9 Reasons to Use Integrated Practice Management Software

Get Help Juggling Your Busy Law Practice 1. Missed Deadlines are Costly: Four out of five lawyers will face at least one malpractice claim during their legal careers. Calendaring errors are the second biggest source of malpractice claims. 2. Wasted Time Searching for Information: The average attorney in a non-automated office spends up to 40 minutes a day just looking for information. Could you use more available time each day? 3. Redundant Data Entry: If you use standalone programs or manual processes for calendaring, contacts, conflict checks etc., you are most likely entering the same data over and over. If you forget to update contact information in every program, a letter can be sent to one location and a bill to another. 4. Lost Revenue From Unbilled Hours: As a result of poor recording practices, disorganization, and distraction, attorneys fail to bill from 10% or more of their work performed and time expended. 5. Poor Office Communication: Firms without practice management software are less productive. Without the right collaboration tools, your staff will have difficulty working productively, respond slowly to clients' demands and struggle to accurately prepare for future activities. 6. Wasted Time Generating Documents and Forms: Law firms that rely on generic word processing produce routine documents 40 to 60 percent slower than firms using practice management software. Copying and pasting into word processing software is time-consuming and a source of embarrassing mistakes. 7. Inadequate Reporting: Decisions aimed at making things better are probably made on hunches or incomplete data, often making things worse. Without practice management software it is generally very expensive and time consuming to collect and analyze data about the firm. More often than not, firms don't go through the hassle and fail to understand their business, their problems, and what to do about them. 8. Slow Response to Client Inquires: Over 30 percent of malpractice claims originate from issues related to client communication. An inability to respond quickly and professionally to clients inquires will damage any law firm. Unsatisfied clients are also less likely to pay their invoices in full, to return as clients, or to recommend your firm to others. 9. Inadequate training: Knowing how to best use your office tools helps you be more productive. How many different programs does your staff have to learn? Special thanks to Attorney Judd Kessler, Esq. for the tips. Mr. Kessler is the CEO of Abacus Data Systems in San Diego, CA. Now in its 26th year of business, Abacus exclusively serves the legal market with its flagship product, AbacusLaw software. Mr. Kessler is also the former chair of the State Bar of California's Law Practice Management & Technology section. (Editor's Note: Sadly, the Nutmeg Lawyer receives no compensation for software and book reviews. There are several law office management programs out there including lawyer favorite Abacus Law. Of course, the best thing to do is to try it out for a fit. For a complimentary demo of AbacusLaw software, I encourage you to visit http://www.abacuslaw.com/or call 800-726-3339. You'll be glad you did. Have you used Abacus Law? Let us know what you think.)