As society becomes more digitally literate, law firm clients are demanding their attorneys do more than “talk the talk” when it comes to data privacy. ISO 27001 certified law firms are just one of the many ways attorneys are starting to “walk the walk” and get serious about security.

Many refer to ISO 27001 as the “gold standard” for information security certification. Though the process of obtaining ISO 27001 certification is rigorous, law firms stand to benefit from such an extensive review of their security practices. Moreover, getting the certification demonstrates to clients (both current and prospective) that your firm meets the highest security standards. However, if ISO 27001 certification is not feasible for your law firm, other options like Clio’s industry-leading security (including ISO 27001 certification) exist.

Read on to learn more about ISO 27001 certification, how it can benefit your law firm, and how legal practice management software can help.

What is ISO 27001 certification?

ISO 27001 is a global standard for managing information security, initially developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). While one of many standards under the ISO/IEC 27000 umbrella, ISO 27001 is considered the most well-known of these standards. The standard outlines requirements organizations should follow to establish, maintain, and monitor an information security management system, regardless of size.

Organizations interested in ISO 27001 certification don’t work directly with ISO or IEC. Instead, organizations that meet the standard’s requirements can retain an ISO certification body to certify them if they successfully complete an audit.

Steps needed for ISO 27001 certification

ISO 27001 certification begins by looking inwards. Organizations must complete an internal audit by establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving their information security management system (“ISMS”).

One recommended method for conducting an internal audit is known as the “Plan-Do-Check-Act” process:

• Plan: The organization identifies internal and external security challenges and prioritizes solutions. At this stage, the organization will develop its information security management system (“ISMS”).
• Do: The organization implements training, processes, procedures, and technology to help address the deficiencies outlined in the ISMS.
• Check: The organization analyzes the effect of implementing the ISMS.
• Act: The organization takes additional action based on the results of implementing the ISMS.

After an organization takes the steps outlined above, an ISO certification body will conduct an external audit. Before this stage, the organization seeking certification will have to gather documentation or evidence for the audit. This documentation or evidence will help prove that you have implemented policies and security controls in line with ISO 27001 standards (and that those policies and controls are working!). If the audit is successful, the organization will receive ISO 27001 certification.

ISO 27001 certification is a comprehensive undertaking. There will be months of planning and work involving every member of your organization. Keep in mind that you will also need to reapply for ISO 27001 certification every three years and continuously monitor your policies and security controls to ensure they’re standing up to threats.

Read on further discussion of the benefits of ISO 27001 certified law firms.

The benefits of ISO 27001 certified law firms

ISO 27001 certification protects law firms

The most apparent benefit of ISO 27001 certification is that it helps law firms avoid security breaches! This security standard helps law firms identify the training, resources, and technology needed to secure their organization against attacks and inadvertent disclosure.

ISO 27001 certification protects clients

ISO 27001 certification demonstrates to your clients that you are meeting globally-accepted standards for information security. Proving a commitment to security can undoubtedly strengthen your client relationships—after all, building trust with your clients is a key component of a successful practice.

ISO 27001 certification boosts law firm business

ISO 27001 certified law firms may also be more attractive to prospective clients. Security-savvy clients want to work with organizations that can meet high standards for information security. In some cases, ISO 27001 certification may be non-negotiable for prospective clients.

ISO 27001 certification doesn’t have to be complicated

ISO 27001 certification may sound complex, but there are easy ways to ensure that you are storing data securely. For example, instead of obtaining ISO 27001 certification, you can use products that meet ISO 27001 certification requirements.

For example, Clio’s industry-leading security takes the guesswork out of data protection. By staying on top of the latest in cybersecurity, meeting various compliance requirements, and testing regularly, Clio is continuously committed to security. Clio’s hosting facilities are audited annually for ISO 27001 certification to ensure they employ advanced physical security measures such as biometrics, CCTV cameras, and 24/7 on-site security.

The last word on ISO 27001 certified law firms

As the gold standard for information security, ISO 27001 is an attractive certification for law firms. ISO 27001 certified law firms stand out from the crowd as businesses with increased security and commitment to data protection.

However, obtaining ISO 27001 certification is no easy task—that’s where Clio’s rigorous security standards come in. With Clio’s continued commitment to security testing, including ISO 27001 certification of its facilities, Clio can help your law firm maintain high levels of security and allow you to focus on what matters most—your clients.

In today’s hyper-connected world, clients expect law firms to have all the right measures in place to protect their sensitive information. Along with strong security protocols, cybersecurity insurance for law firms is another powerful component of a risk management strategy. In particular, it provides financial coverage that can help solo practitioners and small law firms recover from costly data breaches, ransomware, and other types of nefarious attacks.

Unsure where to get started? Read on to learn how to get the right coverage for your firm.

What does cyber security insurance cover?

Generally speaking, there are two types of cyber insurance coverage for law firms. First-party cyber liability insurance supports law firms with the direct financial impact of a breach or cyber attack in their network or system. This can range from fees associated with restoring data, income loss due to downtime, crisis management, or forensic investigations—to name a few examples.

On the other hand, third-party cyber liability insurance protects law firms from liability claims against them in the event of a breach. Coverage can span from payments to clients whose data is affected to regulatory fines for noncompliance.

Law firms can opt to have first-party coverage, third-party coverage—or a combination of both. Ultimately, it depends on the firm’s circumstances and the level of protection that’s best.

How to get cyber security insurance for your law firm

It may feel daunting to get cyber security insurance. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Here’s what you need to know to protect your law firm.

Determine what you need coverage for

The first step is to conduct a comprehensive audit of the cyber security threat landscape within your law firm. This will allow you to better understand your current risk, along with specific areas that you need to protect. You’ll want to be clear on your most critical data—in other words, your “crown jewels”—so you’re investing the most resources in safeguarding them.

Once you’ve gained a clearer picture of your security risk, you’ll be one step closer to understanding the amount of coverage needed. There isn’t a clear formula for determining that. Rather, spend time reviewing your audit, assessing your budget, and choosing a coverage that best suits the needs of your firm. For instance, a larger firm that handles a significant amount of highly confidential information like medical records will want to invest in extra protection.

Shop around for the right policy

Nowadays, there are a plethora of prices and coverage options available for cyber security insurance for law firms. The next step is to do your due diligence and receive multiple quotes from providers.

Take the time to thoroughly read the terms and conditions within each policy. Ask providers thoughtful questions and gain clarity when you need it. And most importantly, understand what type of incidents are covered—as well as which aren’t. For example, it’s helpful to know whether there are geographic restrictions for coverage, especially if your team is frequently on the road.

Talk to other attorneys

As you seek to find the best cybersecurity insurance policy for your law firm, other lawyers can be an invaluable resource. Speak to your peers to learn about their own experiences and learnings in choosing a cyber security provider.

At Clio, we have a range of articles which shine a light on the power of mentorship and networking in the legal industry. We recommend perusing this guide on legal mentors, along with our round-up of attorney networking tips.

Work with an insurer that specializes in insurance for law firms

Given the highly sensitive nature of work, it makes sense to use an insurance provider specializing in the legal industry. Working with an insurance firm with experience in helping lawyers will ultimately ensure you have a partner who truly understands your unique needs and risks.  If you’re unsure of where to get started, check out this list of Clio Certified IT Consultants.

Take precautions to protect your data

Finally, be sure to take steps to protect your data and information. The American Bar Association’s 2021 Legal Technology Survey Report found that 25% of respondents had experienced a data breach at some point during the year. Clearly, law firms can do much more to prevent these costly attacks.

To start, take stock of the data security measures at your firm. This includes everything from spam filters to firewalls and anti-virus software. Educate your staff on how they can play a role in combating risks, too. This training should be ongoing, and highlight how to create secure passwords, spot malicious emails, safely browse the web, and more. Interested in learning more about improving your cyber security measures within your law firm? Read our in-depth look at how to protect your data.

It’s equally as important to choose software providers you trust, like Clio Manage. Each year, our platform is tested by a leading cybersecurity firm to ensure it’s secure. Clio is also audited and certified every day by McAfee Secure to verify that our products aren’t affected by malware, vulnerabilities, and other online threats. Learn more about how the cloud is safer than on-premise servers in this article.

A final word on cyber security insurance for law firms

For all the efficiencies that technology delivers, one downside is that it also brings an increased risk of cyber threats. Sometimes, the damage can be so severe law firms simply can’t recover from it. In fact, one study found that 60% of small businesses close after a cyber attack.

Although law firms can never be entirely secure, they can take steps to dramatically reduce their risk. That’s why cyber security insurance for law firms is so powerful. It mitigates the financial costs to a law firm when attacks strike—helping lawyers get back to doing the work that truly matters.

Lawyer stress levels are through the roof. Over two-thirds of lawyers endure mental health issues, an estimated 93% of junior lawyers feel stressed at work, while 40% say they’ve become more stressed since the onset of the pandemic. Unfortunately, lawyer burnout is more prevalent than ever. 

This is perhaps unsurprising. Lawyers have a reputation for working long hours and handling important work. In addition to this, lawyers rarely (if ever) have a let-off—their clients often expect them to perform at their best all the time. 

This blog will explore lawyer stress levels, explaining why being a lawyer is stressful, what stress is, and how it can manifest in the workplace. We’ll also offer seven tips to reduce lawyer stress levels. 

What is stress? 

Oxford Languages defines stress as “a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances.” Everyone has a different stress tolerance, and it affects us all differently. Unfortunately, nobody is immune from stress. Legal professionals will certainly feel the weight of lawyer stress levels. 

Attorneys might feel stressed or anxious in the workplace for various reasons. Perhaps their caseload is increasing at an alarming rate, a particular case isn’t going well, or they might struggle to work with colleagues and clients.

It’s also worth mentioning that attorneys might feel stressed due to a lack of work-life balance or troubles outside their office’s four walls. When people are stressed in the workplace, they can express this in a number of ways (whether voluntarily or involuntarily).

For example, they might become visibly angry and short with colleagues. Others may retreat into themselves and be quieter than usual, appearing despondent. Or, some people turn to unhealthy crutches, such as excessive alcohol or tobacco consumption.

7 tips to reduce lawyer stress levels in the workplace

Lawyers shouldn’t simply accept stress as part and parcel of the job. Instead, lawyers can work to recognize the symptoms, be wary of the effects, and actively put effort into having healthy responses to stressors.

Here’s how you can do this effectively. 

1. Accept that you’re not alone 

Lawyer stress levels are high across the board. Generally, stress in the firm and at court is more common than you might think. Even the most intelligent and successful lawyers feel stressed from time to time. Knowing this, don’t feel like you’re unfit for the profession if you struggle with stress. 

It’s also important to speak openly about how you’re feeling. If you feel comfortable opening up to colleagues, this can be a great way to relieve some of the mental burden. Your colleagues know the pressure you’re under and the conditions in which you work. Therefore, they’ll be able to empathize with your situation. They might even be able to take some of your workload off your hands. 

Alternatively, if you don’t feel like you can open up to colleagues, chat to friends and family instead. They might not know what you’re dealing with in the workplace, but sometimes, hearing an outsider’s perspective is just what you need. They’ll also be able to remind you that no matter what’s happening at work, there’s a life outside the office.

2. Find a workplace that supports you

There’s no point in working for a firm whose values don’t match your own. You probably won’t be able to change the firm single-handedly.  The solution is to change your own values instead. Except, this is unwise. You shouldn’t have to change who you are to be a great lawyer.

Ultimately, it’s important to know yourself. Getting clear on your wants, needs, and stress tolerance will help you adapt and cope in a holistic manner. Think about when you’re most stressed. Is it when you’re overburdened? When someone’s rude to you? How about when facing a seemingly impossible task? 

Knowing your own stress triggers and tolerance will help you find a practice area and firm you feel empowered to work at. However, you should also ask detailed questions during the interview process. Dig into what the firm expects from its employees and read as many Glassdoor reviews as you can. 

If you own your firm, you should keep a close eye over how your employees feel. Remember, while you might not be stressed, more junior employees could be. Don’t assume whether or not people are stressed. Some individuals are great at hiding it. Take regular surveys (make them anonymous if people seem uncomfortable with the idea) and check in with your team to see how they feel. If they seem overly stressed, ask them what needs to change.  

3. Create law firm processes 

Lawyers have 1,001 things on their plate at any time. In fact, the vast majority of lawyers who are stressed feel that way because they’re overburdened. On the face of it, this isn’t great. Not one bit. Only, there’s a relatively simple fix—creating law firm processes.

Processes keep everyone throughout a firm united. Attorneys know what they need to do—and how to do it. Better yet, once firms have defined processes in place, they can implement technology to automate as much as possible (more on this below). Automation, when integrated thoughtfully, undoubtedly supports lowering lawyer stress levels. 

As W. Edwards Deming, the industrialist and management consultant, said, “If you can’t describe what you’re doing as a process, you don’t know what you’re doing”

4. Utilize legal technology 

Creating solid law firm processes is just the first step. To maximize efficiency and minimize lawyer stress levels, firms need to implement technology. Legal technology can aid and automate almost every aspect of a lawyer’s job.

Take the billing process, for example. 

Rather than attorneys haphazardly trying to account for every billable minute in a month (a process that’s slow, cumbersome, and fraught with errors), lawyers can instead use automatic time-tracking tools, like Clio. This allows lawyers to instantly identify how long they spend working for each client, making the billing process quicker, easier, and more accurate. 

5. Offer alternative fee arrangements 

Lawyers need to spend as much time as possible on activities that tangibly move the needle for their clients and firm: Interviewing witnesses, devising strategies with clients, poring over complex documents, and so on.

Yet all too often, they’re dragged into fee disputes. For example, a client might not be able to pay their legal fees, meaning their lawyer has to act as the go-between. Lawyers aren’t debt collectors or financial advisors. Needless to say, these discussions can be a never-ending distraction. 

The solution? Offer alternative fee arrangements. 

Consider that according to the 2021 Legal Trends Report, 78% of consumers say lawyers should adopt pricing and payment models to make legal services more affordable. Firms that offer alternative fee arrangements can meet clients in the middle, providing services they need at a cost they can bear. Best of all, lawyers will no longer be dragged into fee discussions that only add to their existing lawyer  stress levels.

6. Hire a paralegal to help with your workload 

Hiring a paralegal, or even a freelance paralegal, can help take some of the research and other administrative work off of lawyers’ plates. 

This is a lifeline for busy lawyers. Small firms might feel like lawyers should handle everything themselves to keep their operations as lean and agile as possible. However, this would be a mistake. After all, the more time lawyers spend on work that could be completed by a cheaper and less-skilled paralegal, the less time they can spend on client work. 

7. Find a legal mentor

Last but not least, lawyers should consider finding themselves a legal mentor. This should be someone you can trust to discuss their goals, cases, and problems with. As the adage goes, “A problem shared is a problem halved”. Legal mentors have been there and done it. They empathize with what their mentees are going through, and might’ve even been through the same challenges themselves. 

But empathy alone isn’t enough. Legal mentors can also offer some much-needed tips and advice on how you can reduce your lawyer stress levels. For example, outlining how to put up boundaries in the workplace, balance personal life with work life, delegate to junior colleagues, and so on. 

Final notes on lawyer stress levels 

Lawyers need to recognize that stress sometimes comes with the territory. However, that doesn’t mean they should simply accept it—or that there’s nothing they can do to improve their personal wellness.

Recognize when lawyer stress levels are high. If you’re feeling the pressure, try to pinpoint what’s making you feel that way. Express how you feel with others and recognize that you’re not alone. Ensure you work at a firm that shares your core values and beliefs—this will go a long way to keeping lawyer stress levels in check. Build on this by creating strong law firm processes which incorporate the latest legal technology. Offer clients alternative fee arrangements, hire paralegals, and find a mentor who you can speak to whenever you feel stressed. 

At the end of last year, I announced Clio’s vision for creating a centralized, cloud-based legal operating system. 

While legal practice management software is core to our business, we know you need more than just case management from Clio. In order to thrive, you need to be able to do more with your time. That’s why we’ve focused on expanding our product platform to seamlessly connect you to everything across your firm, clients, and cases. 

Six months since announcing our new product vision, we’ve built several enhancements that help you extend your abilities without extending yourself. 

Easier payment collection. We know that payments are the most frequent point of friction in attorney-client interactions—and managing them bears a heavy burden on firm operations, time, and revenue. That’s why we’ve built end-to-end payments into Clio Manage and included it as part of your existing subscription. You can now manage all things payments right from Clio:

• Accept payments with secure eCheck/ACH, credit cards, or debit cards 
• Use flexible payment plans to convert large bills into manageable installments
• Access your statements and transaction reports, so you don’t have to wait until the end of the month to know your processing costs
• Securely save your client’s payment information at any point in time—from when you’re intaking to when you’re invoicing
• Keep your trust accounts regulation-compliant and your client payment data protected with bank-grade security
• Pay a flat and simple transaction fee for all card types with no additional transaction or card network fees

Personalized billing. We understand that how you bill your clients has a direct impact on when and if you get paid. As such, we’ve enhanced our billing tools to include the ability to:

• Customize your sender email address to your own on outgoing bills
• Use new autofill fields—including client name, matter name, and invoice number—to personalize bill messages
• Select autofill fields, such as client first name, to populate in the subject line of your bill messages
• Share bills and outstanding balance notifications with a clearer, more intuitive workflow
• Generate bills exclusively for time entries or expenses 

More operational efficiency. Clio enables you to automate the critical day-to-day tasks of your business while enabling you to operate from your mobile devices, be in two places at once, or simply get time back to use as you want. In recent months, we’ve remained committed to improving your firm’s productivity through new capabilities:

• Securely create, access, edit, store, and collaborate on files and folders from the convenience of your desktop with Clio Drive
• File emails, attachments, and associated time from Outlook to Clio in just one step with our reimagined Outlook Add-In
• Easily toggle between Clio Grow and Clio Manage, sync contacts and matters from Clio Grow to Clio Manage with one click, and locate previously synced contact and matter records at-will
• Duplicate task lists, assign them from within a matter, and sort them alphabetically or by due date
• Stay on top of shifting court deadlines by updating an individual event date/time and selecting associated future events to recalculate in just a few clicks 
• Personalize your court rule scheduling with custom times and reminders
• Use Clio to sign up for and log in to third-party applications

Centralized client experiences. We know that effective communication and collaboration are key pillars in your ability to deliver stellar client experiences. To help you facilitate these pillars, we’ve added the ability to:

• Manage client communications, share documents, capture billable time, send secure messages, view firm-wide client communications, and more—from the new Clio for Clients portal
• Automatically deliver text message-based notifications and reminders to your clients (and yourself!) for scheduled events
• Enable push notifications on your Clio mobile app to get notified of new client messages in real-time
• Access Clio for Clients messages and documents in the app to avoid switching tools
• See when your clients have opened a document or viewed a message in Clio Manage
• Print a comprehensive PDF record of communications for saving or presenting to the court

We’ve also launched a HIPAA compliance offering to better serve the needs of firms practicing in personal injury, insurance defense, elder law, medical malpractice defense, and beyond. 

If any of these solutions are new to you, I encourage you to reach out to our support team, who are ready to help you learn this new functionality and create the best process and workflows to set your firm up for success today and into the future.

What’s next

In this next chapter, we will continue to innovate rapidly and provide you with the utmost value and support your firm deserves because we know if you are not in a position to thrive, we cannot transform the legal experience for all, together.

Sincerely,

Jack Newton

CEO and Founder of Clio

The legal industry is evolving rapidly for both attorneys and paralegals alike. And paralegal newsletters can help you keep a finger on the pulse. 

While paralegals traditionally focused on administrative matters, firms are increasingly employing automated tech solutions to handle these tasks. Therefore, paralegals are taking on increasingly complex tasks—and are generally finding new ways to be of value. 

But the ever-increasing pace of change can also be slightly daunting. With so much going on, it can be hard for paralegals to know where they stand. Could you be doing more within your firm? How are other paralegals helping their firm succeed, and could you follow suit? Which trends and regulations are redefining how paralegals operate?

Fortunately, there’s an easy way to stay informed: Signing up for  paralegal newsletters. You may even help compile and publish your own law firm newsletters, and by signing up to receive newsletters from external organizations, you can stay in-the-know and up-to-date with ease.

So without further delay, let’s dive into today’s top 11 paralegal newsletters, suitable for all types of paralegals.

The 11 best paralegal newsletters to help you stay informed 

The 11 paralegal newsletters we’ve handpicked below are fantastic resources, featuring insightful analysis and cutting-edge commentary. If you’re looking to stay one step ahead of the curve moving forward then you’ve come to the right place. 

The Paralegal Brief by the NALA

NALA—a non-profit organization that represents more than 12k+ paralegals—offers a ton of fantastic insights via its Paralegal Brief. Receive the latest industry updates and dive into topics ranging from what it’s like to be a paralegal to how to create a killer resume for your next move. 

With new articles appearing almost daily, The Paralegal Brief by the NALA is nothing if not fresh. Sign up for their newsletter to receive a carefully curated list of the site’s best content, straight into your inbox. 

The Paralegal Newsletter by the IOP

As the name suggests, the Institute of Paralegals (IOP) certainly knows its stuff. Their monthly newsletter features the IOP’s take on the latest major updates for each practice area of the law, as well as information on legal events and conferences, job vacancies, or community support groups.

If you’re looking to build a career as a paralegal, this newsletter is an unmissable resource. 

Your paralegal organization’s newsletters 

You might be unaware that many paralegal organizations have their own members-only newsletters. Paralegal organizations offer more than just paralegal newsletters. The membership benefits include: Fantastic networking opportunities, a strong sense of community, and they help their members fulfill their professional potential. What’s not to love? If you’re not sure of which paralegal organizations to join, contact your bar associations—they’ll be able to redirect you to the appropriate organizations. 

Clio’s blog newsletter 

Here at Clio, we often create content specifically for  paralegals. For example, check out this recent article explaining how to become a freelance paralegal, or, if you’re interviewing for a new position,  to give this post about the 10 most common paralegal interview questions a read. 

But don’t worry, you don’t need to check back in each week to stay up to date. Sign up for our newsletter to automatically receive our latest paralegal-specific content. 

Paralegal newsletters for aspiring paralegals 

Considering a career as a paralegal? If so, you can lean on newsletters for aspiring paralegals. For example, Emond, a publisher of paralegal studies books, produces an annual Paralegal Compass Newsletter. While only four pages long, it’s filled with words of wisdom from experienced paralegals, directs readers to fantastic resources where they can learn more about the profession, and provides bite-sized insights on the latest industry trends. 

However, note: Emond specifically produces books (and newsletters) for paralegals seeking to attain certification in Ontario, Canada. Bear this in mind if you’re planning on working in another jurisdiction. 

Practice-area specific paralegal newsletters 

Legal practice areas vary greatly, meaning one-size-fits-all newsletters might not provide a huge amount of value within your specific area of the law. Therefore, it’s worth also reviewing, and signing up for, practice-area specific newsletters. If you’re stuck for ideas, we recommend checking out the following. 

The National Law Review

The National Law Review is a fantastic resource for paralegals, offering a range of e-news bulletins that can be tailored by practice area. Sign up to their newsletter to stay aware of the latest benefits in your specific practice area. 

Family law paralegal newsletters

If you work in family law, both the Family Lawyer Magazine’s newsletter and the National Organization for Women’s (NOW) Family Law newsletter are brilliant resources.

The Family Lawyer Magazine is recognized as one of the US and Canada’s leading family law publications, boasting over 30,000 regular readers. Their newsletter features insights and commentary from some of the practice area’s most well-respected attorneys. Thus making it perfect for professionals at all stages of their career.

The NOW’s newsletter, meanwhile, outlines the latest news and information to affect mothers and children in family courts. Their paralegal newsletter is ideal for those working in firms that seek to protect women’s right to custody over their children (especially when dealing with abusive co-parents).

Criminal law paralegal newsletters

Paralegals in criminal law should consider subscribing to the Criminal Legal News’ dedicated newsletter, which provides breaking news and expert commentary on the latest issues affecting the practice area. Best of all, it goes out five days a week, allowing you to access new insights on a daily basis throughout the workweek. 

General paralegal newsletters 

If you’re a generalist paralegal or you’re open to working in different practice areas in the future, it’s worth keeping up with general news affecting the legal profession.

So, how can you do this? Well, you could start by signing up for the ABA Journal’s email newsletter. This weekly newsletter features news and analysis from across the legal spectrum, while you’ll also receive the ABA’s monthly roundup of the latest in LegalTech.

We also recommend Justisia Case Law’s daily email summaries of local verdicts by US state. While you might not have the bandwidth to read all the verdicts every single day, signing up to the newsletter is an easy way to stay informed and updated with minimal effort. 

Final notes on paralegal newsletters

By signing up for  paralegal newsletters, you can stay on top of the ever-changing legal industry with ease. You’ll better understand your practice area and your profession, so you’ll become better at what you do. It’s as simple as that. 

Of course, newsletters aren’t the be-all and end-all. Stay on top of the best legal blogs, or if you’re looking to take your learning to the next level and propel your firm forward, grab your copy of The Client-Centered Law Firm, the #1 bestseller. You won’t regret it. 

Law firms have come a long way from putting pen to paper. Today, law practice management software can help automate everything from client intake to billing. Many law firms are even automating document assembly with document automation software.

While document automation software might sound scary, it can be easily integrated in your practice, saves time, and reduces errors. Read on to learn more about document automation software and how it can benefit your law firm.

Document automation at a glance

Document automation software for law firms makes drafting documents easy. Law firms can either input existing templates or create templates for common types of documents — whether a standard retainer letter or a more complex contract or agreement. The document automation software will then fill in variable information (like dates, names, and clauses) that can change between clients and matters. 

But that’s not all — document automation software can even add/remove clauses in documents and correct subject-verb agreement to match the number of people referred to in the document. 

How law firms use document automation

Law firms can use document automation software in a number of ways. For example, document automation software can input names and contact information for standard letters. Whether you’re a civil litigation paralegal sending out countless document request letters or a family law attorney drafting a new retainer letter, document automation software can help you save time and money on routine letter-writing tasks. 

Document automation software is also valuable for longer, more complex legal document drafting. Take, for example, a will precedent. The attorney may need to add or remove clauses depending on whether the client has children. The subject-verb agreement also needs to be amended throughout the document depending on the number of parties referred to (e.g., if the client has one child or multiple children). As most attorneys and paralegals know, editing for subject-verb agreement and adding/removing clauses can take up lots of energy and time. 

This is where document automation software comes in. Instead of manually finding and replacing clauses, words, or phrases, you can tell the software what you need and it will create a document tailored to your needs. 

So, if there is one child, the document will read “The one child was…” instead of “the one children were…” or any other mistake. It’s nice not to have to go through each conditional section of the document to make sure it fits the specifics of your case.

Why law firms should consider document automation

Document automation software can benefit law firms in many ways. Below, we’ll cover some of the top reasons to use document automation software in your law firm. 

1. Document automation saves time

According to Lawyaw, the average law firm spends 20% of available hours on routine drafting. Document automation software can help your law firm save time by only entering information once and applying it to a variety of documents. 

By creating a template set (a group of similar documents you use for clients), the information will auto-populate and save you even more time. 

2. Document automation prevents errors

Humans make mistakes, and lawyers, paralegals, and other law firm employees are no different. Juggling different clients, matters, and tasks on a daily basis means that small errors can happen. You might misspell a client’s name (which, at best, won’t impress your client) or worse, make an error in a court filing. Document automation software helps lawyers and paralegals prevent errors by filling in the information associated with their client or matter automatically. 

3. Document automation empowers law firms

Every day, law firms lose time to delegation and oversight. Document automation software can provide all members of a law firm with access to templates designed by experienced lawyers, allowing anyone from associates to administrative assistants to focus on billable tasks without constant supervision. 

And, thanks to the centralization of the documents, it’s easier to collaborate on and review documents created by other members of your team—even if you’re all in different locations. You can access your documents any time, anywhere. 

4. Don’t sweat the small stuff 

Document automation software frees up time for attorneys and paralegals to focus on important or exciting tasks. By automating the bulk of legal drafting, you can spend more time focusing on exciting, big-picture issues instead of endless paperwork. It may even free up time for professional development and life outside of work.  

Attorneys and paralegals don’t go through years of study to spend their days reviewing standard letters. Whether you want to make a difference or focus on the intellectually-challenging aspects of your work, document automation software can help streamline your day. You can spend more time focusing on the work you were trained to do and better serving your clients with their legal matters. 

5. Access to accurate court precedents

Document automation solutions like Lawyaw provide you with access to thousands of up-to-date federal, state, and local forms. 

With document automation and templates, there’s no need to search for these documents online, convert them into a usable format, and fill them out yourself. Or worse, accidentally rely on an out-of-date form saved in your law firm’s database. These forms are accurate, up-to-date, and ready to be completed and filed. 

Common misconceptions about document automation

There are many benefits to using document automation software in your practice, but it’s also important to understand the common misconceptions about the technology. 

Robotic, generic templates

Generic documents have no place in automation or in a law firm—lawyers are expected to use their experience and expertise to help clients with their legal matters. A quality document automation solution will help law firms use their knowledge when creating templates, rather than handing over generic, pre-made templates created by people who don’t share your deep understanding of your clients and practice area. 

Document automation solutions like Lawyaw are built for lawyers by lawyers. Using software built by industry professionals who understand the needs of their profession ensures that the program works for your firm rather than making your job more confusing. 

Simple “find and replace” technology 

Most people who use Microsoft Word and other word processing software are familiar with “find and replace.” While this technique has its uses, it is not always user-friendly and can lead to inadvertent errors. For example, sometimes searching for “the” will inadvertently pick up other words that contain “the”, such as “their”, and incorrectly replace those portions of the word with another letter or word. With document automation software, the areas that have changed in a document can be highlighted in yellow, so that you know exactly what text has been replaced. 

Technical and complicated

The right document automation software will integrate seamlessly with existing legal technology. While some setup and customization is necessary to ensure the software meets your practice needs, it is overall intuitive and easy to use. With Clio’s Lawyaw integration, you can import templates and automatically populate and assemble document sets with contact and matter information from your Clio account. 

Document automation for your law firm 

Document automation software helps law firms streamline routine tasks and focus their attention on more important matters while maintaining control and accuracy over documents. While implementing new technologies and processes can be daunting for law firms, the right software integration will make the transition much less challenging. Moreover, the overall benefit for law firms and their clients is undeniable. No matter what area of law you practice in, adopting a document automation software solution can help save time, avoid errors, and improve profitability.

With all the promise of modern-day payment processing for law firms, one issue continues to rear its ugly head — payment chargebacks. A chargeback occurs when a payment is returned to a client’s debit or credit card due to a payment dispute. While accepting card payments from clients is a worthwhile practice for law firms, the threat of chargebacks will always be looming.

Your firm must be prepared to handle chargebacks when they occur. This includes understanding why a legal client might request a chargeback in the first place. You also need to understand the process, including how your law firm can respond and dispute the chargeback. And for legal practices using Clio Manage for billing and payment management, we explain how Clio Payments is a built-in option that works with your firm to handle the chargeback process.

What is a chargeback?

A chargeback is a debit or credit card payment that is reversed by the cardholder’s bank when the cardholder disputes the charge. The bank “charges back” the amount of the disputed payment to the merchant or service provider. In the context of payments for legal services, the money is returned to the client without the law firm’s approval. The firm then has a limited amount of time to challenge the payment dispute and fight the chargeback.

Why might a legal client request a chargeback? 

For merchants and non-legal service providers, their customers file chargeback requests for several reasons. The customer may not recognize the transaction and suspect it is fraudulent. They may not be satisfied with the goods or services provided. Alternatively, the customer may simply be making a bad-faith effort to obtain goods or services free of charge.

As for legal clients, their reasons for chargeback requests are similar. It is possible they simply do not recognize your firm’s charge, which is an easily resolved dispute. However, they may simply be dissatisfied with the legal services they received or the amount charged. Areas where this issue often arises include prepaid consultations or flat fees that are paid upfront.

What happens when a chargeback is requested

Broadly speaking, the chargeback process has two main phases — (1) the client’s initiation of the chargeback and (2) the firm’s opportunity to challenge the payment reversal.

Client initiation of the chargeback

The chargeback process begins when a legal client disputes the validity of a payment they made using a credit or debit card. For Clio Manage customers, these accepted cards include American Express, Visa and Mastercard. The chargeback initiation results in the funds being returned to the client immediately. The burden is then on the law firm to prove the payment was legitimate and the chargeback should be reversed. 

The issuing bank will assign a reason code to the chargeback, based on the client’s reason for disputing the charge. Each of the major card carriers has a different set of standardized reason codes. For example, the American Express reason code AO1 signifies “Charge Amount Exceeds Authorization Amount.” Each reason code comes with different types of required evidence and standards of proof. 

It’s important to remember that chargebacks are administered by the debit and credit card networks, and anyone using those networks is obligated to follow their rules. For law firms using Clio Manage, this means that Clio must follow those network rules when the client requests a chargeback. Only the firm’s client can initiate a chargeback, not Clio.

Differences from eCheck returns

Another key point is that a chargeback is not the same as an eCheck return. Electronic checks (eChecks) are electronic transfers of funds between bank accounts and another form of payment facilitated by Clio Payments.

Unlike chargebacks, eCheck returns are not disputed or charged back to the firm. Instead, the funds are simply returned to the client. eCheck returns are generally done with transactions that are not authorized or have incomplete information. Since eCheck reversals cannot be challenged by the firm, the firm will have to directly contact the client to resolve the issue. 

Challenging the client’s chargeback

Once a client initiates a chargeback, a law firm may either accept the chargeback or fight it through the process of representment. In representment, the firm submits evidence to the “issuing bank” — the bank that issued the credit card —  that the transaction was valid and the chargeback claim should be overturned. The issuing bank then reviews the evidence and makes a decision. If the decision is in favor of the law firm, the funds will be returned. Accordingly, the law firm needs to submit the strongest evidence possible in order to prevail.

For firms that are Clio Manage customers, Clio’s Payment Operations department will contact them if they receive a chargeback and offer assistance  in disputing it. The time limit for the firm to respond to the chargeback will vary depending on the card network and the reason code.

The chargeback process at Clio—7 simple steps 

For law firms using Clio Manage, the chargeback process follows the simple steps outlined below.

1. The client contacts their bank 

First, the firm’s client contacts the issuing bank to initiate a chargeback for the firm’s disputed charge. The issuing bank selects the relevant reason code based on the client’s stated reasons.

2. Clio is made aware of the chargeback 

Clio is then notified of the chargeback, along with the reason code. Following the card network rules, Clio withdraws the funds from the firm’s account and returns them to the client, while also charging the firm a $15 dispute fee. 

Clio also sends an automated email to the firm with the details of the chargeback. The email includes a button that will direct the firm to a page where they can begin the process of responding to the claim. In addition, Clio’s Payments Operations department will send a manual email to the firm, and call them, offering assistance in preparing responsive evidence.

3. Clio and the customer respond within a defined period

The firm has a limited amount of time to respond to the chargeback dispute – generally 7-21 days, with 10 days being typical. If the firm fails to respond, the dispute is forfeited by the firm and the chargeback is finalized. Accordingly, Payment Operations will send follow-up emails to the firm during this time period if no response is received. If the firm responds and states they wish to dispute the chargeback, Payment Operations will help the firm prepare evidence and advise them on what to submit. 

Some best practices for chargeback responses include providing clear, accurate and relevant evidence. The firm should provide proof of the client’s authorization of the charge, as well as proof the legal services charged for were actually rendered. Firms should also furnish a copy of the firm’s terms of service as they were presented to the client.

4. If the chargeback is not disputed

If the firm fails to dispute the chargeback within the defined time period, the chargeback is considered lost and the process ends. The firm also has the option of simply accepting the chargeback, which finalizes the chargeback and leaves the funds with the client.

5. If the chargeback is disputed 

If the firm disputes the chargeback within the time limit and provides supporting evidence, the issuing bank will review the firm’s response. The typical review time for the bank is 30 days. 

The firm may always contact the client to attempt to understand their complaint. The firm may be able to resolve the dispute and ask the client to withdraw the chargeback. However, client withdrawal of chargebacks is relatively rare.

6. The issuing bank then makes a decision

The issuing bank will then make a decision on the dispute, which will fall into one of these three categories:

Firm wins: If the bank rules in favor of the firm, then the money is returned to the firm and the process ends. Clio will also return the $15 dispute fee. 

Client wins: If the bank rules in favor of the client, the chargeback stands and no money is returned to the firm.

Partial refund: The bank could also partially refund the firm’s client, resulting in part of the payment being debited from the firm’s account as a partial chargeback.

7. If the chargeback is lost, Clio can arbitrate the chargeback with the network 

If the firm loses the chargeback, it has the option of proceeding to arbitration with the card network, where the network will review the case and issue a judgment. Due to the time and expense associated with arbitration, it is generally reserved for large amounts where the firm has a high probability of winning.

Final notes on chargebacks 

Law firms can be prepared for client chargebacks by knowing how to effectively respond. If your firm is a Clio Manage customer, Clio will help you respond to the dispute and provide the best evidence possible. Chargebacks may be a hassle, but they’re a solvable challenge and should not dissuade your firm from accepting debit and credit card payments.

According to the 2021 Legal Trends Report, the ability to accept online payments has become a standard feature legal clients are looking for. With the tools that facilitate these payments becoming increasingly ubiquitous across the legal sector, it’s important to understand the important differences between payment processors. Not all third-party processors offer integrations with practice management software. Not to mention the charges incurred for accepting payments can also vary significantly. 

Legal payment processing software like Clio Payments makes it easy to pay and get paid by streamlining the payment process. Your clients can pay electronically using a credit card, debit card, or eCheck, getting you paid faster. 

What is a payment processor?

Legal payment processors allow lawyers to accept credit and debit card payments. When a client presents their card to pay a bill, the payment processing software contacts the card issuer to verify whether the card is valid. If there is enough available credit (or cash in the checking account) to cover the cost of the transaction, then it proceeds and the payee receives a receipt of the payment. 

Electronic funds transfers (EFT) or eChecks are similar to a paper check, and work by promising to pay a specified amount from a connected checking account. Unlike a paper check, eChecks are processed electronically through the automated clearing house (ACH) network using a payment processing software solution. 

In addition to providing clients credit, debit, and eCheck/ACH online payment options, firms using a legal payment processing solution can offer flexible payment plans, accept trust payments, and be confident that they’re compliant with trust accounting rules. 

Online payment systems also enable passive bill collection. This feature allows legal clients to pay remotely at their convenience, and removes the need for someone at the law firm to be physically present to process the payments. 

Picking the right payment processor

Collecting payment for the work you do is integral to the success of your business, so, choosing the right legal payment processor is critical. For lawyers, this means ensuring that you choose a payment processor that is not only safe and secure, but also handles IOLTA (interest on lawyers’ trust accounts) trust compliance. 

Maintaining IOLTA trust compliance is imperative since you must keep earned and unearned funds separate in accordance with trust accounting rules. Accordingly, the legal payment processing software you use must accept client trust payments and retainers and keep them separate from your firm’s operating funds. The trust account should also be protected from all third-party debiting, including processing fees and chargebacks.

The cost of your payment processing solution is another important factor to consider. Enabling your clients to pay their bills is the lifeblood of your firm’s success, and the cost of collecting these payments can add up over time. Even small differences in the fees that processors charge can have a major impact on your bottom line. 

Find the best legal payment processing provider—4 steps

1. Understand the different types of fees

Multiple fees are often accompany every transaction process. Per-transaction fees for credit cards are typically 1.5-3.5% of the transaction, though some cards may charge higher fees. Fees for eCheck/ACH transactions are typically lower, and may be up to 1.5%. Monthly fees will vary between providers, so ensure you factor this cost in when making your decision. 

2. Avoid using a processor which charges extra fees

Some cards will charge an additional fee on top of per-transaction and monthly fees. These might be charges for processing minimum penalties or for having additional trust accounts. PCI compliance may also incur additional fees from some providers. 

To avoid the cost of a payment processor holding you back, you should compare pricing plans between providers. This will support you getting the best return on your investment and avoid being locked into expensive plans. Since multiple fees are often involved, look for legal payment processing tools that offer full transparency. That way, you can make the best decision for your firm. 

As a baseline, expect any credit card transaction fees to be between 1 and 3.5% of the transaction. Though some cards will have higher rates. eCheck/ACH fees are typically lower (up to 1.5%). 

3. Look for simple, transparent pricing plans

With all the possible fee variations, it’s helpful to look for legal payment processing providers with transparent pricing plans. Clio’s plans are straightforward since you pay one flat and simple rate regardless of the card your clients choose to pay with, making it easy to compare against other plans. If a pricing plan seems convoluted, it’s probably best to avoid that provider. This will help ensure you’re not hit with unexpected or hidden fees. 

4. Ask questions

The choice of a legal payment processing provider is a major decision. It’s one that will impact your business well into the future. As you go through the process of selecting a tool, ask lots of questions. This will ensure you understand what you are—and aren’t—getting. 

Does the payment processor in question integrate with your legal practice management software? Does it allow for pricing plans and trust accounting? Do you feel assured this solution is safe and secure for your clients? These are all important questions for legal professionals to ask when choosing a provider. 

Getting out of a plan with hidden fees

If you find yourself using a legal payment processing solution that’s costing you more than you expected, you can switch to Clio Payments quickly and easily. You can set up your account and start accepting payments in minutes, ensuring there’s no interruption in your firm’s operations. Book a consultation now to learn more.

Thinking about becoming a lawyer? If so, great—but make sure you’re aware of what the job entails before you jump in with both feet and start working for a law firm.

On the positive side, it’s a highly-respected field. The World Economic Forum reports it’s the world’s second-most respected profession after being a doctor. This should come as no surprise. Lawyers are renowned for being high-performing, intellectually outstanding, and hardworking individuals—often with a hefty pay packet to match.

But there’s another side of the coin. While lawyers might benefit from having an elite reputation and plenty of cash in the bank, it can also be incredibly stressful. Many attorneys grapple with long hours, difficult clients, and ever-increasing demands daily.

This blog takes a deep dive into how stressful being a lawyer really is. It explains the importance of where lawyers work, outlines which lawyers are happiest, and offers up some tips on how to find a legal job without sacrificing your wellbeing.

Where you work is important 

Unfortunately, there’s generally a tradeoff between the amount of stress you’re willing to take on, and your income. 

Corporate law

Corporate lawyers, for example, earn an average base salary of $137,424. Note: that’s only their base pay. They can also receive performance-related bonuses as well as bonuses up to $75,000 for referring successful candidates.

Yet working for a corporate law firm is anything but a breeze. Yes, they’re paid eye-watering sums by their clients—but this comes with the expectation that attorneys will always go the extra mile and will be available around the clock. Unsurprisingly, there are countless stories of corporate lawyers turning their back on the sector due to stress and burnout. 

Litigation 

Litigators are in a similar boat. This is an incredibly stressful practice area where cases can drag on for months, sometimes even years. And according to Yuriy Moshes, Founder of Moshes Law, P.C., “Litigation attorneys necessarily work with very difficult people for a living; people who will refuse to give an inch unless they are allowed to take a mile in return.”

Therefore, while litigators are on their clients’ sides, they’re also in the line of fire if things don’t go as planned. Given the high stakes and intense stress, litigators’ average base salary is $100,962.

Fortunately, not all practice areas are quite as stressful. In other words, there is a way to have your cake and eat it too—practicing law while keeping stress at bay.

Estate planning

Take estate planning, for example. Estate planners don’t need to spend all night responding to urgent requests or strategizing based on a new development in their case. They work fewer hours than litigators or corporate lawyers, so are generally less stressed. Of course, this reduces their pay packet—estate planning attorneys earn an average salary of $63,042 – $77,886.

Likewise, lawyers engaged in public-interest work demonstrate greater levels of satisfaction than those in private practice—though they’re paid significantly less. And then there’s animal law attorneys who generally prioritize mission over money, which is fortunate when you consider their average salary is $47,000.

But we know what you’re thinking: What’s the best tradeoff between stress and income? Which lawyers earn a decent salary without excess stress?

Intellectual property law

While there’s no exact answer, intellectual property lawyers seem to benefit from the best of both worlds. Our 2021 Legal Trends Report shows intellectual property lawyers had the joint-highest average billing rate by practice area, $362, in 2021. Despite this often being cited as one of the least stressful practice areas.

Interestingly, however, the stress lawyers feel might be down to their firm’s size and not specialty, with research suggesting lawyers working for mid-sized firms feel the least stressed. Biglaw is notorious for its “always on” culture, while smaller firms often suffer from a lack of additional resources—meaning lawyers may have to handle their own administrative duties.

If you’re considering a career in law then bear in mind the saying, “Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life”. Pick a practice area that you’re truly passionate about and if you’re worried about stress, work for a mid-sized firm. There might still be late nights and hectic schedules—but if you love what you do, you won’t be nearly as stressed as someone who’s only in it for the money or prestige.  

Who are the happiest lawyers?

Studies show lawyers in public-interest jobs are happiest, despite generally being paid less than their private counterparts. Their work is meaningful, impactful, and they usually have more control over their work than those working in private practice. 

How to find a job in the legal profession without sacrificing your wellbeing 

By keeping the following points in mind, lawyers can forge a successful career without sacrificing their personal wellbeing. 

Find a practice area that interests you

It’s difficult to fully engage in an area that doesn’t interest you. Consider the fact that some lawyers work up to 14 hours per day (including weekends). There’s only so long you can spend 70 hours per week doing something you don’t care about. Soon enough, you’ll become disillusioned, and you might even drop out of the profession altogether. 

Play the long game by building a career centered around your interests. You’ll learn more, perform better, and derive greater satisfaction from your work. 

Work at a law firm that’s a good culture fit 

Law firm culture might seem like a slightly intangible, or even wooly, concept. Generally speaking, however, it encompasses “core values, communication norms, time and output expectations of lawyers, career development opportunities, social connections between colleagues, and approach to decision making”. 

While culture might be hard to define or measure, it plays a definitive role in a firm’s success—and contributes to how attorneys feel.

If you don’t fit in with your firm’s culture then you might not get along with your colleagues or clients, agree with the firm’s approach, or you may find it harder to progress at the firm. 

However, by choosing a firm that’s a good culture fit, you’ll likely feel more engaged and valued. You might be more prone to working long hours when needed and step in to support colleagues if necessary. You’ll genuinely care about your individual work, as well as your firm’s overall performance. Indeed, recent studies show that dynamic law firms—those that have built market-leading growth—boast collaborative cultures that get the most out of their people. 

Have realistic expectations about work hours and pay

Millennials and Gen-Z are less accepting of burnout-inducing cultures, as demonstrated by the sheer number of people who have quit their jobs during The Great Resignation. However, just because work-life balance is a growing trend among some industries doesn’t mean it also applies to all legal practice areas. Unfortunately, working in Biglaw for multinational corporations will never be an easy-breezy nine-to-five.

Be realistic about how hard you’ll have to work before you apply for a job at a law firm. If you don’t fancy the idea of regularly burning the midnight oil, consider taking on a less stressful (albeit, likely lower-paid) position. For example, working for the government. 

Likewise, be realistic about your pay. Sure—some recent graduates are starting on huge salaries amid a historic labor shortage—but that doesn’t mean you’ll be earning millions straight out of college. Understand you will still have to put in the grunt work before you can buy yourself a condo on the beach.

If you’re interviewing at a firm, be upfront and ask them what they expect from their attorneys. If they emphasize the first few years are a slog with not much pay to show for it, then maybe it’s not the right place for you. Or, perhaps you decide to grind it out. Whichever road you decide to take, asking questions allows you to make an informed decision. 

Find a mentor to help guide you

Legal mentors are an invaluable resource, passing their guidance, experience, and advice to their mentees. Attorneys can benefit from what their mentor has learned from decades of working in the same field. This allows mentees to rapidly acquire new skills, set more appropriate goals, and ignite  productive career development.

Plus, mentorship also increases employee engagement. 91% of employees with mentors are happy with their jobs, while 4 in 10 workers without a mentor considered quitting their jobs in the past three months. Interestingly, while 57% of attorneys say mentorship has suffered at their firm since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, those with a mentor value them highly—72% of millennial attorneys say an informal mentor has played a significant or crucial role in their career.

But mentorship isn’t just about finding the right person to learn from—you have to cultivate a long-term, often mutually beneficial relationship with them. You can do this by asking targeted questions that get to the heart of their experiences, setting goals for what you hope to achieve from the relationship, and always respecting their time. 

Have a backup career plan

Even if you gain a JD, you don’t have to work at a law firm—at least, not if you don’t want to. 

You could go in-house at a company, learning more about a specific industry putting your skills to good use without the constant pressure to increase your billable hours. Or you couldenter public-interest instead, working for the government, advocacy groups, or even charities. 

Law graduates can even turn away from the profession entirely, pivoting into a career in management consulting, banking, or politics. If you’ve acquired a law degree, you’re clearly smart, well-organized, and hardworking. These skills easily transfer to a myriad of sectors and roles. 

Afterall, which industries wouldn’t want these types of employees?

Have a long-term goal in mind for your career

Long-term goals give lawyers a sense of purpose. They can align how they spend their days, weeks, and years with what they ultimately want to achieve from life. This makes it far easier to battle through 80-hour workweeks and stressful clients. To quote Victor Frankl, “He, who has a why to live for, can bear with almost any how.”

Studies show that people who set goals are mo​​re motivated and have higher self-esteem, self-confidence, and autonomy than those who don’t. Plus, they allegedly earn as much as 10X more than their peers.

But goal-setting is perhaps more about the journey than the destination. Setting goals makes you evaluate what’s truly important in life, whether that’s prestige, money, integrity, making the world a better place, or maximizing your potential. You can use this lens to fuel your decision-making, creating a future tailored toward your particular strengths and inclinations.  

Know that being a lawyer isn’t for everyone 

What if you have interest in the legal sector but don’t think of yourself as a lawyer? Fortunately, there are still plenty of ways to make a valuable contribution within the legal industry.

Perhaps you’re well suited for working as a paralegal, a legal administrative role, or, you could instead work as a law firm accountant, personal assistant/secretary, legal SEO writer, performance coach, or legal journalist. 

In conclusion: Is being a lawyer stressful?

Ultimately, the amount of stress you take on as a lawyer is entirely up to you. Working in high-powered practice areas for reputable firms is undoubtedly stressful—but it’s incredibly well-paid. On the other hand, working in public-interest is less profitable, though it allows attorneys to do their bit for society while minimizing stress.

Would-be lawyers must understand themselves before they dive in and forge a career as a lawyer. Do you cope well under pressure? Does stress bring the best out of you or make your life miserable? Do you like daily challenges, or would you rather leave work behind when you walk out the office?

Take the time to consider who you are and how you’d like to spend your life. Then, follow a legal career path that suits your specific interests and idiosyncrasies. 

Since law school is such a demanding environment,  it makes sense to examine the mental toll on law students. Unfortunately, law student mental health statistics paint a somber picture. Statistically, many law students are at risk of suffering from mental health and substance abuse problems. Since practicing attorneys are already prone to poor mental health, it’s not encouraging that the next generation of lawyers is already facing these same challenges.

Here we focus on six law student mental health statistics that highlight the extent of the problem. In addition, we look at how legal professionals can support law students in their quest for better mental wellbeing. As with attorneys, law students can better manage their mental health with the right strategies and support.

1. Over the course of law school, law student depression rates increase from under 10% to 40%

According to the Dave Nee Foundation, rates of depression among law students increase progressively over the course of law school. Prior to entering law school, depression rates among law students are 8-9%. Those rates increase to 27% after one semester, 34% after two semesters, and 40% after three years.

Why are so many law students depressed? One factor is the emphasis on class rankings and landing prestigious spots in legal journals. This creates a Darwinian environment of constant competition. In addition, there are many elements of law school that differ from the typical undergraduate experience, such as public speaking, the Socratic teaching method, and a unique style of writing and analysis. All of this adds up to psychological distress, which often includes depression.

This tendency toward depression appears to follow many graduates into their practice years. Attorneys are the most frequently depressed occupational group in the U.S., and attorneys are 3.6 times more likely to suffer from depression than non-attorneys. To solve this problem, the legal industry needs to start with the initial training grounds of legal education.

An initial step for law students is to recognize the signs of depression, which share much in common with the signs of lawyer depression. These include both emotional symptoms, such as lack of joy and a sense of emptiness, and physical symptoms, such as insomnia and chronic fatigue. They can also look to mental health resources such as those provided by the ABA for Law Students. 

2. 96% of law students suffer from significant stress, compared to 70% of med students and 43% of grad students overall

Law school appears to be a uniquely stressful experience compared to other forms of post-graduate schooling. This can be seen by the high levels of stress reported by law students. Specifically, 96% of law students suffer from significant stress, compared to only 70% of medical students and 43% of graduate students in all fields. 

Stress and anxiety continue to dog attorneys throughout their working years. A 2020 study found that roughly half of practicing lawyers are experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression. Both law students and lawyers require methods of managing stress. While attorneys may be able to save time and minimize stress with the use of technology, students will likely need other strategies.

Fortunately, there are plenty of healthy ways to deal with law school stress, such as taking short breaks and prioritizing sleep, diet, and exercise. The ABA’s mental health toolkit for law students lists various strategies as well, ranging from healthy ways to cope with stress to managing panic attacks. And law students can follow steps to improve mental wellness that work for lawyers, such as adopting healthy mindsets and avoiding multitasking.

3. 42% of law students in a 2016 study felt they needed mental health counseling, but only half sought it out

A major impediment to law student mental health is the widespread reluctance to seek out professional assistance. A 2016 study by LawyerWellBeing.net found that 42% of law students believed they needed counseling for mental health issues. However, only half of these students sought assistance from a mental health professional.

This trend is more than likely to feed into the stigma surrounding mental health in the legal industry.  Although mental illness and substance abuse are prevalent in the profession, oftentimes,  lawyers and other legal professionals are afraid to seek help. The common beliefs are that lawyers should simply “suck it up”. Law students might feel pressure to subscribe to this same narrative.

The mental illness stigma must be broken for law students and practicing legal professionals. Fortunately, there are mental health programs and resources provided by law schools, which are becoming increasingly common.

4. 25% of law students in a 2014 study were at risk for alcoholism

With all the mental health challenges faced by law students, it’s no surprise substance abuse is a common issue. A 2014 survey of law student well-being, conducted among 3,300 students at 15 schools, found that 25% of law students were at risk for alcoholism. This correlates with the study’s other findings on alcohol consumption — 43% of students reported binge drinking at least once in the prior two weeks, with 22% binge drinking at least twice in that same time period.

Predictably, substance abuse issues carry over when law students graduate and begin practicing. One 2016 study found that approximately 20% of U.S. lawyers engaged in a hazardous level of drinking. 

Law students can look for supportive resources pertaining to substance abuse. This includes the national helpline provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

5. 6% of law students reported suicidal thoughts in the prior year

Suicidal ideation is one of the most dangerous aspects of poor mental health. The same 2014 law student survey referenced above found that 21% of students reported serious thoughts of suicide in their lifetimes, with 6% reporting suicidal thoughts in the previous year. 

As with other mental health issues, this tendency toward suicidal ideation spills into the legal profession as a whole. Among the occupations with the highest rates of suicide, attorneys rank 5th. 

The trend toward suicidal ideation needs to be addressed at the law school level. The suicide prevention resources provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline are resources law students should utilize.

6. 20-40% of law students have a psychological dysfunction after law school

Another statistic demonstrates the mental health impact on law students over the course of their legal studies. Coming into law school, law students have a psychological profile similar to the general public. But after graduation, 20-40% of these students suffer from a psychological dysfunction. 

Unsurprisingly, practicing attorneys exhibit mental health problems as well—with 28% of lawyers suffering from depression, 19% from severe anxiety, and 11% from suicidal thoughts in the previous year. These issues are major contributing factors to lawyer burnout.

Both law students and lawyers can look to various mental health resources, including those discussed above. Law students stand to gain from the same methods used by attorneys dealing with wellness and mental health, including self-management and the practice of mindfulness.

How legal professionals can support law students

While many legal professionals can relate to the struggles of law students, there are ways they can break this cycle of poor mental health. They can help support law students and nurture the mental wellbeing of the next generation of lawyers. The following are a few strategies for doing so.

Become a mentor 

Legal professionals can provide direct assistance by becoming mentors to law students. Mentorship provides numerous benefits for law students, including assistance with career goals, job searches, and the business realities of the profession. Not only will this help students with their careers, it will provide the emotional support they need to get through their legal studies in good psychological health. 

Search for mentorship programs with your local law school, bar association, or legal organization, such as the California Lawyers Association.

Speak at your old law school 

Another option for legal professionals is to speak openly about mental health at your alma mater. This will go a long way toward helping to remove the stigma associated with mental illness, both in law school, the legal industry, and society wide. If public speaking isn’t your forte, consider participating in an interview with the school, which can then be posted on a blog, social media, or a law school publication.

Push for more resources 

You can also ask your alumni association or local bar for more mental health resources for law students. For encouragement on this route, look at the recently passed Illinois law on mental health days for students, allowing five excused mental health days per school year for students. If we recognize the need for good mental health among pre-college students, surely we can see it as vital for law students too.

Final thoughts on law student mental health statistics 

It’s important to remember that law student mental health statistics are more than just numbers on a page. These statistics represent law students suffering and sacrificing their mental health for the sake of an education. This is why law students and legal professionals need to prioritize their mental health, combat the mental illness stigma, and give society what it truly needs—a legal industry full of well-balanced attorneys with healthy mindsets.

You’ve likely heard of Slack—the instant messaging behemoth that has redefined workplace communication, saving employees worldwide from navigating their cluttered email inboxes. 

So, how exactly does Slack for lawyers work?

Businesses sign up for a plan before asking employees to download the Slack app and create an account. Employees can then use the app to private message each other, create shared channels with select colleagues, grab someone’s attention with an “@,” share company/team-wide updates, or offer feedback on an idea with a suitable emoji. Oh, and they’ve got some killer GIFS too (if you’re into that kind of thing).

While innovative tech startups were the first to adopt Slack, businesses across all sectors are now beginning to understand its value. And yes, that’s right—even law firms. 

Let’s dig into how Slack for lawyers can help firms save time and stay organized, increasing productivity, aiding client communication, automating workflows, and supporting legal research.

How Slack for lawyers can increase productivity 

Instant collaboration tools like Slack for lawyers and other enterprise social networking and chatting software provide impressive productivity benefits, especially when firms work remotely. McKinsey estimates that “digital collaboration has the potential to unlock more than $100 billion in value—thanks in part to productivity boosts of 20 to 30 percent in collaboration-intensive work processes…”

According to Slack’s figures, their tool enables organizations to:

1. Bring products to market 23% faster
2. Reduce email usage by 32%
3. Reduce meetings by 23%

Consider that lawyers spend approximately 66% of their day dealing with emails. Reducing this figure by 32% (as per the above figure) amounts to a couple of hours each day. In other words, by implementing Slack, attorneys can spend more time on billable activities. According to the 2021 Legal Trends Report, lawyers only spend an average of 31% of their 8-hour workday—around 2.5 hours on billable work. Using Slack for lawyers can significantly increase their average billable hours per day.

But how exactly does Slack make attorneys more productive? For example, instead of emailing a client to schedule a meeting about the latest update to their case, attorneys can Slack them the relevant information in a private channel. With Slack for lawyers, a three-step process (send email, schedule meeting, conduct meeting) turns into a single, swift task. 

Plus, using Slack’s search feature is easier than sifting through endless email chains. Lawyers can more easily find what they’re looking for—meaning they will not have to waste precious time scrolling through lengthy email correspondences.  

Generally speaking, we can split Slack’s productivity benefits into two main categories: centralized communications and easier communications management. Let’s dig into these two areas of Slack for lawyers in more detail. 

Centralized communications

Attorneys are known to work long, stressful hours, but this doesn’t mean they’re always working on their own with their heads down.  

Most of a lawyer’s work relies on collaboration—with their colleagues, clients, outside counsel, witnesses, and any other stakeholders. Some of this might happen via email, text, or in person. This collaboration may also occur over the phone. 

The problem with fragmented communication across multiple channels is that key messages can often slip through the cracks. Attorneys can’t gain a single view of all back-and-forth discussion relating to a single matter. Instead, they need to piece together disparate messages from various sources. 

Slack for lawyers provides firms with an all-in-one communications hub. By adopting Slack (and redirecting all communications to the platform), firms can keep everything in one place. Firms can also create shared channels using Slack Connect to unite external and internal parties seamlessly. 

For example, Slack’s internal legal team uses a private channel for each new patent matter. For example, Slack created a private #patent-invention-name channel for each new patent matter where inventors, in-house counsel, and outside counsel collaborate to draft and file a patent application.”

This ensures everybody is on the same page at all times, which aids effective, rapid decision-making. As Libby Zinke, Partner, Lee and Hayes comments, “With shared channels, we are able to view relevant information associated with the legal matters we handle for Slack in a centralized location, which gives us the ability to make informed decisions quickly and to involve relevant parties as needed, without extensive email dialogue.”

More effective communications management 

By centralizing their communications, firms can better manage how they communicate. They can convey their message more effectively, update stakeholders more easily, and progress matters more quickly than before. 

Firms can use Slack’s privacy settings to manage which attorneys or staff members may join the channel. Those who are added later can easily skim through the conversation history, get up to speed with what’s been said, and view any high-priority documents or conversations.

Firms can also follow in the Slack legal team’s footsteps, creating private channels for sensitive matters. For example, the Slack legal team has their own #litigation-plaintiff-v-defendant, #law-firm-client, and #law-firm-client-weekly-sync channels. They use these channels to devise case strategies, coordinate on discovery, collaborate on pleadings, prepare for hearings, add relevant experts, etc.

In other words, Slack relies on these channels to run their legal team. 

Lawyers can use Slack for client communication 

While firms generally use Slack for internal communications, they can also use the tool to chat with clients. However, given that Slack’s a workplace tool, this is probably best for firms dealing with businesses and not individuals. In other words, when handling cases relating to mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property, corporate law, employment law, etc. 

Slack Connect makes it easy for law firms to connect their and their clients’ Slack accounts. Then, instead of sending yet another message to lengthy email chains with mind-numbing subject lines like FW: FW in re: Out of office – Re. Client Matter – URGENT”, attorneys can grab their client’s attention with an @—either in a private message or a shared channel. 

Slack for lawyers can be used to automate workflows 

You may have thought that Slack for lawyers is just a communications tool. But Slack is far more than that. For example, Slack’s new Workflow Builder allows firms to automate key processes, such as fielding requests or collecting project updates. 

If you need to review your firm’s marketing materials before they go live and ensure you don’t use any language that would land your firm in trouble. However, coordinating between marketers and busy lawyers is far from easy. Well, traditionally, it hasn’t been—up until now. 

Using Slack’s Workflow Builder, you could simply build out the workflow, fill out the form below, and the intended recipient will receive an automated message outlining common legal issues that are usually flagged in your firm’s marketing communications. 

An example of Slack’s Workflow Builder’s Review Form.

Once the reviewer has looked at the marketing materials in question, they can leave an emoji to signal that it’s good to go. Or if it needs to be tweaked, they can leave a comment saying what needs to change and why.

Slack for lawyers supports eDiscovery 

Look, we know what you might be thinking—does Slack for lawyers cover firms from a legal perspective? Can you pull all communications from Slack into a single place to cover your legal requirements? Startups might have the luxury to “move fast and break things”—but law firms need to adhere to rules of their specific jurisdictions. 

In one word: yes. Slack’s Discovery API allows firms to pull all messages and files from Slack before storing this information in a third-party data warehouse. What’s more, they integrate directly with a range of third-party eDiscovery and DLP partners, making this process as easy and efficient as possible.

So, Slack for lawyers is ideal for eDiscovery purposes. 

Slack’s LegalBot tool helps law firms 

While some have suggested that robots are “coming for lawyers,” this isn’t exactly true. Robots are, however, coming to help lawyers out.

Lawyers have to juggle many responsibilities simultaneously. They can’t always remember to chase a certain party about a minor detail, like reviewing a document or getting clients/colleagues to sign a particular document. 

And even if they did remember all these tiny details, is that really how lawyers should be spending their time? Certainly not.

Fortunately, this is where Slack’s LegalBot tool can help. It sends out automated follow-ups, reminding people of their outstanding legal tasks—and allowing lawyers to focus their precious time and energy on what really matters. 

Slack uses this bot internally, integrating with Workday to ensure the right departments and employees receive the right messages at the right times. If someone doesn’t take action, LegalBot escalates the issue to their managers. 

The result? A 99% increase in completion rate within a week of launch. 

Slack for lawyers can be used for legal research 

Lastly, attorneys can use Slack to automate and expedite the legal research process. Slack for lawyers integrates with various external web apps and services, such as RSS feeds. This means that firms can automatically stay on top of the latest changes as precedent develops without doing their own time-consuming digging. 

Firms get started by generating a case citator RSS feed, but it’s important to remember to sort the results by putting the most recent result first. Then, they create a Slack room for the precedent. Finally, they insert the RSS feed results page’s URL into the Slack room’s Feed URL. Sorted!

The next time the RSS feed finds a new case that affects this specific precedent, firms will receive an automatic notification from Slack that looks like the image below. They can investigate it, utilize it, or ignore it—but at least they’re in the know. 

An example notification from Slack’s legal RSS feed integration.

Final thoughts on Slack for lawyers 

Slack saves lawyers time and helps them stay organized. Legal departments can centralize and better manage their communications in an eDiscovery-compliant manner, whether with clients, colleagues, or outside experts. They can automate key workflows and automatically stay updated with the latest changes to precedents. 

What’s not to love?

There’s never been a better time to become a freelance paralegal. By going the freelance route, paralegals gain experience working with multiple clients across different sectors. They set their schedule and fit their work around their life—not the other way around. Freelance paralegals can also learn the ropes of running a business and are entirely responsible for their career trajectory. 

Fortunately, freelance paralegal services are rising in popularity. The demand for paralegals will increase at twice the rate of lawyers until 2026, with the job growing at roughly 12% per year in the U.S. And given that firms are looking to cut overheads (such as full-time paralegal salaries) as they grapple with an unprecedented labor shortage, many are now choosing to hire a freelance paralegal for administrative support. 

Let’s discuss how traditional paralegals differ from their freelance counterparts, dig into the benefits of being a freelance paralegal, explain how to land new clients, and provide six key steps to help you become a successful freelancer.   

The benefits of being a freelance paralegal 

Being a freelance paralegal offers many benefits  you wouldn’t gain working full-time at a firm. These include:

Increased flexibility

Freelance paralegals decide what they want to work on and for which clients. They choose where they want to work and for how long each day. In other words, they’re in complete control of their job. If they want to work from abroad, they can do so. If they prefer working evenings, they can work after the sun goes down. 

Supplementary income

While many have made the plunge and are now full-time freelance paralegals, you can instead hold onto your day job. On top of your regular work week, you can take on a few hours of freelance paralegal services to supplement your income. Working an hour per evening (or a couple of hours each day on the weekend) is enough to generate a tidy sum of additional earnings. Don’t feel like you need to wave goodbye to your stable job if you want to dip your toe into freelancing. You can always do both while seeing if the freelance life is right for you.

A wider breadth of experience 

Freelance paralegals often work with various clients across multiple sectors. In fact, they can even do so simultaneously, bouncing from one client to the next in the space of a single day. This exposes them to different areas of the law, meaning they gain a ton of cross-sector experience. Conversely, full-time paralegals working at a single firm handle the same tasks, for the same team, for the same type of clients, in the same sector—all of the time. 

By learning from different clients across multiple sectors, freelance paralegals maximize their individual growth. They find out more about which sectors they like and dislike. They can spot opportunities to grow their career or solve their clients’ problems, making them more valuable to firms.

Greater networking opportunities

Freelance paralegals must embrace networking to build a strong client base and grow their business. But the benefits don’t stop once a new client has signed a letter of engagement. By working closely with firms and demonstrating their worth, freelance paralegals can make invaluable contacts and will enhance their reputation throughout the industry.

If they ever want to switch over to being a full-time employee, they’ll have lots of potential suitors. Or, if they want to pursue a JD and need a job when they finish, they’ll have already proved their competence to multiple firms. 

Six tips for starting out as a freelance paralegal 

Enough of the theory—let’s dig into the six tips would-be freelance paralegals need to know before they get started.

1. Know what kind of work you want to do 

Everybody has their own strengths,weaknesses, and inclinations. But how do you know which yours are? 

Through experience.

When you first get started, try a little bit of everything. Typical freelance paralegal services include organizing meetings, taking notes in court, writing letters, conducting research, compiling witness statements, drafting/proofreading documents, liaising with clients, etc. 

Once you’ve given them all a try, you’ll know which tasks you excel at—and enjoy—and which ones you’d rather never do again. If you’re struggling to decide, remember the 80/20 rule (80% of results come from 20% of your efforts). Focus your business around the 20% of tasks that give you 80% of your enjoyment, or the 20% of time you spend on tasks that provide 80% of your revenue. 

2. Feel confident about your rates as a freelance paralegal  

New freelancers always struggle to decide what rates to charge. Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. Freelance paralegals need to factor in their levels of experience, location, specialization, and the complexity of the jobs that they will be taking on. Experienced paralegals with specialized knowledge that live in large, urban areas and work on complex projects can charge the most.  

Generally speaking, however, freelance paralegals usually bill anywhere from $22 to $45 per hour. Consider positioning yourself towards the lower end of the scale when starting out. Depending on the demand for work, you may have to charge less to attract new clients. Once you have a solid bank of experience, you can gradually slide up your prices and pursue better-paying clients. As well as be more selective with the work you take on. 

It’s worth mentioning rates should include predicted time spent on back and forth client communication (which can often go unbilled.)

3. Get everything in writing 

Law firms understand the importance of getting clients to sign engagement letters —and so should freelance paralegals. Before you begin working with a new client,send thema detailed, legally binding contract/letter of engagement. This document should outline the scope of work (i.e., the freelance paralegal services you’ll provide), timelines, details, compensation, and points of contact. Only begin working for the client once all key parties have signed on the dotted line. 

4. Find the right clients 

First things first, you need to be proactive if you want to build a successful career as a freelance paralegal. Nobody’s going to stumble upon your website unless you happen to be an SEO expert . Make a daily habit of connecting with potential prospects on LinkedIn, dropping them a note explaining what you do and how you can help their firm. Paralegal networking can help you meet potential clients. 

If you have a particular specialty or niche—for example, reviewing M&A documents—you need to make this as clear as day. By positioning yourself as the specialist who does X job for Y industry, you will find it far easier to find the right clients, instead of taking on anything and everything for everybody. 

Ensure to also regularly attend industry conferences and network with potential clients—though we’ll touch on this in more detail below. Having completed a job successfully, ask clients for reviews/testimonials that you can share on your social media profiles and on your website. Better still, ask for referrals—clients might know other firms that also need to hire a freelance paralegal. 

Once you’ve worked for one firm in a particular sector/location, you can then get in touch with similar firms that do the same type of work (unless, of course, you’ve signed a non-compete). You’ll be able to show that you have experience in their sector, which will make you a more attractive prospect.  

However, before beginning to work for a client, dig into their website. Explore the types of cases they’ve worked on, and check out their Glassdoor rating—this  will give you a great insight into their culture. If you know who you’ll be working with, do some research on them and find out as much as you can about their reputation in the industry. If you encounter any red flags, such as a Glassdoor review from a fellow contractor with a poor experience , consider pursuing other clients instead. 

5. Invest in your workspace and tech stack

Many freelance paralegals choose to work from home. While this is fine, most homes aren’t designed with productivity in mind. Therefore, you might need to invest in setting up an appropriate workspace. 

Make sure you have a good office chair with excellent lumbar support, a desk, and a monitor. This will keep your eyes level as you work, so you won’t have to crane your neck or slouch over to see your screen properly.

If possible, set up your own private workspace free from distraction. This will allow you to produce deep work, defined as “Professional activity performed in a state of distraction-free concentration that push your cognitive capabilities to their limit”, which produces the best results. Prioritizing deep work will make you more efficient, improve the quality of your work, and make you more valuable to your clients. 

Consider decorating your workspace with plants. Research shows that people feel happier and more productive when surrounded by plants—it’s unnatural to spend all day, everyday inside looking at a screen. You can improve your mood and overall well being by dotting plants around your office, even when you are working non-stop around the clock.  

Lastly, you need to make sure you work with innovative tools. Relying on cumbersome documents and spreadsheets will only end in disaster and missed deadlines as you take on an increasing number of projects. Implement a solution like Clio Manage and create a single source of truth for your entire freelance paralegal business. Store documents, communicate with clients, and manage your finances all from one place. 

6. Prioritize networking 

If firms don’t know you exist, you’ll struggle to find clients—let alone sustain a successful career as a freelance paralegal. This means you need to get out there and network.

Get started by signing up for The Law Community, our online network of global legal professionals. Meet industry experts, learn about the latest must-know developments, and gain new skills via our paralegal resources hub to propel your freelancing career. 

There are also great networking groups that you can join on LinkedIn and Facebook. However, remember that joining a group alone does little. To derive maximum value, you need to regularly engage in discussions and contribute something positive—don’t just sit back and expect the benefits to come to you. 

With the pandemic now in the rearview mirror, you should also make a concerted effort to join in-person events and industry meetups. Consider joining the following paralegal associations to find out more:

• National Association of Legal Assistants. 
• The Association of Legal Administrators.
• You can also check out the directory of approved paralegal education programs from The American Bar Association (ABA) and learn more about its Standing Committee on Paralegals.  

Get ready to launch your freelance paralegal journey   

Being a freelancer isn’t for everybody—it requires having plenty of discipline and a proactive, go-getter attitude.

But if you’re looking for increased work-life flexibility, the opportunity to gain a ton of cross-sector experiences, and the chance to be in charge of your own career, then being a freelance paralegal might be for you.

Remember the six tips discussed above when starting out. Be specific on the work you do and the rates you charge—this will help you find the right type of clients. Treat yourself like a business, investing appropriately in your workspace and ensuring all new clients sign legally binding letters of engagement. Lastly, embrace the power of networking to make new contacts, expand your client base, and increase your reputation in the industry.

Good luck!

Legal professionals everywhere rely on excel for lawyers. 

It’s no wonder we spend a significant amount of time gazing at seemingly endless rows and columns. Specifically, studies reveal we spend more than 10% of our working lives in spreadsheets.

There’s no doubt Excel has become a staple across many businesses and industries, but how exactly do law firms use it? In this guide, we unpack some of the top ways legal professionals use Excel for lawyers, while sharing essential information that every legal professional should know to get the most value from it. Plus: Find out when it might be time to go beyond excel for lawyers. In other words, when to consider using another tool to level up your firm.

A primer on Excel for lawyers 

Starting off with the basics: Excel is a highly popular spreadsheet software program offered through Microsoft. Ever since its release for the Mac in 1985, it’s taken the business world by storm. Today, companies use Excel for various tasks, from organizing and managing their data to presenting and analyzing it through compelling charts and graphs.

3 ways to use Excel for lawyers 

As a legal professional, it’s important to understand how you can benefit from knowing basic Excel functions. Below are three ways law firms use Excel for lawyers.

1. Financial reports 

One common way that lawyers use Excel is to organize and make sense of financial data. This includes managing financial information like a chart of accounts and budgets, along with generating key financial reports like income statements, cash flow statements, and balance sheets. Part of the appeal to using Excel for financial reports is that its tables allow you to arrange large lists of data and use complex formulas to perform calculations for numerous columns with ease.

That said, there are a few drawbacks to using Excel for financial reports. One of the greatest is the likelihood of human error. Research shows many spreadsheets are riddled with mistakes, with some estimates claiming that as much as 90% have them. In fact, a study commissioned by F1F9 and conducted by YouGov found that nearly one in five large businesses has suffered direct financial loss because of poor spreadsheets.

A quick peruse on the internet reveals no shortage of spreadsheet snafus. One case in point: TransAlta, a Canadian generator of electricity. After incorrectly copy-and-pasting figures in a spreadsheet, the company lost a staggering $24 million when higher bids were assigned to the wrong contracts. Of course, not all mishaps are nearly as costly as this. But for solo attorneys and small firms, even minor mistakes can have a large impact on your bottom line. So, when it comes to financial reports, Excel for lawyers might not be the most reliable tool.

2. Timesheets

Lawyers know that tracking their time accurately is critical to their firm’s success. Yet, despite its importance, you’d be hard-pressed to find a legal professional who truly revels at the process of time tracking. 

That’s because many legal professionals often turn to Excel for lawyers to input how much time they spend on a task or client matter. These multi-column timesheets include a range of information, like the date and their name, hours worked, task description, case or client name, and hourly rate.

The problem? This requires manual data entry—and plenty of it. Naturally, this can be cumbersome for lawyers, most of whom are already short on time. In fact, Clio’s 2021 Legal Trends Report found that the average lawyer billed just 2.5 hours of an eight-hour day, suggesting that inefficiencies like these are a hindrance to client work. 

Like financial reporting, inaccuracies are another concern at play. When relying solely on timesheets, lawyers may not be able to enter their hours for days or even weeks after completing a task, and that can result in lost revenue by missing billable hours. The same report found the average realization rate for law firms was 84%, which means 16% of billable hours go unbilled at firms. By finding more efficient ways to track time, lawyers can ensure they receive payment for every hour spent on billable work.

3. Status of cases and casework assignments

Excel for lawyers is also being used to keep track of the status of legal cases, with spreadsheets including pertinent details like the case ID number, deadlines, estimated and billed hours, updates on client matters, and so on. Similarly, many law firms use Excel for lawyers to assign cases to attorneys. Doing so provides a quick snapshot of who is in charge of what so efforts aren’t being unknowingly duplicated.

One downside to this method: Spreadsheets can get disorganized when trying to fit all the information related to cases in one small cell. Plus, think about trying to view or update case details on a mobile device when on the road? In this case, Excel for lawyers wouldn’t be the optimal solution.

Unfortunately, for the purposes of tracking casework, Excel for lawyers  isn’t necessarily designed with collaboration in mind.  As a result, version control becomes another issue. While shared workbooks and the ability to add comments are possible with Microsoft 365, the ability to download and resave files means you can never be entirely certain the latest spreadsheet has all the edits and details added by colleagues. This is just another limitation to using Excel for lawyers, more specifically for growing law firms. 

Excel templates for lawyers

An advantage to Excel is that there are a plethora of ready-made templates you can use, not to mention useful tutorials to guide you in your efforts. For lawyers, this is a key incentive as it ultimately means less time and energy spent on template creation and figuring out how to use them. 

Below are a handful of helpful Excel templates for legal professionals:

• Legal and lawyer timesheets.
• Project plan for law firms.
• Law practice cash flow budget worksheet.
• Balance sheet.
• Profit and loss statement.

Take a look at our legal document template hub to save even more time with templates for briefs, memos, and more.    

Tools beyond spreadsheets

Now, don’t get us wrong: There’s no question—Excel for lawyers can be a useful tool for solo attorneys and small law firms. This is especially true when you’re just starting out and there are limitations on resources. The tool is ubiquitous in the business world, easy to access, and most people have a general grasp of how to use it.

However, when it comes down to it, Excel for lawyers can only do so much. It lacks the automation capabilities that can help save lawyers’ time, doesn’t offer the best security or permissions needed to deliver secure financial information, and some staff may be averse to using it. 

As your law firm grows and continues to take on more clients and cases, it may be worth considering options beyond excel for lawyers. As there are tools that can help you and your firm do more. In other words, it could be time to look for solutions that allow your law firm to take on more billable work. Such as streamlining tasks, maximizing productivity, and enhancing the user experience for clients.

Enter: law firm management software.

What’s better: Excel for lawyers or law firm management software? 

Law firm management software solutions can play a big role in supporting your firm as it grows. Take Clio Manage as an example. The cloud-based legal practice management software makes running a firm, organizing cases, and collaborating with clients from one central place not only possible, but straightforward. 

Below, we’ll explain how Clio can help your firm overcome some of the perils that come with using Excel for lawyers. 

Financial reports

One advantage to Clio is its ability to integrate seamlessly with law firm accounting tools like QuickBooks Online and Xero. When it comes time to managing accounting processes at your firm (more on this in our webinar recording), these tools ensure the process is as stress-free as possible. 

What’s even better is the integration with Clio saves lawyers time and reduces the risk of error by eliminating the need to manually enter contact and financial information twice. This is a much easier process with infinite capabilities and integrations compared to Excel for lawyers.  

Time tracking

Clio software makes time tracking a breeze. Legal professionals can add time entries directly from calendar invites, tasks, notes, and documents. They can also track time from their inboxes since Clio allows users to instantly add entries based on the amount of time spent communicating with clients from Outlook or Gmail.

Prefer to record in real-time? No problem. Legal professionals can use a running clock when they start a job, with the option to pause or stop the timer when it ends. And since the job often comes with a lot of hours on the road and in the air, Clio also offers an in-app timer through the mobile app. Learn more about the many ways Clio simplifies time tracking for lawyers here.

Casework assignment and status of cases

Clio’s case management functionality captures every detail from every matter and stores it in a central place your team can access from anywhere. This promotes seamless collaboration across team members and makes it easy to get a holistic view of a case. And with Clio’s Advanced Tasks,  you can assign tasks to other users at your firm or even outside parties through its secure portal. 

A world of possibilities

Another advantage setting Clio apart is its notoriety as one of the most secure legal software solutions on the market. Clio Manage is compliant with GDPR guidelines, has a dedicated security team with decades of cybersecurity experience, and continuously monitors for potential vulnerabilities. In short, users can feel confident in knowing their data, as well as sensitive client information, is protected. 

Plus, you can integrate Clio with more of your favorite apps than any other firm management software. All told, there are over 200 apps on the Clio App Directory, including everything from Logikcull for automating the eDiscovery process to Zoom for conveniently scheduling video meetings directly from your Clio Manage calendar.

Final notes on Excel for lawyers

Microsoft Excel for lawyers can be an invaluable tool for solo attorneys and small law firms. Yet, as your hard work continues to pay off in spades and more people are drawn to your client-centered service, legal management software can play a powerful part in helping your firm reach new heights. 

Professional organizations play key roles in many industries by helping their members with networking, career advancement, and more. Paralegal organizations are a prime example.  In fact, professional organizations for paralegals often provide their members with education, training, and certification—all of which are critical services for an industry without nationally mandated standards.

When choosing which paralegal organizations to join,  your considerations might be tied to your career goals as a legal professional. Below we provide some factors to keep in mind when making your decision, as well as exploring the top paralegal organizations for your career advancement. In addition, we review some legal organizations to help you go beyond your own professional growth by contributing to community-based movements and l advancement.

What is a paralegal organization? 

A paralegal organization is an association dedicated to supporting legal professionals in the paralegal field. The support these organizations provide comes in many forms. Membership and participation in these organizations are prime strategies for paralegal networking. Many paralegal organizations go beyond these essentials, also providing continuing education, mentorship, training, and paralegal certifications. 

These organizations benefit paralegals and the industry as a whole. Both foster a sense of community among legal professionals, and provide education and training components integral to strengthening the paralegal industry as a whole. In the United States, no single authority oversees the paralegal profession, and no state offers paralegal licenses. This is in stark contrast to attorneys, who are required to attend law school, pass their local bar exam, and obtain a license to practice law. The certification programs offered by paralegal organizations provide legal professionals with the opportunity to earn similar credentials, which raise their professional standing.

A paralegal’s needs for professional advancement are even greater in the modern technological era. Now paralegals need to be well-versed in legal technology and automation. In fact, it serves paralegals well to participate in the decision-making process for implementing new technology. To gain this expertise and authority, paralegals can look to paralegal organizations to fill in gaps in their education and training.

For example, you may want to focus on building skills in billable paralegal services, such as eDiscovery and legal research, to maximize firm profitability.

Also, consider the kind of paralegal you are and select an association that serves that type well. A criminal law paralegal in the Pacific Northwest seeking networking opportunities may need a different association than a family law paralegal on the East Coast looking for training and certification. On the other hand, a remote paralegal may not be as constrained by geographic location as a traditional in-office paralegal.

Top 7 paralegal associations to support your career growth 

These paralegal organizations, all nationwide in scope, are some of the top organizations to foster paralegal career advancement. When you understand the organizations’ services and opportunities, you’ll have better standards to evaluate any organization you choose to join.

National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA)

The National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) is one of few paralegal organizations which has been supporting paralegals for over 40 years (since its founding in 1975). NALA’s educational and certification programs make it truly stand out from most other paralegal associations. NALA also hosts numerous conferences throughout the year.

For its continuing education programs, NALA offers self-study courses, webinars, and events (both live and in-person). These programs cover numerous practice areas and topics of general interest, such as eDiscovery and business etiquette.

NALA’s certification programs are especially comprehensive. The basic Certified Paralegal certification has stringent eligibility requirements—either (1) graduation from an approved paralegal program or (2) a bachelor’s degree or high school diploma, along with varying requirements for legal coursework and paralegal experience. Applicants must pass a comprehensive five-part examination in order to receive certification. The Advanced Certified Paralegal program provides specialized certifications in specific areas of law.

National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA)

The National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA), founded in 1974, was the first national paralegal association. NFPA comprises over 50 member organizations with more than 9,000 individual members. As with NALA, NFPA also provides professional certifications and continuing education. The organization is also active at the political and regulatory level. As they provide input on legislative action, court changes, and legal professional standards.

NFPA offers professional certifications at the basic CORE Registered Paralegal (CRP) level and the advanced Registered Paralegal (RP) certification. Earning the CRP designation requires passing an exam on paralegal practice and substantive areas of law. The RP designation requires a certain number of years of paralegal experience and an even more comprehensive exam.

As with other paralegal organizations, beyond education and networking opportunities, NFPA also provides professional scholarships and awards.

National Association for Legal Support Professionals (NALS) 

The National Association for Legal Support Professionals (NALS) was founded as the National Association for Legal Secretaries in 1929, eventually expanding to cover all legal support professionals. The organization offers opportunities in networking, education, and certification. 

The Professional Paralegal certification is available to those with either a paralegal degree or five years of paralegal/legal assistant experience who pass a four-part exam. Once this certification is earned, a paralegal can also earn a Specialty Certificate in one or more areas of law.

American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE)

As its name suggests, the American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE) focuses on promoting paralegal and legal studies education. Its member schools include hundreds of universities and colleges throughout the U.S. and Canada. In addition to promoting high standards for paralegal education, AAfPE also holds annual conferences and seminars and provides a forum for professional improvement for paralegal educators. The AAfPE is one of the paralegal organizations that is an excellent resource for sorting out paralegal educational standards when seeking professional training.

American Bar Association (ABA) Standing Committee on Paralegals

The American Bar Association (ABA) Standing Committee on Paralegals develops and promotes policies related to paralegals—specifically, their education, training, employment, and effective utilization by attorneys. The Standing Committee maintains a directory of ABA-approved paralegal education programs. In addition, the ABA is open to paralegals for membership, which could provide useful networking opportunities for hiring attorneys and law firms looking for paralegals.

American Alliance of Paralegals Inc.  (AAPI)

The American Alliance of Paralegals Inc. (AAPI), founded in 2003, is dedicated to providing training, education, and certification for paralegals. The AAPI certification does not have an examination component, and instead, certification applicants need only have the required amounts of education and experience. The association also provides affordable options for education and training.

Canadian Association of Paralegals

The Canadian Association of Paralegals (CAP) is one of the paralegal organizations which provides numerous membership benefits to Canadian paralegals, including networking and education opportunities. The organization has more than 2000 members across Canada. In addition, CAP members can establish links with the bar associations in various Canadian provinces. 

Bonus: Legal organizations for building community 

In addition to seeking career growth, paralegals can also join organizations that help create strong community connections. These organizations can foster a sense of meaning and contribution to your professional growth efforts, which can help you avoid paralegal burnout. These points are especially true in current times. As the COVID pandemic has had disproportionate impacts on groups pushed to the margins of society.

The Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA) 

The Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA) represents the interests of over 67,000 legal professionals in the U.S. and its territories. The organization seeks to create opportunities for Hispanic legal professionals and advocates on issues important to the national Hispanic community. In addition to offering continuing education and professional development, HNBA provides scholarships and stipends to Hispanic students. 

NAMWOLF

The National Association of Minority & Women Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF) is a network of law firms that promotes diversity in the legal profession. The organization’s philosophy is the best way to support diversity is by encouraging corporate clients to retain more minority and women-owned firms. It assists its law firm members in developing alliances with corporations, in-house counsel, and legal trade associations.

LGBTQ organizations  

Various LGBTQ organizations seek to promote rights for historically oppressed groups, both inside and outside the legal industry.  The LGBTQ+ Bar is a national association of legal professionals and LGBT legal organizations. APLA Health is a non-profit organization that provides healthcare, support services, and HIV specialty care to the LGBTQ community. And GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) uses litigation, advocacy, and education to combat discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and HIV status. 

Final notes on the importance of paralegal organizations 

Paralegal organizations can boost your career growth as a paralegal. Consider your own goals and needs when selecting the best organization for you. Foster a sense of service and community by joining community-building organizations. Keep an eye out for new legal organizations to consider, using lists of associations and professional organizations. And keep an open mind to additional networking opportunities, such as the Law Community, by Clio, which serves as an online network for legal professionals. 

Securing an interview for a paralegal job is an exciting and  impressive feat. Now, it’s time to prepare for that interview by studying the paralegal interview questions you’ll likely get asked. Below we’ve outlined 10 common paralegal interview questions and thoughtful guidance and considerations for your answers. Continue reading for our best practices  when it comes to fielding paralegal interview questions. 

What to expect in a paralegal interview 

As with any profession, interviews can be intimidating and uncomfortable. The good news is, this is everyone’s experience. So, acknowledge it. And understand that your best chances at impressing come down to investing in your mindset and preparation. 

When it comes to your mindset, work on building up genuine professional confidence. This way, when asked paralegal interview questions, you’ll come across as a highly-capable professional, even though you might be nervously sweating underneath your blazer. One way to do this is to treat the interview as if you’re deciding if you like them. Not only is this true (you should be thinking about this in any interview), this framing exercise can help ease nerves and support you in harnessing your inner confidence. 

Not to mention, paralegals are in demand. In fact, the US bureau for labor statistics predicts employment of paralegals and legal assistants is projected to grow over 10% from 2020-2030. This should empower you to find the firm that’s best for you and your goals. 

Now, let’s discuss everyone’s favorite part—preparation. This is undoubtedly the most time-consuming, and potentially least-exciting, part of the interview process. Though, as a legal professional, we don’t have to tell you how important it is to prepare. Set aside time in your calendar to learn everything and anything you can about the firm you’re interviewing at, the folks who work there, and the clients they serve. Your answers to the below paralegal interview questions should be tailored to suit the needs of the firm you’re applying to work at. 

10 of the most common paralegal interview questions

While the below list is comprehensive, it’s not the only supportive resource to use when preparing for your interview. It is, however, a great place to start. 

1. Why do you want to be a paralegal? 

While this is a fairly straightforward interview question, your answer should be thoughtful and unique to your experiences. When it comes to paralegal interview questions like these (ones which aren’t directly related to your hard skills), try turning your answer into a story. Psychologists found we retain information better when said information is delivered via a story, with a beginning, middle, and end. Share a personal story about why you pursued paralegal studies or a paralegal career. This will help you stand out from other candidates and hopefully make your interview  memorable. Bonus: This strategy supports building rapport with the interviewer(s). 

2. Why did you apply at this firm? 

Equally as important as the above question, this is really your shot to wow your interviewer and separate yourself from the other candidates. Again, this is where you can add in personal stories, experiences, and share additional information that humanizes you. Talk about the clients the firm attracts and how you would enjoy working for them. Or, maybe this firm is family-owned and has values which align with yours. If you see yourself represented in senior roles at the firm, mention this. The art of selling yourself is easiest to do when speaking from strong passions and values. 

3. What has your paralegal experience been so far? 

This interview question is another opportunity for your potential future employer to learn more about who you are as an individual. In addition, this question gives you the chance to speak to your relevant professional experience, and how it applies to the role in question. To strike the perfect balance of discussing hard and soft skills, be sure to speak positively about any past organizations and coworkers, and any unique learning experiences you had. It’s also imperative to speak in detail about the work you completed on a regular basis at past firms. Keep it short, simple, and positive. Now is not the time to critique past employers. It is, however, the time to speak to how you’ve optimized or innovated processes at past jobs. 

4. Are you planning to eventually apply for law school?

While this question could come off as ignorant or offensive (especially to those set on dedicating their lives to paralegal work), it’s important to understand that many paralegals do pursue other careers in their lifetime. In fact, there are a myriad of career options for those with formal paralegal training. Wherever you fall on the spectrum of considering the idea of law school, it’s important to signal to your employer that you’ll be dedicated to your career (and potentially, their firm) in the foreseeable future. It’s a good idea to speak to your motivations for wanting to work as a paralegal, and how their firm can help you gain the valuable experience you’re after. 

5. What areas of law are you interested in the most?

This is a more straightforward paralegal interview question. While we recommend you be honest, it won’t serve you well to talk about your passion for criminal law in an interview for a role at an immigration firm. During your interview preparation, be sure to tailor your answers to the firm that’s hiring. Be sure to study the job posting and description, review their firm structure (if they have roles and job titles listed on their website), and brainstorm the pain points their organization has. Can you solve any of them? For example, if they have lots of lawyers on staff but only one paralegal, it’s a safe bet you’ll be assisting with a lot of legal research. On the other hand, if the job description is all about bridging the gap between clients and lawyers, be sure to speak to your client communication skills in the interview. 

6. What are your legal research skills? 

For a paralegal interview question such as this one, it’s crucial to be as specific and detailed as possible. Practice walking someone through the process you take when researching for a case. Mention any tools, databases, or softwares you use for legal research. If you’re a new grad or have limited experience, try demoing some free legal research tools prior to your interview. Think about a time when you successfully uncovered information on a time crunch that helped the firm win a case or win over a client. Practice sharing this story in such a way that communicates your savvy research skills. 

7. How do you maintain your attention to detail when completing repetitive tasks?

This is an important question to prepare yourself for, and rides a similar line as everyone’s favorite interview question: “What’s your biggest weakness?” No one wants to admit in a job interview they sometimes have problems staying focused, even though we all do. We’re only human. That said, it’s a smart move to start off by stating you naturally have a keen attention to detail and a workload of repetitive tasks doesn’t inhibit this. You can also mention that you’ve heard in the past from legal mentors that modifying the order of tasks, setting specific deadlines, and reviewing your work after switching tasks for a period of time can all help with maintaining a sharp attention to detail. 

8. How do you deal with frustrated or demanding clients?

Not every paralegal role will be a client-facing one, though many are. When it comes to answering paralegal interview questions about communicating with clients, be thoughtful and empathetic in your responses. It’s important to relay the compassion you have for clients. Afterall, most are likely experiencing strong emotions when seeking legal help. 

After you’ve presented an answer which speaks to  the empathy you have for clients, while also boasting your strong communication skills, you can follow up and ask the interviewer about their best practices. Consider asking if the firm has any tools to support staff with client communication. These might include client portals or client intake software. Obviously you’ll be able to gauge how open your interviewer is to these kinds of questions or conversations. But don’t forget about our advice above: it’s important for you to interview them as well. And if working with technology is important to you, it might not be a great fit to work at a firm reliant on their filing cabinet (opposed to a paperless law firm), or one tied to an on-premise server. 

9. How do you stay up-to-date with legal and regulatory changes?

This is a fantastic opportunity for you to speak about how you prioritize networking, regularly check legal blogs for the latest news, and use Twitter professionally to keep your finger on the pulse. There are other acceptable answers to this question and you should be honest about what it is that keeps you well-informed and excited about working as a legal professional. We don’t recommend boasting about reading the Harvard Law Review weekly if it’s not something you actually do. 

10. Do you have experience using firm management software?

The likelihood of this question coming up in an interview depends on the firm. While preparing for the interview, take a look at their website. If they use chatbots or have an impressive web presence, these are signs they leverage technology and could ask about your ability to do the same. Interestingly, there are job postings which list experience using legal management software as either an asset or requirement. Regardless, it doesn’t hurt to have a thoughtful answer in your back pocket. If you’ve never used firm management software before, consider signing up for a free trial for firm management software and practice using it before your interview. 

How to prepare for paralegal interview questions

Beyond studying the above questions and preparing your answers, other ways to set yourself up for interview success include: 

• Asking others for feedback on your responses. 
• Practicing an interview with a friend. 
• Looking up general interview tips. 
• The obvious one: Go through many different interviews.

Ultimately, you can practice in the mirror until you’re blue in the face, but truly, the best way to confidently answer paralegal interview questions and improve your comfortability in interview settings, is to be interviewed. You will fumble, stutter, shake, and sweat, because we all do. Remember though, the interviewer is already interested in you. They wouldn’t have brought you in otherwise. So, radiate confidence and curiosity as best as you can, set time aside to prepare, and go in understanding this is a two-way street. You’re interviewing them to be your future employer. They should be trying to impress you too. Keep in mind, signing up to work at an organization with a poor working environment paves the way for paralegal burnout. 

Final thoughts on paralegal interview questions

A paralegal interview is an exciting opportunity for everyone. Approach paralegal interview questions with the same preparation and professionalism you would with preparing for court or working with a client and you’ll surely be successful. 

Today’s modern law firms are building better client-centered practices with new legal technologies that enable efficient, seamless, and scalable client services. Legal networks are widening as a result of these changes, and the industry is better connected than it’s ever been before. 

Much of that is facilitated through technology infrastructure and an unprecedented adoption of it. But there’s a shift in mindset, too. Today’s legal professionals are empowered to become more client-centered and to deliver transformative experiences.

Instead of waiting on clients to ask for new methods and service models, growing firms are addressing their needs before they arise—differentiating themselves from bulkier, and often antiquated, practices while reaching into new territories and opportunities to connect to more clients. The 2021 Legal Trends Report captures just how sturdy the adoption of new technologies is throughout the sector—at least 95% of legal professionals plan to continue to use these technologies beyond the pandemic. Together, we’ve experienced a generational shift, and there’s no turning back.

We’re more connected in a broader sense, too. Our technologies, our relationships, and physical locations are redefined by the changes that surround us. We look to future concepts like digital currencies and the metaverse as a very possible future for us, and are thinking wider about how we’ll apply new technologies to make our physical lives better and more intentionally connected. 

This is precisely the environment to introduce Clio’s legal operating system, the first of its kind, and the most connected platform in legal. 

In the traditional context of computing or technology, an operating system manages a computer’s processes, connecting hardware and software, to utilize its full capabilities amongst all of its connected programs. Today, across multiple devices, softwares, and integrations, Clio is at the epicenter of technologies for legal professionals, facilitating a customizable, seamless experience at every point of the legal process.

Clio is expanding legal networks through our API and app-partner ecosystem

Clio’s cloud-based legal technology is designed to securely store and manage data while making it accessible from any location. Our underlying API facilitates a connection point for technologies to integrate with Clio, opening the opportunity for legal professionals to build their tech stack exactly as they need it. Customers have access to 200+ applications in Clio’s growing app ecosystem, the largest user base of pioneering legal professionals in the world. This connective capability is core to how Clio was designed, and is unique in the market of legal technology. 

In the spirit of innovation, we’re continuing to invest in that ecosystem. We recently formalized this effort with the launch of Clio Ventures, our early-stage legaltech investment vehicle making direct equity investments into promising early stage companies. Our first investment in service-processing disruptor Proof exemplifies how technology can vastly improve legal workflows—something we’re passionate about unlocking for our customers. We’ll continue to discover and invest in this type of innovation to support industry transformation happening within and beyond the Clio platform. 

Through our API, app ecosystem, and future investments, Clio’s infrastructure bridges the technologies most important to the needs of the modern legal professional, seamlessly connecting a broad network of solutions as needed, from anywhere. 

Clio has evolved into a vertically integrated company

It was just a year ago that Clio introduced its mission to transform the legal experience for all. It’s an audacious goal, reaching beyond the margins of our company into the wider legal community. Our legal operating system connects the network of technologies legal professionals need to accomplish transformative work in the sector. But while we’re investing in broadening the networks around us, we’re also looking inward—innovating our core products to meet the needs of today’s modern legal professionals. Clio has vertically integrated for greater connectivity between the needs of our customers and the rising expectations of their clients. 

Our vertical integration is marked by two major shifts this past year: expanding from practice management to the practice of law with the acquisitions of CalendarRules and Lawyaw, while launching our first fintech product, Clio Payments. Through our acquisitions, customers can better automate court calendars and court forms to streamline time-consuming and error-prone areas of legal service. The online payment capabilities in Clio Manage help support another critical point of the client journey, billing and payments, helping reduce friction at this milestone while ensuring legal professionals get paid for their services.

With each expansion, we have moved further along our product roadmap, connecting the core technologies legal professionals are looking for, to improve the speed and accuracy of their services. We’re building the technical foundations to help lawyers connect to more clients in a vastly-underserved legal market.  

Clio is getting intentional about digital and in-person interactions

Like most, we crave person-to-person interaction after years without enough of it. But how we communicate with our friends, colleagues, or with our clients, has fundamentally changed. Today, these interactions are largely supported by technological infrastructures, and as a company, we’re growing the ways legal professionals can connect with their colleagues and clients through our platform—and by extension, all of the channels that connect into it. Seamless digital relationships are an expectation of today’s consumer, and we believe excelling in this capacity will lead to better in-person exchanges when they arise. 

To connect clients to their legal matters, we’ve launched Clio for Clients, a portal designed for legal clients to securely communicate and share information with their lawyer. This portal gives clients unlimited access to the status of their matters, and importantly, connects them on a self-serve basis, so they always feel connected to their case in real-time, without the need for their lawyer to provide ongoing updates. 

Text notifications are another important feature we’ve developed to better connect lawyers and their clients. Providing client-centric communications through text, and automating the process, can improve the attorney-client connectedness while easing the burden on legal professionals. 

We’re also continuing to build opportunities for collaboration and growth between legal professionals with The Law Community. We launched this platform just one year ago to foster conversation between Clio customers, industry leaders, and legal professionals. Since then, we’ve grown to over 2,000 members who support each other, discuss important legal topics, learn how to better use Clio and other legal technologies, and get access to support and resources. 

Clio is closing access to justice gaps 

When the pandemic forced this industry into a great wave of technical adoption, there was no greater need to connect legal professionals to their colleagues, files, and clients remotely—with ease and immediacy. Clio customers can access vital information through the cloud, and in addition to the many integrated tools and technologies, have had access to everything needed to transition their businesses confidently into the realities of offering remote legal services. 

And so attorneys are able to offer better legal services to more clients without the need to physically meet, reaching beyond travel inconveniences and restrictions. This is a game changer for clients who seek fast, efficient remote legal services, but more importantly serves a greater span of clients who live in areas with sparse legal representation or services, or “legal deserts.” 

Attorneys have the opportunity to increase access to justice by expanding remote legal services to underserved regions. Where access to technology is limited, some of our customers have reinvented the “place” for legal offices, showing up on-site at the scene of disaster, or traveling to communities without access to technology or legal services. We are proud to be a small part of this effort made by members of the legal community who continue to go above and beyond in ensuring access to justice for those who need it.

The legal operating system is just the beginning

New legaltech infrastructure has made remote connectivity possible, and with that, comes an opportunity to expand legal networks accordingly. In bringing together all of the ways Clio’s legal operating system improves our ability to connect people, places, and technologies, legal professionals can engage the tools that support them in their goals for effectiveness and growth. Clio’s legal operating system is designed to create channels for deeper, and more meaningful connections between the judicial system, legal communities, innovators, peers, and clients.

Today’s legaltech infrastructure is supporting tomorrow’s innovations. The legal operating system provides a foundation to what we’ll build together in the future of this sector. At Clio, we’re all incredibly excited for this moment.

Every law firm wants to be paid on time. Unfortunately, this is where many firms face a bottleneck. Perhaps their staff is too busy focusing on client matters to send out invoices regularly. Or maybe clients simply don’t pay on time—meaning firms have to waste precious hours following up.

According to our 2020 Legal Trends Report, on average, firms only collect 88% of what they’re owed. That’s right—they never receive 12% of what they bill clients. 

By optimizing the billing process, firms can better track and obtain their payments in full. This involves collecting revenue as efficiently and effectively as possible, reducing the time and manual effort spent on collections while increasing repayment rates. Importantly, firms should always aim to provide a client-centered billing experience that serves everyone. 

The solution is lawyer billing software.

There are many reasons why firms might decide to implement lawyer billing software. For example, firms can draft up accurate invoices in seconds with lawyer billing software, reducing monthly billing to under an hour. However,  not all lawyer billing software is equally as effective—so, which one’s right for your firm? 

If you’re looking for lawyer billing software reviews, you came to the right place. Let’s analyze the best lawyer billing software options currently on the market, diving into their features, benefits, pricing, and more. 

Let’s review Clio’s lawyer billing software further before comparing it to other alternatives currently on the market. 

Clio

Features and benefits

Clio Manage provides firms with advanced, on-the-go ebilling capabilities. They can choose from multiple billing templates, send out branded invoices, and accept a wide range of flexible payment options. They can also set up tailored payment profiles and create customized billing plans for each of their clients (including automated payment plans/recurring payments) and accept payment for multiple bills simultaneously. Firms can review each client’s detailed account information or gain an overview of their entire billing operations by running firm-wide billing reports. If they ever need to apply a discount, they can simply add these to their invoices.

Best for

Clio is the best all-around option on this list. It’s suitable for firms of all sizes: solo practitioners, small firms, and mid-sized and large firms. Additionally, it serves a wide range of practice areas, from personal injury law to intellectual property law (and everything in between).

Pricing

• Starter: $39 per user/per month.
• Boutique: $59 per user/per month.
• Elite: $99 per user/per month.
• Suite: $125 per user/per month.
• Enterprise: Contact us for more information.

Free trial

Sign up for a free trial of Clio Manage here.

TimeSolv

Features and benefits

TimeSolv is ideally suited for small to medium-sized firms. It’s the best option on this list for firms that regularly produce a wide variety of invoices, offering a ton of ready-made templates: cover page, time and expense details, statement of account and remittance page, time & expense details, fixed fee matter, time & expense detail, and split invoices. 

Best for

TimeSolv is ideally suited for small to medium-sized firms. It’s the best option on this list for firms that regularly produce a wide variety of invoices, offering a ton of ready-made templates: cover page, time and expense details, statement of account and remittance page, time & expense details, fixed fee matter, time & expense detail, and split invoices.  

Pricing

• 1 – 4 users: $39.95 per user/per month or $35.96 if billed annually.
• 5 – 14 users: $34.95 per user/per month or $31.46 if billed annually.
• 15+ users: $29.95 per user/per month or $26.96 if billed annually.

Free trial

Sign up for a free trial of TimeSolv here.

MyCase

Features and benefits 

MyCase offers a variety of billing options: hourly, contingency, flat fee, a mix of flat fee and hourly, or pro bono. LEDES billing is available with the appropriate UTBMS task and expense codes. The MyCase lawyer billing software accepts flexible payments via credit card or eCheck.

Best for

MyCase was built with small law firms in mind. 

Pricing

• Basic: $49 per user/per month or $39 if billed annually.
• Pro: $69 per user/per month or $59 if billed annually.

Free Trial

Sign up for a free trial of MyCase here.

PracticePanther

Features and benefits 

With PracticePanther’s on-the-go billing software, firms can create customized invoices by using a wide variety of templates. They can integrate with the tool’s time and expense tracking features, provide their clients with flexible billing and payment options, and generate firm-wide reports in just one click. 

Best for

PracticePanther boasts a versatile offering that’s suitable for firms of all sizes.

Pricing 

• Solo: $49 per user/per month, or $39 if billed annually.
• Essential: $69 per user/per month, or $59 if billed annually.
• Business: $89 per user/per month, or $79 if billed annually.

Free Trial

Sign up for a free trial of PracticePanther here.

Smokeball

Features and benefits 

Smokeball’s lawyer billing software accepts credit card and online payments, allows firms to create their own timesheets with customized activity codes, and offers trust accounting capabilities. Thanks to its batch editing, finalizing, and printing features, firms can expedite the end-to-end billing process as much as possible. They can easily generate a variety of reports: profit, accounts receivable, and aging summaries, among others. Additionally, it offers a wide range of integrations, such as with LawPay and QuickBooks Online. 

Best for

Smokeball is best for small firms that want to make sure they capture every single billable minute on their invoices. 

Pricing 

• Start: $29 per user/per month.
• Grow: $119 per user/per month on their annual plan, $99 on their three-year plan.
• Prosper: $169 per user/per month on their annual plan, $149 on their three-year plan.

Free Trial

Unfortunately, Smokeball doesn’t offer free trials—but you can watch a demo of the tool here.

What to consider before choosing lawyer billing software

Beyond reading lawyer billing software reviews, consider the following three areas before you go ahead and introduce lawyer billing software at your firm.

Determine how much time your law firm spends on billing per month

Time is a scarce resource for lawyers. Identifying how much time your law firm spends on billing will help you determine how much more time you can save with better lawyer billing software.

Understand how outstanding invoices impact your firm

Unpaid bills are a huge problem for law firms. Lawyer billing software can help get bills out to clients more quickly and send automatic follow-ups.

Determine the cost vs. benefit of new lawyer billing software

How much more can you bill/collect? What is the amount of time you’ll save?  How much will this new software enhance your ability to provide a better, more client-centered experience? 

The right lawyer billing software can help your firm succeed

Law firms need to master their billing process. There’s no point in working around the clock if your firm isn’t being paid—whether that’s due to an unfriendly client billing experience or because your staff is too busy to send out timely invoices. 

By utilizing lawyer billing software, your firm can reduce the time it takes to send out invoices, follow up with clients, and receive payment. Intuitive lawyer billing software can help you create automated, firm-wide billing practices that work for your attorneys and clients, for PCs and Macs. 

Learn more about providing the best client-centered billing experience by accepting credit card payments here. 

Solo practitioners and small law firms are more pressed for time than ever before. As a result, many realize it’s not possible to run all operations in-house while delivering a top-notch, client-centered experience.

That’s precisely where managed services for law firms can make a difference. By outsourcing specialized tasks to third-party providers, law firms can see many benefits—from increased efficiencies to enhanced security and beyond.  

The benefits of managed services for law firms

Managed services can bring a wide range of benefits to solo and small law firms. Here, we’ll delve deeper into seven of the biggest advantages that come with outsourcing services to third-party providers.

1. It can boost your bottom line

While it may seem like managed services are an exorbitant investment for a small law firm, the opposite is actually true.  Providers of managed services help lower your expenses in multiple ways. For one, they can dramatically reduce overhead costs by replacing expensive in-house hardware and software. Access to one’s own infrastructure can come at a reasonable monthly fee.

Beyond that, managed services providers have highly specialized skill sets—which means they can help law firms leverage the latest innovations and work efficiently to solve issues. This ensures your business runs as smoothly as possible—eliminating the likelihood of interruptions that can lead to lost revenue. Managed services also reduce the need to hire, onboard, and train staff, translating into even more savings for your law firm.

But that’s not all. With cybersecurity expertise, managed services providers can help prevent costly data breaches. According to a study by IBM, the average cost of these breaches is a staggering USD $4.42 million—the highest it’s been in 17 years. So, there’s no doubt that managed services for law firms can help you save money—and a lot of it.

2. The ability to streamline processes

Lawyers know all too well that administrative tasks can clog up a workday. In fact, the 2021 Legal Trends Report states that the average lawyer billed just 2.5 hours (31%) of an eight-hour work day in 2020. The result? Law firms are spending too much time on non-billable tasks and not enough time on practicing law—and that can have a major impact on your business growth. Clearly, it’s more important than ever to simplify complex processes and streamline workflow, especially at solo and small law firms.

Managed services providers can help law firms do just that by handling time-consuming and tedious tasks. They can also empower teams to work smarter by embracing the latest technological advances. For instance, lawyers are increasingly using automation to simplify the client intake process, while artificial intelligence and machine learning have become instrumental in sifting through large volumes of legal documents within minutes.

Given the convenience they provide, it’s no surprise that eDiscovery managed services are becoming more popular than ever. However, these services can be costly for small and mid-sized cases. At Clio, we’ve helped overcome this obstacle via an integration with Discovery Genie. An eProduction platform, Discovery Genie helps litigators master their evidence, simplify document production, and more. 

3. Potential for heightened security

Cyber attacks have become a serious threat for any company—including law firms. With a vast repository of sensitive data, law firms are at an increased risk of being targeted by hackers. According to the Legal Technology Survey Report from the American Bar Association, 29% of respondents experienced a security breach in 2020. The rapid acceleration toward remote work over the past two years has only exacerbated this risk.

The good news: Managed It services providers for law firms can ensure the right security measures are in place to detect and stop potential threats. This spans from password management and email security solutions to remote monitoring technology that tracks a  firm’s network security.

Along with taking proactive steps to safeguard data, managed IT services can also provide access to specialists on demand. This is especially helpful for law firms that rely on the cloud. 

4. Helps you maintain compliance

Given the highly confidential nature of legal work, it’s no surprise that the legal industry is heavily regulated. Whether it’s being subject to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) when reviewing a client’s medical records or the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) when processing a payment, there are plenty of regulations and laws to adhere to.

Making matters even more challenging is the fact that the regulatory compliance landscape is ever-evolving. Keeping up with the latest rules is a struggle for many law firms. Yet, those that fail to comply can face major repercussions like reputational damage, lost productivity, and hefty fines—to name a few. 

Fortunately, managed services providers have extensive expertise in ensuring law firms follow all rules and regulations. Take Clio Payments, for example. The tool makes it easier than ever for clients to pay their bills using credit, debit, or eCheck. But most importantly, all data processing, transmission, and storage is handled in a way that meets the highest level of certification available in the payments industry, ensuring all payments are PCI DSS compliant.

Firms that outsource payment processing to Clio also maintain compliance with trust accounting and Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts (IOLTA) rules. With earned and unearned funds kept separate, funds in your trust account are protected from all third-party debiting, including processing fees and chargebacks.

5. Provides enhanced accessibility and improved collaboration

Whether it’s from the courtroom or in the airport, legal professionals often need quick access to sensitive documents. Managed cloud services for law firms enable them to get the information they need from any location. You won’t have to worry about having to connect to a virtual private network (VPN). 

Cloud services can also play a powerful role in enabling teams to reach new levels of collaboration. With managed cloud services, attorneys can securely access documents that live on the cloud at the same time as their colleagues. This ensures that distributed teams have clarity on progress and visibility into who’s working on what. This reduces unnecessary back and forth, all of which helps teams work more efficiently. 

6. The opportunity to meet changing customer needs

The past two years have taught us that remote work can bring an array of benefits, from greater convenience to more flexibility. So it shouldn’t be a surprise that Clio’s 2021 Legal Trends Report found that 79% of consumers say they look for remote options when hiring a lawyer, up from only 23% in 2018.

As a result, law firms are increasingly embracing cloud-managed services to help stay connected to clients. By using cloud-based legal technology like Clio, for instance, law firms can give clients the flexibility to collaborate remotely, access their documents whenever and wherever they need, and make payments online—not to mention the confidence in knowing that their data is secure.

7. Gain more flexibility as a business

Law firms know network outages, server issues, and even slow internet can cause work disruptions. One of the biggest benefits of managed services for law firms is that they free up attorneys’ time. This way, they can focus on what truly matters to them: practicing the law. They no longer have to worry about issues like these—because experts are working behind the scenes to tackle potential problems before they strike.

The result? Attorneys gain the flexibility to focus on increasing their bottom line and providing a better client-centered experience. And that’s what will ultimately set a law firm apart from the competition. For more on the power of putting clients at the center, check out our CEO and Co-founder Jack Newton’s book, The Client-Centered Law Firm.

8. Gain a competitive edge with managed services

As the business world becomes increasingly complex, the benefits of managed services have become more apparent. From tapping into the latest technological innovations to eliminating time-consuming tasks, managed services for law firms can be a powerful tool. 

Any attorney knows that meeting court filing deadlines are non-negotiable. Accordingly, it’s also critical you have the correct legal document format to ensure your filing isn’t rejected. This means you should know the basics of how to format a legal document.

Here we review several areas of legal document formatting you should be familiar with. We also explore how legal document templates can save you significant time and effort and prevent future formatting headaches.

6 areas of focus when creating your legal document format

The exact formatting requirements will differ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction—be sure to check your court rules. However, the following are some specific formatting elements courts prioritize.

Paper size

Despite the name, you should not assume that “legal size” is the correct page size for your legal document. In fact, “letter size” of 8.5 inches by 11 inches is often the required page size in American jurisdictions.

To set your paper size in Microsoft Word, click on the Layout menu, then click on the subheading Page Setup. Click on the subheading Size and make your selection. In Google Docs, click File and choose Page Setup. Then click on Paper Size, select the desired size, and click OK.

Margins

The key to setting your margins is not only to comply with court requirements, but also to make your document as readable as possible. Where courts set minimum or maximum margin requirements but don’t otherwise specify, you may have some flexibility. You may want to experiment with pushing your margins either inward or outward and observing the difference in readability.  

In Word, margins are set by clicking on the Layout dropdown and selecting Margins. Then select Custom Margins, and you can set the margins for top, bottom, left, and right. In Google Docs, click File, choose Page Setup, set all four margins, and click OK.

Spacing

Spacing is another formatting element where readability is a key consideration. Again, where the court rules provide you with discretion, you can experiment with the spacing you prefer. For example, the California Rules of Court state that lines may be either one-and-one-half spaced or double-spaced. In addition, ensure your line numbers are aligned with the lines of text.

Spacing is set in Word by first clicking on the Home menu. Under the Paragraph subheading, click on Line and Paragraph  Spacing and select your spacing preference. In Google Docs, click on Format, select “Line and paragraph spacing” from the dropdown menu, then select your spacing.

Font

Many courts will specify a minimum font size but not necessarily a font type. Again, you have some discretion to set your font for maximum readability and professionalism. Times New Roman and Courier are common font choices for legal documents.

In Word, from the Home menu, click on either Font or Font Size and select your preferences.  For font size in Google Docs, click on Format, select Text from the dropdown menu, then click on Size from the next dropdown menu. However, this option only allows you to increase and decrease the font size in increments of one. A more straightforward method is highlighting your text and selecting the font and font size from the formatting menu bar.

Columns

Columns may be necessary for certain types of legal documents, such as a service list or a separate statement of undisputed facts in support of a summary judgment motion. To insert columns In Word, click on the Layout dropdown menu. Under Page Setup, select Columns, then set the desired number of columns. In Google Docs, click on Format, select Columns from the dropdown menu, then select the desired option.

Table of authorities

Many legal briefs will require a table of authorities, which is an index of all legal sources cited in the brief. You can create these manually, but this is a highly cumbersome approach. While Google Docs does not currently have this ability, Word has a built-in function for creating a table of authorities.

The first step in Word is to mark the legal citations by selecting the citation text then clicking on References. Click on Mark Citation, and the Mark Citation box will appear. In the Category field, select the correct category of citation—choices include cases, statutes, regulations, and more. In the Long Citation box, enter the citation as you would like to appear in the table of authorities. Then In the Short Citation box, enter the short citation—for example, “Roe v. Wade”—that you would like Word to search for within the document. 

Once you mark all citations in your Word document, place the cursor where you would like the table inserted and click on References. Then click on Insert Table of Authorities, and your table will be created and inserted instantly.

Use legal document templates as a starting point

An important method of avoiding mistakes and frustration with your legal document format is to utilize document automation. This refers to technology that can automate document creation with the assistance of legal document templates. 

A legal document template can ensure your formatting is consistent for all documents filed with the court in any given matter. This will ensure you do not have to look up court formatting rules repeatedly. In addition, it will streamline your document creation process by using a standard set of fields with information specific to that case.

With some searching, you can find the right template for any type of legal document. And be sure to find templates intended for your word processing program, whether that is Word, Google Docs, or another tool.

Legal document format requirements aren’t going anywhere

While legal document formatting requirements may be a source of headaches in the legal industry, they’re here to stay. Therefore, be sure to know the basics of setting different formatting elements in Word, Google Docs, or whichever word processing tool you use. And, if you’re not doing so already, consider creating and using automated legal document templates to save time and ensure consistency.

What kind of phone system does your law firm use? As businesses in the legal sector embrace automation and other technology with increasing speed, it’s unsurprising to see that legal phone systems are being updated too. 

Law firms require powerful, reliable call handling setups to keep up with their clients’ increasingly complex communication demands. That’s why traditional and virtual law firms alike are now leveraging cutting-edge phone technologies that embrace mobility and flexibility.

What is a legal phone system?

Legal phone systems are cloud-based phone systems equipped with industry-specific features, like case management software integration and enterprise-grade security. They enable attorneys, legal assistants, office managers, and all the other vital team members at a law firm to enhance their internal and external communication processes. 

Whether you’re a traditional corporate law firm with 3,000 attorneys or a virtual law firm with five, a reliable legal phone system helps to streamline workflows, increase billable hours, improve client engagement, and deliver a great client experience from literally anywhere in the world. 

So, why do law firms use legal phone systems, and what are some of the qualities to look out for if you decide to adopt such a setup?

Why do law firms use legal phone systems?

Providing a client-centered experience is key for any law firm. The better firms can serve their clients, the longer they’ll retain them. The collaboration and communication benefits of the right legal phone system are key in this regard.  

Device and location flexibility and advanced features like call waiting, visual voicemail, and especially integrations with the tools they already use (like Clio) permit attorneys to present the kind of polished professionalism that best represents their firm. And equally important: These features keep clients happy.  

Let’s dive deeper into some of the reasons law firms are realizing modern legal phone systems are a necessity and not a choice. 

Flexible access to communication

In the legal field, your clients need to know they can depend on you to be available whenever they need you. 

Legacy phone systems chain you to the desk or make you otherwise unavailable while you’re on the go or attending court. They also lack advanced features like remote call recording, transcription, and visual voicemail, meaning you’re likely to miss important calls and details while you’re away from the office.

The right VoIP-based legal phone system grants you the freedom to work remotely, whether from your home office or while you’re traveling between locations. Using your preferred device (most people opt to use their personal cell phone equipped with their business phone number), you can communicate with clients, attend meetings and trials, and more with the same efficiency as in the office.

Even more crucially, your clients can communicate with you however and from wherever they like. With the right law office phone system, you can give them the option to call, fax, message, or jump on a video call with the minimum of fuss—and without having to download an app or any software themselves.  

Recorded and transcribed conversations

Your law firm could say goodbye to manual note-taking, too. The best AI-driven legal phone systems can record and transcribe conversations for you with impressive accuracy. That allows you to engage more authentically with your clients without the distraction of having to take written notes.

What’s more, you’ll have all the crucial details of any conversation to refer back to whenever you need. Some top phone systems will even automatically highlight action terms, distinguish essential details, and label caller information for you automatically.

A reduced workload and happier staff

Automation is reshaping the workforce, with 50% of business leaders heavily prioritizing the acceleration of automation in the workplace. 

In the legal field, as with many industries, there are critical tasks that can also be tedious, complex, and incredibly time-sensitive. The best legal phone system can help your firm automate work like transcription, billing, and call handling. 

With automated call recording, every billable minute is immediately logged to make accurate billing a cinch. Real-time transcriptions, meanwhile, replace time-consuming note-taking and give you timestamps, action items, and more. Virtual receptionists and other customized call routing features, meanwhile, boost client experience and leave your staff free to concentrate on other more satisfying duties. 

Case management integrations

Your law firm likely already uses case management software to stay on top of cases and client relationships. The best legal phone systems can integrate seamlessly with those solutions. 

Integrating your phone system with Clio or your case management software of choice makes your team’s workflow more efficient and, by extension, improves client experience:

For example, this integration (well, any good case management integration, really) automatically logs your calls and syncs client information and call notes. You can even make calls straight from the Clio app for maximum efficiency (if you choose Dialpad and Clio as your preferred pairing)—ultimately, this all helps with keeping track of billing too. 

Confidentiality and security

In the legal field, secure and confidential communication is vital. That’s why the best legal phone systems provide enterprise-grade security and a range of features to protect you and your clients’ information, data, and communications. 

With the right law office communication platform, all data gets encrypted every step of the way, either while in transit or at rest. That means voicemails, texts, faxes, and any other info you can imagine. Additionally, single sign-on access options, secure file sharing, and more can add extra layers of protection.  

Qualities and features to look for when sourcing your legal phone system

So, how do you choose the right system for your business? Cloud phone systems often come with an abundance of features, but there are some you should specifically look out for when sourcing a system suitable for a law firm.

Secure legal conferencing

Your firm’s obligation to protect client confidentiality means any communication system you consider should take security seriously. This is particularly true for video calling, where you might discuss highly sensitive information during conferences with your clients.

Make sure your phone system comes with built-in security and privacy features like enterprise-grade end-to-end encryption. Also, ensure that it complies with the ISO standard for information security and other data protection initiatives such as CSA, GDPR, and SOC2. 

An intuitive user interface

A communication system that’s difficult to navigate or has a steep learning curve can seriously hinder productivity, result in time-consuming mistakes, and damage the client experience. Always look for a provider that boasts an intuitive user interface suitable for even the most technophobic colleague. 

Most phone providers offer demos or free trials so you can determine the interface’s ease of use before committing to a purchase. 

App integrations and quick adaptability to paperless law offices

Your legal phone system should fully support your digitization goals by offering features and integrating with tools that make paperless law firms a possibility. 

A comprehensive communications platform will offer virtual fax, cloud storage, case management software and CRM integrations, and plenty more functionality to ease the journey toward paperless firm operations.

Excellent and reliable call quality

The quality of your legal phone system reflects the professionalism of your law firm. If clients frequently experience poor call quality while speaking to your team, they might doubt the professionalism and reliability of your practice. 

Poor call quality might also cause you to miss vital information in meetings, trials, or on client calls, potentially leading to mistakes that are damaging to your reputation and the outcome of your clients’ cases.

With this in mind, choose a legal phone system that can provide evidence of impeccable and reliable call quality—ideally with a 99.9% uptime SLA guarantee—as Dialpad has.

Streamlined tasks and automation

Advanced call handling features and automated recording and transcription can help alleviate the pressure of those important but tedious tasks. Note-taking becomes a thing of the past and staff can focus more completely on your clients and their needs. 

You can even have every single one of your calls and meetings automatically logged and exported to streamline billing and ensure accuracy.

HD audio recording

Anyone working in the legal field knows that the tiniest detail can make all the difference. The best phone systems offer HD audio recording to maximize clarity and eliminate potential unintelligibility. 

Traditional and virtual law firms need a reliable system for firm calls

Cultivating trust and delivering reliability are two core law firm mission statements, and the phone system you use must reflect and support these aims. 

For virtual law firms, in particular, the lack of in-person communication can make building trust with clients slightly more challenging, which is where a reliable communication system becomes critical.

The best cloud-based phone systems or communication platforms can help you improve the client experience in several ways:

• Providing multiple communication options. Clients can contact you via multiple channels depending on their preferences, increasing reachability and improving the client experience. Even better, there are no location restrictions. You can communicate with clients from the other side of the world with the same efficiency as if you were in their local office. 
• Delivering auto-attendant features. Auto attendants have become the staple of a professional business phone system, efficiently routing calls to reduce client wait times and streamline workflows.
• Removing data silos. The integration of your phone system with your other essential tools means you can find client data quickly and easily while on a call, ensuring every client is served with speedy professionalism. 
• Ensuring business continuity. Even traditional law firms need flexible communication systems. Whether you’re urgently called out of the office or running late to an important meeting, a reliable cloud phone system lets you communicate on the go. 

Together, these can improve not only the overall client experience, but also long-term client retention—while alleviating tedious workflows and making your firm more connected. 

Set up your firm to be reliable and flexible

If, like most law firms, you value reliability and flexibility, ensuring these values are reflected by your client communications should be a priority. Investing in a modern legal phone system will grant you the flexibility to work with clients, however, whenever, and wherever works best for them. What’s more, every client will know they can rely on you to be available to them.

When choosing a provider, vet each phone system in terms of security. Prioritize solutions that integrate with essential case management and calendar tools like Clio and Microsoft 365, and offer other customized integration options via APIs. Then, consider all the features and functions that the platform can provide to streamline workflows and save your law firm valuable time. 

Keep all that in mind, and your law firm will find the legal phone system it needs to delight clients and stay a step ahead of your competition.