My Cheap Alternative to Law Firm Management Software!

[@LawVenture]

Check out the Case-Binder Blueprint: lawventure.com/case-binder-blueprint/

[@Ahduciekwndnbbbsvvvghhhyyyyy]

I used to have a system like this, but I honestly regret not starting with a proper crm from the start. While it may seem budget in terms of direct upfront expenses, in my experience, a proper crm is a profit generating investment - and not the area you want to go budget. Especially as our firm starts to grow, this type of system is going to cost you way more than what you think you are saving.

[@LawVenture]

Do you mind sharing specifics?

[@chanex5324]

Which CRM did you choose?

[@Ahduciekwndnbbbsvvvghhhyyyyy]

@@chanex5324 I use Clio Manage. Expensive but worth it.

[@adamruffin9013]

Great video man, thank you for putting up content like this!!

[@LawVenture]

You’re most welcome!

[@rduffy5]

I get keeping expenses low, but $500 a month in expenses when you're settling cases for $100k is not a big deal...

[@LawVenture]

That’s a fair point. However, not everyone is that far along in their journey. Plus, you’d need to consider opportunity cost (which will depend on the person). For example, investing that $500 in self education can increase earning capacity. Or investing that money in ads could result in more exposure. Again, it all depends on the individual situation. I just like providing the options

[@JimGoldenLaw]

Awesome video- thank you for putting it together! Two quick questions: 1. how do you handle email tracking? IMO, one of the best features of Clio is being able to copy outgoing emails to the matter folder. Have you figured out a way to do that through Google Suite and/or 365? 2. Do you have anything automated for a conflict checker?

[@CoachNateLaw]

Good question!

[@LawVenture]

I'm glad you like the video! Regarding emails, I set up Gmail to automatically label client-related emails to that particular client (I hope that makes sense). From that point on, the label allows for me to sort emails by client matter. This is all on Gmail though. I don't like to take emails off of Gmail and save them into the client file (on Google Drive) until after the case is closed. This is because Gmail's search function can easily track down specific emails while the case is active, if needed. Once the case is closed, I do a bulk save of all the email files to the client's "Email" folder on Drive and move the Gmail label from "Current Cases" to "Closed Cases." Hopefully this makes semi-sense haha. As for an automated conflict checker, that's an interesting question. My case files are all alphabetized by client name so it's pretty easy to check my previous and active clients. Is there another category of conflicts that comes up for you?

[@LawVenture]

@@CoachNateLaw See above!

[@CoachNateLaw]

@@LawVenture Thanks!

[@Moni19m]

Could you make a quick video on how to do this?@@LawVenture

[@WiseOwl-hi5pg]

❤❤❤THANK YOU❤❤❤

[@tmatt1999]

I like what you did, and I'm thinking of replicating some of it, but how do you check for conflicts? Additionally, how do you not miss doing time entries?

[@LawVenture]

As a solo, I’m pretty in tuned with my own conflicts. If I scaled by having employees, then I’d probably create a master list in Sheets so people could run searches. My fees are on contingency so I don’t really have to concern myself with time entries. When I do, I create a new sheet where I can log the time.

[@derrickblythe648]

How do you sign up for the PI thing

[@CoachNateLaw]

This is very interesting, thanks for sharing. I've used a lot of the Google Workspace, but never Scripts--love your system. We do pay for Clio now, but it is painfully expensive...💸

[@LawVenture]

Is Clio paying for itself? Or is it something you pay for because it's the easier path to getting up and running?

[@CoachNateLaw]

@@LawVenture It seemed like an industry standard that I "needed." We used Time Matters in the past, but it didn't have the functionality we needed (7 attorneys). That's a good question if it's paying for itself--I haven't run those numbers exactly.

[@Allmystuff101]

Would it work for a private investigator business?

[@ThatsYourMate]

Another great video, thank you! Do you have a good way of automatically populatig the details of the client, other lawyer or provider's name and address etc at the top of the precedent letter?

[@LawVenture]

There's definitely a way to do it (or so I think). I just haven't taken the time to figure it out since I typically just copy/paste that info from the Case Binder real quick.

[@ThatsYourMate]

@@LawVenture Sounds good, thank you :)

[@emerywang]

How do you get data out of the binder to a letter or document? For example, if I need to create a letter that has the adjuster's name and address, the claim number, date of injury, my client's name, and the signature block of the person creating the letter, is there a one-click way to get that info out of the binder into the appropriate spot on the letter? Or is it cut and paste field by field from the Excel sheet to the appropriate spot in the Word letter? Thanks!

[@73cidalia]

Look up tutorials for Mail Merge in Microsoft. Mailings can be created to autopopulate those fields from Excel, Outlook, or Access. No need for copy and paste. Consistent formatting in the source document will be important, so watching a tutorial would help.

[@Archangel4Truth]

First like and comment yeah

[@LawVenture]

😂😂

[@charleslanham5839]

why not grow to a big law firm... with this youtube account you should be able to attract some excellent attorneys to work for you.

[@sajhuss4326]

Agreed. Invest your efforts in growing the top line vs the bottom line