Running a law firm can be demanding. People are used to receiving instant services and, as a lawyer, trying to stay on top of everything in that pursuit can be overwhelming.

Most law firms nowadays incorporate the use of law practice management (LPM) software in order to run daily operations and get more done in little time. These day-to-day activities include expense tracking, client management, scheduling, billing, time management, and much more.  

A law practice management software is one the best tools to keep your firm moving efficiently so you can serve your clients better.

Let’s have a look at how you can choose the right law practice management software based on your needs.

How to Choose the Right Practice Management Software for Your Law Firm

No two practice management software platforms are the same. There also isn’t a one-size-fits-all tool that is going to cater to every law firm out there.

You have to find a solution that works best for your organization and the goals you want to achieve. The software should fit in with your workflow and address the specific challenges you face.

1. Start with Goals

All too often law firms make the mistake of purchasing a management software based off of its features without first understanding what those features mean for them.

Instead of focusing solely on the specs, consider your firm’s goals. Analyze your long-term goals. Know where you plan to take your organization in the future.

For instance, law firms that intend to add more attorneys or staff in the future have different needs than those who want to remain solo.

Similarly, figure out your needs according to those goals. If your main problem is documenting, get a software that solves that for you. If it’s tracking time and expenses, then choose a system that meets those needs.

2. Check for Flexibility

An important factor to consider before purchasing a new LPM software system is to see how flexible it is. Does the new system easily integrate with the existing tools? Would it be easy to move/transfer your current data into the new system?

Before purchasing an LPM, you must already have some tools that you want to continue using. Your new practice management software should not disrupt their utility.

3. Know the Company Behind the Software

Running a law firm means dealing with legal cases that contain extremely sensitive or confidential information. You don’t want that information in the wrong hands.

Before you decide to purchase an LPM, do your research and make sure that the company behind the software is credible.

Is the company well known? Have they been around for long? Which security measures are they taking to keep your information protected?

These are all important questions that you should have the answers to before jumping in. 

4. Make Sure It Fits Within Your Budget

Once you have analyzed the features of an LPM system and narrowed your choices down, see which one fits your budget. Most systems are available on a subscription basis with tiered pricing. So, the higher you pay, the more features you unlock.

Best Law Practice Management Software

There are tons of practice management software systems out there. You can’t try all of them so, your best bet would be to have a look at the ones with a long standing record or ones that show promise.

Here are some popular choices for LPMs that you should consider:

Clio

Clio is a cloud-based LPM software. It comes with a free trial and is best used for small law firms and solo attorneys for client management and billing. Its key features include:

• Time management

• Documentation

• Calendering

• Task management

• Trust management

• Billing and invoicing

• Asset accounting

Clio also has a separate dedicated sales platform to help manage your sales funnel, Clio Grow. Clio Grow is not included with the standard Clio product, Clio Manage. Separate fees for Clio Grow will apply.

Price: starting from $39 per month 

Practice Panther

Another great cloud-based option, Practice Panther management software is extremely user-friendly and comes with a plethora of features including:

• Expense tracking

• Single-click billing

• Matter management

• Calendaring

• Task management

• Time tracking

Practice Panther is good for firms of all sizes: small, mid, and large.

Price: starting from $39 per month

MyCase

MyCase is great for firms who are looking to handle everything from billing and time tracking to documenting and invoicing in one place. It offers a free trial (without a credit card requirement) so you can assess whether it suits your needs conveniently.

It includes:

• Activity streams

• Secure client portal

• Online payment

• Communication tools

• Accounting

• Automatic billing

• Automatic time capture

Price: starting from $49 per month.

Zola Suite

A fast-growing LPM solution, Zola Suite is ideal for small to midsize law firms that want to implement cloud-based management to eliminate data silos. Also available with a free trial option, Zola Suite is a good option to give a go if you’re not sure what you want yet.

Notable features consist of:

• Accounting

• Asset accounting

• Accrual accounting

• Case notes

• Check writing

• Conflict management

• Case and contact management

• Billing and invoicing

• Calendaring

The best part about Zola Suite is that it connects with your front and back offices seamlessly and delivers a single source of truth.

Price: starting from $59 per month.

Smokeball

Smokeball is an emerging favorite in the legal world and for good reason. It is suitable for small-sized firms and practice in:

• Family Law

• Litigation

• Wills and Estates

• Criminal Law

• Employment Law

Smokeball has a great mobile app that is easy to get around so you don’t have to waste time learning how to use it. Its primary features include:

• Automated documentation

• Shared calendars

• Billing and invoicing

• Accounting

• Docket management

• CRM

• Archiving and retention

Price: starting from $139per month.

Conclusion

The right law practice management software can take your firm to the next level by helping you manage day-to-day workflows and operations in a much more efficient manner.

From aiding in staying organized to consolidating firm information so that it’s easier to access and maintain, LPMs are an essential tool to have in your legal arsenal.