We’ve all been there - stressful days at work where urgent tasks seem to add up and take over our day. For lawyers, this can be particularly frustrating. How can clients' needs be prioritized when billing tasks seem to swallow up the whole day? Professional problems require professional solutions, and invoicing software is a must have for any law practice. By streamlining the billing process, attorneys can concentrate on their primary expertise: practicing law. Here’s a short list of features attorneys should look for when choosing invoicing software, and the benefits of choosing case management software.
Billing starts with knowing how much time a client should be billed. Attorney’s should look for software that offers options on how to track that time. Obviously, manual entry is a standard option. But, attorneys should consider leveraging technology to more accurately track their billable time.
Look for software that offers unlimited responsive time tracking, allowing users to effortlessly log billable hours without the hassle of manual entry. This feature ensures accurate tracking of time spent on each case, minimizing errors and maximizing productivity.
By simplifying the time-tracking process, attorneys can focus more on their clients and less on administrative tasks. This transformation in time management not only improves efficiency but also gives the firm more time to give clients exceptional legal services.
Every client is unique, and so are their billing needs. Invoicing software should cater to this need with a wide range of billing options, including flat fee, hourly, and installment payments. With this flexibility, attorneys can tailor their billing methods to suit each client's specific needs, fostering better client relationships and satisfaction.
Naturally, firms need to consider using trust accounting features if a retainer is required. The right software option lets the firm select the right billing approach for each matter, not solely at the client level. Look for software that offers standard invoicing terms, trust accounting, contingency, pro bono, and LEDES. Even if the firm doesn’t yet require all those options, if it becomes a necessity, the software platform should give the firm the option to grow into it.
Offering diverse billing options also streamlines the financial management of legal practice. Attorneys can easily manage different billing structures, ensuring that their services are accessible to a broader clientele without having to switch platforms.
Creating and keeping track of invoices can be a daunting task, especially for busy law firms. SimpleLaw's software simplifies this process, giving attorneys the tools to create and view invoices by case, client, or in batch mode, automatically creating all invoices for all matters with a handful of clicks. Chosen software should be purpose built to streamline the entire process from time and expense tracking, to automated invoice creation. Firms save multiple days of work moving to case management software, like SimpleLaw, from more manual processes. And all at a very reasonable price, especially when compared to other case management software platforms.
Accessing and tracking invoices and their payment saves the firm time, too. No need to manually sort through due dates. A variety of standard and customized reports give case management software users instant views to invoice status. This organized approach to invoicing not only saves time but also improves the overall efficiency of the billing and collection process.
In today's digital age, convenience and security are paramount. Software with secure online payment options lets clients directly pay their invoices with ease and confidence. Online payment is the norm - and clients expect it. Be sure your firm meets clients where they are, with the convenience they want. Analysis shows clients given an option to pay online submit payment faster, increasing cash flow for the firm.
Offering a secure payment portal clients feel protected by will also ensure you keep their financial trust. This creates a perfect foundation to build strong professional relationships. Secure online payments reduce the risk of errors and delays associated with traditional payment methods, allowing both attorneys and clients to rest assured that their financial transactions are protected.
While SimpleLaw offers all features listed above, that's just a fraction of what we offer, all at a low cost. Get all this and document automation, matter management, and robust security features, among other benefits, for just $39 a month. To learn more about how SimpleLaw can save you time and improve your relationships with clients, take a look at our list of features, including our client portal.