Simona Ondrejkova, CFP

Mar 21, 2024

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Popular Software for Law Firms in 2024

As a legal professional, incorporating specialized software for lawyers into your practice can help you save countless hours and improve productivity, all while providing better service to your clients. Finding the right legal industry software can free you from routine tasks so you can spend more time on the most essential work that only you can do. Plus, many software solutions can take some of the weight off the shoulders of your assistants and paralegals, improving efficiency and productivity in your firm.

Software for law firms comes in many categories. 

To help you gain a better idea of how legal software can be used to simplify day-to-day operations and maximize efficiency, we’ve put together a list of the most popular legal software categories based on industry reports and studies by law practice management companies like Smokeball. Some of the software types that we’ve found lawyers use most include:

• Time tracking and billing software
• Case management software
• Document management software
• Client Relationship Management (CRM) software
• Estate planning visualization software
• Practice management software for lawyers

Within each of these categories, we’ve created a list of things to look for when choosing a software for your firm to help you find the tool that would work best for your practice.

While we in no way endorse or are affiliated with any software listed in this article, we have provided examples within each category to help you get started. As we have not done a full evaluation of all of the legal software available in the market, we encourage you to do a thorough evaluation of each software to find the best one for your firm. The software examples mentioned in each category are based on reviewing software directories and comparison sites for legal software solutions that offer strong functionality, ease of use, and reliability based on customer reviews or industry reports. 

Time Tracking and Billing Software

One of the most popular lawyer software categories is time tracking and billing software. This type of software allows you to streamline the time-consuming process of managing billable hours and invoicing clients. 

One of the key benefits of time tracking and billing software is the ability to record time spent on various tasks so you can capture billable hours accurately, maximizing your potential revenue. This also makes it easier to uncover and eliminate inefficiencies in your firm.

Key features and benefits to look for in a time tracking and billing software for lawyers:

• Easy time recording: Simplify the process of recording time spent on client-related tasks.
• Simplified invoicing: User-friendly interfaces and customizable templates for efficient billing.
• Financial management: Reliable options for managing the financial aspects of your legal practice.
• Transparency and organization: Enhance accuracy and transparency in the billing process.

So what software do law firms use for their billing and time tracking?

While there are hundreds of options available, some to get started with include TimeSolv, Bill4Time, or Bilr. These solutions can help simplify the essential tasks of timekeeping and billing while offering additional features to help you manage other aspects of your practice. 

Case Management Software

In any given client case, you might have hundreds of different tasks to juggle. With a distinct process for each step and task, it can be overwhelming to keep track of what needs to be done to keep the case on track. That’s where case management software comes in. 

A comprehensive case management solution can bring together different aspects of a case and help organize the evidence and testimonies you need to build a winning case. 

Key features and benefits to look for in case management software for lawyers:

• Centralized data management: Consolidate all case-related information in one accessible place.
• Task management: Keep track of deadlines, appointments, court dates, and other important events related to cases.
• Security and compliance: Security features help you protect client data and ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, such as attorney-client privilege and data privacy laws.
• Workflow automation: Automate repetitive tasks, notifications, and approvals to ensure consistent workflows across cases.
  

As you look for case management software for your law firm, you might consider options like CaseFleet, MyCase, or Clio. With features ranging from client communication to task management, these tools help you to deliver the best legal services while maintaining a well-organized and efficient practice.

Document management software

Document management software simplifies the handling of legal documents by enabling you to capture, store, and organize them digitally in the cloud. With features like full-text indexing, it helps enhance productivity by providing easy access for finding, editing, and sharing legal documents. If your law firm hasn’t already considered doing so, transitioning to a digital document management system can also help you minimize the risk of document loss and facilitate sharing of information with those in your firm.

Key features and benefits to look for in a document management software for lawyers:

• Centralized storage: Document management software provides a centralized repository for storing all legal documents, ensuring easy access and retrieval.
• Version control: Maintain control over document versions, preventing confusion and ensuring that everyone is working with the latest, most accurate information.
• Collaboration tools: Facilitate collaboration among team members by allowing simultaneous access to documents, comments, and real-time editing features.
• Security measures: Protect sensitive legal information from unauthorized access through security measures such as access controls and encryption.
• Search and retrieval: Utilize advanced search functionalities to quickly locate specific documents, saving time and improving overall workflow efficiency.

If you’re looking for document management software designed for legal and professional service firms, consider options like NetDocuments, SmartVault, and LexWorkplace. These cloud-based document management systems can help you securely capture and manage digital documents while integrating with various other software solutions.

Client Relationship Management (CRM) Software

Client Relationship Management (CRM) is a type of software designed to organize and track interactions with clients and prospective clients. It acts as a centralized hub for all essential client-related information. In a recent survey among legal professionals, 84% reported that CRM software significantly improved their ability to manage client interactions, resulting in increased client satisfaction. 

CRM tools allow you to offer a more personalized service experience by noting client details beyond those that relate to their case, such as their favorite hobbies, their pet names, or their communication preferences.

Key features and benefits to look for in a CRM software for lawyers:

• Client intake: Streamline the onboarding process with templates, forms, and document storage functions that allow you to automate the intake process without missing important client details.
• Case management: Track every interaction a contact has with your firm across different channels so you can stay on top of client inquiries and manage requests efficiently.
• Document management: Most CRM softwares offer the features of document management tools so you can store and organize case-related documents securely to find what you need in seconds.
• Marketing automation: Integrated marketing automations can help drive leads through sales funnels, deliver personalized communication, and organize your sales and marketing efforts in one spot.

Some common CRM software tools that lawyers use include PracticePanther, Lawmatics, and LawRuler. Integrating CRM software such as these will allow you facilitate task management, access client details in one location, and ensure you never miss important follow-ups or deadlines. 

Estate planning visualization software

Estate planning software assists lawyers, financial advisors and other professional service providers in analyzing, updating, and creating essential estate planning documents for clients. It automates tasks like drafting documents, making estate tax calculations, and creating visualizations to simplify the complex process of estate planning. 

Through graphics, good estate planning software tools break down hard-to-understand legal concepts, making it easy for both lawyers and clients to understand the fine details of estate plans. They helps you understand your client’s financial positions, building a stronger connection to their goals and next generations, making it easier to provide a more personalized level of service. 

Key features and benefits to look for in an estate planning software for lawyers:

• Interactive visualizations: Create estate planning flowcharts and get interactive visuals of complex legal structures, asset distributions, and inheritance plans.
• Comprehensive analysis tools: Simplify the planning process with a comprehensive overview of existing estate plans that lets you identify potential gaps and the best estate planning strategies for each client.
• Document creation and automation: Create essential planning documents and automate manual tasks like drafting documents and calculating estate tax liabilities.
• Scenario planning: Illustrate the potential impact of different decisions on the estate plan to help clients make more informed decisions.

If you’re looking for an estate planning software for lawyers, consider solutions like Vanilla and WealthCounsel. These tools allow you to create a clear picture of legal structures, asset distribution, and inheritance plans so you can provide the highest level of service when it comes to estate planning. 

Practice management software for lawyers

Practice management software combines the features and benefits of many of the legal industry software types mentioned above. It offers functionalities to assist with time tracking, case management, client relationship management, document organization, and more. 

Key features to look for in a practice management software for lawyers:

If you want a comprehensive solution that lets you manage different aspects of your practice from one spot, look for software that offers several of the following features:

• Time tracking and billing
• Case management
• Client relationship management
• Document management
• Calendar and task management
• Legal research and analysis tools
• Client intake forms and processes

Some examples of practice management software that offer many of the features above include Lexzur, CosmoLex, and Smokeball.

Stay ahead by finding the best software for your law firm

We hope the software ideas listed here give you a great starting point for finding a software that works best for you and your team.