The Lawmatics Blog

Legal case management software is a useful tool for helping law firms with their day-to-day operations. From managing contacts to billing and payments, it's a practical approach to managing workflows and accessing case details instead of digging through piles of paper. Usually, a case management software’s core features include:

Case Management

Case management software keeps track of all of the information you need allowing you to access it whenever and wherever you need it. You can access an overview of all of your cases in one single location from a cloud. Regardless of what computer you're on or even by using your phone, you can access each case detail you need.

Task Management

Lawyers can create tasks and assign them to multiple lawyers in their practice with assigned due dates for each different case. As such, they can easily view any upcoming appointments or noteworthy reminders.

Document Storage

Any important documents and files for each client are easily stored in one single location, accessed from anywhere at any time. From images to videos, any supporting case files are located in one place.

Billing and Payments

Billing and payments can be handled all within a case management software, automating the time-consuming parts of billing, helping lawyers get paid faster. It's also easy to track who's paid yet and who still needs to pay, making sure that nothing slips through the cracks in your accounting.

Contact Management

All contact information can be stored within case management software, making it easy to access contact details and keep you connected.

Basic Calendar

Any important case deadlines are kept within a built-in to help you stay on top of critical dates without having to use a separate calendar application.

Insights

Certain case management software helps you gain better insight into your law firm's efficiency and productivity with analytics.

Ultimately, a legal case management software helps lawyers stay more organized with their existing clients' information. Although, at first glance, case management software alone may seem like enough technology to run your practice, it's important to remember that a case management software only handles existing client matters and not on client intake. And although your existing clients are incredibly important, so are your prospective ones. Potential leads are what continually bring in a steady stream of revenue and ultimately scale your firm.In order to streamline your client intake process and seamlessly move leads into paying clients, making a positive impression along the way, you'll need a separate software that delivers a clear and consistent process for client intake.

What client intake software does that case management software can’t

Client intake is the process of attracting, following up with, and engaging with leads, eventually setting up a consultation, and ultimately converting them into paying clients. Throughout the process, lawyers need to collect important information from leads to determine whether their area of practice suits their needs and discuss details like fees and whether they’ve ever worked with a lawyer before.Gathering all of this information requires a tremendous amount of manual work for lawyers if they do it on their own. So, attorneys looking for a more efficient way to attract and convert leads rely on client intake software to simplify and automate the monotonous tasks associated with client intake.If you’re serious about growing your law practice, then you must engage leads from the moment they fill out a legal client intake form. In the absence of a systematic client intake process, leads can get lost, and opportunities slip through the cracks. Prioritizing tracking contacts throughout every step of the client journey, not just the existing client stage, will accelerate your practice and make lasting impressions that lead to repeat business and client referrals. Here’s how client intake software can help generate more business in ways that case management software can't.

Makes a great first impression

First impressions are critical for your conversion rate. With client intake software, you can make a lasting impression that shows potential clients you're the right lawyer to choose out of all of the competition. Since the most important thing people look for in a lawyer is responsiveness, it’s crucial that you follow up immediately. Statistics consistently show that the sooner you get back to a prospect, the greater your chances are of closing a sale. Without client intake software, it's impossible to manually get back to everyone promptly while giving your existing clients the attention they need. Statistics reveal that as many as 60% of firms fail to get back to leads inquiries within 72 hours. The result is lost opportunities and, in turn, lost revenue.Client intake software captures information from your client intake form and inputs it directly into your case management software or CRM for lawyers, eliminating the need for tedious manual entry. Once the client's contact information is in your system, your client intake software meticulously tracks each stage of the client's journey, telling you whether they've been followed up with or not and what steps need to be taken next. Automation makes it easy to elevate the client experience from the very beginning, keeping them engaged and ensuring that no opportunity gets missed.

Automated and customizable follow-ups

In the absence of client intake software, using case management software alone, there's no way of knowing where each client stands in the client journey. Client intake software puts your follow-up process on autopilot by meticulously tracking each client's transition through each distinct phase of the client journey. From client intake to active matter to former client, each phase is individually important for unique reasons, not only existing matters. Since case management only handles active matters, you need additional software to give your potential clients just as much attention through consistent follow-ups that send out the right message at the right time.From sending an initial follow-up message with helpful information about your firm to sending a reminder to schedule a free consultation, email automation for law firms stays in touch for you without you having to do a thing.

Automated marketing

The only way that your law firm can continue to grow is by continuously bringing in new clients. Although your primary job is to practice law, you have to put on your CEO hat and treat your firm as a business if you hope to scale your practice.Client intake software helps you reach your prospects through marketing automation for law firms, personalized and scheduled to your choosing. Drip email marketing keeps your prospects engaged to keep your firm top of mind. Automated marketing gives you the tools to grow your practice with the hands-off approach that allows you to turn your energy towards your clients while software attracts more leaves.Whether sending out an automated email for new clients or a newsletter to prior clients to encourage repeat business, automated marketing nurtures and engages contacts beyond the active matter stage of the client journey. Audience segmentation software gives you the power to group your contacts into separate email campaigns based on their unique characteristics for a more targeted and tailored approach.

Custom forms

Lawyers are no stranger to redundant tasks— yet they're a necessary component of running a practice. A substantial amount of lawyers' week is spent gathering client information during the intake process, which can quickly eat up time when executed manually. Instead of relying on manual methods to enter clients' information, dynamic smart form builders built and robust integrations into client intake software make it easy to get the information you need from your client and input it directly into your CRM for attorneys and case management software.Attorney intake software allows you to customize your forms with only the relevant questions you need from your clients, save them and you time. Potential clients can easily submit their answers, optimizing and streamlining your intake process and speeding up the transition to the next phase of the client journey. Features like legal document automation make it possible to take on more business at once and efficiently manage it without feeling overwhelmed by the administrative work that comes with more clients.

Automated scheduling

Although case management software comes with a basic calendar feature, it doesn't allow your clients to self-schedule. Running a practice with case management software alone means lawyers lose time on lengthy email back and forth and phone tag with leads and clients trying to find the best time for a consultation.Automated appointment scheduling is as easy as sending a link to your clients for your calendar, which allows them to choose a time based on only the dates you want them to see. Clients can easily set their own appointments and even cancel them themselves, saving you even more time on administrative work. Because of the added convenience of being able to schedule themselves, clients are thrilled by the modern approach with direct access to their lawyer.

Sends out reminders

Client no-shows are a serious problem for lawyers, with statistics showing that over 25% of initial consultations result in a no-show or cancellation. Not only is a client no-show a missed opportunity and a waste of time, but it's also an expense. Time is money when it comes to running a firm, and every minute wasted is time you could be spending on a pressing matter.If you have a significant client no-show rate, then one of the reasons why this may be happening is a lack of follow-ups. Although a zero no-show rate is highly unrealistic, automatic appointment reminders can lower your no-show rate significantly. Law firm client intake software sends out automated appointment reminders either by email or SMS for law firms, greatly reducing the chance of a no-show.When you make a personal connection with your clients, they are much less likely to cancel or fail to show up at all. Automated marketing and follow-ups stay top of mind with your leads and clients. Furthermore, it can save you hours you would have spent emailing and calling your contacts to remind them about their appointment or having to pay a front desk receptionist to do it for you.

Offers e-signature for legal documents

Most clients are eager to get their case rolling as quickly as possible. Before you can get started on your client's case, you need to draft up important documentation and agreements and get them signed. In a traditional law firm, lawyers ask their clients to print, sign and scan or mail the documents back to them, which can take a considerable amount of time depending on the client's schedule. Legal client intake software offers an electronic signature for legal documents that gets anything signed within minutes. From fee agreements to contracts, clients can sign from anywhere anytime— even from their phones.A client e-signature tool like Lawmatics offers, eliminates bottlenecks in your practice and gets the ball rolling on your clients' cases significantly faster. You can easily see within your software which clients have opened, signed, and approved their paperwork and keep a complete paper trail going without having to bother with printers or piles of documents to sift through. You can easily store everything in the cloud, making it simple to access important documents from anywhere, anytime.[oxygen-template id="6131"]

Prioritize every stage of the client journey with Lawmatics

The client journey starts the minutes that someone contacts your firm. Using case management software alone can leave a lot of firms failing to make a good first impression. Since case management software only handles the active matter stage of the client journey, you may be missing a significant amount of opportunities. Attorney intake software prioritizes every stage of the client journey because each one is an opportunity for more business, even a former client.Carrying out a client's case to end doesn't mean that it's time to hang up your hot and say goodbye. Since 75% of law firm business comes from referrals, you shouldn't stop the attorney-client communication even when a case is closed. Client intake software keeps contacts top of mind through engagement cadences like email drip campaigns and even friendly birthday messages. Showing your clients in each stage of the client journey that you remember and value them encourages customer loyalty.Are you ready to see how Lawmatics client intake software can help you increase your business, delight your clients in the stage of the client journey and earn a five-star reputation and plenty of client referrals? Sign up for a free demo today!

Nowadays, there's no shortage of well reviewed and highly qualified family law attorneys in just about any city you search for on Google. With so many options available to people searching for a lawyer practicing family law, it's essential for you to make yourself stand apart in a sea of sameness. So, how do you differentiate yourself, and what exactly are people looking for that will convince them to hire you instead of the competition?Here are 6 characteristics of successful family law firms.

1. They have 5 star reputations

When searching for a lawyer, most people do the first thing that comes naturally to them— they turn to Google to see what other people are saying. While it’s true that not every online review may not be a 100% accurate representation of a law firm as a whole, in the public's eyes they often are. A recent consumer review survey revealed that over 80% of consumers read reviews of companies before calling them, and over half of those people say that they would only hire the company if they have a rating of four stars or higher.While there are many different review sites available, not all of them are suited for your business. There are a variety of niche sites that may be better suited for certain businesses than others. As a lawyer, the one you should focus on the most is Google. Google is the most used search engine in the world, and nearly half of Google's users are using it to search for businesses.In other words — you need to make Google your family law firm's best friend.

How the right software can helpOne of the most common frustrations that legal clients have about family lawyers is that they feel disconnected from them. With so much going on at a law firm, it's hard to get back to clients as quickly as they might like. After all, staying in touch with clients to give them updates on their cases can feel impossible with so much administrative work that it takes to run a practice paired with multiple cases going on at the same time.The answer lies in leveraging legal software to your advantage. When you use the right CRM for lawyers and attorney intake software, it’s as if you multiply yourself into five different places at once. You can respond to prospects' inquiries, get back to a client about the status of their case, and attend a consultation all at the same time—thanks to the power of automation.When a task needs action, automation takes the next steps for you so you don't have to do a thing. From automated follow up emails to sending out consultation reminders, technology takes care of the tedious work for you so you can focus your attention where it matters most— practicing law for your clients. The more of an attentive and thorough experience you can give each client, the more they’ll feel like they are the only client you have. Consequently, you’ll receive more five star ratings on Google—it's really that simple.

2. They consistently delight and retain clients

The most successful family law firms know that their job goes beyond just representing their clients’ often sensitive and charged matters, and getting them the best possible outcome on their case. More and more lawyers are starting to realize the importance of a client-centered approach.Believe it or not, getting your clients favorable results on their case doesn't necessarily mean that you've provided a five star experience that will delight and retain them. Believe it or not, there are highly successful family lawyers out there that don't even get their clients the best outcome on their case, yet their clients are thrilled with them. How is this possible?It all comes down to the quality of their client journeyA client journey is a collection of experiences with their lawyer that ideally make them feel valued and connected to their lawyer every step of the way.

How the right software can helpYour clients have put all their trust in you to handle their divorce or child custody matters, so it’s up to you to show them that they made the right choice. Using the right legal automation software can help you automate repeatable tasks for a streamlined and dependable workflow that ensures no client feels forgotten, particularly during the client intake process.By relying on workflow automation for law firms, you can save time, reduce stress for your clients and yourself, and ultimately deliver consistently excellent client journeys. A CRM for attorneys like Lawmatics can help meticulously track each of your clients, and manage their client journey with modern and polished communication that ensures nothing slips through the cracks. From your client records to all client interactions, your CRM keeps it all in one single location. Features like text messaging for law firms and automated emails will make your clients feel connected to you every step of the way without leaving them wondering when you'll get back to them. When your clients are going through something as emotional as divorce, it helps to know that they have direct access to their family lawyer.

3. They’re efficient

When family lawyers first start their own practice, many of them are surprised to find how much goes into running their law firm beyond just practicing law. From maintaining an office to staying up to date with marketing, to keeping all of their clients' cases organized, getting back to prospects and clients, and showing up to hearings, it’s not long before you realize you can’t possibly do it all on your own.Unfortunately, because of all that goes into running a practice, it often results in clients feeling abandoned. Lawyers have so much on their plates that they can often seem dismissive, cold, or just plain disorganized. Yet, the most successful family law practices treat their law firm like a business and run their practice efficiently, ensuring no client feels left behind.When you start looking at your law firm as a business, you realize how important it is to get things right the first time. The most efficient family law firms prioritize what's most important in their practice and value top-notch organization by taking time-saving shortcuts that allow them to focus their energy on their clients.

How the right software can helpKeeping track of everything that needs to get done in your practice takes a considerable amount of manual effort and mental bandwidth. Replying to each client, following up with leads, and drafting up lengthy documents can eat up a significant portion of your sanity when you’re doing it yourself. Turning to a family law firm software to automate these redundant tasks for you can significantly boost your law firm's efficiency, and take the pressure off of your shoulders.Processes that would normally take hours or even days can be done instantly. Legal software allows you to move things along faster with features like the client e-signature tool and legal document automation. In a few clicks, you can use custom fields to take whatever data you need from your law firm CRM and auto-fill it directly into your important documents instead of laboriously entering it yourself.Rather than asking your clients to print, scan, sign, and scan back to you, they can easily sign from the palm of their hand with an electronic signature for legal documents to get their case rolling even faster. With so much at stake in a family law case, time is of the essence. Your clients already have enough to worry about — ease their minds by delivering efficient and error-free service with the help of automation.

4. They maximize their inbound marketing strategies

Thriving family law firms know that a mass marketing approach isn't the way to attract clients anymore, and through the right family law firm marketing approach, they attract, engage and delight leads, and ultimately convert them into a client.Inbound marketing for law firms is all about growing your brand by establishing yourself as a credible law firm, organically. The idea is to attract clients through valuable and tailored content that doesn’t make them feel lumped into the masses or spammed. The most well-known family lawyers in your area are the ones that show up on search results first as a result of smart marketing techniques.

How the right software can helpThe right law firm client intake software can take data from your legal crm system database and trigger the next marketing steps. Whether a lead visits your site or signs up for your newsletter, you can turn to data to trigger what happens next. Dynamic automated email workflows for law firms allow you to create a sequence of messages that get sent out based on preset criteria of your choosing and timed triggers. Instead of a generic message going out, leads receive a tailored and personalized message sent out at the right time without you even having to do a thing.Audience segmentation software breaks your leads up into certain groups and sends them targeted advertising based on their unique circumstances. Smart marketing targets distinct groups of people instead of relying on a one size fits all marketing approach. The end result is a meaningful impression that results in repeat business and client referrals.

5. They’re data driven

The most successful law firms are the ones that turn towards a data-driven approach to the way they run their practice. By using data and goal tracking for law firms, they can look at patterns in their practice to improve their performance, boost their efficiency, and handle any bottlenecks in their practice.At first, the idea of combining data and law may seem peculiar. However, using data in the business world is hardly anything new. Data can help you identify problem areas that you didn't even know were there and reveal areas for improvement that may be hurting your law firm. Data driven family law firms use law firm reporting software to anticipate and plan for the future, rather than letting things catch them off guard. For example, some times of the year may be slower than others. By observing their data reports, they anticipate these less profitable periods of the year and plan accordingly.

How the right software can helpBy using visual legal data analytics like Lawmatics offers, you can make smarter decisions for your law firm. Data allows you to see important metrics like where your firm is losing the most time and how you can make your processes more efficient. Law firm performance management has never been easier. Easily track where your best leads are coming from, to what the factors are resulting in repeat business, law performance management tools make it easy to see where you need to make adjustments.Visual analytics make it effortless to digest your reports in an easy-to-read format. With greater insights into your firm's processes, you can improve your law firm's performance on a combined and individual level.

6. They minimize errors

When clients come to a family lawyer to handle their delicate family law issues, they're relying on you to solve their problems, not create more for them. Top-notch law firms are the ones that deliver error-free legal services free of unnecessary troubles.One small error can have a significant impact on the outcome of your client's family law issue, so the most successful lawyers know the importance of relying on technology to automate and error-check their documents.Using the right tools ensures nothing gets forgotten, no deadlines are missed, and ultimately, everything gets done the way it should be done— the first time.

How the right software can helpThe right Legal CRM has built-in law firm document automation that serves as a safety net to ensure that no errors go into your work. All critical information stays organized and in one place to keep everyone on track and on schedule.Automated appointment scheduling makes certain that no one forgets important dates and even sends out automatic reminders to you and your clients. The end result isn't just exceeding your client's expectations but significantly lowering your stress levels and lightening your workload.

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Scale your family law firm with Lawmatics

If you're a family law firm serious about growth and efficiency, then it's time to introduce Lawmatics legal software to your practice. Taking your law firm to the next level requires a robust platform that can accelerate your processes and boost your efficiency so you can turn your attention where it matters most— your clients. From putting your marketing on autopilot with drip email marketing to capturing leads' information through a legal client intake form and inputting it directly into your database to immediate follow-ups with leads— Lawmatics is the best CRM for law firms looking to take their practice to the next level.Are you ready to see how Lawmatics can help you scale your family law practice? Sign up for a free demo today!

An estate planning attorney’s job can be described in simple terms as helping people prepare for what happens to what they leave behind once they are gone. While a common misconception is that estate planning attorneys are only hired by wealthy people, the truth is that there are all sorts of clients looking to prepare an estate plan that helps them map out their future desires. The reality is that regardless of your income, an estate planning attorney can be an indispensable tool for anyone wanting to leave something behind for people they care most about.Many people don't realize that estate planning on your own isn't just time-consuming, but it's downright precarious. There are incredibly elaborate laws that go into estate planning, and if executed incorrectly, you could find yourself and your loved ones in a legal debacle.A qualified estate planning lawyer is the best way to ensure that everything goes smoothly and your future wishes are carried out. All it takes is one error on an important document that can change the validity of a trust or will.

Why estate planning attorneys are essential

Laws are complex

There are many complex laws that vary from state to state that dictate different rules and formalities. Some states are very particular about what is and what is not permitted in a will, and a qualified estate planning attorney knows state laws in and out. Believe it or not, even though the US constitution says that legal documents must be recognized from one state to another, not all states fully honor this reciprocity law. An estate planning attorney is there to review your estate plan and ensure that it is valid in your state, helping you steer clear of costly mistakes that may not lead to your desired outcome in the event of your death.

Estate attorneys update as needed

The reality is that estate plans need to be updated continuously as our lives change. Most people experience significant changes every year, and in some cases, even every few months. Your estate plan should reflect the changes in your life so that you can ensure your belongings go where you want them to go. For example, if you're no longer on good terms with someone who is on your will, like an ex, it's important that it be updated. Leaving behind valuable assets to someone that is no longer a part of your life is a big mistake. An estate planning attorney is there to make sure that all of your assets are up to date and that your beneficiaries are listed as who you want them to be.At the same time, any updates to your state plan aren't always necessarily negative ones. Sometimes it's as simple as one of your family members making a lifestyle change like opening their own business. Perhaps you want to leave behind some funds to help them kickstart their company depending on certain conditions. Changes like these on your plan are made easy through the help of your attorney, who knows the right steps to take to make sure that your wishes are fulfilled and updated— without affecting the validity of your paperwork.

Most estate planning advice is based on speculation

It's not uncommon for people to overhear estate planning advice that they assume is correct, and there is certainly no shortage of estate planning advice out there. All it takes is a few clicks online to find all sorts of uninformed information about estate planning. What people tell you may often be far from the truth, particularly when it comes to legal advice from people who haven’t studied law.Rather than taking the risk of relying on potentially erroneous information, it's much better to get advice from a qualified attorney who is familiar with the law. Your plan needs to be as thorough as possible in order to be considered indisputable. An estate planning attorney is there to walk you through all of the procedures and make it an admissible document that stands up in court.

You save your loved ones money

In many cases, a DIY approach to planning an estate winds up costing a person's family much more money in the end. Some states don't accept a do-it-yourself will, and as a result, your loved ones could end up spending a significant amount of money hiring an estate planning attorney themselves to rectify the situation. If your wishes were to leave funds behind to make your family's lives more comfortable and less burdened, then a scenario like this could have the opposite effect. Hiring an estate planning attorney to do your paperwork means that you don't have to worry about your loved ones receiving what you want them to receive after you're gone. If you're absolutely set on doing your own estate plan, then you should minimally have an estate planning attorney review it to ensure that there are no errors or potential issues.

Estate planning attorneys understand unique and complex situations

There are all sorts of elaborate and uncommon situations you can find yourself in when planning your estate. From not having any children to owning a home in more than one state, a qualified estate planning attorney can help you navigate any of your out-of-the-ordinary circumstances, which may not be easy to figure out on your own. Most importantly, estate planning attorneys can help you avoid the IRS taking the majority of your estate because you didn't receive legal counsel for your complicated situation.So, what are the qualities that set the great estate planning attorneys apart from the "okay” ones? Let's dive in.

Experience

Not all lawyers are created equally. People who want legal counsel for leaving behind cherished possessions for their loved ones want someone that specializes in estate planning— not medical malpractice or family law. The more experience that a lawyer can have in their area of practice, the more qualified that they'll appear to prospects. The most successful estate planning attorneys are the ones that focus only on this area of practice and are dedicated to becoming a master of it. Being fully knowledgeable about estate planning means being up to date on the latest state laws in their state to ensure that a court approves of their estate plan without any interrogations or concerns.In addition to good old-fashioned experience, it's especially on how to find an estate planning lawyer that specializes in probate and trust in the particular state their client is in. An extensive amount of knowledge is the best way to ensure that they are getting their money's worth from their attorney. The more assurance that an estate planning attorney can give their clients that they are certified, specialized, and qualified in estate law, the more that they'll stand out against the competition.

Fair pricing

Although some lawyers still bill hourly, more and more attorneys are moving towards flat fees. Since lawyers have a reputation for being expensive, there can be a lot of anxiety surrounding what the final bill will be. Many prospects looking for an estate planning attorney are extremely enthusiastic about the idea of getting a fixed price upfront. Knowing exactly what the total cost will be, helps avoid unexpected surprises and financial stress.Lawyers who still charge hourly are often still billing this way because they're not sure how to make the transition. They may hesitate to move towards a flat fee system out of fear that the work they provide may fall short of what they get paid. The most successful estate planning firms use the power of data to take a closer look at their cases to determine how much time they put into each one and the amount of work it requires. A closer look at their metrics with legal reporting software helps them develop a fair flat fee that doesn't scare prospects away but also pays them fairly for the amount of work they deliver.

Efficiency

One of the most important things for legal clients is efficiency. They want to know that they've hired a lawyer to prepare their plan in a reasonable window of time. An estate planning lawyer should be able to prepare the plan within a few weeks. In many cases, lawyers don't have this kind of time on their hands because of all of the other tasks that go into running a practice, leaving their clients desperate and frustrated.Depending on a client's unique situation, they may not have the luxury of waiting for longer than a few weeks to get the necessary documents they need prepared since their loved one may be seriously ill. Time is of the essence when it comes to estate planning, and clients want to know that they can count on a lawyer for a quick turnaround before it's too late.The most efficient estate planning attorneys who have great reputations for efficiency are the ones that rely on technology to streamline and optimize their processes. By relying on features like legal document automation and electronic signature for legal documents, they can keep up with the demands of their clients and minimize errors, delighting their clients.

Organization

A lot goes into keeping a practice running. Unfortunately, a lot of it involves tedious and repetitive tasks that eat up a lot of lawyer's day and can leave things feeling chaotic— not to mention having to juggle between prospects and current clients. Disorganized lawyers can find themselves having to prioritize certain tasks over others and putting tasks like following up with leads on the back burner just to get it all done. Unfortunately, this can leave a lot of prospects frustrated and turning to a competing firm with a better response to their inquiry.The most successful estate planning lawyers know the importance of staying organized by automating repetitive tasks with a legal client intake software. That way, no opportunities slip through the cracks, and clients aren't left feeling forgotten. Since the client journey starts the minute that a lead reaches out to a law firm, technology like automated appointment scheduling sets the tone from day one.Technology handles the busy work for lawyers so they can focus on their clients. It's as simple as a client scheduling their own consultation online, which goes directly into a lawyer's personal calendar without having to bother with picking up the phone or engaging in a long-winded email thread trying to find the best time.

Great communication

Typically, estate planning attorneys are not known for their ongoing communication. Usually, their relationship ends after helping a client draw up their estate plan. Unfortunately, this isn't ideal for most people. The best estate planning lawyer make himself available to answer any questions that the client has at any point in the client journey— even after the estate planning process is done. Lawyers who value a client-centered approach know that communication shouldn’t stop just because someone is a former client.The right lawyer keeps both current and former clients engaged and checks in with them whether it’s their birthday or to see whether their estate needs updating.A lawyer who can offer their clients direct access to them through technology like text messaging for law firms will surely win the hearts of their clients with their attentive and responsive communication style and win more referrals and repeat business.The right client intake and CRM for lawyers can show lawyers all of their communication with clients in a single location, making it easy to see where each client stands. By relying on tailored and personalized automated follow ups, smart estate lawyers never make their clients feel ignored or undervalued, even if they're busy with other matters.

Friendly demeanor

Clients are looking for someone that takes a genuine interest in their case and their well-being. The right lawyer will put them at ease when asking all the right questions to cover every area of planning their estate. There can be a lot of personal questions involved in the process, so it's important to trust your estate lawyer. When disclosing certain personal details, people want someone that is friendly, attentive, and doesn't make them feel uncomfortable.Having to answer such personal questions with an attorney that feels unfriendly or aloof can result in missing important information and ultimately affecting your estate plan. If a lawyer can manage to put their clients at ease with a friendly and warm demeanor, they’ll delight and retain them.

Guidance throughout the entire client journey

The best estate planning attorneys assist their clients every step of the way, ensuring that they stay informed and in the loop by using a CRM for attorneys. People are looking for a lawyer that makes them feel connected every step of the way by meticulously tracking their interaction and answering any questions that come up with a prompt follow up.Ideally, an attorney should spell each step of the process in their follow ups from who will receive what documents to the guardianship of dependants, to all of your health care decisions. The estate planning process can be incredibly complex, so knowing that you're in good hands with a patient lawyer that takes the time to guide you is incredibly valuable.

The best estate planning attorneys rely on Lawmatics to grow their law firm and exceed client expectations

The most well-respected and highly sought-after estate planning attorneys know the importance of relying on technology to lighten their workload. By using legal software to do the tedious and repetitive tasks for them, they can deliver the best possible client experience and generate repeat business and plenty of referrals. If you're an estate planning lawyer looking to take your law practice to the next level, sign up for a demo to see how Lawmatics can help!

Once you make the decision to introduce software to your law firm, you'll need to make sure that you choose the right one. Part of the selection process involves sitting through various demos to determine which software is the best fit for your firm. Since it's such a big decision, you want to make sure that you know what to expect from the experience .It can be tricky knowing what you should know and do leading up to the demo. Here you'll find an overview of some of the best ways to prepare, get the most out of the experience and make the best possible choice for your law firm.

What happens during a legal software demo

During a software demo, a qualified salesperson will explain to you a little bit more about the company and get you acquainted with the product itself. In your case, they'll showcase legal software to you and walk you through how it works with your day-to-day law firm operations. It's essential to remember that a demo is not the same as the onboarding process. Once you decide to buy legal software, you'll be given a much more thorough training process in how the software functions. Some legal CRM companies offer longer onboarding processes than others to ensure a smooth transition.The demo itself, however, is simply a quick demonstration to show you the main selling points, how your firm can benefit from the principal features and is an opportunity for you to ask any questions that you have.

Why a legal software demo is important

It's easy to read about a legal CRM or listen to a sales rep tell you why you should buy it. However, in most cases seeing is believing. Seeing a legal CRM in action is the best way to ensure that you're making the right choice. Sometimes features look good on paper, yet, once you start navigating the program yourself, you realize that it isn't as user-friendly as it may have sounded initially. A software demo is essential for getting a feel for the main features and feeling out whether it would work for your law firm. Think of it as a test drive on a vehicle. You wouldn't buy a car without taking it for a test drive first, and legal software shouldn't be any different.Now that you have a better idea of what a software demo involves and why it's important, here are the best ways to prepare yourself for the big day.

Know your needs

When choosing the right legal CRM and attorney intake software, it's important that you know what you need in legal software. Lay out all of the administrative tasks you have to do throughout the day at your firm. From answering phones to replying to incoming prospects' inquiries to sending out law firm marketing emails—make a list of what you'd like a software to help you accomplish. Feel free to rank each task in order of priority. Some software may prioritize certain tasks more than others, so having a list set up is the best way to get a feel for whether a program is right for you.Ask yourself questions like:What tasks in your law firm eat up the most of your time?What features would you like to see in software you already use?What features could you live without, and which ones are must-haves?What are your long-term goals for your law firm, and how can a CRM help you reach them?Once you systematically identify and draft your requirements, it will be easier to compare different software and make your final choice. When you lack specifics going in, it can be challenging to objectively make a choice during each software demo.

Communicate ahead of time

No one wants to lose time on a demo that isn't tailored for what they're looking for. Neither you or the sales rep wants to sit through an entire demo only to find that they don't offer what you're looking for. It helps to communicate to a legal software company before the demo what your needs are. That way, they can tell you whether they cover the capabilities that you're looking for and tailor your demo experience so that it specifically demonstrates the characteristics that you're looking for.You should also go over details like what areas of law you practice in and what the size of your firm is. Details like these will help the seller understand the most useful features to demonstrate to you and tailor your experience as much as possible.

Send the right person to the demo

Make sure that you send someone to attend the demo who is familiar with all of the administrative tasks in your law firm and is tech-savvy enough to understand the presentation. Chances are that some people in your firm are better suited than others for determining the best legal software for your firm, so choose carefully.

Prepare the right questions

Remember, a software demo is not training but rather an opportunity to ask any questions you have about its features and capabilities. To get the most out of the demo, it helps to know the right questions to ask. Make sure that you prepare your questions ahead of time so that you don't forget to cover important topics. Some of the best questions to ask are:

1

"How is this CRM unique from others?"

Some legal CRM's claim to do it all, but the truth is that they hardly stand out from the competition. It helps to have a clear understanding of what most CRM's do on a basic level to get a feel for whether the one you're looking at really goes above and beyond the typical capabilities of a CRM.

2

"Can it pair with my case management software?"

The right CRM for you offers integrations with all the major legal case management systems. From Clio to PracticePanther, integration with your other legal software is a must in order to get the most out of a CRM.

3

"How can this software simplify all my technology?

Technology is supposed to make your life easier, not more difficult. Many law firms introduce technology to their day-to-day processes only to find that, in many cases, it winds up adding an additional headache. Using various individual systems, from reporting and analytics to your appointment scheduling software to your marketing software, can leave your head spinning in ten different directions. The right CRM combines all the right tools you need into one single location, reducing costs and making your process much more efficient.

4

"How can this increase my revenue?"

Ultimately your goal is to create more revenue in your law firm. If you're looking to spend your resources on software, then you should ensure that it's worth the investment. Get to know whether whatever platform you're looking at has the ability to generate more business and drive more traffic to your law firm. Features like automated email marketing will engage your leads and clients and ultimately create more business. More leads = more revenue.

5

"How long is your onboarding process?"

Let's face it; you were trained to practice law, so no one expects you to be a tech-whiz. It's important that you know whatever CRM you go with actively supports you through onboarding to ensure a smooth learning process. A legal CRM like Lawmatics, for example, offers a dedicated specialist to seamlessly guide you through the onboarding process. Typically the onboarding program lasts between 4 and 6 weeks; however, you can customize your onboarding timeline depending on your firm's unique needs.Since there can be a lot of troubleshooting as your firm adjusts to a new CRM, it's important that you have access to ongoing assistance whenever you need it. Make sure that you ask about what their customer service availability is for clients should you need assistance.

Prioritize automation

In many cases, legal CRM's claim that they automate, yet a closer look often reveals that in reality that all they're really doing is creating checklists for you to complete. The right legal-specific CRM will complete the tasks for you through the power of automation. From sending out marketing emails to automated appointment scheduling to auto-filling lengthy documents, automation reduces your workload and streamlines your tasks so you can dedicate your time to what matters most at your law firm.Custom automations elevate your clients' experience and bring greater structure to your law firm. From the minute a lead first gets captured, email automation for law firms allows you to customize your follow-ups and replies to ensure that nothing gets forgotten. From following up with leads to sending out automated drip email marketing campaigns tailored to each client based on their individual characteristics, you can put your firm on autopilot while you turn your attention towards more important matters.

Focus on solutions

It's easy to get swept away by all of the features in a demo. Yet, while features are no doubt an important part of whatever legal software you choose, they aren't ultimately what you should be focusing on. The right legal CRM for your law firm requires more than just bells and whistles. Your firm is looking for solutions, not just features, so you need to ensure that whatever demo you're looking at promises those solutions. By referring to your specific law firm's goals, you can determine whether the software you're looking at offers the features that you need to grow your practice.

Take time to ask questions after the demo

Following a software demo, it's useful to take some time to go over everything that you covered. It's an opportunity to bring up any aspects of the presentation that you didn't understand or may have more questions about. If the sales rep did a thorough job of targeting your specific needs, you won't need to ask many more questions. However, a lot is covered during a small period of time during a demo, so don't be afraid to ask questions following the presentation so you can get a better idea of anything you might have missed. Reviewing certain portions of the demo can be helpful in making your final decision and avoid making a costly mistake.

Choose the right legal CRM for your law firm by getting the most out of your legal software demo

While at their core, many different platforms all promised to be the same thing, a more in-depth look often reveals critical differences in each software. The right legal software like Lawmatics goes far beyond its competitors by offering more intuitive features that prioritize automation in law firms and nurturing and engaging clients.Seeing is believing, so signing up for a demo is an opportunity to observe all of the essential tools that the right CRM for lawyers can provide. Ideally, you need an all-in-one solution that is easy to implement into your practice and doesn't require a considerable amount of time to learn how to use.By preparing for your software demo, you can ensure that you don't settle for a law firm CRM that doesn't actually meet your needs for efficiency and growth. Ultimately, you want to save your law firm more time by finding software that automates tasks for you, so you don't have to waste time manually completing processes. By referring to this guide and arriving at your software demo with your unique needs and goals specified, you will get the most out of the experience and avoid choosing the wrong one for your practice that has a timely learning curve and lacks essential tools.[oxygen-template id="6130"]

Do more with Lawmatics

Lawmatics is the most sophisticated and robust CRM for attorneys on the market. A software demo can reveal how you can attract new business, automate tedious work, become a data-driven firm, and ultimately expand and drive more revenue.Whether you're a solo practitioner or a large firm, Lawmatics is your modern CRM solution for increasing efficiency and productivity.Are you ready to see why Lawmatics is the preferred solution for your client intake and client relationship management? Sign up for a product demo today!

Believe it or not, we’re already more than halfway through 2021. And while it’s likely been unconventional, we hope you’re enjoying your summer so far.

This month, we’re excited to announce that we have released Scheduled Marketing Campaign sends and a significantly enhanced table navigation experience. Read on to learn more about these impactful enhancements to the platform.

Schedule Marketing Campaign Sends

We’re proud to announce that you can now schedule one-off marketing campaigns to go out at a specific time in the future. When you select “Run Once” as your campaign type, you will see a toggle that allows you to select “Run on Manual Activation” or “Run at a Specific Date.” If you toggle over to run at a specific date, a field will appear, allowing you to select a date and a time in the future. All you need to do is click “Create,” and the campaign will run at the date and time you chose! No need to activate anything else. You can always edit the run time if you need to change when it is sent.

Better Table Experience

Lawmatics tables will now remember what page you were on and remember the sorting you had on the table last time you were there. This will make navigating around Lawmatics so much more enjoyable and save you tons of time.

Check in next month for more updates and improvements from the Lawmatics team! Not using Lawmatics yet? There’s never been a better time to start. Book a personalized demo to learn how we can help you grow your law firm!

In a world where you can access 24-hour virtual assistants, order something online and receive it in an hour, and stream an entire season of a series in one sitting, it’s safe to say that consumers want what they want when they want it — which is as soon as possible.Welcome to the age of accessibility and convenience, where patience is low, and consumers expect more than ever. The most successful businesses know the importance of adjusting to the demands of the modern consumer and delivering a customer experience that delivers what's expected of them.The legal world is no exception. When looking for a lawyer, modern prospects expect to be followed up with immediately. Yet, speed is only part of ensuring a positive customer experience. A quick reply isn’t enough — on top of a fast initial response, you’ll also need to keep up with consistent communication during every phase of the client journey. You must show each client that they’re valued, treating each one like they’re the most important one you have. Ultimately, you have to meet your clients' needs to keep them coming back for more.

What legal clients expect

A quick response

Statistics show that over 80% of consumers expect an immediate response when inquiring about legal services. However, because of the demands of a lawyer's busy schedule, it's not always easy to answer the phone immediately or write an email back instantly. Besides practicing law itself, lawyers have hours and hours of administrative work to do every day that can eat up a considerable amount of their week. It's no big surprise why a recent report revealed that over 60% of clients who contacted a law firm inquiring about their services never even heard back from the firm at all.The same report showed that most lawyers are only able to spend an average of less than two hours a day on billable work with so much administrative work on their plate. With so much of a lawyer’s time spread thin trying to get everything done, it's not difficult to see why many lawyers feel like it's impossible to keep up with the demands of the modern consumer. Most lawyers are faced with the dilemma of trying to serve clients while still finding time to complete all of the necessary administrative duties that it takes to keep a firm going.

Friendly and helpful attitude

While a quick response is a great way to get things off on the right start, it's not just about speed but also the quality of the response. Legal clients expect to have their questions answered in a friendly and helpful way. Yet, so many lawyers fail to deliver the response that their prospects are looking for. In an attempt to respond to every incoming inquiry, the replies are often cold, brief, and lack important information. The end result is often clients opting for a competing firm that gave a more thorough and friendly response.The minute a client first contacts your firm is your chance to make a lasting impression that will set the tone for what they can expect if they work for you. Not only should you be willing and able to answer any of their questions, but the most efficient law firms also know the importance of asking them questions in return. The right kind of questions to ask are things like why they need a lawyer? And whether they've ever hired a lawyer before? Asking important questions upfront can quickly determine whether you are the right fit for each other, And ultimately save everyone time.The only way to ensure that a client is a good fit for your firm is to identify or qualify factors like their location, price range, and the type of case they have. In the absence of a thoughtful prescreen, you may find yourself scheduling consultations for people who aren't actually a good fit for your law firm. So, beyond speed, a systematic and thorough response is also important.

Error-free work

In the absence of a systematic intake process, there are all sorts of things that can go wrong. From drawing up contracts with the wrong information to making scheduling errors, it's important that you avoid these kinds of mishaps that could lead to negative outcomes for your clients' cases. Clients pay lawyers to solve their problems, not make more problems for them, so they’re often not very forgiving when it comes to making errors on their cases.With so many efficient law firms out there relying on technology like a CRM for attorneys and attorney intake software, clients are less tolerant than ever of things going wrong in their case. Human error is something that can be expected with manual processes. No matter how meticulous you are, errors come up from time to time. However, by relying on technology, you can significantly reduce errors in your practice, and in turn, create greater customer satisfaction.

Consistency

One of the most frustrating things for customers is inconsistency. It's not uncommon for clients to feel like they're not getting the best out of their lawyers at any given time. However, the most efficient law firms know how critical it is to deliver a consistent experience during every step of the client journey.Beyond waiting on hold, surveys show that one of the most frustrating experiences for clients is having to repeat the same information to multiple people in a firm. Everyone who answers the phone should be on the same page about where a client stands.The only way to deliver a consistent client experience is to use a client portal software for law firms that tracks every step of a customer’s journey. By using unified communication you can deliver a smooth experience that makes important information instantly accessible and keeps everyone in your firm on the same page about clients' cases.

Transparency

One of the biggest lawyer stereotypes is that they’re dishonest and lack transparency with their pricing. In many cases, legal clients will base their decision to hire not only by responsiveness to their initial contact but also by clearly laying out their pricing from the beginning. Honesty is the best policy, and transparency won't just win you new clients, but it will keep them coming back for more. Customer loyalty comes from trust. The more transparent and trustworthy you are, the more repeat business you'll generate and the more referrals.

How the right software can help meet legal clients consumer-driven expectations

Automates follow-ups

The right legal client intake software and legal CRM system like Lawmatics automates follow-ups, so you don’t have to pull your attention away from what matters most at your law firm to meet the demands of clients who expect immediate replies. From the initial lead capture, technology allows you to build custom automations that make your customers feel connected to you every step of the way. No more having to step away from important matters to keep your practice running — technology caters to your clients on auto-pilot through automated personalized follow-ups.Rather than a generic automatic message, clients receive a tailored response based on their characteristics, delighting and engaging them consistently. Whether through text messaging for law firms or email, clients expecting direct access to you will be delighted at your modern and speedy communication.

Auto-fills documents

Legal document automation software makes it easy to turn templates into automated workflows, saving you hours of work that it would have taken to do manually. In several clicks, you can assemble a document by merging data directly from your matters and contacts into your PDF and word documents. Not only does legal document automation reduce the chances of errors, but you gain a significant amount of time that you can focus on giving your clients the attention they deserve. No more taking attention away from your clients to spend on tedious data entry — let legal document automation do that for you.With so many tasks already pending, the last thing lawyers need is more time-draining work. Law firms looking to take on as many clients as possible and give each one the attention they deserve need to rely on document automation software to complete everything that needs to get done without sacrificing a positive client experience that prioritizes speed and efficiency.

Automates scheduling

The modern client doesn't like to have to waste time on lengthy back and forths any more than lawyers do. Instead of wasting time sending and receiving emails trying to find a time that works for everyone’s schedule, automated appointment scheduling takes away the headache of finding the best date and time. It's as simple as syncing your Outlook or Google Calendar to your legal CRM and letting your clients choose a meeting time of their choice. Clients will love the direct access to your schedule and the ability to self-schedule with no fuss or waiting.

E-signature gets the ball rolling on cases

For clients, the faster you can obtain a favorable resolution for their case, the better. One of the biggest causes for things moving slowly towards resolution on their case is having to wait for signatures. A traditional law firm requires their clients to print, sign, and send back documents, which can take hours today's to get done. Lawyers often find themselves chasing after clients to get things signed to get things moving along.However, electronic signature for legal documents allows clients to sign important documents from wherever they are and send them back immediately, all from the palm of their hand. From agreements to contracts, anything you need to be done can be created and shared quickly with a client e-signature tool, making the process easier for everyone.

Analytics show you how happy your clients are

One of the most effective ways to keep up with client's expectations in a consumer-driven market is to have a clear vision of what's working and what isn't. With custom data reports, you can get a better picture of where your best clients are coming from and how happy they are. For example, by tracking client referrals, you can get a clear indication of how satisfied your customers are with their experience. In turn, you can improve your law firm's performance strategies and turn your attention back to where it matters most — the client experience.Custom legal reporting software like Lawmatics lets you choose the data in your law firm that you want to see to improve in whatever area you need to. Data allows you to make better business decisions that can meet the demands of your clients and ultimately put more revenue in your pocket.[oxygen-template id="6131"]

Meet the demands of the modern client with Lawmatics robust legal software

Statistics prove that the modern client wants an immediate and thorough response. In the absence of quick communication, most people turn to a competing law firm instead. The right technology can help you increase the speed of your communication and stay organized so that you can resolve client concerns and questions without having to dig through your inbox or through papers scattered on your desk.A CRM for lawyers is one single organized destination for a unified view of everything your law firm needs to know about its clients. You can onboard new clients effortlessly and make consistent follow-ups tailored to their unique characteristics. When you can see all of your leads and clients at a glance, it's easy to grow your practice and build a strong reputation for your law firm.A unified system makes it easy to respond to your clients with ease and communicate efficiently. With so many competitors catching on to the fact that speed is everything in today's consumer-driven market, today, your greatest chance of standing out against your competitors is coming out on top with the help of the right technology like automation.Are you ready to see how Lawmatics can help you meet the demands of impatient clients who expect top-notch service? Sign up for a free product demo today!