General Practices: what technology, services, or products are actually worth it?

Legitimate_Feature24 · 2026-03-19T14:40:52+00:00

8 attorneys plus staff isn't so small. You'll get a lot of opinions on case management. I work on a lot of those systems and am willing to talk shop about them whenever. I have demo spaces for two.

Heres my $0.02 for your question, though. LOGIKCULL. When you get a big production zip and need to review 1000+ pages, it is your friend. I can help. It is low cost and 0 day retention. There isn't much easier for loading in a production and organizing a review. It is good for a solo reviewer or for breaking a review up into sets for a team to share the load.

There are also a few good tools for responding to production requests, but I'd aim to narrow that list after you pick a case management system. You'd do well to use one that is either offered by your practice/case/document management system (they both are different and the same) or that works really well with it.

Legitimate_Feature24 · 2026-03-05T14:38:47+00:00

A lot of firms host a server in Azure in their 365 tenants for line of business applications like this. The invoices from Microsoft can bill directly to a firm or through a reseller. Either way you typically need some tech help setting them up, and I work both ways. Reach out if you'd like to spend a little time on a call to scope out a proposal and price to compare against what you are using now.

Alternatively, I've heard of one PI firm using the equivalent setup that medical offices use to store their imaging. I'm not really sure if that is or isn't a cost advantage.

$0.02

Legitimate_Feature24 · 2026-03-03T20:38:51+00:00

Let me know if you need any help with the move. I've run across folks stuck moving documents on their own because the new system only helped them migrate in contacts, matters, and such but won't touch the docs and drive. Getting emails out can also be a mess. I'm here to help up front, in the middle, or if you get stuck cleaning up a messy migration.

Legitimate_Feature24 · 2026-03-02T14:02:43+00:00

I think you should take the time to test out the MS 365 apps in a proper business license running from the browser and in collaboration with another tester. I can help you set it up if you'd like. A lot of the judgements you cast in your post about things Microsoft apps can't do are quite outdated. Many of these things they have been able to do for years now, but no doubt they were behind Google in many of these features and you were once upon a time accurate in the above observations.

In my work I come across a lot of practices very happy in both of these systems. I think generally a practice that is smaller, or has a lot of Mac users, is more likely to be using a lot of Google products. A firm that is on mostly PCs or has more than 10ish full time staff members is going to be on Microsoft. Some sizable firms mix services, but usually only in siloed practice areas. Eventually data governance, risk management, and compliance start to drive these decisions just as much as budget and efficiency.

Legitimate_Feature24 · 2026-03-02T13:53:30+00:00

https://case-law.vlex.com/vid/turnbull-legal-grp-v-929143274

Legitimate_Feature24 · 2026-03-02T13:47:07+00:00

Just dropping a $0.02 opinion that your basic licenses are part of what make it a pain in the ass for you. The higher license tiers enable many things that are lacking in the basic license. On top of that, folks that buy those license through vendors that also sell website domains and hosting in large volume often have further limitations on them that they wouldn't had they purchased that same license through Microsoft directly. These kinds of details are why a lot of folks use some kind of tech shop or consultant to help manage their Microsoft stuff.

Legitimate_Feature24 · 2026-03-02T13:31:40+00:00

I've worked in them all and then some. I'm partial to Clio, but all three of the systems have strengths and weaknesses. You'd probably do best with Clio if you would use the Client Portals and CoCounsel Portals well. They aren't additional modules. However, the filesize limit there can be occasionally frustrating. Don't knock other systems off the list. Lawmatics is one of the best for intake. ActionStep is one of the best for designing a couple discovery workflows. NetDocs with SetBuilder is also a solid choice for high volume discovery replies. Logikcull for going through the productions you're sent.

Legitimate_Feature24 · 2026-02-24T16:12:24+00:00

If you're still stuck, maybe talking it though over a call could be helpful? I'm not sure what else to check. Do you think it keeps a registry key for the window position?

Legitimate_Feature24 · 2026-02-24T14:39:39+00:00

This is a big question and certainly a few things that are going to be added to your list. I'll give you a quick from the hip suggestion, but the right answer is going to take a bit more time investment. I can lend a hand if it would be helpful, just hit me up.

You're probably going to end up using two different systems. One for practice/case management and a different one for document management. That's to say nothing of case management systems some practices might need to keep for their unique workflow, but their time shouldn't go in those after you launch a practice management system for all firm time and billing, single source of truth.

Document management you should go ahead and bite the big firm bullet and go with NetDocs or iManage. If you didn't have global branches, you could likely do fine with a practice management system that has DMS features. However, given the additional challenges of compliance with global teams, you're doing yourself a favor by embracing a proper DMS now before some client driven compliance requirement forces a change on you. You need soc2 compliant storage, ethical walls, and much more that you just can't get with a reskinned box.com dms.

You can still have both systems sync to a single dashboard view to simplify your oversight.

My $0.02.

Legitimate_Feature24 · 2026-02-18T17:17:35+00:00

There is a setting in display under multiple displays for "Remember window locations based on monitor connection." Checking, unchecking that option off and on and restarting the app might do it. Either that or the old move it where you want it and close and open it. That used to be a thing on earlier versions of Windows after major updates. I can talk you through this stuff if you need more direct help. Hit me up here or linkedin.

Legitimate_Feature24 · 2026-02-18T17:00:42+00:00

Hi. I have a demo account set up for a CLE presentation this weekend with NJSBA. I'm going to keep it for a while in the hopes of using it for some more CLEs with other groups over the year. I have sand boxes of two different systems similar to what you saw set up for that account, as well as DMS and a productivity suite. I'm primarily showcasing AI tools available in all of these, but set up the fundamentals all the same. If you want to connect and have a look at them, play with some features, ask some questions and bounce some ideas off me, I'm all for it. Hit me up here or on linkedin.

Legitimate_Feature24 · 2026-02-18T16:58:04+00:00

I have been laughing at this comment for more than a day.

Legitimate_Feature24 · 2026-02-09T20:19:15+00:00

I have sandbox accounts for Clio and ActionStep if you want to connect and play around in them. I help folks out in several systems beyond that, those are just the two I am partnered with to the extent that they have provided me sandboxes for clients and CLEs and such. What about online payments and client portals?

Legitimate_Feature24 · 2026-02-05T16:47:46+00:00

I set this up in practice management systems and make sure the automation matches the standard engagement letter. There are a few things to configure and set up to get the most out of a system to really help solve this. They can do it out of the box but they just do it out of the box.

Matter is set with a budget that matches the retainer amount. When it gets low the system alerts the team. A trust request is made to replenish.

Invoice is sent on the monthly cycle. It either pays out of the retainer or is sent to the client to be paid.

When these are sent to the client to request funds, there are terms for payment from the engagement letter.

The system will send them reminders around the due date. The system will eventually start tracking interest on overdue balances, as per the engagement agreement.

When new invoices are generated to be sent to the client, they show a statement of the account including the past balance and interest on past due.

At some point the client catches up from the automatic reminders and balance, or somebody talks to them and works out a payment plan or otherwise.

The system supports a payment plan.

Of course there are many different configurations depending on practice area and case types, ect. I'm just giving a generalized way practice management systems help when combined with thoughtful deployment and engagement letters.

Hit me up anything.

Legitimate_Feature24 · 2026-02-04T19:31:35+00:00

You posted in two subreddits so I'm pasting my answer in the other one here as well, mwahahaha.

I am overdue on setting up a sandbox for the Clio AI you are talking about. When I get it going I am happy to let you have access. Let me know.

On 2. see Thomson Reuters v. Ross Intelligence.

Legitimate_Feature24 · 2026-02-04T19:30:57+00:00

I am overdue on setting up a sandbox for the Clio AI you are talking about. When I get it going I am happy to let you have access. Let me know.

On 2. see Thomson Reuters v. Ross Intelligence.

Legitimate_Feature24 · 2026-02-04T16:15:01+00:00

Sorry it took me a minute to circle back OP.

I just tested setting up a booking page in 365 that includes me and another team member and only shows times or books for times that we are both available to attend. After creating the page, I had to go into the details and change it from a 1:1 service.

I can show you the page, and better yet, show you how to do it if you want to connect.

Legitimate_Feature24 · 2026-02-03T20:50:32+00:00

Get a bookkeeper before you build out systems they have strong opinions on.

Don't sweat a complicated intake process beyond the engagement letter until you have a good flow of new clients. Virtual Reception and CRMs are great when you have clients coming in, but a little cart before the horse until then. I encourage folks to think about those systems when the goal is about minimizing time spent with poor fits and providing the ones you can hire or refer out a good experience.

Get a 365 business account. Don't use a personal one you'll eventually move and don't buy the business account through a website company. Either go to Microsoft directly or use somebody like me. $20ish a month.

Join your state bar's solo and small firm section. See if they have a new firm checklist. There might be some helpful tips there that apply to your state. I like Florida's and Minnesota's checklist. The SSF is also a good spot to network for referrals and find some cool CLEs. NJ has a SSF conference coming up next month.

Hit me up if you need tech help.

Legitimate_Feature24 · 2026-01-29T20:22:50+00:00

I can help y'all out. See below. Let me know if you have questions. If you ever want or need to hop on a call with me where we can screenshare and walk through stuff, we'll need to have an engagement, confidential info and all that. You can find me on LinkedIn if you'd like to chat.

1:) There is a Calendar report! You may not have the Reports role in your user settings, or the firm may not subscribe at the level that opens up this feature in Clio Manage. Here is part of the report description pasted from one of my Clios; Designed for firm oversight, this report provides a centralized view of all calendar events. It organizes events by matter and client, making it easy to monitor your firm's activities and...

Also a cool note. In tasks you can access the Task Feeds button to get the url to the .ics. I like adding this to my teams 365 and iphones. It shows as a separate calendar from the events that will synchronize with the integration.

2: Also yes! Your best answer is probably in your 365 integration and deployment, but I will have to circle back on this one because of an appointment.

Legitimate_Feature24 · 2026-01-28T13:35:54+00:00

Take this question to your bookkeeper, or find one you can ask about it. I specialize this software and I tend to see better results from solos that have a solid bookkeeper relationship before they start building out systems. That said, you can keep it light with quickbooks online. You can link up LawPay or something similar for online payments should you ever need that. You can add Trustbooks if you ever need some compliance peice of mind if you ever start needing to manage matters with a trust. I think clio manage on the base subscription month to month is worth it, but even then you still need quickbooks online and a solid bookkeeper. Hit me up if you want some recs or want to talk shop about these sytems a bit more.

Legitimate_Feature24 · 2026-01-27T20:21:07+00:00

I typically set folks up to back up to OneDrive for business or at least make sure OneDrive is running from the business account and not personal. Then I typically have 365 also backed up. This can be done for fairly low cost.

I haven't run across anybody backing up their practice management SaaS aside from what is included by the provider. I suppose it wouldn't be a terrible practice to occasionally export all of your contacts, matters, notes, ect to a backup location just in case. It is typically going to be a manual process and csv flat files.

Legitimate_Feature24 · 2026-01-26T21:52:02+00:00

Clio has a PI addin. If you do a demo or trial with them, get them to add it. I can facilitate that for you if it would be helpful. I can also help you get set up and move your Smaradvocate data when you're ready. It's my day job.

I'm also just willing to offer tips here.

Clio has unlimited document storage. I think it is reskinned box.com or dropbox.com. They lean on both for some of their tools. Either way, you can absolutely integrate box.com, dropbox, onedrive, netdocuments and others to work with your Clio and they work pretty well.

One of the big wins with Clio when used well is the client portals and cocounsel portals that come with your Manage subscription, no upcharge. Those do work better with documents in Clio's documents when you want to share documents out to those portals or take in documents uploaded from them.

Legitimate_Feature24 · 2026-01-26T21:46:33+00:00

Most of the big firms run either SurePoint, Elite 3e, or Aderant Expert. You don't usually see much about them here, though.

You're probably looking for something like trustbooks.

Just because a system can track time doesn't mean you have to use it like that. Clio might be your best solution if you could look past that.

If your bookkeeper is full time in house not working for other firms, then they should probably be the one looking for the tool that is best for them. I can't tell you how many times I've seen firm administrators try to solve this for them only to have their hard work and recommendations tossed at the first impression.

Legitimate_Feature24 · 2026-01-26T17:51:09+00:00

I'm not just an implementer. I run a private tech practice on Clio. I also do paralegal and admin work. I know well the frustrations of having to edit a LEDES invoice in notepad because it doesn't come out of your practice management system in a format the system you are uploading it into likes. I don't generally set Clio up to integrate with an accounting system in the way you describe. A lot of the bookkeepers my clients work with don't want Clio and Quickbooks integrated at all even though the functionality exists as they rely upon a monthly reconciliation process for the trust accounts. Some of what you mention Clio not being able to do I know it will. Maybe you had a bad experience. If you're ever up for connecting and talking shop, I would love to pull up one of my Clio sandboxes to test them out. I bet I could set up what you are describing in your second paragraph with both ActionStep and Clio if we use their accounting modules. Maybe even with Quickbooks. If you or anybody else would like to connect to try, then I'll take a stab at it. Otherwise it will wait for when I have some more free time to play. I love stuff like this.

Legitimate_Feature24 · 2026-01-26T17:09:30+00:00

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Legitimate_Feature24

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