The Lawmatics Blog
Insights on legal marketing, automating the law practice, and legal tech in general
Booking a consultation might seem like a small step in the client journey, but it’s often where momentum is either gained or lost. When scheduling feels smooth, clear, and personalized, it sets the tone for everything that follows.
This month’s Deep Dive webinar focused on how to use Lawmatics to streamline scheduling, reminders, payments, and event registrations. Hosted by Product Manager Devon Butler and Clare Struzzi, manager of the account management team at Lawmatics, the session covers everything from customizing availability to collecting payments through booking forms.
Time stamps of key takeaways
8:19 – Appointment scheduling options
Devon walks through how to set up your calendar, including working hours, buffer times, and rolling booking windows. She also explains the difference between general availability and appointment-specific settings. Clare clarifies how two-way sync works and when to use appointment-type-specific rules to better control your calendar.
21:51– Using appointments with forms
This section focuses on how clients book appointments through forms. Devon shows how to embed booking blocks in custom forms, with options like selecting hosts, adding additional attendees, and applying conditional logic. Clare shares examples of firms using location- or attorney-based fields to dynamically display the right booking options.
33:20 – Setting up confirmations and reminders
Next, Devon and Clare show how to create personalized confirmations and reminders using appointment-specific emails or texts. They walk through how to assign emails based on appointment type, location, or practice area, and explain when to use general messages vs. detailed ones with merged info like Zoom links or physical addresses. They also break down the differences between confirmation and reminder timing.
40:25 – Collecting payments for appointments
Devon demonstrates how to add payment fields to forms using LMPay, including setting fixed fees and applying conditional logic based on form answers. Clare explains common use cases, like toggling payment fields based on consultation type or practice area. This lets firms collect fees at the time of booking and avoid chasing payments later.
46:23 – Building and managing events from within Lawmatics
Webinar slide deck
Devon explains how to create and manage group events, like webinars or workshops, directly in Lawmatics. She walks through setting up event types, adding registrants manually or through forms, applying registration caps, and using automations and tags to track registrants or trigger follow-ups.
When creating a legal client intake form, you should keep it concise, organize it logically, make it accessible to your leads, and ask questions that will generate the answers you need to decide whether to extend legal representation. You can use a paper version, offer the form online through a web form service, or use legal client intake automation to simplify and streamline the process.
What Should be Included in an Intake Form?
A legal intake form should include a series of questions that allow an attorney to collect critical information about a potential client and their legal matter. The form should reassure prospective clients that the information they provide will remain confidential and clearly state what happens next—typically a follow-up call or initial consultation. The information gathered should be relevant to client needs and desired outcome.
What is the Basic New Client Intake Form?
A basic new client intake form can be created manually using Google forms, Microsoft Word, or another platform and then converting the form to PDF format. At a minimum, the form should gather the following information from a potential legal client:
- Personal information: name, address, date of birth, phone number, email address, and preferred method of contact
- Background information: the client’s occupation, employer, and marital status
- Conflicts: a conflict check ensures there are no conflicts of interest that would prevent an attorney from representing the potential client
- Case information: a concise explanation of the client’s legal issue, type of matter, parties involved, and the date, time, and location of the event
- Insurance information: insurance company contact information, type of policy (auto, homeowners, health), and policy limits
- Evidence: documents or evidence in the client’s possession that might be relevant to the case, including the name, address, and contact information for any potential witnesses
In addition to these basic questions, the client intake form pdf should ideally be tailored for specific practice areas, e.g., personal injury, family law, criminal defense, and more. This is not easily done with time-consuming manual processes. However technology can be maximized to streamline the intake process, reduce manual effort, and efficiently build customizable intake forms by incorporating:
- Online intake forms with automated data capture
- Interactive form builders that adjust in real time based on the desired outcome
- Seamless submission of client inquiries
- Automated responses to acknowledge receipt of inquiries
How Do You Create an Effective Intake Form?
You can create a basic intake form by generating a physical document or using a digital platform and then tailoring it to each specific practice area, or you can build a customizable intake form for all practice areas and matter types with legal intake software. Specialized intake software can create an effective intake form that accelerates and simplifies the process for you and your prospective clients.
Can I Use Google Forms as an Intake Form?
Using Google Forms or Microsoft Word Forms as a legal client intake form is possible. However, there are several important considerations that must be made to ensure compliance with legal, ethical, and security standards. Here are some things to contemplate:
- Confidentiality and security: Google Forms encrypts data in transit and at rest. However, you must verify that this level of security is sufficient for the sensitive information being collected.
- Attorney-Client Privilege: Ensure your Google intake form maintains the confidentiality required to uphold attorney-client privilege.
- Mobile-Friendly: Ensure the form is accessible and easy to use on various devices, including smartphones and tablets.
- Format Compatibility: Ensure the data in Google Forms can be exported in a format that is compatible with your case management software or other systems.
- Case Management Software: Check if Google Forms integrates with your existing case management software or other tools you use for managing client information.
Although addressing these concerns will be a labor-intensive process, it will help ensure you can use Google Forms as a part of your client intake process in a secure and compliant manner. But for those who want to save paper, shave hours off their workday, and avoid busy work, automated client intake form templates are a great option.
What is the Best Way to Create an Intake Form?
Creating an intake form unique to your practice’s needs is a breeze with Lawmatics’ drag ‘n drop custom form builder. Custom forms make qualifying new prospects, organizing contact information, and feeding new matters into your automated processes a snap. Optimize your firm’s website conversions with custom intake forms embedded directly into your website. Are you ready to learn how to create custom intake forms that will make your process more seamless than ever before? Request a demo today.
59% of leads come after hours — are you capturing them? Blazeo’s 24/7 live chat integration with Lawmatics CRM ensures no lead slips through the cracks. This webinar will equip you with the tools to turn web traffic into valuable clients, optimize your client intake process, and significantly boost your firm’s revenue.In this session, Lawmatics Director of Strategic Partnerships Blake Roberts welcomes Jon Scott from Blazeo. Together the pair explore how integrating a 24/7 live chat system with a CRM can enhance client experiences and supercharge your ROI.
Time Stamps of Key Takeaways
0:00 — Introductions
To kick off the webinar, Blake and Jon introduce themselves and some of their recent binge-watching habits. They also give brief overviews of Lawmatics and Blazeo, then set the agenda for the session.
8:20 — Common challenges of law firms
In this segment, Jon delves into the inefficiencies confronting many law firms today. Despite substantial investments in digital marketing, much of the traffic fails to convert into new cases. And the new cases that do come in often aren’t the right fit for the firm. Jon also discusses how law firms that are limited by staffing and technological constraints are letting cases slip through the cracks, missing out on crucial and attainable revenue.
11:10 — What are CRM and live chat for law firms?
Once visitors land on a law firm’s website through channels like SEO, TV ads, or social media, they can engage in 24/7 live chat with Blazeo. When that live chat platform is integrated with a CRM like Lawmatics, firms can seamlessly transition from marketing to the intake stage, providing forms, collecting documents, and scheduling appointments. The CRM and live chat integration enables law firms tools to engage, qualify, and convert leads into retained clients.
16:08 — Why integrate Blazeo with Lawmatics?
Did you know 75% of people prefer live chat to any other method of contact? That’s because there’s no wait time and it’s an immediate service. In this section, Jon explains further the client experience benefits of integrating live chat with a CRM, in addition to increasing ROI and making marketing more effective.
21:14 — Q&A
Blake and Jon close out the webinar by fielding questions from the audience. Topics range from the cutting-edge adaptability of AI to customization options in connecting live chat options with CRM.
Webinar slide deck
Marketing and reporting are the key drivers of a law firm's profitability. But how do you ensure your marketing efforts hit the mark and your reports provide actionable insights? Join Lawmatics Product Manager Devon as she guides you through the essentials of optimizing your marketing efforts using Lawmatics. From creating stunning HTML emails that captivate clients to precisely segmenting your audience for targeted campaigns, Devon provides a step-by-step guide to revolutionize your approach.
Webinar Timestamps
0:00 — Why use Lawmatics for marketing and reporting?
Devon kicks off the webinar with an overview of why Lawmatics stands out as a game-changer for law firms when it comes to marketing and data insights.
4:54 — How to build and edit an email using HTML templates
Devon’s first product demonstration focuses on the HTML email builder and editor. She shows how users can start with a blank canvas or customize pre-built templates to meet the specific design and branding needs of any firm.
10:00 — Create audiences based on types of marketing emails
Next, Devon discusses how creating specific audiences enables better-targeted marketing campaigns. This segmentation ensures your content reaches the most relevant audience, boosting engagement and conversion rates.
15:34 — Schedule campaigns to be sent out
Effective marketing is often about timing. In this segment, Devon walks through the step-by-step process of scheduling emails to be sent at optimal times, ensuring your message hits your audience when they’re most likely to engage.
21:05 — Create custom reports
Understanding your marketing performance is crucial, and Lawmatics custom reports let you dive into the metrics that matter most. Devon shows how to generate these reports based on different fields, offering insights that help you track success and pinpoint areas for improvement.
41:45 — Add custom reports to your custom dashboards
To wrap up this month’s Deep Dive, Devon incorporates the custom reports into a personalized dashboard. This fully customizable data hub gives you a comprehensive view of your firm’s performance, from marketing ROI to task management efficiency.
Legal intake is important because it often forms a potential client’s impression of a law firm. The client intake form is vital to the legal client intake process because it allows firms to make a positive first impression on potential clients.Many firms struggle with designing a comprehensive and effective intake form that clients will understand. Is your legal team asking, “How do you make a client intake form that will meet everyone’s needs?” If so, a law firm client intake process flow chart that outlines the steps can help streamline your process.
What is a client intake form?
A client intake form is a document that leads fill out — this information helps firms determine if the client is a good fit for the legal team. These forms are an integral part of the client intake process. A well-constructed intake form includes fields for a client’s basic information, such as full name, address, and other contact details. Interested prospects fill out the nature of their case including as many details as possible to help a lawyer best pre-screen before a consultation.
What does a client intake form gather?
A legal intake form typically collects a wide range of information necessary for an attorney or law firm to evaluate a potential client's case and determine the best course of action. Here's a list of the information commonly gathered with a legal intake form:
Contact Information
- Full name
- Address
- Phone number
- Email address
Demographic Information
- Date of birth
- Gender
- Marital status
- Occupation
Case Details
- Nature of the legal issue (e.g., personal injury, family law, criminal defense)
- Description of the incident or problem
- Date(s) of incident or relevant events
- Location where the incident occurred
Parties Involved
- Names and contact information of all parties involved in the case, e.g., opposing party, witnesses
Legal History
- Any previous legal actions related to the current issue
- Details of previous legal representation, if applicable
Financial Information
- Employment status
- Income details
- Assets and liabilities
Insurance Information
- Details regarding any insurance coverage relevant to the case
Documents and Evidence
- Any documents or evidence related to the case that the potential client may possess
Other Relevant Information
- Any additional information that may be relevant to the case, such as medical records, contracts, or communications related to the legal issue
Preferences and Goals
- Client's preferred method of communication
- Desired outcome or goals for the case
Conflict Check
- Questions to identify any potential conflicts of interest that may exist for the attorney or legal firm
Collecting this information helps attorneys accurately evaluate the potential client's situation and determine whether they can provide appropriate legal assistance. It also assists in managing the case if the representation moves forward.
What is a client intake form example?
Legal client intake forms can vary significantly depending on the specific practice area, jurisdiction, and preferences of the law firm or legal organization. Here are some intake form examples tailored to different practice areas:
- Personal injury intake form. This intake form typically includes detailed questions about an accident or injury, such as the date, time, and location of the incident, the nature of the injuries sustained, medical treatment received, insurance information, and potential witnesses.
- Family law intake form. For family law matters, the intake form might gather information about marital status, children, grounds for divorce or separation, custody and visitation arrangements, child support, alimony, and any existing court orders or agreements.
- Estate planning intake form. An estate planning intake form would focus on gathering information about the client's assets, beneficiaries, and wishes regarding the distribution of property, as well as preferences for guardianship, healthcare directives, and powers of attorney.
- Criminal defense intake form. For criminal defense matters, the intake form may request information about the charges, arrest details, interactions with law enforcement, prior criminal history, and potential witnesses or evidence.
- Business or corporate intake form. This form would gather information about the client's business structure, industry, contracts, intellectual property, regulatory compliance, and any specific legal issues or challenges facing the business.
The more details requested on an intake form, the better. Client intake software enhances the client intake process with customized client intake form templates that lawyers can repurpose for each practice area. Information can be inputted directly into the law firm database, making the process faster with fewer errors.
What is the purpose of an intake form?
The client intake form serves several essential purposes, including:
- Documentation and record-keeping. Intake forms are necessary for the attorney and the client. They record the initial contact and provide a reference point for the case details. This documentation is essential for maintaining accurate records and ensuring compliance with legal and ethical obligations.
- Communication and coordination. Intake forms facilitate communication and coordination between the potential client and the attorney or legal firm. They provide a structured way for the potential client to communicate their needs and concerns, and they help the attorney understand the client's goals and preferences for handling the case.
- Legal and ethical compliance. Intake forms help attorneys and legal firms comply with legal and ethical requirements, such as conducting conflict checks, maintaining client confidentiality, and obtaining informed consent for representation.
An effective client intake form is crucial for documenting the case, establishing effective communication between the attorney and client, and ensuring legal and ethical compliance throughout the legal representation.
What is an In-house Legal Intake Form?
An in-house legal intake form is a document a corporation’s legal department uses to collect essential information from colleagues in other departments — typically sales, marketing, or human resources — who need legal assistance. Unlike generic intake forms, an in-house legal intake form is tailored to the specific needs and practices of the firm or legal department. Due to the high volume and fast-paced nature of business, many in-house legal departments have processes and software tools to streamline legal intake.
What makes a good intake form?
Here are some qualities of an effective intake form:
- Transparent. The form should be well-organized and easy to understand, with clear instructions for completing each section. It should cover all necessary information relevant to the legal matter.
- Relevant. The questions on the intake form should be tailored to a specific practice area or legal issue to ensure that the information gathered applies to the potential case.
- Focused. The form should avoid unnecessary or overly detailed questions that could overwhelm the client. Instead, it should focus on collecting the most pertinent details needed for initial case evaluation.
- Flexible. A good intake form can be customized to accommodate variations in legal matters or client needs and should allow flexibility to add or modify questions based on specific circumstances.
- User-friendly. The form should be easy to use, with logical organization, clear formatting, and sufficient space for responses. To streamline completion, it might include checkboxes, dropdown menus, or other interactive elements.
- Compliant. The intake form should comply with all relevant legal requirements, including data protection laws, privacy regulations, and ethical guidelines governing client communications and information handling.
- Accessible. Providing options for electronic submission of intake forms via online forms, email submissions, or client portals can enhance client convenience and streamline the firm’s intake process.
- Collaborative. Integration with case management software or other internal systems can improve workflow efficiency by automatically populating client information and facilitating case tracking and management.
Intake forms should be periodically reviewed and updated in response to changes in legal requirements, practice procedures, and client feedback.
What does the client intake include?
Legal client intake typically includes the following:
- Initial contact. When a potential client contacts a law firm seeking legal assistance, they are typically asked to fill out a client intake form in person or online.
- Collecting information. The intake form gathers critical details about the potential client, including their contact details, their legal issue, parties involved, and other relevant information.
- Assessing the case. Once the intake form is completed, the attorney or legal team reviews the information provided to assess the case’s merits and determine if they are the right fit to provide legal representation.
- Conflict check. The information provided in the intake form allows the law firm to conduct a conflict check to ensure no conflicts of interest prevent them from representing the potential client.
- Initial consultation. Based on the information gathered from the intake form, the attorney may schedule an initial consultation with the potential client to discuss the details of the case further, provide legal advice, and outline possible strategies for moving forward.
- Retainer agreement. If both parties decide to proceed with the representation, the client intake form may serve as the basis for drafting a retainer agreement and other necessary documentation outlining the terms of the legal representation.
Throughout the case, the information collected during the intake process will serve as a reference point for case management, helping to ensure that all relevant details are accounted for and that the client's needs are being met.
How do you write a client intake form?
Writing a client intake form involves carefully considering the information you need to collect and how to structure the form to gather that information effectively. Here are some tips:
- Identify key information. Based on your practice area or legal specialty, start by identifying the essential information you need to collect from clients. Consider the specific details relevant to evaluating potential cases and providing appropriate legal assistance.
- Organize sections. Structure the intake form into clear sections, each addressing a specific category of information. Use headings and subheadings to guide clients through the form.
- Use clear and concise language. Write questions and instructions in clear, straightforward language that clients can easily understand.
- Take a conversational approach. Ask open-ended questions that allow clients to provide detailed explanations with specific questions that require concise answers.
- Offer clarification. For complex or ambiguous questions, provide examples or clarifications to help clients understand what information they are being asked to provide.
- Prioritize security and privacy. Incorporate statements about privacy and confidentiality to reassure clients that their information will be handled securely and in compliance with legal and ethical standards.
By following these tips, you can create a client intake form that effectively gathers the necessary information, facilitates smoother client interactions, and boosts the efficiency of your law firm.
How do I create a legal intake form?
You can use a word processor to manually create an intake form or utilize automation to streamline the process. Legal software platforms will allow you to design digital forms unique to your practice’s needs. Custom forms make it easy to qualify new prospects, organize contact information, and feed new matters into your automated processes.
What is a client intake form template?
A client intake form template is a customizable questionnaire that allows firms to tailor their intake forms in real-time. These templates offer a way to collect client information and streamline the intake process by enabling you to ask only relevant questions. Custom intake forms can be embedded directly into the firm’s website, allowing potential clients to submit a query electronically. Intake form automation solutions and workflows tailored to your legal practice areas or case types will make your job easier and elevate your clients’ experience.
How do I create an intake form? With Lawmatics
Throughout the intake process, lawyers must collect significant amounts of important information from potential clients to determine whether their practice area suits their needs. For lawyers who run their firm from their inboxes or spreadsheets, manually inputting all of this information requires considerable work. However, attorneys looking for the most efficient way to handle their client intake process rely on legal intake software to simplify and automate a significant portion of these time-consuming tasks.A good intake form is quick for a law firm to create and easy for the client to fill out. Lawmatics automation solutions streamline the intake process with client intake form templates that save you time and give your clients the experience they deserve. Are you ready to save hours per case on intake? Request a demo today.
Client intake in a law firm is an important process for onboarding new clients. Client intake software is technology used by businesses and organizations to streamline the client intake process by collecting information from clients. Legal client intake automation can organize the compilation of essential data, such as personal information, contact details, preferences, and other relevant details, depending on the nature of the business.Client intake software in law firms typically replaces traditional paper-based forms or manual data entry processes, offering a more efficient and error-free way to gather information. It often includes features such as customizable intake forms, electronic signatures, data validation, document upload capabilities, and integration with other systems like customer relationship management (CRM) software or practice management systems.
What is client intake in law?
In law, client intake refers to the initial process during which a law firm or legal practitioner obtains information from a prospective client. This stage is crucial as it sets the foundation for the attorney-client relationship and provides the lawyer with the necessary details to assess the client's needs and determine how best to proceed with their case.When a law firm conducts the client intake process, several key steps are typically involved, including:
- Initial contact. The prospective client reaches out to the law firm seeking legal assistance. This contact may occur through various channels such as phone calls, emails, or in-person visits.
- Assessment of legal issue. The attorney or intake specialist evaluates the legal issue presented by the client to determine if it falls within the firm's area of expertise and whether they can provide the required assistance.
- Gathering information. The attorney collects relevant information from the client, including details about the legal matter, personal background, contact information, financial situation, and any documents related to the case.
- Conflict check. The law firm conducts a conflict check to ensure that there are no conflicts of interest that would prevent them from representing the prospective client.
- Initial consultation. If necessary, the attorney may schedule an initial consultation with the client to further discuss the case, provide legal advice, and explore potential legal options.
- Retainer agreement. If the parties decide to move forward, they sign a retainer agreement outlining the terms of the representation, including fees, scope of services, and other details.
Client intake in law is a critical process for both the client and the law firm, as it helps establish clear expectations, ensures that the firm can effectively handle the client's legal needs, and lays the groundwork for a successful attorney-client relationship. Effective client intake practices can contribute to client satisfaction, streamline case management, and mitigate potential risks for the law firm.
What does an intake process do?
An efficient intake process enables law firms to vet and retain a continuous flow of new clients. Legal intake best practices involve strategies and approaches that law firms and legal practitioners can implement to ensure an efficient, effective, and client-centered intake process. Here are some critical best practices that will enable law firms to vet and retain a continuous flow of new clients:
- Clear communication. Provide clear instructions and communication channels for clients to initiate the intake process. This may include phone numbers, email addresses, online forms, or in-person consultations.
- Comprehensive information gathering. Collect comprehensive information from clients, including personal details, contact information, case-specific details, and relevant documents. This helps attorneys understand the client's needs and assess the case effectively.
- Conflict checking. Conduct thorough conflict checks to identify any potential conflicts of interest before proceeding with representation.
- Data security and confidentiality. Ensure that client data is handled securely and confidentially throughout the intake process. Implement robust data protection measures to safeguard sensitive information.
- Documentation and Follow-Up. Maintain detailed records of client intake interactions and follow-up promptly on any outstanding issues or inquiries to keep clients informed and engaged.
- Empathy and compassion. Approach client intake with empathy and compassion, acknowledging the client's concerns and building rapport to establish trust and confidence.
- Feedback and Continuous Improvement. Solicit feedback from clients about their intake experience and use this feedback to identify areas for improvement and refine intake processes continually.
- Prompt response. Aim to respond to client inquiries and intake requests promptly to demonstrate responsiveness and professionalism.
- Screening for case merit. Screen cases for merit and viability to ensure that the firm can provide meaningful assistance and that the client's expectations align with the firm's capabilities.
- Structured intake forms. Develop structured intake forms or questionnaires that gather essential information systematically. Tailor these forms to capture relevant details specific to different practice areas.
- Training and standardization. Train intake staff on best practices and standardize intake procedures to maintain consistency and quality across all client interactions.
By implementing these best practices, law firms can streamline their intake processes, enhance client satisfaction, and lay a solid foundation for successful attorney-client relationships.
How do you automate an intake process?
Automating the legal intake process involves streamlining the initial phase of gathering information from clients or potential clients. Are you asking yourself, “How do I create a client intake form? Here's a step-by-step guide on how to automate your firm’s process:
- Online forms. You can create a legal client intake form by using tools like Google Forms, DecisionVault, or dedicated legal intake software. These forms can be customized to gather specific information relevant to different types of cases or legal matters.
- Chatbots. Implement chatbots on your website or messaging platforms to engage with clients in real-time and collect basic information. These chatbots can ask predefined questions and provide relevant information based on user responses.
- Document management systems. Use document management systems to automate the collection and organization of documents submitted by clients. These systems can categorize documents based on case type and store them securely for easy access.
- Email automation. Set up automated email responses to acknowledge receipt of client inquiries and provide instructions on the next steps in the intake process. You can also use email automation to follow up with clients for additional information or to schedule appointments.
- CRM software. Integrate your intake process with client relationship management (CRM) software to track client interactions, manage case details, and automate follow-up tasks.
- Client portals. Create client portals where clients can securely upload documents, track the progress of their case, and communicate with their attorney. This helps streamline communication and reduces the need for manual data entry.
- Legal intake software. Invest in specialized legal intake software that offers comprehensive features tailored to the needs of law firms. Some automated client intake examples include customizable intake forms, automated workflows, and integration with other legal software tools.
- Automated reminders. Set up automated reminders for clients to complete intake forms, submit documents, or attend appointments. This helps keep the intake process on track and ensures timely communication with clients.
By implementing these automation strategies, law firms can save time, improve efficiency, and provide a better experience for clients during the intake process.
What is intake software?
Legal client intake software is a specialized type of software designed to streamline and automate the process of gathering information from clients or potential clients when they first engage with a law firm. This software is specifically tailored to the needs of legal professionals and typically offers a range of features to improve efficiency and organization in the intake process. Some common features of legal client intake software include:
- Analytics and Reporting. Some legal client intake software offers analytics and reporting capabilities, allowing law firms to track metrics such as intake volume, conversion rates, and common legal issues. This data can help firms identify trends, optimize processes, and make informed decisions about resource allocation.
- Client Communication. The software facilitates communication between clients and attorneys, allowing for secure messaging, document sharing, and updates on case progress through a client portal or mobile app.
- Customizable intake Forms. The software allows law firms to create custom intake forms tailored to different practice areas or types of cases. These forms can be designed to capture specific information relevant to each case, such as contact details, case details, and legal issues.
- Document Management. Legal client intake software often includes document management capabilities, allowing clients to upload and submit relevant documents electronically. The software can organize these documents by case and store them securely for easy access by attorneys.
- Integration with Other Software. Legal client intake software may integrate with other software tools commonly used by law firms, such as customer relationship management (CRM) software, case management software, and billing software. This integration helps streamline data sharing and communication across different platforms.
- Online Form Submission. Clients can fill out intake forms online through the law firm's website or a dedicated client portal. This allows for easy submission of information without the need for in-person meetings or paper forms.
- Workflow Automation. The software automates various aspects of the intake process, such as sending automated email responses to acknowledge receipt of client inquiries, scheduling appointments, and assigning tasks to staff members.
Legal client intake software helps law firms improve efficiency, enhance client communication, and provide a better overall experience for clients during the intake process.
What other types of legal software are helpful for law firms?
Some other types of legal software law firms use to maximize efficiency include time and billing platforms, legal marketing software, and legal client relationship management systems.A client management system in a law firm helps manage and engage clients by keeping track of critical information about them – who they are, how they found out about their law firm, and whether they’ve been followed up with since they initially made contact.A legal CRM serves as the “brain” of a legal practice, tracking each potential new client through their journey. Its ultimate purpose is to manage the client intake process for attorneys by attracting, delighting and retaining clients while lawyers focus on practicing law. The end result is more repeat business and increased client referrals, boosting a law firm’s revenue.
What is the best CRM for a law firm?
Lawmatics is the #1 CRM for law firms. It provides best-in-class tools for client intake, workflow & marketing automation, document management, and more. Lawmatics legal CRM helps law firms drive efficiency, attract more prospects, increase client engagement, and accelerate growth.
How much does legal software cost?
The cost of legal software depends on the type of software, the features and functionality it provides, the size of the law firm or legal department, and the pricing model. Here are some common pricing models to consider when comparing the cost of legal software:
- Subscription-based pricing. Users pay a monthly or annual fee typically based on the number of users, the degree of functionality required, and services or support included.
- Per-User Pricing. The cost is based on the number of users who will be accessing the software. This pricing model is commonly offered by cloud-based software solutions.
- Tiered Pricing. Different levels of functionality or support at various price points. Firms choose the plan that best fits their needs and budget, with higher-tier plans typically offering more features and support services.
- One-time Licensing Fee. A traditional licensing model where users pay a one-time fee to purchase the software and own it outright. This model may be more common for on-premises software installations rather than cloud-based solutions.
- Additional costs. There may be additional costs associated with legal software, such as setup fees, training costs, customization fees, and ongoing support or maintenance fees.
The cost of legal software can range from several hundred dollars per month for basic cloud-based solutions to thousands of dollars per month for comprehensive practice management suites with advanced features and support services.
What is the best client intake software for law firms? Lawmatics.
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“So very glad we invested in this program when we did. We are getting more use out of it than we imagined we would ever have to. We are now using an automatic intake form, video-conferencing through GoToMeeting for our consultations, and e-sign with our rep. agreements.”
— Alicia Bostrack, Orchard Law Firm
Law firms love Lawmatics client intake software. Here’s why: It increases efficiency, creates happier clients, and brings in more referrals. Sign up for a free demo to see how Lawmatics can help revolutionize your client intake process.
In the high-stakes world of criminal defense, where every move can change a client's future, streamlining your workflows is more than essential—it's critical. Imagine being able to respond promptly to every client's needs without pulling focus from their matters or that of your other clients. Our latest Deep Dive Webinar showcases the power of criminal defense workflows in Lawmatics, making it easy to disengage unqualified leads and win more clients with impactful marketing campaigns. Host and Lawmatics Product Manager Devon Roth demonstrates how to build and implement this workflow in your own practice, ensuring you take timely action and accurate insights.
Webinar Timestamps
0:00 - Introduction and overview
Devon opens the webinar by outlining the focus on mastering criminal defense workflows in Lawmatics, covering housekeeping items, and briefly introducing herself and Erika from the customer success team.
5:36 — Criminal defense Automations
Devon gives an overview of the Automations typically used in a criminal defense practice. Her example workflow includes drip campaigns for leads who haven’t scheduled a consultation, appointment reminders and follow ups, and exit conditions to end follow up campaigns.
15:16 — How to automatically disengage unqualified leads
Not every lead is going to fit your firm’s client profile. In this section, Devon demonstrates how to use Automations to swiftly disengage those disqualified leads after a consultation. She also previews how to build Automations for clients who are undecided, may wish to retain your services at a later date, or are referred out to a law firm better suited to handle their matter.
27:38 — Tailor marketing campaigns for maximum impact
Targeted campaigns for segmented audiences are an effective way to engage prospects and both old and new clients. Here, Devon shows how to create branded HTML emails and incorporate them into drip campaigns to keep your firm top of mind no matter the stage of the client journey.
33:23 — Analyze and report on firm metrics
Understanding your data is critical to running an efficient and profitable criminal defense practice. This section exhibits how to build custom reports based on any field in your Lawmatics CRM and how to incorporate these helpful reports into custom dashboards for actionable visualizations.
35:50 — Create follow ups based on court dates
Automations are key to staying on top of court dates and ensuring no deadlines are missed. Devon wraps up this Deep Dive with a guide to creating date-based Automations, like reminders based on court appearance dates or other key points in your client’s matter.
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