This report examines the benefits and challenges experienced by current legal management software users and can help guide future buyers in their search for the right software to grow their practice.

1. Software Advice UserView:
Legal Management Software Report
Lessons from real software users

2. Due in large part to the financial crisis of 2008, the legal industry has
experienced several key changes. Law firms looking to remain competitive in the
changing market are restructuring themselves to deliver more efficient and cost
effective legal services, often using using legal management software to do so.
To discover more about how law firms are using these systems, Software Advice
conducted a survey of legal management software users to find out the benefits
and challenges they’ve experienced as well as their future investment plans.
Abstract

3. The majority of respondents use legal management software to automate daily
tasks such as calendaring (68 percent) and recording billable time (66 percent).
Automation is Key Driver for Software Users
View tasks, deadlines & meetings
Record billable time
Store details from phone calls/email
Generate invoices
Draft documents
Search centralized database
Case & matter tagging
Check for conflicts of interest
Reporting
Give callback reminders
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
30%
37%
46%
50%
51%
52%
58%
61%
66%
68%
Percent of sample N = 180

4. Nearly half of users report a “very positive” impact on case-file organization, and
37 percent say the software has “very positively” impacted workflow processes.
Improved Organization, Streamlined Processes Are Key Benefits
N = 180
Very positive NegativeNoneSomewhat
positive
Case-file organization
Workflow processes
Billable hours
Data security
Timeliness of payments
Ability to work remotely
Ability to collaborate
Trust account tracking
Acquisiton of new clients
Number of cases won
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
17%47%
7%42%
47%27% 4%
31% 7%37%
4%46%
3%
26%25%
22%
26%
32%
8%42%
4%11%48%37%
8%20%48%24%
4%33%42%21%
4%
4%
46%33%17%
53%26%17%

5. Twenty-seven percent of users report at least a moderate challenge with software
integration, exemplifying the debate over standalone vs. comprehensive solutions.
Users Report Integration To Be Top Software Challenge
N = 180
Not a
challenge
Major
challenge
Moderate
challenge
Minor
challenge
Poor integration
Lack of customization
Interface is non-intuitive
Difficult to import/export
Lack of functionality
Too many bugs/errors
Security issues
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
19% 37%
3% 31%
29% 49%7%
42%8% 36%
8%
43%6%
16% 51%
15%
14%
36%
20% 31%
4% 15% 26% 55%
6% 6% 17% 71%

6. Just 5 percent report a decreased investment. The majority are maintaining their
level of spending and 35 percent have increased it in 2015 vs. 2014.
Investment in Legal Management Software Continues to Grow
N = 180
Significantly increased4%
Moderately increased31%
Stayed the same55%
Moderately decreased4%
Significantly decreased1%
Not sure5%

7. Users cite a dedication to improving accuracy and efficiency of client services as the
main reason for increasing investment.
Improving Accuracy/Efficiency Key Driver For Increased Investment
Improve accuracy/efficiency
Growing client base/caseload
Add users
Upgrade existing system
Purchase different system
Modernize
Need industry-specific configuration
Prefer subscription model
Increase mobility
Increase security
Increase storage
Other
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%
8%
3%
3%
3%
5%
5%
14%
21%
22%
22%
25%
27%
Percent of sample N = 63

8. The greatest percentage of respondents (70 percent, combined), are from small
law firms with 50 or less employees.
Respondents’ Firm Size by Number of Employees
N = 180
1 - 58%
6 - 2041%
21 - 5021%
51 - 10017%
101 - 2506%
251 - 5001%
More than 5006%

9. Just 10 percent of respondents report working for firms with over $100 million in
annual revenue. A combined 84 percent work at firms with $50 million or less.
Respondents’ Firm Size by Annual Revenue
N = 180
Less than $1 million14%
$1 - $5 million33%
$6 - $10 million21%
$11 - $50 million16%
$51 - $100 million7%
$101 - $500 million5%
More than $500 million5%

10. Over half of respondents work at firms with between 2 and 10 attorneys, showing
that small law firms are investing in and benefiting from using PM software.
Respondents’ Firm Size by Number of Attorneys
N = 180
Solo practice6%
2 - 542%
6 - 1024%
11 - 2014%
21 - 506%
51 -1002%
More than 1006%

11. Paralegals make up the largest percentage of respondents (at 28 percent),
followed by legal secretaries at 27 percent and attorneys at 14 percent.
Respondents by Job Title
N = 180
Attorney/lawyer14%
Legal administrator12%
Legal secretary27%
Librarian3%
Litigation support6%
Paralegal28%
Other11%

12. The top practice areas with the greatest representation include criminal law
(17 percent), civil litigation (13 percent) and business law (10 percent).
Respondents by Practice Area
N = 180
Criminal law17%
Civil litigation13%
Business/corporate law10%
Divorce law9%
Personal injury8%
Real estate law7%
Bankruptcy law6%
Intellectual property5%
Estate planning4%
Other21%

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