by establishing “law” as a power unto itself. The American judicial system is based on British common law. 
• 1689 AD: The American Bill of Rights is enacted, outlining Americans’ rights vis-a-vis the government and guaranteeing civil rights and liberties. 

• 1700 AD: Lawyers and judges emerge as a profession in the United States. Early lawyers were not formally trained—instead, they would learn the trade through apprenticeship and spectating at court hearings. 
• 1779 AD: The first law school—The College of William and Mary—opens in the United States. 
• 1844 AD: Macon B. Allen becomes the first African-American admitted to the Bar in the United States. 
• 1878 AD: The American Bar Association is established, with James Overton Broadhead becoming its first president. 
• 1879 AD: Belva Lockwood becomes the first woman admitted to the Bar in the United States. 
• 1900 AD: The number of lawyers in the United States grows to over 114,000.
• 2022 AD: The American Bar Association estimates that there are over 1.3 million active lawyers in the United States. 

5 ways to celebrate International Be Kind to Lawyers Day

Celebrating the lawyer in your life doesn’t require an expensive gift—for many lawyers, the best thing you can do is be a vocal supporter of their business! 

Below, we’ve outlined five ways you can celebrate International Be Kind to Lawyers Day on April 11, 2023. 

1. Leave your favorite lawyer a review 

Positive Google reviews are critical for lawyers—in fact, the 2022 Legal Trends Report found that positive reviews are the most influential factor for consumers when hiring lawyers. If you know a lawyer who deserves kudos, be sure to leave them a public review! 

And, if you’re a lawyer looking to improve your firm’s web presence, take advantage of Clio’s 250+ integrations. Google Apps and Google Business Profiles are great places to start. We also have helpful search engine optimization (SEO) resources to help clients find and recommend you online. 

2. Consider giving the gift of a referral 

Know someone looking for help with a legal problem? Referrals are another great (and free!) gift for the lawyer in your life. The lawyer benefits from a customer referral and a one-off client issue may set the groundwork for a great long-term lawyer-client relationship. 

And, for many lawyers—particularly solo lawyers and those working in small firms—referrals are one of the most effective ways to get clients. 

Understanding lead generation is critical for obtaining new clients if you’re a lawyer. But among these tips, don’t discount the value of providing referrals to other law firms. For example, if you’re a wills and estates lawyer and have a client approach you about a family law matter, a referral to a family lawyer will not only help them out but may result in them returning the favor in the future! 

3. Check in with your state bar or alumni association 

Want to find out how lawyers are celebrating Be Kind to Lawyers Day? It’s best to go to the source. Check in with your state bar association or law school alumni association to find opportunities to celebrate. 

If you’re a law student, your school might be putting on an event—and you won’t want to miss it! Along with an opportunity to attend a fun event, Be Kind to Lawyers Day celebrations are a great networking opportunity. For more law student resources, check out the Clio Academic Access Program and set yourself up for a successful career. 

4. Follow your lawyer’s social media pages

Lawyers work hard to get their business out there. Show them you appreciate their hard work by following their professional accounts and engaging with their content. 

Social media engagement is a great way to show appreciation for a lawyer in your life and also benefit their social media marketing efforts. Social media engagement can drive visitors—and perhaps prospective clients—to your lawyer’s social media pages to learn more about their services. 

5. Give your lawyer a gift

If gifts are your love language, don’t hesitate to show your lawyer you care with a gift. A cup of coffee (or three) is a thoughtful token of appreciation, or you can take it up a notch by perusing our list of the best gifts for lawyers. 

Final thoughts on International Be Kind to Lawyers Day

Lawyers play a crucial role in ensuring access to justice and upholding the rule of law. In doing so, they’re often subjected to stress, long hours, and complex cases and clients. Taking the time to recognize and show gratitude for lawyers’ hard work can go a long way in boosting morale. Plus, it reminds lawyers of the importance of their profession—ultimately leading to better lawyers (and better service for their clients!). 

Anything from a quick follow on social media channels to a thoughtful gift is a great way to celebrate. So, mark your calendar—International Be Kind to Lawyers Day is coming up quickly, and there’s no better time to show appreciation for the lawyer in your life.

As a bonus, consider sharing this post with your network! Passing along the excitement of International Be Kind to Lawyers Day will help drive engagement and ensure that as many lawyers as possible get the appreciation they deserve. 

And, if you want to pass along a helpful resource for lawyers, share our guide to Lawyer Mental Health with the lawyers in your life. This valuable resource outlines how to identify burnout and practice mindfulness in the legal profession, along with helpful tips for lawyers to take care of themselves and their mental health! 

Earlier this month, within days of each other Signature Bank and Silicon Valley Bank were closed and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) was appointed the receiver for both. This happened because the banks did not have enough liquid cash assets to cover customer demand for withdrawals. When a bank goes insolvent, the FDIC provides federally-funded insurance to help depositors recover funds that should have been protected by the bank.

With this news, lawyers are looking at their own banks.

What happens to your law firm if your bank closes? Are your clients funds held in trust secure? Are you prepared to answer their questions about the security of their funds in your trust account? What is the procedure for recovering IOLTA funds stored in an insolvent bank?

Lawyers need to become familiar with how FDIC insurance works for trust accounts.

What is FDIC Insurance?

From the FDIC’s website, the agency was created by Congress to “maintain stability and public confidence in the nation’s financial system.” Regulated banks and saving associations pay deposit insurance premiums to the FDIC. These premiums are used to fund the FDIC. The FDIC directly supervises and examines more than 5,000 banks and savings associations for operational safety and soundness. Premiums are also used to cover insurance claim payments to depositors.

How does FDIC Insurance work when a bank failure occurs?

Depositors are the banks’ customers who deposit money with a bank. When a bank failure occurs, the FDIC insurance will reimburse deposits up to the standard insurance amount. Since the start of the FDIC insurance program in 1934, no depositor has lost a penny of insured funds as a result of a failure. Currently, the standard insurance amount is set at $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, for each account ownership category.

In order to know if your clients’ funds held in trust are covered by FDIC insurance, you will need to know who is considered a depositor in a trust account and further banking details about impacted clients.

How does FDIC Insurance work for trust accounts?

Trust accounts are treated as “fiduciary accounts,” by the FDIC. Fiduciary accounts are deposit accounts established by a party for the benefit of other parties. These other parties are called the “principals.”

Three requirements to be recognized as a fiduciary account

For a trust account to be recognized as a fiduciary account, three requirements must be met.

1. The funds must be owned in fact by the principal. The FDIC might review your engagement agreement with the client and the source of funds if there is a dispute about who’s funds are in the trust account. Being able to document the source of the funds, like through a trust request, will help demonstrate a principal’s ownership of the funds. (In Clio Manage, you can generate trust requests to accept trust funds for your clients.)
2. Your bank account must indicate that it is holding funds on behalf of others. Many states have a requirement that IOLTA or other trust accounts be labeled with the words “trust account” or similar terms. A failure to follow this guidance may result in your trust account being ineligible for fiduciary account insurance coverage.
3. The records of the fiduciary must indicate the identities of the principals as well as their ownership interest in the deposit. Your law firm will need to be able to show who has money in your trust account and how much money was there. Up to date client trust ledgers and trust account ledgers are a requirement for meeting the FDIC’s requirements.

Funds covered

If your trust account meets all three requirements for a fiduciary account, the amount of funds FDIC insurance covers increases dramatically.

Instead of the standard insurance amount set at $250,000, a compliant IOLTA account will be eligible for up to $250,000 per client whose funds are in the trust account.

Making a claim

To obtain these amounts, a lawyer must file an insurance claim with the FDIC on behalf of their clients. The lawyer should be prepared with details about their account, attorney-client relationship, and clear documentation including their trust account and client ledgers.

Once the FDIC approves your insurance claim, they will send the clients’ recovery amounts to the lawyer. Trust account recoveries are not sent directly to clients by the FDIC.

Recovered client funds should be deposited in a trust account (either with the insolvent bank’s receiver) or a new banking institution. It is the lawyer’s responsibility to disburse recovered funds to clients.

What is the FDIC insurance limit for trust accounts?

For a period following the 2008 Financial Crisis, lawyer trust accounts were covered for an unlimited amount of funds. This unlimited insurance coverage ended in 2014. Lawyers now need to understand the factors that may limit clients’ ability to recover funds.

Limit per bank

Whether or not your trust account is an fiduciary account according to the FDIC is not the only factor impacting a recovery of client funds. The FDIC insurance standard amount is not just $250,000 per depositor. It is also per insured bank for each account ownership category. Other facts, like does your client have a personal account with the same bank, impacts the amount they may recover.

For example, assume your trust account and the client’s personal savings account are deposited at the same insolvent bank. Between the two accounts, the client may only recover $250,000 total. Even if the two accounts collectively contain more than that amount of the client’s funds, they can only recover the FDIC’s standard insurance amount. Because the separate accounts are held by the same bank, the recovery is capped.

Limits per account ownership category

Recovery amounts are also impacted by the “account ownership category.” These categories include single accounts, joint accounts, Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) and other select retirement accounts, revocable and irrevocable trusts, bank accounts owned by registered business entities, and deposits from certain employee benefits plans. Depending on the interests of the depositors and participants in each account ownership category, a total recovery may exceed $250,000.

If the above hypothetical client had a joint account rather than the personal savings account (i.e. a single account), they might be able to recover up to $500,000 between the two account ownership categories. This amount is possible despite the fact that the lawyer and client both deposited funds at the same insolvent bank.

What law firms can do

When helping clients understand the impact of bank closure on their FDIC insurance recoveries, lawyers need to research the client’s full banking details. Only once you know the client’s total banking institutions, account types, and ownership categories can you help them maximize their recovery.

Ethics duties for lawyer trust accounts during a bank closure

Many lawyers hold sums greater than $250,000 in trust on behalf of clients. Real estate attorneys, personal injury and mass tort lawyers, wealth counsel, and more regularly hold large amounts of client funds in trust.

Given that lawyers regularly hold funds that exceed the FDIC standard insurance amount, are there additional ethical obligations to minimize a client’s risk from insolvent banks?

No, there are not.

So long as the lawyer deposits funds in a manner compliant with their state’s trust accounting rules and their client’s instructions, there are little to no other ethical obligations.

IOLTA accounts

Most jurisdictions do restrict IOLTA accounts to pre-approved eligible institutions. Many of these eligible institutions are required to be FDIC-insured. Client funds deposited in an IOLTA account should be eligible for the standard amount of FDIC coverage.

Separate trust accounts for clients depositing significant amounts

Clients depositing significant amounts may request that their funds be held in separate trust accounts. The interest on these accounts is retained for the client’s benefit. These are not IOLTA accounts, but may still be fiduciary accounts eligible for client recovery if held in an FDIC-insured bank. Most jurisdictions require lawyers to prudently select banks with these protections.

Outside of these actions, the few ethical opinions that address this topic impose no additional burdens on lawyers.

Ethics opinions on duties of lawyers for amounts above FDIC insurance

When it comes to weighing client risk above that of the FDIC standard insurance amount the Connecticut Bar Association Opinion 91-2 (12/27/91) states,

“In light of the foregoing, including our newfound knowledge of the relevant FDIC rules, it would seem that those rules do not, in and of themselves, pose any ethical obligations or limitations on a lawyer’s handling of client funds.”

The opinion goes on to state that it is the lawyers job to assess risk and consult with clients. But the details of those are legal questions outside the scope of the ethics committee.

Several ethics opinions have also addressed if there exists an ethical lawyers’ responsibility to cover client trust funds in excess of the $250,000 covered amount.

In BAR ASSOCIATION OF NASSAU COUNTY Opinion 92-9 (4/22/92) (not currently available on the Nassau County Bar Association’s website), the committee does not see any ethical obligation to replace funds lost in excess of FDIC-recovery.

“A lawyer who deposits in a bank escrow funds in excess of the amount covered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. is not ethically bound to replace the funds when the bank fails. DRs 9-102(A)(B); EC 6-4.”

South Carolina Ethics Advisory Opinion 08-10 even goes so far as to state there is no is no requirement in the ethical rules that the attorney maintain insurance on his trust account for amounts in excess of FDIC standard insurance coverage.

That being said, the oldest ethics opinion on the topic does advise lawyers to act prudently. The Florida Bar’s Ethics Opinion 72-37 says,

“Although there is no ethical requirement that a lawyer divide trust funds in order to ensure complete FDIC coverage, he is nevertheless expected to act prudently and consider the deposits’ size in relation to the size and reputation of the financial institutions concerned.”

How to protect client trust account balances

Should a lawyer open multiple trust accounts once a client deposits exceed the $250,000 coverage cap? While there is no ethical duty to do so, lawyers should be open with their clients as to risks associated with holding large sums for long periods of time.

The best protection a lawyer can provide clients is helping them speedily resolve their issues so that funds do not linger unnecessarily in the law firm’s trust account.

Separating large trust deposits would only provide the client extra FDIC coverage if the lawyer used trust accounts in different banks. The chance for error or misplaced funds would only increase if lawyers attempted to do all their trust account banking with capped limits per client.

Final thoughts on FDIC insurance and trust accounting

While there appears to be no risk of contagion leading to the closure of other banks, no one was expecting two banks to close so suddenly. Knowing the FDIC deposit insurance rules and how they pertain to lawyer trust accounts helps lawyers and clients have faith in their financial dealings.

Lawyers’ best defense against a bank closure is following their state’s trust account rules and maintaining detailed trust and client ledgers. Learn more about how Clio helps automate trust account record keeping—watch our on-demand webinar on Best Practices for Trust Accounting.

Disclaimer: Clio does not bank with Silicon Valley Bank or Signature Bank. The information in this article applies only to US practices. This post is provided for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal, business, or accounting advice.

The practice of law is demanding in many ways, one of which is the need to comply with the rules of professional conduct for lawyers. These ethics rules are intended to protect the public and maintain the integrity of the legal profession. Accordingly, attorneys must be familiar with the applicable ethics rules and guide their professional conduct with them in mind.

In this article, we will cover some of the critical professional conduct rules that affect lawyers daily. Of course, these rules can vary between states—so be sure to review the ethics rules for your specific jurisdiction.

The Model Rules are not legally binding. Instead, they serve as a nationwide model for attorney ethics rules, with states free to enact their own ethics rules. 

Nonetheless, most states have adopted some form of the ABA Model Rules. Accordingly, we will examine attorney ethical duties using the Model Rules framework.

What are the ethical duties of a lawyer?

A lawyer’s ethical duties are summarized in the preamble to the ABA Model Rules, which outlines an attorney’s various responsibilities and obligations. 

A lawyer is a representative of clients and an officer of the legal system. As stewards of the law, they play a vital role in maintaining justice. As such, lawyers must maintain the highest standards of ethical conduct.

These ethical duties include:

• Performing competently and diligently.
• Maintaining communication with clients.
• Keeping information confidential when it relates to the representation of a client.

Attorneys must either avoid conflicts of interest with their clients or deal with them appropriately when they arise. In addition, they must conform to legal requirements, use legal procedures only for legitimate purposes, and demonstrate respect for the legal system.

What is unethical for a lawyer?

Actions that are unethical for a lawyer would violate the general ethical duties outlined above. For example, it is unethical for an attorney to be professionally incompetent, fail to communicate with a client, or improperly disclose confidential client information. 

Undisclosed conflicts of interest are also unethical, as are any illegal or unscrupulous activities, such as suppression of evidence or misleading statements made to courts. 

This is why it is critical to understand the rules of professional conduct for lawyers and how they apply to your specific situation and practice area. Unethical activity not only sullies an attorney’s reputation—it can also lead to malpractice claims. While there are steps that can be taken in response to malpractice claims, it is better to minimize the potential for these claims to arise. 

Rule 1.1 Competence

One core ethical duty for attorneys is to perform their work with competence. This means legal practitioners have an obligation to do their jobs at certain minimum levels of ability. Model Rule 1.1 provides that lawyers must provide clients with “competent representation,” which is defined as exhibiting the necessary amounts of legal skill, knowledge, thoroughness, and preparation. 

The official comments on Rule 1.1 detail what is expected from attorneys to be deemed competent. A recent notable addition to the comments addresses the use of technology in the legal profession. Specifically, comment 8 provides as follows:

“To maintain the requisite knowledge and skill, a lawyer should keep abreast of changes in the law and its practice, including the benefits and risks associated with relevant technology [emphasis added], engage in continuing study and education and comply with all continuing legal education requirements to which the lawyer is subject.”

Therefore, it’s critical to learn the essentials of technological competence for law firms.

Rule 1.4 Communications

Beyond competence, attorneys’ ethical rules also require a certain level of communication with clients, as addressed in Model Rule 1.4 dealing with attorney-client communication. Communication with clients is critical, since failure to communicate is one of the top causes of legal malpractice claims. 

Two important facets of Rule 1.4 ethics are responding to client questions and keeping clients in the loop. Specifically, attorneys must keep clients reasonably informed of the status of their legal matters. Lawyers must also promptly comply with client requests for information. These tasks can be burdensome for busy legal professionals who are often working under time crunches.

Technology can help with the tasks of client communications, especially with regard to client questions and case status updates. 

For example, a secure communication portal, such as that offered by Clio, can help tremendously with general client updates. Clients can use the portal to access all the relevant information for their legal matters. This empowers clients while also reducing the amount of follow-up, phone call intake, and email responses required by the firm. As Nicholas Hite of Hite Law Group puts it:

“I tell [my clients] ‘you’re going to get an email, and it’s going to give you access to essentially everything that I have for your file. It’s all right there, and you can go to it whenever you want. You don’t have to wait for me to call you back or wait for me to respond to your email.’ That’s really empowering for my clients, that they feel that they can participate and take charge in managing their own cases.”

Law firms would also be well-advised to grow comfortable with the use of cloud computing, while familiarizing themselves with the applicable ethics rules for the cloud. If you find a provider that complies with your firm’s ethical duties, a cloud solution can bring a wealth of benefits.

Rule 1.5: Fees 

Attorney ethical rules also extend to billing for legal services and costs. As stated in Model Rule 1.5, attorneys may not charge for fees or expenses that are “unreasonable.” To ensure that clients do not challenge your fees, the best practice is to make legal bills as clear and accurate as possible. For hourly billing, this would mean including detailed notes in bills that describe the work performed.

What about credit card processing fees?

A subset of this ethical consideration applies to those law firms that accept client payments via credit card. Specifically, these firms may want to know if they can pass on credit card processing fees to their clients. 

It is generally not recommended that firms pass on these surcharges to clients, but instead absorb these fees as the cost of doing business. 

Some states expressly prohibit passing on these surcharges to clients. Other states may have ethics rules with less perscriptive language, such as only allowing credit card charges for services actually rendered to clients or expenses incurred on their behalf. Arguably, processing fees are not included in these categories, so passing on these fees to clients could result in an ethical breach. Always check the ethics rules of your own jurisdiction for their specific position on credit card processing fees. 

Rule 1.6 Confidentiality of information

Attorneys have an ethical duty to keep information confidential if it is related to their representation of the client. A component of this duty, as stated in Model Rule 1.6, is to “make reasonable efforts to prevent the inadvertent or unauthorized disclosure of, or unauthorized access to, information relating to the representation of a client.”

A 2016 class action against a Chicago-based law firm demonstrates the gravity of a breach of this duty. The lawsuit was for an alleged failure to protect confidential client information. Notably, the suit did not accuse lawyers at the firm of inadvertently sharing client information. According to The American Lawyer, the complaint did not include any claim that data was actually stolen or used against clients. Instead, the class action solely focused on the fact that lax data security could have put client information at risk.

Fortunately, modern legal technology can mitigate these risks through its offering of secure tools for communications. Legal software tools with high security standards, such as Clio, can ensure the most up-to-date and effective security protocols are in effect for all client information and communications. 

Rule 1.15 Safekeeping Property (Trust Accounts)

Model Rule 1.15 deals with an attorney’s ethical duties in safekeeping property for clients. Attorneys must keep client funds in client trust accounts and maintain complete records of trust funds. These client trust funds can include settlement funds, or legal fees and expenses paid in advance by the client.

Ethics rules governing trust accounts vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but they generally share some common elements. 

First, there is a strict prohibition against commingling firm funds with client trust funds. In addition, ethics rules generally require the firm to maintain accurate records of funds going in or out of the trust account. Most states have a trust account reconciliation requirement, with bank statements needing to be reconciled with the firm’s internal records

The trust accounting process can be complex, with transfers from the trust account to the firm’s operating account required to pay expenses or third party fees. This leaves a lot of traps for the unwary legal professional dealing with a trust account. A legal trust accounting tool like Clio provides peace of mind while handling the trust accounting process efficiently and accurately.

Final thoughts on rules of professional conduct for lawyers

The rules of professional conduct for lawyers are integral guidelines for an attorney’s day-to-day conduct. The rules outlined above are only a small sampling, with ethical rules governing other areas such as lawyer advertising. Every lawyer should become well-versed in the ethical rules for their jurisdiction for the sake of their career, the legal profession, and society at large. 

Lawyers should also keep in mind how the right technology can aid in compliance with their ethical duties. Cultivating tech awareness and competence is simply a good practice for responsible legal professionals, similar to having malpractice insurance in place. Consider how you can leverage technology to both comply with ethical rules and excel as a legal practitioner. 

Clio has been approved by 90+ bar associations—learn more about how Clio can help your firm today. 

Note: The information in this article applies only to US practices. This post is provided for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal, business, or accounting advice. 

Have you met Harvey (AI)?

Every week, another AI tool seems poised to take the legal profession by storm—Harvey AI, described as “unprecedented legal AI”, is yet another exciting offering in law firm AI.

And, with a recent investment from Open.AI, the creator of ChatGPT, many are wondering what this technology means for the future of law.

Harvey AI is still in beta, and time will truly tell what this technology’s impact on the legal industry will be. However, for now, we’ll cover what we know about Harvey AI—and how legal professionals can responsibly explore this new offering.

What does Harvey AI do?

Amongst all these exciting developments, you might be wondering: what does Harvey AI do?

Like ChatGPT, Harvey AI is built on a version of Open.AI’s GPT AI. Unlike ChatGPT, Harvey AI supports legal work. How? Starting with general internet data from the GPT model, Harvey AI was further trained with general legal data (including case law and reference materials). When engaged by a firm, Harvey AI is then trained by the firm’s own work products and templates (much like a new employee’s onboarding when joining a law firm!).

Harvey AI assists with contract analysis, due diligence, litigation, and regulatory compliance and can help generate insights, recommendations, and predictions based on data. As a result, lawyers can deliver faster and more cost-effective solutions for client issues.

The Open.AI startup fund

In December 2022, Open.AI—an artificial intelligence research and development company creating “highly autonomous systems that outperform humans at most economically valuable work”—announced the first four investments from its Open.AI Startup Fund.

The Open.AI Startup Fund intends to invest $100 million in small, early-stage AI startups “to help AI companies have a profound, positive impact on the world.”

Open.AI invests in Harvey AI

Harvey AI was among the Open.AI Startup Fund’s first four investments, receiving $5 million from the fund. While Harvey AI’s website provides minimal information about the product’s offerings, Open.AI describes “an intuitive interface for all legal workflows through powerful generative language models.” The program assists lawyers with research, drafting, analysis, and communication by harnessing AI capabilities.

Harvey AI partners with a major law firm

In February 2023, Allen & Overy, one of the world’s largest law firms, announced its partnership with Harvey AI. Since November 2022, the London-based law firm reported that over 3,500 of their lawyers have already tested Harvey AI by asking 40,000 questions during their day-to-day work.

The results sound promising. As David Wakeling, the head of Allen & Overy’s Markets Innovation Group said: “…I have never seen anything like Harvey … Harvey can work in multiple languages and across diverse practice areas, delivering unprecedented efficiency and intelligence. In our trial, we saw some amazing results.”

While Allen & Overy is the first law firm to partner with Harvey AI, it doesn’t sound like it will be the last. Harvey AI is working with other law firms to develop custom tools.

How AI can help firms (and their clients)

The potential benefits of legal AI like Harvey are clear: using AI to assist with research, drafting, and other routine legal tasks could help save law firms time—and cut down on their clients’ bills.

Technology plays a critical part in law firm success. For example, as we noted in the 2022 Legal Trends Report, lawyers using cloud-based legal practice management software were more likely to report:

• Greater satisfaction in their personal and professional lives
• Better relationships with clients and colleagues
• Good performance in their jobs

Likewise, clients benefit. The 2022 Legal Trends Report found that lawyers using cloud-based legal practice management software were more likely to have satisfied clients. Responsiveness is also a key factor for client satisfaction—they want answers, and they want them quickly.

These statistics suggest AI, like legal practice management software, offers benefits to modern law firms—by streamlining tasks and cutting down on response times, lawyers can minimize the time spent on routine tasks while providing a high level of service to clients.

Risks associated with artificial intelligence

Despite the excitement surrounding AI, we also know AI isn’t a complete replacement for a lawyer’s experience and wisdom. Harvey AI is still in beta. As we’ve previously mentioned, programs like ChatGPT have been known to provide incorrect information—to say nothing of the ethical considerations involved, along with security, client privacy, and privilege issues arising through transmitting sensitive information.

If you’re considering AI tools for your law firm, be sure to consult your state’s Rules of Professional Conduct and vet prospective AI vendors carefully. Once you’ve settled on a particular tool, it’s essential to use AI responsibly.

Remember: AI is not a replacement for a lawyer’s experience and wisdom, and any responses and work products should be checked carefully.

Final notes on Harvey AI

It’s an exciting time to be a lawyer—with so many AI advancements standing ready to change how we work, the possibilities seem endless. On the flip side, with new options arising, it’s never been more crucial to think critically about embracing technology responsibly to amplify your impact.

If you’re eager to learn more about the impact of AI on the legal industry, be sure to secure your spot at ClioCon 2023, where we’ll be covering, among other things, ChatGPT, artificial intelligence, and the future of law.

Law and accounting are two highly-coveted career paths. Although they may seem disconnected at first, lawyers and accountants share many skill sets, including keen attention to detail, critical thinking, and mastery of negotiation techniques.

Many lawyers and accountants work hand-in-hand on cases and business matters—while some even merge the disciplines by becoming an accounting lawyer. Legal professionals who work in the highly sought-after field of accounting law assist with audits, offer guidance on the tax considerations of business decisions, represent clients in court cases, and more.

In this piece, we’ll explore the path to becoming an accounting lawyer and how you can leverage these unique skills to your advantage.

What is an accounting lawyer?

An accounting lawyer holds both a Juris Doctorate (JD) degree and a Chartered Public Accountant (CPA) designation. These individuals embark on an extensive higher education journey and complete rigorous examinations to become dual-licensed.

The benefits of doing so are substantial. Many accounting lawyers significantly expand their career horizons and earning potential through the added value and knowledge they bring.

What does an accounting lawyer do?

Accounting lawyers possess a breadth of knowledge of the rules and regulations surrounding business transactions, taxes, estate planning, and wealth management. They counsel clients on tax laws, draft documents such as wills, develop estate planning strategies, handle tax disputes, and defend clients against IRS audits.

Accounting lawyers typically work in law firms, but many other career prospects exist. For example, accounting lawyers can work with accounting firms with tax transactional and planning practices, with the local, state, or federal government, or as in-house counsel for companies such as banks or hedge funds.

The benefits of becoming an accounting lawyer

While it can be a demanding career, there are many benefits to becoming an accounting lawyer. You can:

• Distinguish yourself from the competition. Legal matters often require the expertise of both accountants and lawyers. Yet, working with two professionals can be expensive and time-consuming. With their training in both fields, accounting lawyers can reach and attract more clients.
• Expand your career opportunities. The beauty of accounting law is that you can enjoy flexibility by choosing a career as a lawyer, CPA, or both.
• Deliver unique insights. Accounting lawyers have a deep understanding of the financial and tax implications of legal work. They can leverage this dual lens to help clients successfully navigate highly complex situations and ensure the best possible outcome.
• Be indispensable. With their financial prowess, accounting lawyers can be an integral part of their law firm. The 2021 Legal Trends Report found that while most partners and solo attorneys are involved in their firm’s finances, they reported relatively low rates of confidence in knowledge of year-over-year revenue trends. Having a lawyer who understands finances and revenue on staff can provide massive advantage for law firms.

How do I become an accounting lawyer?

Has this piqued your curiosity? Read on as we outline the various steps to turning your dreams of becoming an accounting lawyer into a reality.

Undergraduate degrees for accounting lawyers

As with becoming a lawyer, there isn’t one single pathway to being an accounting lawyer. But generally speaking, your journey begins by obtaining a four-year bachelor’s degree. It’s worth noting that some law schools may not require this;  many will also allow you to apply without having received your degree.

While there aren’t any specific undergraduate degree requirements for law school, the American Association of Law Schools recommends focusing on skills relevant to the field, such as oral communication, problem-solving, and research. For this reason, degrees in business, accounting, finance, and economics are all worth considering. It’s also best to check with your state’s CPA regulator, as requirements can vary based on where you live.

Law school for accounting lawyers

After completing your undergraduate degree, the next step for many aspiring accounting lawyers is to attend an ABA-accredited law school. To do so, applicants must first pass the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT), which evaluates reading comprehension, reasoning ability, and writing skills.

Most students complete their law degree in three years. That said, some law schools offer dual programs where students can earn their JD and Master of Accountancy degree simultaneously.

A Bloomberg Tax article reported that this dual degree is only offered at three of the top 25 law schools—Brigham Young University’s J. Reuben Clark Law School, the University of Virginia School of Law, and the University of Florida Levin College of Law.

Specializing in tax at this time can be a wise move, especially when it comes to earning potential. Drawing on data from a Payscale study, the same article reported that the average base salary for someone with a JD and Master of Accountancy is $124,000 (compared to $75,000 for someone with an accounting degree and $96,000 for someone with a law degree).

Additional coursework for accounting lawyers

Depending on the state you’re in, you will likely need to pursue additional educational requirements to receive your accounting designation. Most states require that aspiring CPAs earn 150 semester hours of accounting education—or about 30 credits beyond a typical bachelor’s degree program.

To obtain the necessary coursework to become certified, students who receive a generalist law degree may go on to pursue a master’s degree in accounting. Others might opt to complete an undergraduate degree in a major other than accounting and an MBA with an accounting concentration.

CPA candidates must also work for one to two years under a licensed CPA before receiving their license. The exact requirements are determined by their state. This can be done before or after candidates take the CPA examination.

Licensing exams for accounting lawyers

The post-secondary journey for lawyers and accountants culminates with a rigorous qualifying examination—the bar exam for lawyers, and the CPA exam for accountants. To become a licensed accounting lawyer, you must pass both of them.

• CPA exam. The CPA exam is a requirement to become a licensed CPA. The 16-hour assessment includes four sections: Auditing and Attestation, Business Environment and Concepts, Financial Accounting and Reporting, and Regulation. In order to pass, a minimum score of 75 must be achieved in each section. All four parts must be completed within an 18-month period.
• Bar exam. The bar examination must be taken before you’re licensed to practice law in a state. The exam is known for being comprehensive, challenging, and a true test of endurance. Bar exams are generally only available twice a year, which raises the stakes.

Final notes on becoming an accounting lawyer

The field of accounting law is hardly new. Yet, as tax laws continue to evolve, the demand for legal professionals with business and accounting skills has soared.

The journey to become an accounting lawyer can be arduous, but also highly rewarding. As education requirements vary by jurisdiction, be sure to do your research to ensure you’re meeting all eligibility requirements. Accounting lawyers must also complete continuing education to maintain their license and deliver the best possible client service.

Supporting the next generation

Education doesn’t end when you leave the classroom. Once you join a law firm, you’ll embark on a career-long learning process as you contend with new software, office procedures, and much more. That’s why, at Clio, we provide instructors, administrators, and students in clinical and classroom settings a leg up with free access to our cloud-based practice management software. Sign up here for our Academic Access Program.

When a person is injured due to someone else’s negligence, they want effective and reputable legal representation. This is why personal injury lawyer marketing is critical for showing prospective clients that you’re the best option on the market. 

So, how do you create an effective marketing strategy as a personal injury lawyer? 

Depending on location, areas of specialization, and firm values, every strategy might look a little different. Below, we’ve outlined some of the best tactics to consider adding to your personal injury lawyer marketing strategy so you can be confident that you’re putting your best foot forward.

1. Know basic marketing terms

Personal injury lawyer marketing—or any type of marketing, for that matter—begins with education. Understanding basic marketing principles will help you develop a marketing plan for your law firm. 

2. Have a goal in mind

Successful business planning requires, well, planning! Creating strategies that align with your firm’s short and long-term goals is critical for success. 

Create a law firm business plan if you haven’t done so already—and don’t forget about your marketing budget! Knowing how much money you will spend on marketing is an important first step when developing goals and marketing strategies. 

3. Track your marketing efforts and results

Part of a great marketing strategy involves trying out different things—but you can’t simply throw things at the wall and see what sticks. Many personal injury practices spend a not-insignificant amount on advertising to remain top-of-mind when their services are needed, and every dollar counts. 

You need to track your marketing efforts and results to determine what’s working (and what isn’t serving you). Software like Clio Grow can help you track your marketing performance and determine why clients are hiring you, so you can tailor your strategy accordingly.

4. Ask for reviews

Did you know that, according to the Legal Trends Report, positive reviews are the most influential factor in lawyer hiring decisions? If you aren’t already thinking about reputation management strategies, like asking your personal injury clients for reviews, there’s never been a better time to prioritize them. 

5. Meet your potential personal injury clients where they are

Understanding where potential clients are coming from is essential to a personal injury lawyer’s marketing strategy. Personal injury clients are usually stressed, dealing with a traumatic event, and want to find a lawyer quickly. That means you’ll want your firm to show up at the top of Google searches, and in real-world places like billboards.

6. Get active on social media

Social media is a great place to make your presence known. And, with so many thriving social media platforms in the digital age, it also gives you a chance to get creative! Anything from law firm updates to photographs and videos can help establish your brand’s presence on social media. Sharing general information about what to know when you have a personal injury claim can also bolster your reputation and build trust with potential clients. Learn more about using social media for lawyers. 

7. Optimize your personal injury law firm website

Your personal injury law firm website is often the first place clients engage with your firm, so make sure you’re making a good first impression. It needs to be easy to use so that clients can contact you quickly about their personal injury issue. If you haven’t updated your website in a while, check out our post on the 20 best law firm websites for actionable inspiration. 

Or, if you’re looking for a simple and effective option, you can create a website in minutes with Clio Grow’s law firm website builder! 

8. Make yourself easy to contact

When thousands of personal injury law firms are only a Google search away, you need to make it as easy as possible for prospective clients to get in touch with you. Ensure that your contact information (including your phone number and email address, or a “Contact Us” form) is prominently displayed on your law firm website. 

9. Follow SEO best practices

If you aren’t already familiar with search engine optimization (SEO) practices, now is the time to learn about them. SEO is crucial for personal injury attorneys in particular, because clients dealing with an injury may have less patience to do lots of research, and may simply go for the top result. SEO can help drive more visitors to your website by increasing your position in search engine results. Check out our guide on SEO for lawyers for more information. 

10. Claim your Google Business Profile

Google Business can help customers find your firm, book a consultation, and leave reviews—all with a simple Google search. This is another, powerful way for personal injury clients to find you quickly—which is what they want. And, if you’re a Clio user, you can create, set up, and publish your Google Business profile directly in Clio Manage! 

11. Identify other places you can market online for free

There are plenty of ways to advertise your law firm online beyond Google Business. Check out our list of 10 places lawyers can advertise online for free! The more your firm’s name is out there, the more likely it is that personal injury clients will know to call you when something happens.

12. Use SEM Ads

If you’ve got money in your marketing budget for advertising, consider Search Engine Marketing (SEM) ads. SEM helps your business appear in search engine results even if you aren’t getting to the top page through SEO strategies. This is a worthwhile strategy to explore for many personal injury firms.

13. Use LSAs

Local Services Ads (LSAs) are another great personal injury lawyer marketing tool. By leveraging this tool, your ads will show up for local customers. Even better, you only pay for the service if a customer contacts you directly through the ad! 

14. Try video marketing on personal injury subjects

Video content can be a great way to educate consumers on personal injury topics while promoting your law firm. These videos can take the form of educational videos (e.g., explaining the steps involved in a personal injury case), case updates (e.g., talking about interesting cases from the previous month), or even introductions (e.g., telling people about your firm and its lawyers). Video content is not just a great marketing strategy; it can also be pretty fun to make! 

15. Tell people you’re a personal injury  lawyer

Sometimes, it’s really that simple. This is a less trackable tactic, but it’s table stakes, and there’s nothing like word of mouth. If acquaintances don’t know you’re a personal injury lawyer, they can’t recommend your services.

16. Attend networking events

Networking can be a great way to meet potential clients—and lawyers in other practice areas who may be willing to refer personal injury clients to you. Not sure where to start? Try our blog post for tips on attorney networking. 

17. Try public speaking

Public speaking might not be an obvious part of a personal injury lawyer marketing strategy, but it shouldn’t be overlooked. In addition to sharpening your advocacy skills, public speaking can be a great way to get your firm’s name out there. 

Seek opportunities to speak at local educational institutions, non-profit organizations, and other community hubs—you never know who might show up! Plus, sharing information about how to handle a personal injury claim can build a lot of goodwill in your community.

18. Try traditional marketing

Yes, billboards get a bad rap, but for certain practice areas, such as personal injury, they can form part of a great marketing strategy. Simply building awareness of your firm’s name is helpful—just ensure there’s an easy-to-remember way to contact your firm on the advertisement.

19. Write helpful content on personal injury issues and give it away for free

Creating great personal injury content on a blog or other medium can not only boost your firm’s visibility through SEO—it’s also a great way to elevate your firm’s presence as an expert while providing helpful, relevant content for potential clients. Learn more about content marketing for lawyers in our helpful blog post. 

20. Attend a conference for fresh ideas

Conferences are a great resource for new ideas—and with so many great legal conferences being held annually, you’re sure to find an option that will spark inspiration (not to mention a great excuse to get out of town for a few days!). The Clio Cloud Conference, our annual gathering for like-minded legal professionals, provides ample opportunities to network, gain valuable insights into the state of the profession, and engage with inspiring speakers. Register now—it’s already over 50% sold out!

21. Sponsor local events

Get your firm’s name out there. Participating in (or, better yet, sponsoring) local events can be a great way to connect with clients. Take, for example, Vela Wood, a past Reisman Award winner that focused on sponsoring startup and tech events to elevate brand recognition and win startup clients. Personal injury firms may find success sponsoring local community events to get to know individuals in their area.

22. Don’t lose clients once they find you

Making it easy for clients to find you is only one piece of the personal injury lawyer marketing puzzle—you must ensure you have a strategy to collect and follow up with prospective clients quickly. With Clio Grow, you can automate your intake process and allow clients to schedule appointments remotely, ensuring no leads fall through the cracks. 

Final notes on personal injury lawyer marketing

Every personal injury law firm is different, with focuses ranging from workplace injuries, to vehicle accidents, and even to sports-related head injuries for retired NFL players. While some of the suggestions above may be more enticing than others, it’s important to first think broadly before narrowing down your strategy to incorporate the tools that will work best for your firm and its goals.

Above all, remember that building a personal injury lawyer marketing strategy will go to waste if you don’t follow up with prospective clients. That’s why it’s crucial for law firms to consider solutions like Clio Grow, an add-on to Clio Manage which helps lawyers retain new clients in minutes and stay on top of client intake. Watch Clio Grow in action by scheduling a free demo. 

After becoming aware of the struggles of solo practitioners and small law firms through a friend at the Law Society of British Columbia, the seed of an idea was planted for lifelong friends Jack Newton and Rian Gauvreau in 2007: They would bring the practice of law to the cloud. In 2008, Clio was founded. 

Fast forward 15 years, and our growth has surpassed our wildest dreams. As the world’s leading cloud-based legal management software, we’ve helped firms weather economic downturns. We’ve empowered legal professionals to meet evolving client demands. We’ve made running a firm easier than many imagined possible—continually moving forward in our quest to transform the legal experience for all. And this is only the beginning of our journey to become a 100 year company.

As our customers know, we’re not simply a legal software provider. We’re a trusted partner that’s driven to create better outcomes for our customers. To celebrate 15 years of doing exactly that, we’re reflecting on our journey together so far as we look towards an exciting future.

10 Clio Cloud Conferences hosted 

The Clio Cloud Conference, also known as ClioCon, began in 2013 as a conference for a few hundred users—and its popularity has skyrocketed since. As one of the world’s most popular legal technology conferences, it attracts thousands of attendees each year. The draw? Powerful networking opportunities, compelling keynotes from the industry’s sharpest minds, hands-on workshops, and plenty of legal tech exhibitors—to name a few. 

To date, we’ve hosted 10 successful Clio Cloud Conferences. Year after year, attendees return home from two action-packed days feeling inspired, energized, and filled with transformative ideas that take their practice to new heights. We’re eagerly preparing for our 2023 ClioCon, which will take place from October 9–10 in Nashville, Tennessee. Get your pass now!

32 Reisman Awards presented 

Behind every legal stride are visionary leaders whose tenacity and determination paves the way for a better world. We launched the Reisman Awards in 2017—named after our first customer—to share the stories of these extraordinary customers.

The seven categories of the Reisman Awards include:

• Legal Innovation
• Best New Law Firm
• Community Champion
• Best Growth Story
• Excellence in Client Service
• Diversity & Inclusion
• Legal Impact Award (People’s Choice)

As we reflect on the 32 awards presented to date, we continue to be blown away by the enormous difference past winners have made. They’ve shattered industry barriers, unleashed remarkable firm growth, advocated for vulnerable populations, and elevated the client experience—while inspiring so many others along the way.

Submit your firm for the 2023 Reisman Awards by March 15.

7 Legal Trends Reports published 

As the legal industry evolves at a dizzying pace, it’s vital to be equipped with the right insights. For that very reason, we published the first legal benchmarking report in 2016—the inaugural Legal Trends Report.

The report has become one of the legal industry’s most highly anticipated publications. Each year, it draws on aggregated and anonymized data from tens of thousands of lawyers, along with survey responses from thousands of legal professionals and consumers. Covering topics that range from client preferences to how firms harness technology, its insights have empowered countless legal professionals to make better informed decisions.  

Download the Legal Trends Report.

Recommended by 90+ bar associations and law societies

Back in 2011, we rolled out the Clio Affinity Program. Our goal: to help bar associations and national legal groups deliver greater value to members through discounts to our practice management platform.

Today, we are honored to partner with and have earned the approval of over 90 bar associations, law societies, and private legal groups across Canada and the United States—49 of which are state bars. 

Learn more about our Affinity Program.

Clio’s Academic Access Program continues to soar

At Clio, we’re passionate about lifting up the next generation of legal professionals. This belief sparked the idea for our Clio Academic Access Program (CAAP)—which provides law schools, legal clinics, and paralegal programs with free access to Clio Manage. 

Since its creation in 2012, over 55,000 users have enrolled. We’ve donated over $26 million in free software  to more than 200 schools across North America and Europe. And we’ve partnered with organizations, such as the California Innocence Project and Georgia Innocence Project, to supply them with tools to represent those who have been wrongfully convicted.  

Get Clio in your classroom: Request academic access.

200+ partners added to the Clio App Directory

Since day one, we’ve been driven by an unwavering commitment to make the lives of our customers easier. We knew that a key part of this was delivering a solution that seamlessly works with their favorite tools. 

Enter: our Clio Certified App Program, which was the first of its kind for a legal practice management platform. Through it, Clio integrates with over 200 third-party applications, including Microsoft Office 365, Dropbox, QuickBooks Online, Zoom, and Logikcull. 

See our partners in the Clio App Directory.

Hundreds of Clio Certified Consultants onboarded

When launched, we only had a handful of Clio Certified Consultants (CCCs) based primarily in the US. Today, there are over 100 CCCs, in the US, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, and Europe. This program includes IT experts, legal accountants, law firm consultants, and marketing experts to assist legal professionals with whatever they need. 

Find a Clio Certified Consultant today.  

5 offices opened with employee-centric digital-first design

Clio’s offices have reopened with a new design accommodating a flexible hybrid and remote work model

We moved into our first office in Burnaby in 2012, which is where we’re headquartered. That’s not the only place we’ve put down roots, though. Throughout the years, we’ve opened offices in Toronto, Dublin, and Calgary as our company grew.

After two years of remote work, we reopened our office doors with a new employee-centric design that supports our distributed-by-design philosophy. This means that while our primary work experience is remote, employees have the option to work from any one of our four offices.

When they do, they can enjoy plenty of features aimed at boosting morale and productivity. This New York Times piece recently covered a few in our Burnaby office—including work stations boasting inspiring views of the outdoors, a fitness studio, and a foosball desk. 

Clio Grow is introduced 

In 2018 Lexicata joined Clio which supported the launch of Clio Grow in early 2019. Clio Grow is our cloud-based client intake and legal client relationship management (CRM) software. This exciting expansion allows legal professionals to automate intake processes, schedule consultations and accept payments online, and automate redundant tasks, emails, and workflows. 

By automating the client intake process, legal professionals can deliver more personalized and efficient client experiences—while using advanced data reporting to determine their firm’s most valuable sources for new business 

Learn more about Clio Grow.

Clio Payments launched

In 2021, we hit a massive milestone when we rolled out built-in payment processing—called Clio Payments—to our cloud-based solution offerings in the United States. A year later, we launched Clio Payments in Canada. What did this mean?

It meant that our customers could manage the entire legal client journey through one secure, compliant, and trusted system. They gained the ability to easily accept credit, debit, and eCheck payments online—allowing them to get paid faster while spending less time on collections. And above all, it improved access to legal services for those who need it most by offering flexible payment plans.

Learn more about Clio Payments.

Unveiling the Clio Grow’s law firm website builder

In 2022 we made it possible for every legal professional to easily launch a fully functioning website—in minutes. The Clio Grow law firm website builder helps lawyers establish an online presence without needing to design or code. Websites are generated by an easy-to-fill form and design selection. Once published, Clio makes it easy for clients to discover legal services, book and pay for consultations online, and collect prospective client information. 

Learn more about Clio’s law firm website builder.

Lawyaw joined the Clio family to offer court forms in all 50 states

In 2021, Lawyaw joined the Clio family. This powerful document automation software allows legal professionals to quickly and easily create templates, and includes a library that enables customers to find ready-to-use, standard court forms and populate forms quickly and easily. 

Following a rapid expansion of this library, we’re thrilled to share that Lawyaw’s court forms (including federal immigration forms) are available in all 50 states. By giving lawyers the forms they need at their fingertips, it’s eliminating repetitive steps and reducing the likelihood of manual error. 

Clio expanded to EMEA and Australia 

As we pressed forward in our mission to transform the legal experience for all, we set our sights on international expansion. So in 2013, we celebrated our fifth anniversary in a big way by opening an office in Dublin. A decade later, we announced our expansion in Australia, growing our team in the region to support and expand product development, sales, partnerships, and customer success.

Celebrated 6 Launch//Code winners 

Founded in 2017, our Launch//Code Developer Contest celebrates the best Clio integrations—featuring new innovations that will shape the future of legaltech. Finalists can pitch their app to a panel of judges for a chance to win one of two $50,000 grand prizes (one for the best new app; another for the most improved). Since it started, we’ve celebrated six visionary winners—helping them pursue their boldest ideas and elevating the industry for all of us.

Announced Centaur Status, joining elusive $100M ARR club

In 2022, Clio became Canada’s first legal technology company to achieve centaur status, a title reserved for private SaaS companies that achieve more than US$100 million in annual recurring revenue. To date, approximately 150 companies globally have passed this threshold, making this designation seven times rarer than the now plentiful tech unicorn.

Multiple awards and recognitions 

Here are a selection of awards and recognitions that we’ve been honored to receive over the years:

Goldman Sachs Recognizes Jack Newton Among the Most Exceptional Entrepreneurs of 2022

In October 2022, Jack Newton was recognized by Goldman Sachs as one of the Most Exceptional Entrepreneurs of 2022 at its Builders and Innovation Summit. The esteemed awards ceremony brings together rising entrepreneurs and seasoned business leaders building enduring companies that reshape industries and drive progress through innovation.

Clio CEO and Founder, Jack Newton, wins Person of the Year by BC Tech Association in 2020

Jack Newton was awarded the 2020 Technology Impact Award, Person of the Year in 2020. The award celebrates an individual who is a recognized icon in the BC technology ecosystem, who has demonstrated business success, served as role model to others, and who actively engages with the community to build a stronger future for technology.

Clio is named one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People 4 years in a row

Clions think our company is an amazing place to work—and as it turns out, we’re not the only ones. We were named one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers for the fourth year in a row in 2023. The national competition determines which employers lead their industries in offering exceptional workplaces for their employees. Our commitment to employee wellbeing and success was cited as a defining reason behind our recognition in the latest award.

After 15 years of transforming the legal experience for all: what’s next? 

Fifteen years ago, we set out on an ambitious journey to transform how law firms operate through our cloud-based practice management platform. We’ve come a long way ever since—with over 150,000 customers spanning 100 countries, the approval of more than 90 bar associations and law societies globally, and 200+ app integrations. None of this would be possible without you.

And this is only the beginning. As we look forward, we’re dreaming bigger than ever as we build an enduring, 100-year company that supports everyone who engages with the legal industry.

For 15 years, we’ve helped law firms transform their businesses. Today, we’re here to help you.

In business years, 15 years can feel like a lifetime—especially since only 25% of new businesses make it to 15 years or more.

Those that succeed do so with a tremendous amount of effort and support. This year at Clio, we’re celebrating our 15th anniversary—largely thanks to the amazing customers who use Clio every day.

These customers have had incredible experiences and learned important lessons throughout their legal careers, and we wanted to celebrate that. Ahead of our 15 year anniversary, we asked lawyers and legal professionals to share the most valuable lesson they’ve learned over the past 15 years.

Here’s what they had to say:

Trust your instincts

Loraine DiSalvo, Morgan & DiSalvo, P.C.

“If a client balks at your fee or at your retainer, they won’t pay you anyhow, and it’s best to let them walk out the door without hiring you.”

Kirsten Hume Scrimshaw, ALLY Workplace Law

“The longer I practice, the more my advice turns on my assessment of the parties’ personalities and motivations. Sure, the law is still important, but people often don’t act rationally, and identifying common patterns helps me find solutions for my clients.”

Choose your battles wisely

Inti Martínez-Alemán, Ceiba Fôrte Law Firm, 2020 Reisman Award Winner, Excellence in Client Service

“Know which battles to fight and which ones to let go of. A good lawyer doesn’t have to fight every single battle to prove that they’re a formidable advocate. A discerning lawyer understands which issues matter most to protect a client’s interests. Don’t lose sleep over things that appear critically important but, at the end of the day, are trivial.”

Know your role in each situation

Bobbie Wallace, LaMont Law

“About 10 years ago, I was working on a case with a very difficult client. While working on responding to a discovery request, I groused to a co-worker about what bad karma I must have projected into the universe that now I had to deal with the client’s idiosyncrasies and what was I supposed to do with this? Her simple response has stuck with me to this day: “Maybe you’re not the student in this lesson. Maybe you’re the teacher.” Her words totally changed my attitude about the way to handle difficult people and have made an immense difference in my life, both personally and professionally.”

Be intentional

Michelle Limbaugh, The Limbaugh Law Firm

1. Do the right thing because it is the right thing to do.
2. “Just because you can” does not mean that you should.
3. Do not make decisions based on fear.
4. Be intentional.
5. Remember that a crisis is self-defined.

Never stop learning

Jonathan G. Stein, Law Offices of Jonathan G. Stein

“Professionally, I have learned that there is so much I still don’t know about the practice of law!”

Michael Huddle, Caulder & Valentine Law Firm, PLLC

“Never stop learning and streamlining. Minimize distractions and excess.”

Mazyar M. Hedayat, M. Hedayat & Associates, P.C.

“I began this journey with preconceptions about the profession and practitioners. I was wrong. Turns out, being an effective lawyer is not about logic so much as experience. So, the more seasoned I become, the better I am at my job. The law, and the practice, is always evolving. Evolve with it, or be left behind”

Stay open to new opportunities

Jordan Couch, Palace Law

“I’ve learned to travel through life like a leaf on the wind. Ten years ago I was preparing to graduate high school. I was going to go to college, then some east coast law school, and work for a big firm in DC doing mergers and acquisitions. Only one of those things ended up being true (I went to the planned college) and I couldn’t be happier or in a better position professionally or personally. At times over the last 10 years I tried hard to focus on my plan, [but] it always failed. But when I opened myself up, wonderful opportunities came to me. Now, my law school was in a state I had tried hard to avoid, my firm is small, I’m on the opposite coast, I’m heavily involved in organizations I love, and my practice area is one I didn’t even know existed when I graduated law school. By abandoning my plans, I found my passion and, more importantly, an environment that encourages me to pursue it relentlessly.”

Invest in strong systems

Jodi Donato, Donato Law, 2020 Reisman Award Winner, Best Growth Story

“On office management, have systems and procedures in place so if an employee quits, someone else can step in and do the job with minimal training.”

Lead with kindness

Todd Ver Weire, The Law Office of W. Todd Ver Weire

“Even with the advances in technology and communication, never forget that a small human touch, whether it be an actual call instead of a text, or a handwritten note instead of an email, goes a long way. Also, sometimes it is worth it to just drop in and say hi to the court staff where you appear regularly. While this is admittedly easier in some jurisdictions than others, it never hurts to be friendly and take a genuine interest in them and their lives.”

Lizzy Sailor, Chartier & Nyamfukudza, P.L.C., 2022 Reisman Award Winner, Legal Impact Award

“Be kind to everyone you meet. It doesn’t hurt anyone to be kind to them, but it can hurt if you aren’t.”

Use bills to communicate clearly

Jodi Donato, Donato Law, 2020 Reisman Award Winner, Best Growth Story

“If you bill by the hour and give the client a break, show the full cost of your work and discount it on the bill so they see that you did four hours of work but only charged them for three.”

Prioritize your team

K. Brennan, Marquez Law

“I have worked in family law for over 10 years. A “jack-of-all-trades” as some might say, I have carved my path as an administrator, technical support, web developer, HR, marketing, office manager, and COO. Throughout this time, I have had the opportunity to work with some of the most talented and wonderful people I have ever met, including colleagues and clients. There have been many life-long lessons learned along the way, but the core of what sticks with me is to stay focused on your people.

I have experienced the cost of turnover first hand. The toll it takes on the business, your clients, your colleagues, and yourself. It is the responsibility of us as leaders and legal professionals, to prioritize our teams by leading with compassion, open communication, and provide the tools to set everyone up for success so we are all energized to deliver our best for our clients, our families, and ourselves.”

Set yourself up for success

Keith Arrowsmith, Counterculture LLP

“Over the last 15 years, I’ve learned the importance of having a bedrock of reliable systems, working with classy colleagues, and turning down wonky work that doesn’t fit. Those three things give me the time and energy to efficiently work on enjoyable projects for appreciative clients.”

Serve the greater good

James Creedon, Creedon PLLC, 2022 Reisman Award Winner, Community Champion

“The most important thing I’ve learned is that lawyers shape the future—we can build a healthy and equitable world in which the law shapes the greater good.”

Eager for more insights? Sign up for The Law Community – by Clio to ask questions, learn from your peers, and stay up-to-date on everything Clio.  

Where should you go to law school? There are nearly 200 law schools in the United States, and the right law school rankings can help you choose. 

With a myriad of factors to consider, including tuition cost, career outcomes, and quality of life, many prospective students look to the rankings to determine where to spend their time applying.

Here, we look at the best-known law school rankings and provide our own ranking—weighing key factors for law students in 2023, such as whether schools offer technology classes and remote classes. Today, law students must have a firm grasp of technology for a successful career in law moving forward.

Clio Law School Rankings 2023

1	Duke University
2	Vanderbilt Law School
3	University of Virginia
4	Cornell University
5	Northwestern University (Pritzker)
6	Columbia University
7	University of Chicago
8	University of Pennsylvania (Carey)
9	Washington University in St. Louis
10	University of Notre Dame
11	University of Texas – Austin
12	University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
13	University of Georgia
14	University of California – Berkeley
15	Yale University
16	University of Southern California (Gould)
17	Harvard University
18	Stanford University
19	New York University
20	Boston College
21	Boston University
22	Washington and Lee University
23	University of Minnesota
24	Wake Forest University
25	University of California – Los Angeles
25	University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill
27	Emory University
28	Georgetown University
29	Fordham University
30	University of Alabama
31	Villanova University
32	University of Iowa
33	Ohio State University (Moritz)
34	University of Utah (Quinney)
35	Indiana University – Bloomington (Maurer)
36	Florida State University
37	University of Tennessee – Knoxville
38	Texas A&M University
39	University of Wisconsin – Madison
40	Brigham Young University (Clark)
41	University of Florida (Levin)
42	University of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign
43	University of Kansas
44	SMU (Dedman)
45	University of Kentucky
46	Wayne State University
47	University of Houston Law Center
48	University of Missouri – City
49	Drexel University (Kline)
50	University of Oklahoma

How we determined the top law schools of 2023

To create a law school ranking that is relevant for law students in 2023, we used a combination of existing rankings as well as a score for remote class options and technology class offerings. Here’s how the rankings break down:

• 40% – USWNR Ranking. The annual law school rankings from USWNR have been the most influential rankings in the US for over three decades.
• 30% – Above the Law (ATL) ranking. ATL looks heavily at employment outcomes, weighing heavily towards a quality jobs score, employment score, and education cost it assigns to each school.
• 12% – Technology classes score. We assigned a score to each law school based on how many, if any, technology related classes were offered—covering either the use of technology or implications of technology for the law. Knowledge of technology is crucial for successful legal careers in 2023 and beyond.
• 6% – Remote classes score. The ability to attend some or all classes remotely is an important accessibility option for many students.
• 3% – Princeton Review Best Professors ranking. Based on student ratings of their professors—the quality of one’s legal education provides a rich foundation for their legal career.
• 3% – Princeton Review Best Career Prospects ranking. We believe it’s important that law students are able to launch strong careers after graduation.
• 3% – Princeton Review Best Quality of Life ranking. Based on some troubling law student mental health statistics, it’s crucial to consider the environment at any law school you’re thinking of attending.
• 3% – Princeton Review Best Classroom Experience ranking. Whether in the classroom or attending remotely, the experience in class needs to be top notch to get the most out of your legal education.

USWNR Law School rankings 2023

USWNR has released annual law school rankings since 1990. It is widely respected, with terms such as “T14 law school” arising from its ranking system. Over 196 law schools were included in its rankings for 2023.

The USWNR ranking is based on the following factors—relevant weightings are in brackets:

• Peer assessment score (0.25)
• Lawyers and judges assessment score (0.15)
• Employment rates for 2020 graduates 10 months after graduation (0.14) and at graduation (0.04)
• Bar passage rate (0.03)
• Average debt incurred obtaining a J.D. at graduation (0.03) and the percent of law school graduates incurring J.D. law school debt (0.02)
• Median Law School Admission Test and Graduate Record Examination scores (0.1125)
• Median undergraduate grade point average (0.0875)
• Acceptance rate (0.01)
• The average spending on instruction, library and supporting services (0.09) and the average spending on all other items, including financial aid (0.01)
• Student-faculty ratio (0.02)
• Library resources and operations (0.01)

Read more about the USWNR methodology for ranking here.

In 2023, the top 10 law schools according to USWNR were:

1	Yale Law School
2	Stanford Law School
3	University of Chicago Law School
4	Harvard Law School
5	Columbia Law School
6	University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
7	New York University School of Law
8	University of Virginia School of Law
9	University of California Berkeley Law
10	University of Michigan Law School

ATL Law School rankings 2022

ATL provides a ranking of the top 50 law schools each year. Their rankings are based on:

• 35% – Quality of jobs (jobs where graduates can actually pay off their debt)
• 30% – Graduate employment
• 15% – Education cost
• 10% – Debt per job
• 5% – Graduates who are active federal judges
• 5% – Graduates who are SCOTUS clerks

You can learn more about the rationale behind ATL’s law school ranking system here.

In 2022, the top 10 law schools according to ATL were:

1	Duke University School of Law
2	University of Virginia School of Law
3	Cornell Law School
4	University of Chicago Law School
5	Vanderbilt Law School
6	Washington University in St. Louis School of Law
7	University of Michigan Law School
8	Columbia Law School
9	Northwestern Pritzker School of Law
10	University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School

Princeton Review Law School rankings 2023

Princeton Review provides 14 unique ranking lists for law schools based on surveys of 17,000 US law school students and administrators. The categories include Best Online JD Programs, Greatest Resources for Minority Students, Best Career Prospects, and much more. 

Read more about the Princeton Review Law School Rankings here.

Final notes on law school rankings

Law school rankings are a valuable resource when deciding which law schools to apply to. Ultimately, different considerations apply for different students when deciding on the best law schools for them—which is why we’ve created a law school ranking that combines both trusted rankings with factors law students should be considering to prepare themselves for a successful future, including technology considerations. 

Wherever you choose to apply to law school, good luck with your applications! And don’t forget to sign up for Clio’s Academic Access Program—this program provides law students with a head-start on their legal practice by introducing them to the opportunities available through cloud-based practice management software. Sign up for Clio’s Academic Access Program here.

While law school helps you develop the legal knowledge to practice law, it doesn’t always help you with many of the “soft skills” that are equally essential top skills for lawyers. Having the right soft skills, in addition to a strong knowledge of the law, is crucial for building a successful legal career—and for running a successful practice, if you decide to go that route. These top skills include:

• Attention to detail
• Research and analysis
• Persuasion
• Business sense
• Communication
• Creative problem solving
• Organization

So, how do you master these soft skills? We’ll discuss each of them below and provide some helpful tips for developing top skills for lawyers. 

1. Attention to detail 

Attention to detail is a critical skill for any lawyer, regardless of their practice area. Unfortunately, when juggling files and competing demands, it can be challenging to devote the appropriate level of attention to your overall work—to say nothing of actually developing and improving your attention to detail. 

When you need to focus, try minimizing distractions:

• Create a welcoming office environment (whether you’re in-office or working from home). 
• Consider using “focus time” systems like the Pomodoro technique.
• Organize your schedule so you can focus your attention on the task at hand. 

2. Research and analysis

Research and analysis skills make up the backbone of any successful lawyer’s career. It is simply critical to understand the law and how it applies to your clients’ cases. Take the time to understand the research and analysis tools at your disposal to ensure you conduct your research efficiently and accurately. 

3. Persuasion

Knowing how to get buy-in is essential, whether you’re courting a prospective client or arguing a case in front of a judge. 

Persuasion is a multi-faceted skill for any lawyer—it’s not enough to be “good at arguing.” Developing your persuasive writing skills, building solid arguments based on facts and logic, and tailoring your presentation to your audience all go a long way when convincing another person to see things from your perspective. 

Our talk with Robert Cialdini—one of our keynote speakers from the 2022 Clio Cloud Conference—provides amazing insights on how lawyers can become better persuaders. 

4. Business sense

Most lawyers eventually make business decisions in addition to the decisions they make as part of their legal work. However, our research shows that business skills don’t come naturally to nearly half of lawyers. 

According to the 2021 Legal Trends Report, while most partners and solo attorneys reported involvement in their firm’s finances, only 51% of solo attorneys and managing partners surveyed reported high confidence in their knowledge of year-over-year revenue trends. 

Developing your business skills—including knowledge of finances, marketing, and strategy—will not only serve you well in your legal career: it can provide you with a competitive advantage, helping you retain more clients and better manage the costs of running your firm. Our guide to creating a law firm business plan is an excellent primer for lawyers interested in building their business sense. 

5. Communication

Lawyers are known for having the gift of gab, but effective lawyer communication skills go far beyond speaking confidently. 

Effective communication—whether with clients, opposing counsel, or the courts—can include knowing when and how to communicate with stakeholders, understanding stakeholder needs, and, perhaps surprisingly, having excellent listening skills! For more information, start with our free webinar on How To Bridge The Communications Gap With Your Clients. 

6. Creative problem solving

“Creative” might not be the first word the public thinks of when describing lawyers. However, a large part of legal work involves creative problem solving. For example, when parties are deadlocked in a negotiation, offering an innovative solution or compromise can spell the difference between success and stalemate. 

Being client-centered is critical to creative problem solving—after all, understanding your client’s needs is essential for uncovering what “success” means to them. Take the time to truly understand your clients: not only what their “best case scenario” might be, but also who they are, what they value, and how their case has affected them. You might be surprised what you glean from these conversations and where they lead you when you’re in problem-solving mode. 

7. Organization

Managing a busy caseload while balancing competing obligations requires lawyers to stay organized. While foundational organization skills are critical for any lawyer balancing their many demands, using cloud-based practice management software like Clio helps lawyers stay focused, automate routine tasks, and provide their clients with the highest level of service. 

For example, with Clio’s legal task management functionality, you get instant access to the progress of your file. You can see your upcoming and overdue tasks, and even create custom task categories to standardize your law firm’s processes. 

Bonus: tips for honing top skills for lawyers

Honing your soft skills can be a lifelong process. That’s why, regardless of your years of practice or experience, it’s essential to focus on getting better every day. Below, we’ve provided three tips for honing the top skills for lawyers. 

Put in the time 

Getting better every day takes consistent effort. Whether you’re developing your writing skills or learning more about finance, pursue opportunities that allow you to work your soft skill muscles or set aside time whenever possible to learn more. 

Lean on your colleagues

Colleagues play an important role in skills development. Whether through a formal mentorship arrangement or simply by asking for a second set of eyes on a draft, reach out to the people around you to help you develop your soft skills. 

Use tech to streamline your work

While developing your soft skills is vital for lawyers, using tech to streamline your work can help ensure that you’re able to make the biggest impact with your skills. Clio is the leading option for lawyers to standardize client intake, automate routine tasks, and much more. Take, for example, our customer Tatevik Gasparyan, who cut administrative time by 90% while increasing leads by 70% with Clio! 

Final thoughts on top skills for lawyers

Being a great lawyer involves so much more than an encyclopedic knowledge of the law. To succeed in the legal industry, don’t ignore your soft skills. Consider how you can build your skills in the areas above and implement appropriate tech at your law firm so you can streamline tasks and focus more time and energy on putting your legal skills to use.Ready to streamline your tasks while taking your skills to the next level? Take in our free webinar to Watch How Law Firms Use Clio.

Whether you’re preparing to enter the legal industry or run your own firm, conferences can offer a host of benefits. While the choices abound when it comes to legal events, there is one that thousands of lawyers, legal professionals, and technology enthusiasts flock to every year: the ABA TECHSHOW.

Presented by the ABA Law Practice Division, this three-day conference explores the intersection of the legal industry and technology through enlightening keynotes, lively workshops, and educational presentations. There’s also an expansive EXPO Hall brimming with the most advanced legal technology solutions. 

If you’re considering attending this year’s event, here’s a run-down of everything you need to know.

What to expect at ABA TECHSHOW 2023

Here’s a closer look at what’s in store.

ABA TECHSHOW 2023 tracks

As with previous years, a top draw of ABA TECHSHOW 2023 is its informative mix of CLE programming tracks. Covering a multitude of legal topics, the common theme that runs through them is technology’s transformative role in the industry—from helping lawyers work more efficiently to delivering better client service. 

This year’s tracks include:

• Financial management: Legal professionals can scale their firm and drive profitability even through turbulent times. How? By harnessing the power of technology—whether it’s streamlining billing, offering alternative payment methods, or even accepting new currencies. This track will show you how to do just that.
• Marketing: In a vast sea of law firms, many legal professionals struggle to stand out from competitors. This track will delve into how savvy law firm marketing can attract new clients and give firms a competitive edge.

• Core concepts: This track returns to the basics with a primer on key applications and concepts. It will cover practical tips for efficiently using PCs and Macs, leveling up Microsoft Word and PDF skills, improving time management, strengthening security, and plenty more.
  
• Operations: What do the most successful law firms have in common? Effortless operations is one attribute that comes out on top. This track will unlock the secrets to using legal technology to improve processes and automate systems—so that legal professionals can spend their time where it matters most.
  
• Futures: Keeping up with the rapid pace of technological change is no easy task. This track will clarify how technological advances impact the legal industry, including the metaverse, non-fungible assets (NFTs), and Web3 projects.
• Client experience: Running a client-centered law firm is vital to success. In this track, attendees will learn how to deliver top-notch service throughout the client journey. It’s a must for anyone looking to boost satisfaction and turn clients into their greatest advocates. 
• Transactional: From document management to technology assisted reviews, the transactional track will focus on the tools and technologies that can elevate transactional practices within a law firm.

Notable speakers 

Throughout the decades, the industry’s boldest thinkers have taken the stage at ABA TECHSHOW—and 2023 is no exception. Here are a few inspirational speakers sharing their knowledge during the week.

Kristen Sonday. Kristen is the co-founder and CEO of Paladin, a legal technology company that increases access to justice by helping law firms and Fortune 500 companies learn about pro bono cases. We had the privilege of speaking with Kristen on our Matters podcast—and can’t wait for her ABA TECHSHOW panel on creating successful legal tech startups. 

Jayden Doyé. As the president of Prestige Accounting Solutions, Jayden empowers clients across various industries to expand their financial portfolios and achieve financial sustainability. He also frequently shares insights on financial management through speaking engagements (we’re thrilled he’ll be part of ourwebinar). At ABA TECHSHOW, he’ll discuss tax strategies for today’s digital world and tips for making billing easier.

Haley Moss. Diagnosed with autism at the age of three, Haley has since shattered stereotypes as an acclaimed attorney, author of four books, and talented artist. As a lawyer and neurodiversity advocate, Haley counsels corporations on creating diverse workplaces and is a highly sought-after speaker on disability rights issues. Her ABA TECHSHOW sessions will examine accessibility in legal tech and the ethics of ADA compliance technology.

Charina Garcia. Charina is a prominent immigration lawyer. As Strategy and Innovation Partner at WR Immigration, she represents start-ups, Fortune 500 companies, and individuals on employment and family-based immigration legal matters. Charina will talk about how technology can humanize the client experience and its role in advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility goals.

Pablo Arredondo. Pablo is co-founder and chief innovation officer at Casetext, a legal tech company that enables faster research, drafting, and more. Among his innovations, he’s developed a groundbreaking brief analysis tool—which has garnered attention from the American Bar Association, The American Association of Law Libraries, and the World Economic Forum. Pablo is also a CodeX Fellow at the Stanford Center for Legal Informatics. He will speak on using artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics in litigation, and how the AI cloud can transform practices.

ABA TECHSHOW 2023 schedule

Jack Newton, Clio’s CEO and Co-Founder, at the 2022 ABA TECHSHOW. Jack Newton will be a presenter at the 2023 ABA TECHSHOW’s opening keynote.

As any seasoned attendee knows, it’s a good idea to prepare a plan for which sessions you’ll attend at the ABA TECHSHOW. If you’re struggling to whittle them down, we’ve rounded up several that you won’t want to miss. Including a keynote panel on March 2nd featuring Clio’s own CEO and Co-Founder, Jack Newton. 

March 2, 2023

• 8:45 – 9:45 a.m. Start the day off with a keynote session featuring a legal tech visionaries panel, moderated by Clio CEO Jack Newton.
• 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Billing 101 With Tech, with Jayden Doyé and Deborah Schaefer.
• 11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Accessibility in Legal Tech, with Haley Moss and Lisa Mueller.
• 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Lights, Camera, Action! How to Use Video to Level Up Your Firm’s Client Experience, with Temi Siyanbade and Stanley Tate.
• 3:15 – 4:15 p.m. Humanizing Your Client Experience With Tech, with Charina Garcia and Ashley Pepitone.
  

March 3, 2023

• 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Empower with AI: How AI Could (And Perhaps Already Is) Charging Your Practice, with Pablo Arredondo and Greg Siskind.
• 11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Preparing for the Global Workforce: Leveraging Technology to Advance DEIA Goals, with Charina Garcia.
• 2:00 – 4:15 pm. Workshop: Designing an A+ Client Experience, with Jessica Bednarz and Catherine Sanders Reach.
• 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. 60 in 60, with Jeannine Lambert, Gyi Tsakalakis, Sofia Stefanie Lingos, and Cynthia Thomas.

Check out the full schedule page to learn about more informative sessions. 

Final notes on ABA TECHSHOW 2023

A photo of two Clio employees working at Clio’s booth at the 2022 ABA TECHSHOW.

Visionary keynote speakers, an exhibition hall packed with cutting-edge technologies, thought-provoking panels, and a plethora of networking opportunities make ABA TECHSHOW one of the industry’s most popular events. This year’s event will provide an incredible opportunity to discover the latest legal technologies and realize their tremendous potential in overcoming the industry’s greatest challenges. Not to mention, a lineup of exhibitors  

If you’re looking to add more more live events to your calendar this year; read our blog about the best legal conferences for lawyers in 2023.

In a busy law firm, legal assistants act as a lifeline. They support attorneys and paralegals while also taking care of the many moving parts that keep a practice running smoothly. 

Law firms rely heavily on legal assistants and look for highly competent performers to fill those roles. And while the projected average growth rate in employment for all professions from 2021 to 2031 is 5%, employment for legal assistants and paralegals is expected to grow by a well-above-average rate of 14%. 

To maximize your chances of being hired, this means your legal assistant cover letter must be crafted to impress the hiring firm.

However, writing a high-quality legal assistant cover letter is not necessarily an easy task. You must be aware of some guiding principles and best practices. We outline these principles and practices here, while also providing some examples of high-quality cover letters.

Even if your relevant experience is outside the legal industry, this provides you with a chance to get creative and tie this non-legal experience to the role you are applying for.

What should a legal assistant cover letter include? 

A legal assistant cover letter should consist of three main sections: 

1. An Introductory paragraph.
2. A main body.
3. A conclusion.

While these labels might appear self-explanatory, there are some guidelines for what should be included in each section, as we explain below.

Introductory paragraph

The introductory paragraph not only introduces the cover letter, it also introduces you as a candidate and names the role you’re applying for. Accordingly, you must broadly identify yourself, for example, as an experienced legal assistant, or a recent graduate aspiring to enter the profession.

This paragraph should also succinctly state why you are a good fit for the role. While the main body will flesh out these “good fit” arguments, you can lay the groundwork for them here. 

Be sure to include any references to a referral or mutual acquaintance here as well—this places this information front and center for the reader.

Main body

The main body of your cover letter should spell out why you want to work for the firm.

This gives you the chance to make the cover letter non-generic, so it does not appear you will simply take any legal assistant position available. It also means this section must be customized to the firm. Possibilities here include:

• The firm’s mission.
• Its reputation.
• Your interest in the areas of law they practice.

In addition, the main body should also expand on why the firm should hire you. Summarize your qualifications for the role and state how those qualifications would help you in this role. You can cite your education, work experience, or other life experiences. If the job posting provides any standards the firm is looking for, be sure to detail how you meet those standards.

Conclusion

The conclusion should end your cover letter on a positive note. 

In a single paragraph, be sure to thank the reader for their consideration and assert any next steps you will take to follow up on your application.

What do law firms look for in legal assistant cover letters? 

Beyond the basic structure of the cover letter for a legal assistant, the following are a few points to remember when drafting the letter.

Understanding your audience

It’s important to show you understand your audience and have researched both the firm and the specific role it is seeking to fill. 

The term “legal assistant” has no set meaning, so this role can vary greatly from firm to firm. At a larger firm, legal assistants may be hired to perform very specific duties, while a smaller firm with fewer resources might seek more of a general role. Be sure your cover letter is focused on the legal assistant role envisioned by the would-be employer.

Also, ensure your cover letter speaks to the firm’s specific practice areas, as well as how they relate to your applicable skills and interests. Your intense interest in real estate work will not resonate well with a personal injury litigation firm trying to fill a legal assistant position.

Relevant experience

It’s important to outline your relevant experience. Attorneys or other hiring personnel will be checking your prior experience and the types of firms you’ve worked for in the past. 

If you have no legal assistant experience, you will have to find ways around this obstacle. This may also be true if your legal assistant experience does not line up with the job description. In these cases, make an effort to highlight what you bring to the table despite your lack of experience relevant to the role. 

For example, “having developed and demonstrated great customer service skills” could be a huge benefit at a firm where you will have a great deal of client interaction.

Soft skills 

Your cover letter should highlight soft skills not only because they are important to perform your job duties well, but also because they describe how you work with others. 

These skills are not easy to highlight in a resume, so your cover letter is a chance to tell a story of who you are and how you use these skills to excel in your professional career. Make sure you provide specific examples, instead of just declaring you have these skills.

For instance, let the hiring manager know if you work well as part of a team. Collaboration is crucial for any team, but especially at a law firm, where you may be working with attorneys and/or paralegals in high stress situations. 

You may have examples from previous jobs of your excellent teamwork, but you could also point to non-work examples, such as playing competitive sports. Any examples will work better than just a conclusive statement that you have a positive trait, such as being efficient or detail-oriented.

Enthusiasm 

Communicating with enthusiasm in your cover letter is key. Your aim should be to convey that you do not simply want the advertised position, but that you are in fact truly excited to fill this role at this firm. 

For example, are you a seasoned volunteer who got excited about all of the firm’s volunteer work they highlight on their website? If so, let them know! Lawyers want to ensure you have the necessary skills, but they also want to know you are a good fit for the firm and its culture. 

4 tips for writing a great legal assistant cover letter 

Here are a few more helpful tips for writing a legal assistant cover letter that will land you an interview—and hopefully the job.

1. Highlight your unique skills

Try to summarize the top things you want the firm to know about you in your introductory paragraph. This includes any unique skills that make you particularly well-suited to the position.

If the firm uses cloud-based practice management software such as Clio, for example, it is a good idea to point out early that you have experience with this type of technology. These types of unique skills are especially important for legal assistants, since firms will generally want to ensure you can handle a variety of day-to-day activities and that you’re up-to-date with the latest technology.

2. Be concise

A cover letter is not a novel, and the hiring manager has no intention of parsing through a long-winded screed. You must keep your cover letter concise, while also being compelling and memorable. 

So, how can you create a persuasive cover letter that is only one page long?

Pay special attention to your word choices and sentence structure. Seek to vary your vocabulary, the way you start sentences, and your sentence lengths. This can help to keep your reader stay engaged, and help you avoid falling into the trap of being overly verbose.

3. Set the right tone 

As with any cover letter for a legal professional role, your legal assistant cover letter should have a professional tone. This will tend to be especially true for Big Law and positions at other well-established institutions. 

However, while a professional tone should be the default choice for your cover letter, you may want to match the tone of the firm’s website if it has a more personal touch.

4. Proofread your cover letter

Be sure to not let spelling or grammatical errors in your cover letter take you down a notch as an applicant. 

Legal assistants are supposed to be detail-oriented, so this trait must be communicated loud and clear in your first written communication to the firm. Take the time to carefully proofread your cover letter, and do not hesitate to enlist someone else’s help with proofreading.

Legal assistant cover letter examples

While all of the above guidelines and tips are helpful starting points, you may need to review some examples of legal assistant cover letters for the final push. 

To that end, Berkeley Law provides some great advice for writing legal cover letters, along with a template. These cover letter examples for applicants without experience will help those new to the legal assistant role. LiveCareer also presents several examples of legal assistant cover letters.

Keep in mind that the best cover letter is tailored to your skills, experience, and background, as well as the firm to which you are applying. Use these examples as a point of reference only. It is still up to you to customize and personalize your own cover letter.

Final thoughts on cover letters for legal assistants

The opportunities for legal assistants are abundant, so be sure to craft a cover letter that maximizes your chances for advancement. By following the format outlined above, as well as all the principles and tips for impressing legal employers, you could be well on your way to doing just that. If you need any guidance for your legal assistant resume, be sure to check out Clio’s resume tips and tricks on-demand webinar.

What skills do you think a lawyer needs to succeed? Attention to detail? Of course. A strong work ethic? That’s a given. What about being well-organized?

Staying organized is essential for lawyers. So, how can lawyers stay organized at all times? The answer is surprisingly simple: legal matter management software. 

Legal matter management systems allow lawyers to store documents in one location, organized according to their cases, and access them wherever, whenever.

This article explores what legal matter management systems are, uncovers their benefits for law firms, and discusses which legal matter management software is right for which firms. 

The benefits of legal matter management software for law firms 

Legal matter management software helps lawyers stay organized and productive, providing a single source of truth for every aspect of a firm’s operations. Let’s now dig into the specific benefits legal matter management software provides. 

Access to the information you need

Centralization makes life simple—and simplicity fuels productivity. 

With legal matter management software, lawyers can access all case details from a central portal. No more lost files or switching back and forth as you navigate multiple separate apps. 

Lawyers can even add case information from existing software. For example, Clio’s case management software integrates directly with email providers (like Microsoft Outlook 365) and document storage platforms (like DropBox). 

These integrations allow you to create a true all-in-one system. Handling everything from intake to billing in one software boosts productivity and eliminates errors, making life as simple as possible for law firms.

Plus, legal matter management software boosts your clients’ experience. You’ll provide them with a seamless process from start to finish. This will eliminate uncertainty, reduce stress, and increase confidence that you’ll achieve a successful outcome for their case. 

Keep your team on the same page 

All-in-one legal matter management software keeps teams aligned. This is vitally important, especially in the era of remote and hybrid work environments.

Our 2022 Legal Trends Report discovered that just 30% of lawyers work exclusively from the office nowadays. While increased flexibility is a blessing in some respects (less time spent commuting, better work-life balance, and so on), it can complicate team-wide collaboration. 

Well, unless you use legal matter management software. 

These tools keep everyone on the same page at all times. Lawyers can access case files, collaborate with colleagues, and communicate with clients no matter where they work 

Reduce redundancies

According to the 2022 Legal Trends Report, lawyers bill just 33% of their time (2.6 hours per day). So, where does the rest of their time go? 

Administrative tasks like document drafting take up far more time than necessary, while toggling back and forth between programs is another unnecessary distraction. Harvard Business Review research finds employees spend roughly 9% of their time at work switching between apps and reorienting themselves. 

Legal workflow automation via centralized legal matter management software is the perfect solution. Manage every single one of your firm’s processes in one place. Automate client intake workflows, communication, deadline reminders, and document creation. 

Reduce redundancies and spend more time on what truly matters: your clients’ cases. 

Which legal matter management software is right for me? 

Given its wide-ranging benefits, it should come as no surprise to learn there are multiple legal matter management software programs to choose from. Each has its own advantages, disadvantages, and target audience.

Below, we summarize some of the leading legal matter management tools currently on the market. 

Clio

Clio is the world’s leading case management software. With it, you can link documents, contacts, calendar events, time entries, and invoices to each case. Streamline client intake and communication processes using automation, linking Clio to every single one of your firm’s tools. Even better, you can access Clio’s cloud-based software wherever you are, whether you’re using a computer or mobile. 

Clio’s unique selling points are that it’s a true all-in-one system, boasts 200+ integrations, and has the approval of 90+ bar associations. It even has an e-payment system (Clio Payments), allowing firms to offer client-centric payment options (such as flexible installment plans). To learn more about Clio’s benefits, check out how law firms use Clio to boost efficiency and client satisfaction. 

Unfortunately, one downside  is that Clio Payments (and some integrations) are currently only available in certain countries. 

MyCase

MyCase offers a host of legal matter management capabilities, covering everything from lead management to billing and payments.  

On the plus side, MyCase offers a wide range of billing options: hourly, contingency, flat fee, and pro bono. This is particularly important given that today’s clients want flexibility over payments, according to the 2022 Legal Trends Report. Users can also use the batch billing feature to save time with invoice creation. 

On the downside, however, the practice management and payments management sections are split into two different platforms. This eliminates the potential efficiency gains firms would derive from implementing a true all-in-one legal matter management software. 

MyCase also boasts a fairly small list of available third-party integrations and charges higher payment processing fees than other options (2.95% + $0.20 for all major credit cards and 3.5% + $0.20 for Amex). 

PracticePanther

PracticePanther is great for automatic time and expense tracking, helping firms make this process as efficient and painless as possible. Its easy-to-use interface means you can get up and running in no time, with minimal (if any) training required.

That said, its automation capabilities are fairly limited. It can automate time tracking but can’t apply this to the client intake process. PracticePanther also offers fewer than 30 integrations and many of its most useful features (like flat-fee billing) are reserved for the top-tier business plan. 

Smokeball

Smokeball—a “hybrid cloud” solution—features automates time-tracking that even tracks time spent on other apps (such as Word or Outlook). What’s more, it integrates directly with solutions like LawPay and Quickbooks to increase productivity and reduce errors in the billing process. 

However, as it’s not truly cloud-based, lawyers can’t access the platform’s full capabilities while on the road. This is a major stumbling block for busy attorneys who often spend their days outside the office.  

CosmoLex

CosmoLex features on-the-go time tracking and integrated accounting, eliminating the need for duplicated data entry. Plus, its Money Finder feature ensures users capture billable work that hasn’t been invoiced, increasing firms’ utilization rates.  

Unfortunately, the platform has its downsides. It only offers limited integrations with third-party apps and follows a rigid, inflexible pricing model. You may find your firm paying for features it doesn’t use or need. 

Zola Suite

Cloud-based Zola Suite goes all in on time tracking, offering more than 11 ways to track time entries. It also features LEDES-compliant invoicing with Uniform Task-Based Management System (UTBMS) codes.

Despite these benefits, the platform itself is challenging to use. It tries to do too much—making it a jack of all trades and master of none. It also requires Quickbooks for payroll, meaning lawyers can’t fully avoid completing manual work across multiple separate apps.  

Final thoughts on legal matter management software

Legal matter management software is a no-brainer. The right tools increase law firm efficiency and reduce mistakes, boosting performance while helping firms provide an unforgettable client experience. That said, not all legal matter management software solutions are equal. Some only offer a smattering of automation-based features, many are hard to use, while others aren’t even fully cloud-based.

Your firm needs a truly all-in-one, cloud-based, automation-filled legal matter management software. It needs Clio. Clio covers everything from intake to billing with Clio Grow and Clio Manage. It’s comprehensive, easy to use, and offers a variety of plans fit for every different type of firm. Don’t just take our word for it. When asked what he loved about Clio, Micah Nash, Partner at Fortney Nash LLP, said: 

“Efficiency. I used to use at least 4 different services at a significantly increased cost, to do what I am able to do only using Clio. I get bills out faster, keep track of matter related court deadlines, store case documents, request and receive digital signatures, and request and receive payment from clients all through one login in one place at half the cost I was paying previously to do all of the same things spread over multiple platforms. It is also easy to learn, easy to use, easy to teach, and easy to get support. I wouldn’t even consider going back to the way I used to do things.”

Get started by signing up for a free demo of Clio today. You won’t look back. 

These days, news sites are flooded with articles about ChatGPT, the AI bot disrupting industries from programming to law.

And, with all the buzz, legal professionals and clients are asking: will AI replace lawyers?

Below, we’ll introduce you to OpenAI—the artificial intelligence company that developed Chat GPT—along with the notorious chatbot and what its development means for the legal profession.

What is OpenAI?

OpenAI is an artificial intelligence (AI) research and development company creating “highly autonomous systems that outperform humans at most economically valuable work.” Tools like ChatGPT are free to use—though, given the high demand, you may have trouble getting in.

What is ChatGPT?

ChatGPT is an AI-powered chatbot from OpenAI that responds to open-ended text queries with paragraphs of text-written answers. It was trained through reinforcement learning from human feedback. During this process, human AI trainers would converse as a user and an AI assistant, then rank chatbot responses to teach the chatbot how to respond appropriately.

How do you use ChatGPT?

ChatGPT is relatively simple to use—all you have to do is type in your request on the ChatGPT website. For instance, you can ask the tool to write a poem, answer a question in Shakespearean English, or solve complex math problems.

From there, you’ll get a unique, surprisingly-accurate answer on the same website.

What ChatGPT offers lawyers

While ChatGPT is still in the research phase, legal professionals are naturally asking: how can ChatGPT help lawyers?

There’s no doubt that ChatGPT presents opportunities for law firms. From creating legal marketing content to drafting legal documents, the benefits of automating your writing with AI seem endless.

And, what’s more, companies are already attempting to leverage GPT technology to support legal clients.

Take, for example, the lofty offer made by DoNotPay’s CEO, Joshua Browder, to pay $1,000,000 to any lawyer willing to let DoNotPay’s AI lawyer (powered by OpenAI’s GPT-3 technology, a variant of ChatGPT) argue a case in front of the Supreme Court on their behalf.

In this case, the “human lawyer” would wear AirPods and repeat the “AI lawyer’s” arguments verbatim.

Unfortunately, this offer faces a roadblock as Supreme Court attendees are banned from using electronic devices while in the courtroom. But the intent remains: AI has a role to play in the legal system—though, what role that is exactly remains to be seen.

Challenges ChatGPT poses for lawyers

Beyond technical limitations, like using electronic devices in the courtroom, ChatGPT faces additional hurdles in the legal sphere.

For one, this technology is still in development. And, as eerily accurate as its responses may be, ChatGPT is not a human lawyer. Lacking the nuance necessary to formulate complex legal arguments, it’s safe to say that—at this stage, at least—ChatGPT is not in a position to replace lawyers.

Additionally, a lawyer’s ethical obligations will always take precedence over convenience.

Not only are there ethical considerations in using AI to argue your cases for you, but issues of security, client privacy, and privilege can also arise through the transmission of data between your firm and ChatGPT.

Embracing technology—responsibly—in your law firm

While we’ve highlighted some of the ethical hurdles of using ChatGPT in a law firm, we also know that enthusiastic adoption of technology positively affects a law firm’s business performance, as noted in the 2020 Legal Trends Report. The adoption of multiple technologies has a compounding effect on business performance both in terms of impact and overall volume of casework and revenue collection.

In essence, adopting technologies that streamline routine legal tasks, save time, and help you to imprint your expertise on tasks that matter most is a win for any law firm. But it’s critical to assess and implement technology responsibly to ensure you’re meeting your ethical obligations and protecting your client’s interests.

Will AI replace lawyers? Final thoughts

Only time will tell what role ChatGPT may—or may not—play for the legal profession.

Still, one thing’s for certain: adopting technology responsibly can help save time managing your law firm and has a measurable impact on law firm performance.

Consider, also, how to get the most out of your technological investments—software like Clio comes with a wealth of tools, including client intake and payment processing. And, with over 200 integration partners, you can create a customized experience based on your firm’s unique needs.

lLawyers are regularly inundated with mountains of documents: Contracts and leases, letters and notices—afterall, documents are critical to law firms. Thankfully, legal document management software can help lawyers stay organized and on track. 

Understandably, many lawyers grapple with legal document management. One can lose precious billable hours while scouring for information, others struggle to keep track of the latest version of files.

Which might be why more and more lawyers are turning to legal document management software to overcome these challenges. Leveraging the right technology can transform how legal professionals find, store, and edit important legal information—while also taking data security to new levels. 

As you set out to drive efficiency and increase revenue this year, you’d be remiss to skip our list of the best legal document management software programs. Read on to learn about the best software and consider which is right for you and your firm. 

What is legal document management software? 

Legal document management software allows lawyers to store, organize, and access documents from one central repository. These solutions empower lawyers to work more collaboratively and efficiently—no matter where they are. Legal document management software also enhances the security of client documents by preventing unauthorized access.

How legal document management software helps law firms

A growing number of legal professionals are already working smarter through the power of legal document management. The 2022 ABA Legal Technology Survey Report found that 60% of respondents personally used document or records management software for law-related tasks—and it’s easy to see why. 

To fully grasp the benefits of legal document management software, consider the pain points law firms face without it. One of the thorniest issues is the amount of time spent locating information. Many legal professionals can relate to rummaging through filing cabinets or towering stacks of papers for hours before finally tracking down a document—or worse, finding nothing at all.

What’s more, creating legal documents manually takes time—and can lead to dreaded copy-and-paste errors. And, as lawyers often need to work on the same document concurrently, they can never be entirely certain they’re contributing to the latest version.

Advantages of legal document management software

Now, let’s look at a few advantages. With legal document management solutions, lawyers can:

• Retrieve documents quickly from anywhere and on any device. Lawyers can, for example, easily pull up documents in a courthouse—rather than having to lug around physical copies of case files.
• Locate information instantly through advanced search functionality, instead of having to manually sift through stacks of paper. 
• Save time and reduce the likelihood of error by automatically generating letters and other documents based on standard templates. 
• Facilitate greater collaboration by viewing and updating documents in real-time. Each document’s version history also shows who made changes and when.

The list of benefits keeps going. The bottom line, though, is that legal document management systems transform how law firms handle information. As Clio’s 2022 Legal Trends Report found that lawyers only complete 2.6 hours of billable work per day, firms can benefit from gaining more time to focus on client needs.

The best legal document management software for law firms

Lawyers have plenty of options when it comes to legal document management software. So, where do you start? We’ve outlined five software solutions that are leading the way in legal document management.

Clio 

Clio brought the first cloud-based practice management software to law firms in 2008—and continues to be at the forefront of legal tech innovation. Clio is widely considered to be the top legal document management solution, with high ratings on G2 Crowd, SoftwareAdvice.com, Capterra, and Lawyerist.

Pros

• Infinite document storage. Clio lets users save an unlimited number of documents, image, audio, and video files—and automatically backs them up to the cloud.
• Simplified search. Need to find information right away? No problem. With Clio’s Global Search functionality, users can retrieve it in seconds based on terms in the title, text, or metadata. Files can also be sorted by authors, dates, custom categories, and more.
  
• Automated templates. Clio’s easy-to-use templates reduce the time users spend drafting legal documents. It also automatically populates contact and matter information into documents, saving time on manual data entry. 
• Electronic signatures. Clio users can wave goodbye to having to download, print, and scan a document when a signature is needed. Simply prepare and send out documents for signature by email with its e-signature capability, and have signed documents automatically saved in the system.  
• Access documents anywhere, anytime. Rather than relying on in-house servers, Clio’s legal document management software stores files securely in the cloud. This means you can access information from anywhere—all you need is an internet connection.
• Stringent security measures. Lawyers have peace of mind knowing their documents are stored and backed up securely. Permissions controls also let users determine who can view and edit documents in your system.
• Easily track changes. Stay on top of document changes with a full version history and running comment thread for each file. Meaning: you’ll know exactly who to go to if you have a question. 

Clio is trusted by over 150,000 legal professionals—including Ronald Pugliese, who has found its legal document capabilities especially powerful in his firm.

“The ability to consolidate and organize case documents is a lifesaver. It makes managing a large number of documents and evidence a breeze. Also, the notes and tasks features make keeping deadlines easy.” 

Cons

• Some integrations are only available in certain countries.

CosmoLex

CosmoLex is a cloud-based legal practice management software company founded in 2013. It combines time and expense tracking, email and document management, billing, accounting, and more in one application. 

Pros

• A cloud-based solution. CosmoLex lets users access documents from anywhere. Mobile cloud-based access means users can find information on their iPhone or Android.
• Security measures. Users can assign access levels for team members through matter-level permissions and privilege settings.
  

• Software integrations. Along with native document storage, CosmoLex offers integrations with third-party applications like OneDrive and Dropbox.  

Cons

• Basic functionality. Although CosmoLex offers a wide range of capabilities, its focus on document management has been minimal. As a result, it has less advanced features than other solutions on the market.
  

• Limited document size. While CosmoLex offers unlimited document storage, 100MB individual file limits make it difficult to use this feature effectively.
  
• Poor user experience. The user experience on CosmoLex is not as intuitive as it could be, and editing and saving documents can be particularly cumbersome.

Filevine

Filevine is a cloud-based document management program that’s targeted towards personal injury firms. Designed specifically for attorneys and legal professionals, it aims to help teams organize documents and work more collaboratively.

Pros

• Limitless document storage. Docs+ customers get unlimited storage with Filevine, allowing them to develop as many documents as required.
  
• Document templates. Filevine’s DocGen templates use codes that fill in available data automatically.
• Easy search. Users can find files and information with Optical Character Recognition technology.

Cons

• It can be too specialized. Filevine is a good solution for personal injury firms—however, specifically targeting personal injury means the solution isn’t built for the unique needs of many other practice types, or firms with multiple practice areas.
  
• Poor functionality. Users have reported steep learning curves with Filevine. Usability is also cited as a common pitfall, especially when it comes to organizing documents and creating templates.

Smokeball

Headquartered in Australia, Smokeball is a hybrid desktop and cloud-based legal document management software solution for solo and small law firms.

Pros

• Legal document automation. Smokeball lets users create custom templates of their most-used files. It automatically populates information, such as case numbers and contact details.
  

• Unlimited cloud backup storage. Users gain peace of mind in knowing that their files are securely stored.

Cons

• Not a true cloud-based program. As a hybrid desktop and cloud-based software, Smokeball uses desktop software with a cloud-based backend. As a result, it doesn’t provide all of the benefits of a 100% cloud-based system, and it still requires a somewhat high-powered Windows device to run.
  
• Less than ideal user experience. Smokeball’s hybrid infrastructure and lack of document management integrations doesn’t allow for easy access and editing of documents via the cloud. 

PracticePanther

Founded in 2012, PracticePanther is another popular practice management software program among legal professionals. The cloud-based solution lets law firms track, organize, and manage their documents in a centralized location.

Pros

• Document templates. PracticePanther lets users upload custom templates that can be repeatedly reused, and automatically fills in contact and matter details.
• Integrations. PracticePanther syncs with third-party storage providers, such as Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive, to allow users to share information with clients and colleagues.
  

• eSignature requests ensure documents can be created and signed from anywhere.

Cons

• Limited file size. PracticePanther has a 20MB file limit.
• Lacking intake functionality. With PracticePanther, users can’t attach documents to intake forms.
• Cumbersome process to share documents via client portal. Documents must be uploaded from the hard drive and shared as attachment to a secure message.

Final thoughts on the best legal document software for law firms 

Although a multitude of options exist, not all legal document management systems are equal. To fully realize the benefits, be sure to look for an all-in-one solution that offers features like unlimited document storage, permission controls, advanced search functionality, document automation, and electronic signatures. As the leader in legal technology, Clio offers all of that—and plenty more.

Ready to learn more about how Clio is transforming the legal experience for all? Watch our free demonstration on How Law Firms Use Clio.

In the legal industry, perhaps more than anywhere, it’s critical to avoid getting “lost in translation”—and legal translation is no different. 

Legal translation is a valuable tool for lawyers and their clients. In some cases, it’s a necessity. For example, when a defendant doesn’t speak or understand English, legal translation is their bridge to understanding what’s happening. 

Understandably, the consequences of a mistranslation can be dire. So, how do you ensure you’re hiring the right legal translator and keeping everyone on the same page? Today, we’ll be looking at common mistranslation errors and the steps you can take to minimize risk when working with a legal translator. 

Why legal translations must be accurate

Lawyers use legal translation services in many different contexts. Take a business deal, for example. Let’s say a company is investing in China. They need to have contracts and agreements with their Chinese partners. Those contracts and agreements need to be handled by a legal document translation platform.

Lawyers may also need legal translation services when processing applications for immigrants, students, and travelers. In many cases, the government will require translations for foreign language documents. 

The criminal justice system also relies heavily on legal translation. In cases where one or more parties speak a different language, translation and interpretation become necessary tools for the court to pursue justice. 

Risks and consequences of legal translation errors

Translating a legal document is challenging, primarily because the consequences of a mistake or mistranslation can have significant impacts on a person’s life or business. 

And, as we’re all aware, legal terminology can sometimes feel like a language of its own. Ensuring that a translator can translate in a legal setting is critical for accurate translations. 

Mistranslations in contracts 

A simple mistranslation in a legal document can be costly. A mistranslated or missing word on, say, a contract can delay the finalization of an agreement and even invalidate contracts, leading to financial losses and the risk of a lawsuit. 

Mistranslations in legal documents

Beyond contracts, mistranslations in legal documents can have other devastating effects. For example, a mistranslation could result in a collapsed deal if you’re assisting a client in purchasing foreign property. Or, if you’re helping a client with an immigration application, a mistranslation could result in a rejected application—risking your client’s ability to stay in the country. 

Mistranslations in court 

The most severe effect of mistranslations is on verdicts. 

Court proceedings often require translators—for example, documents submitted into evidence may need to be translated, or witnesses may need to provide testimony with the assistance of a translator. 

In these cases, a mistranslation can significantly impact the trial. A mistranslation is an evidentiary error—and, depending on how the court uses the translation, an infringement of a party’s constitutional rights—that can result in a mistrial or appeal. 

Mistranslations and reputation

Beyond the legal risks associated with mistranslation, a mistranslation in a contract or legal document can affect a client’s reputation—to say nothing of your reputation. Quite simply, a mistranslation doesn’t look great. 

How to ensure accuracy in legal translation 

So, what steps can you take to ensure the accuracy of a legal translation? 

Below are just a few things to consider when determining whether a legal translation is accurate:

• The translation should not leave any doubt as to its meaning. For example, translating the word “free” to “libre” in Spanish would technically be correct. However, both words have different meanings depending on context—and if they aren’t being used in their proper context, mistranslations will arise. 
• The translated words should be as precise as possible. For example, if the translator translates “humerus bone” to “arm bone”, the translation will be incorrect as it lacks the specificity of the original words. 
• It should not contain any grammar or syntax errors. On top of the need for correctness in legal documents, errors can also lead to other mistakes or call the strength of the translation into question.
• The legal translation must meet any compliance requirements of the country or region where the document will be used.

Qualities of an excellent legal translation company

The best way to minimize your risk of an inaccurate legal translation is to work with a reputable, experienced translation services provider. 

At a minimum, you’ll want to ensure any translation company you hire offers the following: 

1. Confidentiality: Data privacy and confidentiality requirements often apply to legal documents. Look for a company that has a strict process as to who can access your documents. A company that is lax regarding document access will be a liability for you.
2. Accuracy: When you get a translation that is 96% accurate, that means a 1,000-word document will have 40 mistranslations. That’s not really inspiring confidence. You need a translation company that can deliver highly accurate outputs that will be free from errors.
3. On Ttme: Accuracy is meaningless if the task isn’t finished on time. Pick a company that has a record of meeting deadlines.
4. Covers most language Pairs: While some language pairs are more in demand than others (for instance, Spanish and Cantonese), using a legal translation company that covers other languages is important if you’re looking to develop a long-term relationship with the translation company.
5. Legal expertise: The legal translation company should have specialists who are familiar with the legal system of the country where the translation will be used. Legal translation isn’t just about language——it’s also understanding legal terminology.

Legal translation providers

There is no lack of legal translation providers online. In some ways, that’s the problem: there are too many options out there. Here are the top options for legal translation services to help you out:

• Tomedes Translation Services
• Linguidoor Translation Services
• Amtrade Translation & Interpretation Services
• GTE Localize
• Alconost

These are not the only translation services that are available, but they are the top-rated ones. Don’t waste time scouring the internet, having a list of reputable legal translation companies can save you hours. 

How to translate legal documents

Translators typically follow the steps below when translating legal documents: 

1. Prepare an updated glossary for the legal terms that might be used in the translation.
2. Review the document to be translated. This is important to ensure that the translator is familiar with the required format and that he can handle the translation.
3. Set a deadline for the first draft of the translation.
4. Conduct the actual translation. How long it takes to do the translation depends on the length and complexity of the document and the translator’s skill.
5. Review the initial draft. The translation company will review the draft before giving it to the client. 
6. Revise the translation based on the feedback from the reviewers.

Importance of language in the legal system

The law is based on language, which is why translation services are so crucial to the legal system. Accuracy in these services and the language is a core ingredient of justice. That’s why accuracy should be a core focus for translators. 

Legal transcription services can help clear up things in a different way from translation and interpretation. Having a reliable, trustworthy legal transcription platform is just as important. The same is true with interpreters.Outsourcing services such as translation save you time. Put more hours toward client work by leveraging these 8 wins of managed services for law firms.

Lawyers receive a broad education in the law and legal principles—but this doesn’t mean they’re IT experts. Technology plays a critical role in the successful running of a law firm. Therefore, it’s vital that firms have a great IT team who can manage their technological demands, safeguard data security, and ensure ongoing compliance. 

Many firms opt to have an in-house specialist. This can be a great way to ensure someone’s always on hand to help. However, even if your firm has an in-house IT specialist, you may benefit from consulting external experts. Managed IT services providers will ensure your operations are fully up-to-speed and can optimize your IT systems for your firm’s specific needs. 

So, what do you need to know about managed IT services for law firms? 

This blog outlines the benefits of managed IT services for law firms, highlights the questions you should ask before hiring a team, and explains where practice management software fits into the picture.  

Why law firms need managed IT services

Leveraging managed IT services allows law firm employees to focus on their day jobs while outsourcing their technological requirements to a team of experts. Let’s dive into the range of benefits that this approach provides law firms. 

Staying up to date with the latest technology

Managed IT service providers are technological experts. Some even specialize in providing IT services for law firms—so they know exactly what firms need to perform at their best. They can help advise your firm on which technology you need to grow, increase efficiency, or become more secure. Indeed, they may also provide customized recommendations based on your existing hardware infrastructure or software stack. 

Of course, providing advice is just the first step. When the time comes to install and maintain these new systems, managed IT service providers take the hassle off law firms’ plates. Many will also provide the training and support your employees need to understand new tools, upgrades, and ways of working. This support is invaluable—even your most technology-averse colleagues will be able to hit the ground running with minimal fuss or delay.   

Maintaining and upgrading your hardware

Our 2022 Legal Trends Report found that office use is declining among law firms. Lawyers spent an average of 14 days in the office back in 2019. As of July 2022, this figure was down to 13 days. Non-lawyers, meanwhile, spent 16 days in the office in 2019 but currently spend an average of 12 days.

These figures clearly show that office use is decreasing—but it’s certainly not disappearing entirely. 56% of firms are still “Office-only”, 26% “Office-mostly”, and 10% “Hybrid”. Therefore, maintaining and upgrading your hardware must still be a priority for law firms. 

Managed IT providers play a crucial role in supporting firms with hardware maintenance and upgrades. They monitor the firm’s systems to ensure all tools are functioning properly and efficiently, and alert law firms if any issues need to be addressed. They can perform regular maintenance tasks on the hardware, such as cleaning, updating software, and replacing worn or damaged parts. If a tool experiences issues or fails completely, IT providers will troubleshoot the issue and perform repairs as needed.

Additionally, IT providers can provide technical support to law firms when they have questions or need help with their hardware. They’ll help law firms create and maintain backups of their data and systems. In the event of a disaster, they’ll handle the recovery process, ensuring minimal downtime. 

Working with managed IT services providers takes the stress out of hardware maintenance. Let the experts take the reins and focus on what you do best: helping clients. 

Keeping your team connected—wherever they are

The 2022 Legal Trends Report found the most significant shift in office use among the ‘Hybrid’ group. One thing’s for certain: more employees are working remotely on a regular basis. However, despite the potential benefits for both employees and firms alike, this presents certain technological difficulties. 

Communication and collaboration are more challenging when working remotely. It’s harder to ensure remote workers have reliable and secure access to the company’s network and resources. This is especially true if your firm’s infrastructure was not designed to support remote access. Protecting your data and systems from cyber threats is undoubtedly more difficult when employees access them remotely. This may require using additional security measures, such as virtual private networks (VPNs) and two-factor authentication.

This is where IT providers can help. 

These experts ensure the equipment hybrid teams use is properly deployed, maintained, and supported. They provide critical assistance at all stages of the chain. When new employees start, they’ll ensure they have the right tools for the job. If an IT issue occurs, they can troubleshoot and solve it remotely. They’ll even be on hand to answer any employees’ queries when working from home, such as how to navigate the two-factor authentication process.

Securing your system 

Data security is paramount. Law firms store sensitive, personal, and highly valuable information about their clients. This makes them an attractive target for potential hackers. Indeed, the American Bar Association (ABA) reports that 27% of firms have experienced a security breach at some time. 

Managed IT service providers are data security experts. They know the latest threats, can train your staff on how to spot (and avoid) potential cyber attacks, and will arm your firm with the tools it needs to counter would-be hackers. However, this isn’t an excuse to turn a blind eye to your firm’s compliance requirements. Ensure your firm is aware of its own data security obligations. Ignorance is no excuse. For example, if you handle personal health information, then you must comply with HIPAA. 

Never assume your IT service provider understands your industry’s specific compliance duties. Advise their team accordingly to avoid potentially embarrassing slip-ups. They may already be aware of what they need to know—but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Questions to ask when hiring managed IT service providers

Thinking of hiring a managed IT service provider? Great—but don’t dive in without first asking the right questions. You must ensure they’re right for the job. Consider asking the following questions. 

• Do you have any experience working with law firms? If so, what kinds of firms (practice area/size)? Are you familiar with our practice area? 

Note: This is especially important for highly-regulated practice areas, such as those affected by HIPAA (like personal injury law).

• Have you ever worked with cloud-based practice management software providers?
• What managed IT services for law firms do you provide?
• What are your prices?
• Do you have a helpdesk available (and if so, for what hours)? For example, if my firm is preparing for a Monday trial over the weekend and faces a technological issue, will someone be on hand to help us?
• Do you have experience with growing organizations? Can you help us implement new technology and/or recommend new systems that might be a good fit for us?

Managed IT services for law firms and cloud-based practice management software

Your managed IT services provider can’t do it all alone. They might be experts in their field, but if you work with outdated tools with subpar security credentials, there’s little they can do. That’s why your firm must implement the latest technology. 

Take practice management software, for example. These tools store your firm’s entire data: case files, client contact information, billing details, and so on. Therefore, your practice management software provider must prioritize security above all else. 

Here at Clio, we’re security-first. We apply in-transit and at-rest encryption using industry best practices (such as HTTPS and TLS). Our software is continuously monitored for potential vulnerabilities by our in-house security team, which boasts over 40 years of combined experience at world-class organizations. We’re audited and certified daily by McAfee Secure, while our hosting facilities are audited annually for security certifications (such as SOC 2 and ISO 27001). 

Run into an issue or have a question? Get in touch whenever the need arises—our team is available 24/5/365. We’re known for our outstanding customer service, and have recently expanded our set of customer support services.

We’re so IT-conscious that we’ve even partnered with a host of trusted IT consultants who we recommend to all law firms. So, if you’re looking for a top-tier managed IT service provider to hit the ground running, browse through our carefully-curated list. 

Conclusions on managed IT services for law firms 

Outsourcing your technological requirements to a managed IT services provider allows your firm to ensure first-class operations without the hassle of doing everything yourselves. You’ll have a team of experts on-hand whenever the need arises. They’ll deploy new technology, enable stress-free remote working, monitor for potential vulnerabilities, shore up your systems, answer your staff’s questions, and even provide the necessary training. 

Consider handing over your IT operations to a team of specialists. Focus on what you do best and let managed IT services providers handle the rest. 

Before you hire a managed IT service provider, learn more about our list of certified IT consultants—and how you and your IT service provider can work seamlessly with Clio’s award-winning customer support! 

By now, you’ve likely read a news article or two regarding Twitter’s change in ownership in October 2022 and concerns regarding content moderation.

In response, many large companies—from General Motors to Wells Fargo—paused their advertising on Twitter. Others have left the platform entirely.

Despite concerns regarding the future of Twitter, it’s still one of many valuable social media tools at a lawyer’s disposal. Interestingly, however, lawyers choosing to leave Twitter or expand their online presence are diversifying their social media platforms by finding community in other areas.

So, where are all the lawyers going?

Below, we’ll cover just a few of the social media platforms that have become increasingly popular among lawyers over the past months—along with some helpful tips for making the most of your online presence.

Substack for lawyers 

Substack is a publishing platform that—for the most part—puts its readers and writers in charge of censorship. 

With Substack, users can publish posts, emails, and podcasts (and, where appropriate, monetize them). Substack also has a feature called “discussion threads” which allows users to start and engage in conversations with subscribers, similar to Twitter threads. 

Mastodon for lawyers 

Mastodon runs on independently-managed servers, known collectively as the “federated universe” (or “Fediverse”). Each server has its own moderation policies, codes of conduct, and privacy options, but users on one server can still connect with users on other servers. 

Anyone can set up a Mastodon server or join others. From there, Mastodon offers microblogging features that operate similarly to Twitter. 

Discord for lawyers 

Discord is a messaging app that also supports video calls and voice chat. Geared towards gamers, Discord has become a popular platform for people from all walks of life. Users can create or join both public and private servers. 

Slack for lawyers 

We’ve previously written about Slack for lawyers—it’s an excellent option for communicating with clients, increasing productivity, and staying connected within your firm. 

Slack is a messaging app that you can access on your desktop, through a web browser, or on your phone. With Slack, you can set up channels to streamline your communications (for instance, you might set up a Slack channel for your direct team, or have a larger Slack channel that everyone in your law firm uses). You can also set up Slack channels and communicate with people outside your law firm. 

How lawyers use social media and communication platforms

Like Twitter, Mastodon and Substack are great networking and advertising tools for lawyers. Creating a presence, posting, and engaging with a larger community are key to a good law firm social media strategy. 

Communication platforms like Discord or Slack aren’t exactly tailored to client recruitment, but the benefits of joining them go much further. It’s about community—easily connecting and networking with like-minded legal professionals.

For example, some Slack groups are created specifically for lawyers in different practice areas, international Discord servers for lawyers, and many lawyers with their own Substack pages. Participating in online legal communities can help lawyers stay up-to-date on news, ask questions, or connect with like-minded legal professionals. 

Finding other lawyers with an expanded social media presence 

On some platforms, you can easily upload your contacts to find out whether anyone in your address book is also using the platform (there are third-party options for importing your Twitter contacts to Mastodon, for example). Or, you can ask your followers where they’re going. 

Ultimately, diving in is the most exciting way to find your community—whether legal or otherwise. Explore the platforms and their communities, and consider which best suits your interests and needs. 

Finding clients with an expanded social media presence

Winning clients is all about meeting them where they are—and, with more and more prospective clients looking for legal options online, having a solid social media presence can help expand your online reach. 

And, with Clio Grow, it’s easy to expand your online presence. Our law firm website builder helps lawyers create a simple, professional website with automated booking, a client-attorney portal, and online payments. Linking to your website in your social media profiles is a great way to lead prospective clients to your website—and win them over with seamless options for booking and interacting with you. 

Final thoughts on expanding your social media presence

Social media is so much more than a distraction—it’s a valuable digital marketing channel and, when used strategically, can help you expand your legal network and help clients find you. 

In particular, expanding your social media presence can help funnel clients to your website to learn more about your services. And, with an intelligent, straightforward webpage built with Clio Grow’s website builder feature, new clients can easily book appointments, pay retainers, and communicate with you. 

Learn more about Clio Grow’s website builder feature. 

The legal industry occupies a critical role in our society, and legal professionals face many demands and pressures. This naturally leads to lawyers expecting nothing but the best from the paralegals they work with. Accordingly, it’s important for a paralegal to put their best foot forward in their job application by crafting a top-notch paralegal cover letter.

The good news is there has never been a better time to look for a paralegal job, with employment of paralegals and legal assistants expected to increase by 14% from 2021 to 2031. To compete in this growing market, paralegal job applicants need all their ducks in a row.

Here we focus on writing the ideal cover letter for a paralegal job application. Review the below guidelines and tips to ensure your application stands out from the crowd.

Introductory paragraph

In your introductory paragraph, you should both (1) introduce yourself and (2) provide a brief summary of why you’d be a good fit for the firm. Explain who you are—an experienced paralegal? Someone who was recently certified as a paralegal? Now is the time to mention any referrals or mutual acquaintances. Finally, include a few reasons why you’d be a good fit for the firm.

Main body

In the main body, you have one or two paragraphs to explain two things: (1) why you want to work for this firm and (2) why this firm should hire you. Avoid the trap of simply summarizing your resume. While you should provide an overview of your education and experience, you should primarily focus on answering the above two questions.

Specify what makes you excited to work for this firm in particular. Does the firm work in a practice area that interests you, or in which you have experience? Is it the firm’s stellar reputation?

Finally, elaborate on why the firm should select you as their new hire. Explain how your qualifications would assist in fulfilling paralegal duties at the firm. Look for the key attributes named by the firm in their job posting, and detail how you meet those standards.

Conclusion

The concluding paragraph of the cover letter should succinctly wrap up the letter and leave the reader with a positive impression. Thank the reader for their consideration and outline how and when you will follow up on your application. You can also specify how you can be reached, but preferably your contact information is already included in the letter’s header.

What do law firms look for in paralegal cover letters?

Here we summarize the main points employers are looking for in your paralegal cover letter. These items all relate to how law firms hire paralegals and how they assess candidates for paralegal roles.

A personal touch

Ensure your cover letter doesn’t look like generic mass-mail correspondence. Include a personal touch that shows the letter is directed to the hiring firm in particular.

This could include writing about the firm’s specific practice areas. Not only does this show you’ve done your research, it’s sure to be more compelling for the hiring personnel reading it. Highlighting your interest in real estate work will not be appealing to a personal injury firm—so do your homework.

Experience

It’s also critical to outline your relevant experience. You can rest assured that attorneys will be checking your previous paralegal experience and the firms you have worked for.

Keep in mind even if your experience doesn’t line up exactly with the job description, it may still be worth applying. Just be sure to highlight what you bring to the table despite your lack of experience. For example, you may have copy editing experience, or you may have developed writing and editing skills in another role outside of the legal industry.

Soft skills

Be sure to highlight soft skills that aren’t the easiest to emphasize on a resume. Not only does this help the firm see you as a living and breathing human, it illustrates what it might be like to work with you day-to-day. For example, if you work well as part of a team, definitely let them know! And be sure to provide one or two specific examples that highlight these skills, as opposed to simply declaring “I am detail oriented.”

Enthusiasm

Make an attempt to let your enthusiasm shine through in your cover letter. Highlight why you’re excited about this job in particular. For example, has it always been your dream to work for a personal injury firm because you were injured in a car accident as a child and now want to help others? Personal touches like this can help, since attorneys want to be confident you will bring high energy levels to the job every day.

Tips for writing a winning paralegal cover letter

Beyond knowing the basic format and structure of the cover letter, you should also remember a few key points as follows.

Highlight what makes you unique (early!)

If you have any skills or experience that make you uniquely suited to this role, highlight those items early in the cover letter.  It’s best practice to summarize the top things you want the firm to know about you in the introductory paragraph.

For instance, if you have experience with cloud-based legal practice management (LPM) software and the firm uses Clio, you should state this early and expand on the point further in the main body.

Get to the point

Your paralegal cover letter should be memorable without exceeding one page in length. This means you’ll have to avoid any temptation to be overly wordy or long-winded. Instead, get to the point quickly while adding enough polish and substance to be persuasive.

When trying to be compelling and concise at the same time, it’s important to also make sure to add variety to your sentence structure. Vary the length of your sentences, as well as how you start sentences, to keep the reader engaged.

Set the right tone

Any written letter conveys a certain tone, and you want to be sure your cover letter conveys the right one. For a paralegal position, you must definitely use a professional tone. However, making the tone a bit more personal may help in certain instances.

If you’re applying and wanting to work at a Big Law firm, you should err on the side of a more professional style. But for a smaller firm, check their website and see if they use a more lighthearted or conversational feel. Matching that tone in your cover letter could be a positive sign in the eyes of their attorneys. Plus, it’s yet another way to show you have done your homework on the firm.

Proofread

You only have one opportunity to make a good first impression. Don’t let spelling or grammatical errors ruin an otherwise excellent cover letter. From the firm’s perspective, if you can’t catch these errors in your own cover letter, how will you avoid critical errors with their court filings and other legal documents? It may be worthwhile to ask a friend or family member to review your cover letter to ensure you don’t miss any mistakes.

Paralegal cover letter examples

Looking at paralegal cover letter examples can give you a sense of what your cover letter should look like. Berkeley Law provides an excellent resource for writing legal cover letters, albeit not specific to paralegals. Sample cover letters specific to paralegals can also be helpful. If you’re a paralegal job applicant lacking experience, be sure to check out some examples geared to your situation.

While samples can be helpful, it’s important to remember the best cover letter emphasizes your skills and experience while being tailored to the firm you’re applying to. Feel free to look at cover letter samples for assistance, but don’t forget the guidelines above.

Final thoughts on paralegal cover letters

The well-crafted paralegal cover letter can help you land the opportunity to fill this demanding role in a growing industry. Simply be sure to structure your letter properly, keep your mind on what firms are looking for, and follow the tips outlined above. With a great cover letter, in addition to experience with the right tools and a well-written legal resume, you could be well on the way to the successful paralegal career you deserve.

Law firms are looking for paralegals who know their way around the latest tech. Watch how law firms use Clio here to give yourself an edge.