Software applications designed specifically for the legal professions are the focus of topics in this category.
Often integrated or part of a suite of applications, these may include applications that assist in the management of a law firm's cases, and maintains records of clients, as well as accounting and billing, legal compliance documents, electronic filing, scheduling, and appointments.
These may be available as a standalone system or as a fully integrated system that includes case management, financial management, document management, and workflow management. Integrated systems include everything as a single package, from a general ledger, to case notes, to paperless case intake, to document auditing. Complete systems may also be available as one system package consisting of several integrated modules, some of which may be optional.
Included, or as a separate package, software for the legal industry may include research packages, usually connecting to subscription-based research services. Legal research software helps law firms find information needed for building cases and drafting documents. Software vendors offer access to searchable databases of legal documents, and may also include analytical tools to assist in interpreting search results. They may also provide access to relevant articles and analysis from newspapers, journals, and other publications, as well as updates on changes in the legal landscape.
Some software includes tools to supplement and interpret the information found in the vendor's database, These might include analysis of public records for locating information on companies, people, assets, and so on. Software tools might also provide infographics showing the relationships between cases relevant to a search, tools to assist in the drafting of legal documents, and analytics pertaining to specific judges, firms, and case types.
Most legal software is subscription-based, although the prices for legal research software varies according to the number of users and the features used. Payments may be according to a monthly subscription plan, pay-as-you-go, per-minute used, or per-document viewed. Additional fees may be charged for documents outside of the scope of a subscription.
Common legal research products include Thomson Reuters Westlaw, Lexis Advance, Lexis Advance Quicklaw, Lexis Search Advantage, Practical Law, Aderant Handshake, Clarion, and Bloomberg Law, although there are others.
The focus of this category is on software designed for use by law firms or other businesses within the legal industries.
Recommended Resources
Founded in 1983, AbacusNext is designed for legal, accounting, and compliance-focused professionals, offering a portfolio that includes practice management, payment processing, private cloud hosting, and document automation. AbacusLaw includes pre-configured product packages for specific areas of law, with additional input screens, automation rules, specific reports, documents, forms, and industry-specific terminology. Its features, success stories, and support services are discussed.
https://www.abacusnext.com/
Specializing in software products for the legal industry, Clio offers Clio Manage, a cloud-based legal practice management software that simplifies the management of the firm, organization cases and collaborating with clients, as well as Clio Grow, client intake and legal client relationship management software. Clio Suite brings Clio Manage and Clio Grow together. Its features, pricing, client testimonials, and support services are featured.
https://www.clio.com/
Widely used by legal practices in the United States and Canada, the cloud-based legal practice management software is a fully integrated solution, featuring cloud-based data hosting, mobile applications, and several support options, a web portal, online client portal with LawConnect, online credit card payments, time-tracking software, billing software, trust accounting, case management, email management, document management and creation, reporting tools, and legal software integrations.
https://www.leap.us/
With MyCase, important case details, such as documents, contacts, calendars, emails, tasks, and invoices, are available in a single location. The complete law practice management solution enables firms to manage cases, from client intake to billing, and it uses bank-grade security, and its support services include live customer support, product training, 24/7 access to its knowledge base, and guided implementation. Its pricing, case studies, and customer reviews are included.
https://www.mycase.com/
Created by Needles Case Management Software, a Maryland company that began in 1982 as a data processing service engaged in professional time-sharing, Needles was originally released for a group of personal injury attorneys, and known as Personal Injury Negligence System (PINS), and became known as Needles when it moved from DOS to a Windows version. Still focused on law, Needles is a case management system. Its features are highlighted, along with client testimonials and support options.
https://www.needles.com/
Thomson Reuters Legal Tracker provides matter management and electronic billing software solutions for corporate legal departments, backed by professional services and support staff around the world. Originally known as Serengeti Tracker in 2001, it was initially a software solution for corporate legal departments but evolved to its current status and name. A summary of the software, its key features, and other resources are put forth, along with success stories and insights.
https://www.legaltracker.com/
