Law practice management software is changing. New, cutting-edge web applications are bursting onto the scene, making life more simple for busy attorneys.One such program is called Rocket Matter. Rocket Matter allows lawyers to keep track of all their cases/matters, contacts, calendar, billing, accounting, time, messaging, conflicts, and more. The cost of this web service is a monthly fee.
Another service called Clio offers “Practice Management Simplified.” It provides a way for document management, scheduling, time tracking, and billing. The price for this service is also a monthly fee.
When I first started my law practice, I went with the traditional methods of local software installs. $300+ for Microsoft Office and $300+ for Quickbooks. The new web 2.0 online applications may make software packages like these obsolete in the near future.
Hi Brian:
Thanks very much for raising the awareness of online legal practice management. BTW – really nice job on the blog – it looks great.
LP
I am always concerned of having this type of information on someone else’s server. While no computer is safe from being hacked and broken into; I am concerned about possible security problems and if the system is compromised, have the state ethics panel get you for not maintaining client’s confidences.
I agree that security and confidentiality are valid concerns. Larry Port, from Rocket Matter, addresses these issues here: http://www.rocketmatter.com/blog/moving-to-software-as-a-service-questions-to-ask/
Another SaaS practice management solution can be found here: http://caseload.blackletterllc.com/
After trying this out and comparing it with Rocketmatter and Clio, I have to say that it is lacking in the robust functionality of the other two competitors. However, the price is much better.
Brian,
Thank you for trying Caseload. Depending on the last time you checked us out, you may now find that we are much more ‘robust’ in terms of features and user interface.
Also, any feedback you could give on where we are lacking would be much appreciated.
Thanks again!
Hi Drew,
Thanks for the comment. Here is a wishlist of features that I need a case management system (some of these feature requests apply equally to Clio):
1) AJAX-ify almost everything. When I start typing in a search box, I want to see an auto-complete pop-down. This saves me a lot of time.
2) Be able to structure (e.g. in folders), or organize (e.g. with tags) files that are associated with a matter. A big list of files is overwhelming and almost unusable.
3) A tasklist is not as valuable if it’s not somehow hooked into a calendaring system. Some tasks have due dates. Caseload has nothing but the name of the task.
4) All import / export with CSV.
5) Have an iPhone CSS layout for anywhere access to contacts and calendar.
6) Make it easier to track time spent on a matter. e.g. have a stopwatch function pop-up that records the total time on a task (e.g. a phone call made to client).
This is just the main things that I need – there are other smaller wishes to add to the list. I give you (Caseload) props to your very clean Web 2.0 design. I prefer the layout of your calendaring system to Clio right now. Very clean and aesthetically pleasing.
Drew – thanks for making it easy for me to sign up with your software for a free trial. I agree with this business philosophy of giving potential buyers a good taste of the product before committing. After all, during law school both Westlaw and Lexis “hooked” law students on their products with free, practically unlimited use.
I am sure the same could apply to case management software. Make it easy for us lawyers to use it, get us addicted and dependent on it, and in time your business will thrive!
Hi Brian,
Really nice-looking blog. Thanks for the mention also!
We have also posted a series on how we address data availability, security and privacy on our blog as well:
http://www.goclio.com/blog/2008/10/02/data-accessibility-security-and-privacy-part-i/
http://www.goclio.com/blog/2008/10/22/data-accessibility-security-and-privacy-part-ii/
http://www.goclio.com/blog/2008/10/31/data-accessibility-security-and-privacy-part-iii/
As a result of your review, I tried caseload, on a free trial, but had to give my credit card details first. However it was not enough of a fit. Worryingly when I tried to cancel my account, I got this message:
“We’re sorry, but something went wrong.
We’ve been notified about this issue and we’ll take a look at it shortly.”
Hopefully this was just a technical hitch – but the fact that there are no contact details available on the website is also worrying.
Hopefully this issue will be cleared as soon as possible, and Drew Schimmel, if you can confirm back on this forum, it would be great.
What is it that a lawyer would consider most ? Price or Functionality ?
I would say any SaaS software worth its salt can provide at least a 500% roi . Yet why do attorney care whether a software is $50 or $59. End of the day its the value and if you dont get it then dont buy it. Simple.