As a growing industry, LegalTech software has found its place among the day-to-day tasks of law professionals. Everything from client intake to billing can be handled by specialized digital tools.
However, the uptake in supply means that every day it becomes a little harder to choose which solution works best for you. Thus, we’ve decided to compile a series of the best qualities to look for in law software.
Benefits of SaaS-based LegalTech software solutions
For the purpose of this article, we’ll go over what to look for in SaaS products. Software-as-a-Service, by the way, refers to a subscription-based business model. It aims to give users low costs of entry and secure remotely-hosted functionalities.
Among the many benefits of choosing a SaaS LegalTech software, you may find:
- Digital transformation to keep your firm at the forefront of innovation
- Scalability, as solutions are generally available from a-few-dollars-a-month tiers to enterprise packages.
- Flexibility, since the computing takes place on remote servers, users can work from different devices.
What to look for in LegalTech software
Don’t know where to even begin? Don’t worry! For the sake of new and experienced law professionals alike, we put together this list of qualities to look for in LegalTech software.
- Functionality
- Security
- Versatility
- tech stack integration
- service – support, help, accessibility, training
- client service
- Affordability (Return on Investment)
- Innovation and updates
Functionality
To start off, what are you looking for? Is there any particular task you’d like to digitize?
LegalTech software offers a vast array of functionalities. Be it practice management, document generation, or electronic discovery, you should easily find something that’s of use to your firm.
Keep in mind, as laws vary from state to state, you should keep an eye out for state-specific functionalities. Research which apps offer the more appropriate solutions for your particular jurisdiction.
When it comes to practice area-specific tools, like family law solutions, options often become narrower. Consider the particulars, needs, and challenges of your law specialization. Different LegalTech software products handle different approaches.
Security
Keeping sensitive client information private is an obligation for law professionals. It’s also a key aspect to keep in mind when researching LegalTech software.
In fact, a lot of law-specific versions of otherwise general software types – such as schedulers or CRMs – highlight security as one of their main selling points. If any industry ought to be careful when handling data, it’s law service providers.
SaaS in particular boasts secure server-based products. That means that, as information isn’t directly handled through personal devices, there’s less of a chance for confidential data to be compromised.
Versatility
Customization and flexibility are key in looking for what software to acquire. Every firm has its own take on the services they offer. Whether it be its scale, approach, or specialty, the perfect software should be able to fit and match.
Regarding practice area-specific LegalTech software, versatility takes on another meaning. A great product will be able to tackle a wider array of specialized tasks within the particular needs of that practice area. DivorceHelp123, for example, can do everything from generating court documents to preparing asset distribution and child support worksheets.
Integration
Chances are, you won’t be using one specific software product all day. At the very least, you’ll use a combination of general office suites and one or more specialized apps.
That’s why it’s important that these utilities understand each other’s languages, so to speak. A single assignment may have its different steps handled by different software. Different tasks may need access to the same information.
When checking out LegalTech software, keep an eye out for how it integrates with other utilities. It’ll make your workflow much, much smoother.
Service
Time is money, especially when it comes to business software. If you’re researching a LegalTech product, make sure they’re able to deliver not only a consistent service but also quality and timely customer support.
This also includes training, tutorials, and thorough documentation, by the way. You don’t want your team to waste their time figuring out every little nook and cranny of the app. Instead, you could be getting priority help from the vendor as part of your subscription.
Client experience
We’re splitting this particular point off of the previous one, to further delve into the service experience of the final beneficiary: your client.
A great LegalTech product will not only deliver great service to you and your firm but will also improve the service experience that you deliver to your clients.
Think about how the average person has learned to expect a certain level of tech-enhanced service in their day-to-day lives. Everything from watching movies to hailing a ride is now done through automated smart processes.
Those clients will take those expectations to your law firm, and delivering quality service depends on meeting them.
For more information on this subject, read our article on the effortless experience.
Affordability
Business-to-business apps are often more expensive than ones aimed at the general public, and this rule is more or less true for LegalTech software.
That’s why SaaS is such an attractive business model for clients. Instead of a major investment on a single transaction, vendors offer subscriptions that scale in price, starting from rather affordable packages.
It’s important to think of this as an investment. Business software will make your firm more efficient by simplifying difficult tasks and speeding up time-consuming jobs.
Thus, to figure out whether or not a product is affordable, you should not ask yourself how much it’s going to cost you. Rather, think about how much money are you leaving on the table by not using it.
For example, DivorceHelp123 offers a subscription service that scales along with the number of seats, so that small firms with only a handful of users may find as much return on investment as big firms with dozens of users.
Innovation
To opt for LegalTech software is to bet on digital transformation and aim for disruption. As an ever-expanding industry, law technology has sparse room to grow, and the best software solutions are at the forefront of innovation.
A subscription generally entitles you to a steady stream of updates and new functionalities. Therefore, before choosing a particular product, you ought to ask yourself: how will this platform grow? What ecosystem of tools am I buying into?
In conclusion: choosing the right LegalTech software
Hopefully, after reading this article you’ve come to a better understanding of the value that LegalTech software can deliver to you, your business, and your clients. In the end, the best choice is not just a tool to improve your workflow, but a conscious effort toward building an increasingly digital law industry.
