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No matter the size of your team, Tasks have the power to transform your process flow from clunky and manual to streamlined and automated. In Lawmatics, a Task is exactly what it sounds like: it is a to-do item pertaining to a particular matter that can be assigned to yourself or any other user in your organization. Every Task is created with a status, a due date, and a priority level.Tasks are useful for your whole team to help keep matter priorities and action items organized at all times. When Tasks are well-implemented, they help ensure that nothing slips through the cracks and that all clients have a flawless experience with your firm. Not only will this lead to happier clients and more referrals, but your team will also be happier and more efficient.From Custom Task Statuses, to automated Task Templates, to Automation Triggers based on Tasks, Lawmatics has all of the tools to keep your whole team organized and in the loop.

Tasks Overview

Creating Tasks

There are multiple different ways to go about creating Tasks in Lawmatics. In the next section we will cover how to assign tasks automatically, but first let’s focus on the manual way to create Tasks.Navigate to the Tasks Dashboard by hovering over the CRM tab in the top left, and then select Tasks. Here you will see a clear overview of all of your firm’s Tasks along with filtering options to view Tasks by status, due date, user, etc. You can also toggle between the traditional list view and the Kanban view using the buttons highlighted in red below.

Of course in addition to viewing your Tasks, you can also create new Tasks here on this dashboard. To get started, click the New Task button in the top right corner. You will then see a new pop up that looks similar to the example shown below.

When creating the Task, make sure you give the task a name and a description, as well as the important Task details on the right sidebar menu. Also make sure to select which matter this Task is associated with when creating a task here from the dashboard.Another way to create Tasks is directly from a matter’s profile. When creating a Task this way, you will not need to select an associated matter since it will default to the current matter. Other than that, your steps for creating the Task will be the same as shown above.Simply select either the Tasks tab or the New Task button from the tasks sidebar on the matter’s profile.

Custom Task Statuses

Whether you are new to Lawmatics or just starting to dive into the Tasks feature, you’ll want to make sure you have your Custom Task Statuses set up. These are created in your settings page (gear icon near the top right), and then select Tasks on the left sidebar.Your Task statuses are custom to your firm, and are created by clicking the Add Task Status button shown at the bottom of the image below. You will also see below some sample Task Statuses that may be used for your firm. Once you have created Statuses, use the icons on the far right to edit or delete a Status as needed. Also drag and drop Statuses to rearrange their order.

If viewing the tasks dashboard with the Kanban view, each of these statuses will be the column headers. The Kanban view allows you to easily drag and drop tasks between statuses. When creating a task, you will be prompted to select the current status of that task.

Task Tags

Task Tags are used purely for automation purposes; they allow you to trigger Automations when a particular Task is either created or completed. We’ll dive more into the automation piece in the following section, but for now we’ll discuss how to create your Task Tags.First, you can always create and edit or delete Tags by going to Settings, and then selecting Tags from the left sidebar. Note that you will also see your Contact and Matter Tags here too.You can also create a new task tag while creating a task itself. Simply start typing the Tag (as shown below) and then select to create the new Tag as an option.

Editing and Completing Tasks

Last but not least in our Task overview, note that you can make edits to your Tasks at any time either from the Tasks Dashboard or from the associated Matter’s profile. You can also delete a Task in either of these places or mark a Task as complete.

In the image above you’ll see that you can easily access a Matter’s Tasks from either the Tasks Tab, or the Tasks at a glance sidebar. Simply click on the task in the Tasks sidebar to edit, mark as complete, comment, etc.

Task Automation

Entry Conditions

The first way to use Tasks in Automations is to trigger one with a Task. Automations can be triggered based on Task Tags, discussed above. You also have the option to trigger the Automation based on a Task of a specific Tag being either created or completed.

Note that you can use this entry condition along with any of our other entry conditions to create either an AND or an OR conditional relationship with multiple entry conditions.It can often be powerful for your firm to trigger an Automation when a Task is completed. This may kick off another Task to be assigned automatically, or any other step that may come next in your process.

Tasks as an Action Item

Speaking of assigning Tasks automatically, this is easily accomplished by using the Add Task action item. When this item is selected in an Automation, you will make the same selections on the right sidebar that you would make when manually creating a Task.

This includes the Task name, due date, Task owner etc. While there may sometimes be a use-case for manually creating tasks as a one-off, we strongly recommend using Task automation whenever possible. This is a great way to reduce spent time on tedious Task creation, and streamline each step in your process as a template.Typically Tasks are used to assign action items to users within your firm, but Tasks can also be shared directly to a Client’s Portal via automation. We’ll dive into this deeper in our power features section below.

Examples

Now that you know the basics of Task automation, let’s discuss a few examples of how you may use this in your process.

1. Trigger an Automation when a client submits a Form or uploads Documents, automatically assign a Task to review what has been submitted
2. When a client is ready to receive a fee agreement, trigger a Task for the appropriate staff person to preview and send the document out for e-signature. For full automation, template your Document thoroughly and avoid the step of previewing the Document and simply send it directly from the Automation.
3. Are there any manual steps in your process that must be done physically outside of your CRM? Use Lawmatics to trigger a templated sequence of Tasks helping to ensure that these items are all accomplished in a timely manner.

Task Power Features

Tasks are extremely useful to your practice no matter how you go about implementing them into Lawmatics. All of the elements of Tasks discussed so far are fantastic ways to use them in your process. Take things to the next level by adding in some (or all!) of these Task power features.

Comments

An exciting new feature, Lawmatics now gives users the ability to comment on Tasks. The system will automatically keep track of the date and time of the comment, along with which user left the comment.

To leave a comment, simply click on a Task (or click the edit button). Here you will also see the comment thread history of the Task.To level up your comments one step further, you can also use the @ sign to alert a particular user within your comment.

Task Notifications

To make sure you and your staff never miss any important Task comments or notifications, we encourage all Lawmatics users to turn on their Task notifications. We are also excited to share some new task notifications along with these new power features.To turn on notifications, each individual user will navigate to settings, and then select Notifications from the left side menu. Scroll down to locate the Tasks section.

Sub Tasks

When creating a Task, Lawmatics now gives you the ability to create Sub Tasks within the Task. You will notice the Add Sub Task button any time you are adding a new task, either from the dashboard or a matter’s profile.

These Sub Tasks can be marked as completed independently of one another, as well as of the Task as a whole. Once all sub tasks have been marked as completed, then the Task will automatically be marked as completed as well.

Client Portal

The Client Portal is a powerful tool for sharing Forms, Documents, Appointments, and of course Tasks with your clients. For any Tasks that you wish to assign directly to the client themselves, or to another related matter contact, you can share Tasks via Client Portal.This can be done directly from a matter’s profile, as shown below, or when creating a task via automation. Make sure that the client has first been given portal access using the button highlighted in red near the top left before selecting to share a task with them.

When a client logs in to their Client Portal, they will see a similar page to the one shown below. They can easily view the Tasks you’ve shared with them right in their Client Portal dashboard.

Conclusion

Lawmatics gives you the power to streamline your entire client journey, so why shouldn’t that apply to your internal process as well? Tasks are the key to increased productivity, efficiency, and hopefully happiness within your organization.Lawmatics tasks allow your team to spend more time on their actual work, and less on the behind the scenes setup and organization of their process. They can simply create their task templates once, and then find them automatically assigned each time they need them.

What does CRM stand for?

For any legal professionals asking themselves if CRM is a word, the answer is simple, really. CRM is a commonly used acronym in the business world that stands for "Customer Relationship Management." In the context of the legal industry, an attorney CRM software refers to software used by law firms to manage and analyze customer interactions and data throughout the customer lifecycle. This includes marketing automation, contact management, sales management, and client intake. The goal of using a CRM in the legal industry is to improve customer engagement, streamline processes, and increase sales and profitability. Let’s dive into the meaning and purpose of the three letters that have become a staple in the legal industry lexicon.

What is a CRM and how does it work in the legal field?

Law firms have to manage a large volume of client data, and keeping track of all this information manually can be a time-consuming and error-prone process. Enter legal CRM software. A CRM system helps law firms to manage this data in a centralized and organized manner, making it easy for them to access and use it to improve their customer engagement and business processes.Using this software, the customer relationship management process in the legal industry involves the following steps:

1. Marketing Automation: CRMs help law firms to generate leads by automating their marketing campaigns, such as social media marketing, and tracking their effectiveness. This enables law firms to attract and reach out to potential clients in order to convert them into customers.
2. Contact Management: CRMs help law firms to manage their contact information, including client information, leads, and customer interactions. This makes it easy for law firms to keep track of their customers and reach out to them when needed.
3. Sales Management: CRMs help law firms to manage their sales pipeline, including the tracking of opportunities, quotes, and sales activities. This enables law firms to close deals faster and improve their sales performance.
4. Client Intake: CRMs help law firms conduct efficient and effective client intake by automating intake forms, document requests, and organizing client information for future engagement.

What is the importance of a CRM in the legal industry?

The role of customer relationship management (CRM) in the legal industry is more than just about keeping track of clients and their cases. With the right CRM system in place, law firms can achieve a number of important business goals. The importance of customer relationship management lies in its ability to help firms become more efficient and ultimately grow their business. By using CRM, law firms can better understand their clients' needs, provide white glove customer service, increase sales and profitability, and even predict future business trends. The end result is increased customer satisfaction and a more successful and profitable law firm.But it’s not enough for law firms to procure a generic CRM. Legal specific CRM provides a centralized platform designed to meet the unique needs and requirements of the legal industry — one of which is client intake.

How does a CRM help law firms with client intake?

The client intake process is one of the most critical steps in the legal industry, as it sets the foundation for a successful client relationship. By automating and streamlining the client intake process, law firms can improve their customer engagement and increase their overall efficiency. Here's how CRM can help law firms handle the client intake process:

1. Automating client intake forms: CRM software allows law firms to automate client intake forms, making the process faster and more efficient. With digital forms, clients can complete the intake process from anywhere and at any time, eliminating the need for manual processing and reducing the risk of errors.
2. Organizing client information: CRM software helps law firms organize client information in a centralized database, making it easier to access and manage. This central repository of client data can be used to track client interactions, monitor progress, and make informed decisions about future engagement.
3. Tracking client interactions: CRM software allows law firms to track client interactions, from initial contact to final resolution. This data helps law firms understand their clients' needs and preferences, allowing them to provide better customer service and increase customer satisfaction.
4. Improving communication with clients: CRM software provides a platform for law firms to communicate with clients in a more organized and effective manner. With tools such as email and text messaging, law firms can keep clients informed and engaged, improving customer loyalty and retention.

What are the CRM software options for law firms?

There are limited CRM software options available for law firms, including free and paid options. Lawmatics is among the best CRM for law firms. Lawmatics is a CRM specifically designed for the legal industry and offers a range of features, including lead generation, contact management, sales management, customer service, and technical support. Lawmatics legal CRM elevates the client experience with automated processes, customizable digital intake forms, email workflows, advanced custom fields, document request templates, e-signature capability, and more. To learn more about how Lawmatics can help your firm’s process run smoothly, request a demo today.

Most of today’s consumers base their buying decisions on stars – meaning they value five-star reviews as much as personal recommendations by friends and relatives. Online client reviews have also become a determining factor for many legal clients when narrowing down their choice of law firms. For lawyers and most businesses, the main reason for advertising on a review site is to get exposure. Recent statistics revealed that in 2021, 77% of consumers “always” or “regularly read online reviews when browsing local businesses (an increase from 60% in 2020). Just three percent of those surveyed said they would consider using a company with an average rating of two or fewer stars, down from 14% in 2020. Lawyer review sites give lawyers and firms visibility and provide the impression that they are credible and reliable. However, not all lawyer review sites are created equal. Some are free, others require a monthly payment, and still others allow lawyers to obtain a simple listing for a fee but require payment for previous spots and additional features. Here is a list of some of the review sites frequented by legal consumers and how firms can leverage these review sites to grow their organization (and potentially track them as a marketing source):

1 Avvo

Founded over 15 years ago by former Expedia lawyer Mark Britton, Avvo is an attorney review site that provides consumers with legal advice (thanks to its vast resource library) and helps them find attorneys via lawyer profiles, peer endorsements, and reviews of U.S.-based lawyers. Avvo, whose name comes from avvocato (the Italian word for lawyer), is a neutral platform, meaning that attorneys cannot pay to improve their ratings or conceal negative information about themselves. The site uses an algorithm to calculate a rating for each attorney – the more favorable an attorney’s background, the higher the rating will be.

How to leverage Avvo: When you claim your Avvo profile, you can post critical information about your firm, including your rates. You can also monitor your reviews and overall rating and become a thought leader in your area by answering questions in the Q&A forum.

2 FindLaw.com

FindLaw.com is a free legal information site that helps consumers find answers to legal questions and search for attorneys. The site includes case law, state and federal statutes, a lawyer directory, legal news and analysis, and Writ, a free legal dictionary and magazine where legal academics explain and debate legal matters of interest. Star ratings on FindLaw’s attorney directory represent an average of all the ratings submitted for an attorney or law firm. Optional ratings like value, quality of service, and professional competence do not influence the attorney or firm’s overall rating. Clients can leave one review per attorney and one review per firm on FindLaw, and if they have worked with multiple lawyers and firms, they can leave one review per attorney and firm. Client reviews cannot be edited once submitted, but an original review can be deleted and a new one offered in its place.

How to leverage FindLaw: Not surprisingly, many consumers use Google to search for legal services, and with the use of target keywords, FindLaw profiles frequently appear high in Google’s organic search results. Because FindLaw consistently ranks high on Google and consumers are likely to click on one of the first results they see, lawyers need to have a profile and reviews on the platform – many users refine their FindLaw search to include only profiles that include reviews.

3 Lawyers.com

Lawyers.com is a free service for legal consumers who need representation but aren't sure how to begin. In addition to profiles for over one million attorneys worldwide, Lawyers.com includes informational articles on numerous legal topics. It operates as an online source providing consumers and small business professionals with the information they need to learn about the law, ask questions, get answers, and find the right legal team for their issues. Lawyers.com also does paid listings, provides dofollow links back to law firm websites, and offers more than 700,000 keyword rankings that positively impact organic search results.

How to leverage Lawyers.com: Lawyers.com enables potential clients to contact attorneys directly from the website via a form, which makes it an excellent way for lawyers to attract and convert leads. Because Lawyers.com is a top-ranking legal website, lawyers must maintain a compelling profile that accurately describes their practice.

4 LegalMatch

LegalMatch is a client-attorney matching service focused on connecting clients with the right lawyers, based on the client’s legal issue and the lawyer’s location and area of practice. To help them find the right attorney on LegalMatch, clients are asked to answer specific questions. For example, after clients choose a category and location, the platform asks them to select a subcategory, respond to a series of issue-specific questions, describe the legal issue, and provide their contact information. Once the case is submitted, LegalMatch lawyers will respond to the request, share their background, outline fees, and explain why they feel qualified to assist with the matter. LegalMatch also has an attorney mobile app (iOs or Android) that helps attorneys stay abreast of new leads anytime and anywhere.

How to leverage LegalMatch: Lawyers on LegalMatch should customize their response templates according to inquiries, making one for each of your legal specialties. For example, a one-page response template describing areas of specialization and mentioning one or two successful cases will likely grab a potential client’s attention more thoroughly than a generic response sent to everyone. In addition, since prompt follow-ups often help convert clients, lawyers on LegalMatch should consider preparing a call script to facilitate quicker engagement and help streamline conversation.

5 Martindale-Hubbell

Martindale-Hubbell is a website that features a combination of peer review ratings and client reviews to give clients a complete picture of an attorney’s abilities. An indirect benefit of listing with Martindale-Hubbell is that since Martindale owns Lawyers.com, lawyers get listings on both platforms as well as links to individual attorney profiles included in the listing price. In addition, the platform has a comprehensive guide for attorneys who want input on creating a solid profile.

How to leverage Martindale-Hubbell: Lawyers who subscribe to Martindale-Hubbell can select up to two reviews with written feedback that will be displayed at the top of their client or peer review section, which gives them the ability to highlight what they want potential clients to see first.

6 Nolo

Nolo, a combination of some of the internet’s first legal sites – Nolo.com, Divorcenet.com, and AllLaw.com, is now Nolo Network, one of the internet’s largest libraries of free consumer-friendly legal information. Although Nolo provides consumers with information about handling certain legal matters themselves with do-it-yourself products, the Nolo lawyer directory connects potential clients with a list of attorneys competing for their business. They can also view lawyers individually and connect with whomever they choose. In addition, Nolo offers two subscription types: Profile, which includes a professional attorney profile, unlimited article publishing ability, direct leads, and flat fee pricing, and Premium, which provides all the features of Profile plus lead generation through Nolo’s network, premium positioning and exposure, and pricing based upon return on investment (ROI).

How to leverage Nolo: With over 100,000 lawyers listed on Nolo, lawyers and firms can use the site to boost their online visibility, generate leads, and drive referrals to their websites. Nolo provides lawyers with numerous marketing options, including real-time leads filtered based on location and practice area and powerful reporting that helps subscribers measure performance and ROI.

How to ask for client reviews the ethical way

All businesses that ask for reviews are held to general advertising laws; however, attorney advertising rules related to lawyer review sites are more specific. For example, while some companies offer gift cards or other incentives in exchange for reviews, the American Bar Association (ABA) updated rule 7.2 in 2018 to include specific language that limits what a lawyer can offer in exchange for a review.

Rule 7.2 provides in part:

(b) A lawyer shall not compensate, give or promise anything of value to a person for recommending the lawyer’s services except that a lawyer may:

(5) give nominal gifts as an expression of appreciation that are neither intended nor reasonably expected to be a form of compensation for recommending a lawyer’s services.

Best practices to stay in compliance

• No gifts. Avoid offering even a small gift in exchange for a review.
• Timing matters. While asking for reviews at the end of every email and in most communications is common practice for some businesses, attorneys should only ask for a review at the end of the case, regardless of the outcome.
• Be non-specific. Review requests should ask the client only to share their experience. Don’t request personal information your clients would not want widely known.
• Follow ABA ethics rules. ABA rules do not allow lawyers to edit reviews, meaning that whatever your client writes (positive or negative) must be published with no omissions.

Here are some ways to make asking for a client request as safe (and ethical) as possible for both your clients and your firm:

Make giving a review easy and convenient

Clients will be more inclined to review your work if you simplify the process. To do so, consider building review requests into the final client paperwork. Include a link on any concluding communications with clients and ask specifically for a review in any follow-up communications. You can also request reviews periodically on social media platforms and in automated email marketing communications. Attorneys are prohibited from actively soliciting reviews from individuals who are not yet clients.

Create a policy for managing client reviews

Law firms should treat client reviews as a part of firm culture. To do so, they should set up a system for managing client reviews and stick with it. Offer gratitude for the positive reviews and propose a follow-up for unhappy clients. Showing appreciation to clients for positive reviews and responding to less-than-satisfied clients demonstrates to potential clients that your firm remains engaged, even after a case concludes. You could designate a specific time every week to respond to attorney reviews or specify a particular team member to do so. You might consider using an attorney-client relationship management platform (commonly known as a legal CRM) to keep track of these responses.

Know how to advertise your client reviews

When an attorney publicizes client reviews, the ABA’s Model Rules of Professional Conduct clarify what is legal and what may be considered an unwanted solicitation. For example, you should never say, “Our clients think we’re the best!” or “Reviews show that we’re the experts!” Some states prohibit client reviews and testimonials entirely, noting that these are only personal experiences and could be misleading. To find out what’s permissible in your jurisdiction, check with your state bar’s rules on attorney reviews before posting any. Post a link on your website to featured lawyer review sites (if allowed), and consider adding a link to your social media profiles.

Increase client engagement (and drive positive reviews) with Lawmatics CRM

The Lawmatics client relationship management (CRM) system aims to help law firms manage and engage clients by keeping track of critical information about them. From knowing who their clients are, how they found out about their law firm, and whether anyone has followed up with them since they initially made contact – a legal CRM serves as the “brain” of a law practice, tracking each potential new client through their journey. All lawyers want to drive efficiency, attract more prospects, increase client engagement, and accelerate the growth of their firms. The ultimate purpose of a CRM is to manage the client intake process for attorneys by attracting, delighting, and retaining clients so lawyers can focus on what they do best – practice law. The result: more repeat business, positive reviews, increased client referrals, and a boost in law firm revenue. For more information on how the Lawmatics legal CRM can elevate your clients’ experience and accelerate your law firm’s growth, request your demo today.

Getting a new position to work in big law is an exciting milestone. Yet as prepared as you may feel, chances are you've got a pit in your stomach knowing what to expect. It's no secret that you'll be working long and hard alongside some serious big dogs with impressive credentials.  Big law attorneys are known for working as much as 80 hours per week. This can be both physically and mentally grueling. Almost 50% of lawyers working that many hours claim it is so demanding that it has a negative impact on their life. After only a few short months, many big law lawyers find themselves on the brink of burnout. The truth is that any position in the legal career is challenging. But the first few years of big law are an entirely different animal. But with the right tips, not only can one survive big law but thrive in it. To help you navigate the often overwhelming and unforgiving challenges of big law, here are some of the best tips for survival.

1 Stop saying “big law” so much

First of all, repeating big law over and over is only going to psych you out.  In order to separate your feelings from facts, you have to remove labels. There's a lot of pressure associated with “big law.” So take away that title, and you'll strip some of the added pressure.  The truth is that there are a lot of myths that go into working in big law. For one, many firms could care less about your law school prestige.  While having a top law school on your resume will certainly not hurt, it doesn't mean it's the only way in. Ultimately, they care about how much work you’re willing to put in.  So, show up with that in mind and see it as a job — not a “big law job.”

2 Make use of your free time

There's no way to put this lightly— you're not going to have a lot of free time on your hands during the first few years of working in big law. For that reason, it's incredibly important that you meticulously plan out how you plan on spending your free hours. It is important to understand that burnout is a serious condition that can have a significant impact on your physical and mental health. Symptoms of burnout include fatigue, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and a loss of motivation. If left unchecked, burnout can lead to serious health problems such as depression and anxiety.One of the key ways to prevent burnout is to make use of your free time to engage in activities that you enjoy and that help you to relax and unwind. Prioritize spending time with friends and family, and don’t forget that it's also important to practice self-care. For some people this might mean time at the gym, while for other people it may be reading, or playing Fornite— you do you. Whatever you do, make sure that you prioritize whatever it takes for you to recharge your battery.  Another important step in preventing burnout is to prioritize self-care. This might include things like getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and practicing good hygiene. Many lawyers opt to hire a house cleaner for laundry services. When it comes to cooking, consider meal prep so that you have food ready to go on the fly. The more you can develop a system that prioritizes an efficient flow, the less you'll find yourself scrambling to get everything done when you finally have some time off. It is also important to seek help if you are struggling with burnout, whether that means talking to a therapist or counselor or seeking support from friends and family.

3 Find a role model

Finding a role model while working in big law can be an incredibly valuable experience. Role models can serve as an inspiration and guide, helping you to navigate the often-complex world of big law and achieve your professional goals. They can also provide valuable mentorship and support, helping you to develop your skills and knowledge, as well as offering guidance on how to handle difficult situations. A role model doesn't necessarily need to be a lawyer or a legal professional, either. Find someone worth emulating, and emulate the things you admire most. Read about them, soak up what their methods were to achieve what they did, and strive to do the same. Their story can serve as a guidebook for how to navigate the challenges you will face with big law hours. Studying your role models successes and failures will help you apply them to your own political landscape of the area of law you practice. Reading their stories can provide valuable insight that push you to keep going even through adverse times in your career.  

4 Show up on time

Punctuality is an essential part of professional conduct in any field, but it is especially important when working in big law. Unfortunately, many junior associates think they can show up late and leave early without putting in the time. While big law is certainly flexible, the fast-paced and high-pressure nature of big law demands that employees be punctual and reliable in order to meet deadlines and deliver results. When you're punctual, you're showing that you value other people's time and that you're willing to take responsibility for your own commitments. This is particularly important in big law, where time is often of the essence and delays can have serious consequences. Being punctual also helps to establish trust and respect with colleagues and clients, which can be crucial in building and maintaining professional relationships. It can also be the key to a smooth workflow and it's essential for the success of the whole team.Additionally, punctuality can also be a reflection of one's work ethics and professionalism, it helps to show that you take your job seriously and that you're dedicated to doing your best work. Being punctual can also help to demonstrate that you're dependable and trustworthy, which can be key to getting ahead in big law.

5 Remember your place

Knowing your place in a big law firm is crucial for your professional development and success. Understanding the hierarchy and culture of the firm, and being aware of the expectations and responsibilities of your role, can help you to navigate the often-complex world of big law and make the most of your time there.Being aware of your place also means understanding the limits of your knowledge and expertise, and being willing to ask for help when needed. It is important to be humble, and to not overestimate your abilities. Junior associates should be open to learning from more experienced colleagues, and seeking guidance and mentorship from those who have the experience and skills they want to acquire. Additionally, it's also important to understand the importance of following the guidelines and procedures set by the firm, and to respect the decisions of the senior associates and partners, even if you disagree with them.By knowing your place and understanding the hierarchy and culture of the firm, you can build trust and respect with your colleagues and clients, and also be able to make the most of your time in the firm. This can help you to develop your skills, knowledge and professional network, and also to position yourself for future opportunities and advancement.

6 Take breaks

Big law work can be demanding and intense, with long hours and tight deadlines. For that reason, it is important to take breaks in order to maintain your mental and physical well-being, and to ensure that you are able to perform at your best. Remember, you're not a machine, you're a human. And just like a car needs to refuel, you need to take a break to recharge and refocus.

It's also important to take breaks to prevent burnout, which can occur when one is working too much, and neglects their physical and emotional well-being. Without taking breaks, you'll start to feel like a robot, churning out legal briefs and contracts with no emotions or motivation. But with a quick break, you'll come back to your work with renewed energy and a fresh perspective. It's like hitting the reset button on your brain, clearing the clutter and allowing you to tackle your tasks with renewed vigor. So, take a break, grab a coffee, or go for a walk, and remember, you're not a robot, you're a lawyer, and it's important to take care of yourself.

It's also important to note that taking breaks doesn't mean only taking physical breaks like stepping away from your computer, it also includes taking mental breaks and disconnecting from work. This can include activities such as meditation, exercise, or reading, which can help to clear your mind and reduce stress levels.

7 Stay on top of your billing

Most lawyers don't realize just how much administrative work goes into their job until they finish law school. You might feel like you're constantly swimming against the tide, fighting deadlines and paperwork. But there's one thing that you can't afford to let slip through your fingers: your billing. You see, in big law, time is money and if you're not careful, you might find yourself drowning in a sea of missed billable hours.Staying on top of your billing is like playing a game of Tetris, you need to be quick and efficient. It's important to log your hours as they happen, otherwise, you'll find yourself struggling to remember what you did three weeks ago-which can be a blur. So, stay on top of your billing, log your hours and keep that money coming in.

8 Keep a healthy work life balance

There's a lot of pressure that goes into working in big law, so that's why it's important that you practice self-care on your off time. Make sure that your personal life doesn't spill over into your professional one, and vice versa. During your downtime, don't think about your job whatsoever. Be present with your friends and family, and don't forget to show yourself a little love too. Whenever you get the chance, take naps, read a book, go for a walk— do whatever it takes to make the most of your downtime and prioritize rest.Substance abuse is a serious problem in the legal world because of the high stress levels. Lawyers who don't take enough time to recharge their batteries often end up reaching for the bottle or worse, harder substances that can lead you on a downward spiral.

Survive big law hours the smart way

There are some lawyers that ultimately can't survive the grueling hours of big law. However, with a goal in mind you just might be one of the few that makes it.  By following these tips, and using the right tools to streamline and automate, you'll win back hours of time that you can dedicate to more important tasks than in administrative work. By using software like Lawmatics all in one CRM, client intake, and timing and billing software, you'll be significantly more efficient.Are you ready to see how Lawmatics can help you not only survive but thrive in big law? Sign up for a free product demo today!

It may not be a box of chocolates or a dozen red roses, but Lawmatics is here to deliver something even better this February: a new batch of features!

Kanban Board for Tasks

The Tasks dashboard now has the same Pipeline visualization you know and love. You can drag and drop Tasks through your sequence of statuses in the Kanban view. In addition to custom Task statuses, this feature will keep your Tasks more organized than ever. To select between Kanban or List view, simply go to the Tasks dashboard under your CRM tab and toggle the view selection next to the New Task button. Tasks will appear in the appropriate status column as they are created.Learn more about custom task statuses here.

Select Any/All Host Availability Option

Automatic scheduling continues to be a fan-favorite feature among Lawmatics users. With this latest update, you now have availability options when booking for multiple hosts. Use the All option when both hosts must be available for the meeting, or use the Any option to showcase the soonest individual availability among the multiple hosts. You will find this option on your booking forms as well as custom forms.Click here to read up on booking forms.

Add Reschedule Link to Booking Forms

To make your automatic scheduling even easier, we’ve also added the ability to include a reschedule option in your booking forms. When a client wants to reschedule their appointment from a booking form, this new option allows them to simply reschedule their existing appointment. Eliminate the need to create an entirely new appointment when calendars move around. Choose whether or not to include the reschedule link in emails when editing your form.

Apply Trust Balance When Creating Invoice

You now have the option to incorporate a matter’s trust balance when creating an invoice. After making all of your selections for the invoice terms, you will see the option at the bottom to Apply Trust Balance. This will be reflected on the invoice total to the right of the screen.Not yet using LMPay? Click here to learn how to get started.

Pay Invoice From Trust Account

Similarly, when a client is sent an invoice they can also choose to pay the invoice themself using their trust balance. If they have a balance in their trust, that trust will appear as an option when selecting their payment method.Additionally, you can now choose if you would like to pay an invoice from the matter trust balance or the contact/company trust balance, or both. This can be used to pay an invoice from the trust account after the invoice has already been sent to the client.Click here to learn all about trust accounting in Lawmatics.

Billing Point of Contact Field

For our Time & Billing users, you now have the option to select one or multiple designated Billing Point(s) of Contact for your matters. This will default to the main contact on the matter, but you can easily select from any of that matter’s relationships as well. When creating and sending invoices, you have the option to select the Billing Point of Contact as the recipient for the invoice, making sure payment can be made by the proper contact(s).Read up on automating invoices here.

Also included in this release!

• New standard field: "Type of Billing" on matters
• Re-order custom activity types and expenses
• Zoom link merge fields available in email templates
• Email campaigns automatically remove duplicate email addresses
• Enhanced formatting capabilities in notes

From the bottom of our hearts, we have so much love for each and every one of our Lawmatics users! Hoping you feel the love with these latest features.

More and more lawyers are using customer relationship management — or small law firm CRM — software to help them keep track of their clients, and no–we're not talking about the old Rolodex systems of yore.With today's streamlined CRM systems, it has never been easier for lawyers to manage client data efficiently. Using a CRM, you’re able to create marketing campaigns tailored to a specific audience to identify prospective clients. You can prioritize the most important relationships by sorting your contacts by goal type. CRM insights can help your team understand your potential customers better so you can nurture leads and convert them into clients.

Understanding the role of legal CRMs

A legal CRM is an indispensable tool for law firms to serve their clients best. A law firm's CRM helps identify and track leads and provides powerful insights into better understanding your client acquisition process. These insights can include demographic information, pain points, and communication preferences, among other things. With this information, you can craft content that specifically addresses your target audience's needs and interests, increasing the likelihood that the content will resonate with them and lead to an inquiry. CRM solutions typically integrate with virtual receptionists, online intake forms, email marketing tools, and practice management software to be a centralized database for your law firm. A law firm CRM solution should be employed to help you tighten up your law firm's marketing efforts and client intake.

If it ain't broke, why does my law firm need a CRM?

Even if your law firm is already running efficiently, there are still many benefits that a CRM can offer. Here are some reasons you should consider investing in one:

• Improved Customer Service: With easy access to contact information, documents, notes, and other data, lawyers can respond quickly to clients and build stronger relationships.
• Enhanced Data Security: Law firms store confidential client information that must be stored securely. A CRM helps ensure this data is safely contained in one secure system – both online and on-premises
• Better Marketing Automation: Identifying target markets and sending automated newsletters or emails through the CRM will enable you to engage potential clients more effectively.
• Gaining Insights: By accessing analytics from a single platform, law firms can comprehensively view their operations and make data-driven decisions based on facts and figures.

Must-have features of a legal CRM software

To be effective, a CRM should bring value to your law firm by having intuitive navigation, fast searching capabilities, and the ability to sync with your existing software. Here are the top five features every legal CRM should have:

1. Track and create audience segmentation: A great legal CRM should provide the ability to track metrics such as acquisition, engagement, conversion rates, and other important user data. It should also have advanced segmentation capabilities so you can target specific subsets of clients.
2. Engage potential clients: Many legal CRMs will offer email automation features that allow you to send targeted campaigns and emails to potential clients. Doing so helps increase brand awareness and drives conversions.
3. Manage client activity and communications: A versatile CRM should facilitate communication between all stakeholders in the legal process, from attorneys to paralegals, assistants, and clerks. Advanced task management capabilities help keep everyone informed while keeping data organized.
4. Keep your client data records organized and updated: The best legal CRMs allow you to store contact information, documents, notes, and more in one secure space – both online and on-premises. Keeping these centralized ensures that all data is easily accessible when needed.
5. Sort your contacts with criteria tailored to your law firm: Advanced search filters enable lawyers to quickly find cases based on criteria such as area of practice, case type, or client status.

How to choose a CRM for law firms

Choosing the right CRM system for your law firm is a crucial decision. Consider your firm’s current infrastructure, team size, and budget when evaluating to ensure compatibility.Opt for a cloud-based CRM that is both easy to use and robust enough to track leads, acquire data, and nurture relationships effectively. Additionally, prioritize security features such as access rights on multiple levels to reduce the risks associated with data breaches. With the right choice of CRM system in place, you will have better control of your data while enjoying greater management efficiency.

What CRM do law firms use?

Lawyers use the following CRM software to help manage client relationships:

• Excel - Microsoft's popular spreadsheet application allows users to track, visualize, and analyze data easily. Excel data can easily be overwritten, become unwieldy, and may not serve a growing law firm.
• Lawmatics - Lawmatics was designed specifically for law firms to manage cases from intake to close in one unified platform.
• Hubspot - A leader in the customer relationship management space, Hubspot offers powerful analytics that allow users to understand how customers interact with their business. However, Hubspot is not specific to the legal industry and is often too robust for smaller law firms.
• Salesforce - This non-legal-specific CRM system provides robust features, including workflow automation, integration with other services like Outlook or Google mail, and detailed reporting capabilities designed for enterprise businesses. That said, Salesforce lacks the functionality that an attorney’s office requires for managing client relationships and case information.

Stay in touch with a legal CRM

Law firms increasingly turn to CRMs for their operational efficiency, improved customer service, and better marketing capabilities and results. A good CRM can also help law firms gain valuable insights into their business operations and make data-driven decisions. If you want to keep up with the competition and maximize your law firm's performance, consider investing in a legal CRM today. Book a demo with us now and find out how Lawmatics can help!