Best law practice management software platforms for 2024

A lawyer’s life is typically depicted in the courtroom, away from the law practice management software humming in the background, helping firms run smoothly. We often imagine attorneys advocating passionately in courtrooms or charging through buildings, briefcase in hand. But what we don’t often see is the amount of time lawyers spend managing their invoices, tracking payments, or scheduling time in their calendars. 

According to a 2022 study of U.S. legal professionals, 70% of lawyers spend 20 hours or more per week on non-client-facing work. This shows that a large portion of an attorney’s time is spent on administrative tasks, including generating and sending bills, configuring technology, and collections. Law practice management software helps to free up some of the time dedicated to admin.

We know that there’s a lot of behind-the-scenes work that goes into trying a case or representing a client. That’s why we rounded up 10 of the best law practice management software platforms for 2024. Let’s take a look at the top options and dive into why they are a good choice for your firm.

Best law practice management software in 2024

1. Clio

Key features of Clio

• Unlimited document storage through the cloud
• Download and upload court documents in a single interface
• Contact and share documents with clients directly through the platform
• 7-day free trial
• Individual calendars for each client and case
• Invoicing and billable hours tracking are available through the platform
• Mobile application for iOS and Android

Clio is the most popular legal software solution by market share and is used by more than 150,000 legal professionals in over 100 countries. This is, without a doubt, one of the most loved management software options for law firms, as made evident by the hundreds of 5-star reviews on Capterra. 

Attorneys across the globe are using Clio to help manage and grow their law firms. And it is easy to see why. Clio has innovated the management software space, making these platforms more user-friendly without sacrificing features. Additionally, more than 70 bar associations suggest Clio as the top management software for their members.

Pros of Clio

• User-friendly platform: As comprehensive as Clio’s features are, it is very simple to use. The company has created an extremely intuitive interface that even the least savvy among us will quickly understand. The management dashboard is the perfect space for viewing deadlines, collaborating on projects with colleagues, and talking directly with clients.
• Can easily integrate with other software: Clio is a one-stop-shop for law firms and allows you to place all of your other systems and software within the platform to view everything in a single space. The software is compatible with over 200 integrations, including Office 365, Quickbooks, Slack, Zoom, Google Suite, Dropbox, and DocuSign, just to name a few.
• Simplified case management: The platform allows you to collect, store, track, and manage client data with customized categorization options.
• Clio has a mobile application: The Clio mobile app makes client management within your law practice much easier, as you can check cases, send updates, and even contact clients through the app.

Cons of Clio

• Room for improvement with some external integrations
• Clio is a “jack of all trades” with tons of useful features, but with some features like reporting and task management, the software lags behind more specialized competitors

Clio pricing

Clio starts at $39 per month for the basic EasyStart plan, but depending on your firm’s size and how many features you want, it can cost up to $159 per month. If you want to try out the software before making a commitment, you can also try it for free with a 7-day free trial.

2. PracticePanther

Key features of PracticePanther

• Unlimited cloud storage for documents, photos, calendars, presentations, and more
• Extremely thorough 256-bit military-grade security system
• Mobile app is available for iOS and Android
• Comprehensive calendar for tracking deadlines, court dates, and other appointments
• A billing system that allows you to set custom rates, create custom invoice templates, and streamline your invoicing processes
• Internal chat and communication systems
• A long list of compatible external integrations, including Google Suite, Dropbox, OneDrive, and Box.com
• Try out the service risk-free with the 7-day free trial

Tens of thousands of legal professionals use PracticePanther for seamless case management. Attorneys and legal professionals can organize case management details and manage workflow with ease. And thanks to cloud storage, you can rest assured that all stored information is secure and with frequent real-time backups.

PracticePanther is one of Clio’s main competitors and is another all-inclusive management platform with just about every feature you’ll need to manage your firm.

Pros of PracticePanther

• User-friendly legal management software: Like Clio, PracticePanther is a software that places user-friendliness at the forefront of its mission. The software is simple to navigate and use, which cuts down the need to train staff.
• Helpful and efficient customer support: The sales and customer support teams at PracticePanther are helpful and patient, making sure that you get exactly the service and features you need. If needed, they will walk you through the setup process.
• Perfect platform for time and task management: PracticePanther allows you to access case details anytime from any device, streamline your processes with custom workflows, and generate detailed reports with its tagging and filtering capabilities, making your organization much more effective.

Cons of PracticePanther

• There can be a bit of a learning curve when customizing the platform
• Doesn’t include all integrations, such as Quickbooks credit card accounts, and others may also be a bit buggy and finicky
• Switching from legacy software to PracticePanther can be a complicated process, depending on your firm’s current software

PracticePanther pricing

The Solo PracticePanther plan includes basic access to the software and the application and is perfect for small firms with lower budgets. This is the lowest-cost option, and you’ll pay $49 per month.

The Essential plan costs $69 monthly, which adds on customization and automation features as well as more integrations.

The Business plan will set you back $89 per month and includes all the services, features, and integrations that the company has to offer. This package also includes VIP data transfer services, website integration, and support.

You can also try PracticePanther for free for 7 days by signing up with your email, or you can request a demo with time availability visible right there on their site for you to choose from.

3. LEAP

Key features of LEAP

• Document automation system that allows you to create, share, store, and edit documents directly in the platform
• Unlimited storage via cloud (55MB maximum per file)
• Case management system for organizing and managing clients and cases
• Fast and effective payment system for clients
• Invoicing and time tracking systems to streamline your billing process
• AI chatbot and legal assistant
• Mobile App for iOS and Android
• Integrations with various external software such as Quickbooks, Lawconnect, Xero, InfoTrack, and more

Used by more than 61,000 legal professionals globally, LEAP combines legal practice management, document assembly and automation, legal accounting, and legal publishing into one fully integrated cloud-based solution. Quickly capture billable time in or out of the office. Use the LEAP Mobile App, Apple Watch, or Amazon Alexa to instantly sync all entries to your matter.

LEAP is an all-in-one software for law firms and doesn’t leave anything to desire in terms of features.

Pros of LEAP

• Easy and simplified system: The system is user-friendly and has automated time tracking for billable hours that’ll make your invoicing much more simple.
• Well-developed application: LEAP’s mobile app is convenient and allows you to check and use the platform on the move.
• Excellent customization: Task and workflow management on LEAP is comprehensive, and there are many opportunities to customize the platform to fit your firm’s needs. 

Cons of LEAP

• No free trial is available, though you can request a demo
• Lacks integrations for payroll and accounting
• Steeper learning curve than other options
• The base plan won’t have all the necessary features for most firms with more than one member

Pricing for LEAP

LEAP’s base plan is a bit more expensive than other options at $79 per month. This plan only allows for a single user and doesn’t include any integrations. For integrations and up to three users, you’ll need to pay for the Team plan, which costs $249 per year.

4. Meruscase

Key features for Meruscase

• Cloud-based storage with automatic backups and bank-grade encryption
• Built-in ePayment processing (MerusPay) for faster payments
• Internal document storage, management, and automation system
• Seamless document automation, batch scanning, and email integration
• Customizable billing and firm-wide calendaring options
• Specialty features tailored to specific practice areas 
• Several different calendar options for firm-wide and individual events

While not nearly as popular of an option as Clio or PracticePanther, Meruscase is another excellent choice for law firms. This smaller company gives the giants in the law firm software industry a run for their money. 

Meruscase is an intuitive and user-friendly legal practice management software that can help streamline your law firm’s workflow. This is one of the most customizable platforms with custom features and pricing based on the needs of your firm. With features such as time tracking, invoicing, document management, and client communication all in one place, Meruscase allows you to save time and focus on what matters most — practicing law. Its cloud-based platform also provides secure and convenient access to your practice from anywhere at any time.

Pros for Meruscase

• Top-notch customer service: Meruscase is a small company and takes customer support very seriously. This is one of the things that really sets the company apart from the competition. The Meruscase team ensures that you fully understand the platform and is always ready to assist when you have questions.
• Simple and effective software solution: While Meruscase may not have all the bells and whistles that the bigger companies have, it does a great job at providing the essentials for small to medium-sized firms. 
• Pricing and feature customization: Meruscase works with you and provides features and pricing based on your firm’s needs. Don’t need a bunch of fancy features? Don’t worry; they can provide you with a package that is as basic or comprehensive as you need.

Cons for Meruscase

• There is no mobile application
• Lack of integrations with third-party software such as Slack and G Suite

Pricing for Meruscase

Meruscase offers customized and personalized pricing, so there aren’t set packages or pricing plans. The company’s sales team will work with you to provide the best package and pricing for your needs.

5. LollyLaw

Key features of LollyLaw

• Several immigration law-specific workflows and automation systems
• Create, access, file, edit, and share documents and forms directly within the platform
• Questionnaires and forms for clients can easily be translated within the platform
• Billing system that accepts bank transfers, credit cards, and eChecks
• Automated invoicing and payment reminders
• 7-day free trial

Lollylaw is a multifunctional legal practice management software designed specifically for immigration lawyers and small law firms. With its simple and intuitive interface, Lollylaw makes it easy to manage your legal practice efficiently and effectively. From immigration form filing to time tracking, invoicing, and client communication, Lollylaw has all the basic features you need to run your immigration law practice smoothly. While it may not be the most comprehensive platform on this list, it will certainly tick all the boxes for smaller firms. Lollylaw is a cloud-based platform that allows you to access your practice from anywhere, at any time, providing the flexibility you need to work on the go.

Pros for LollyLaw

• Perfect specialized platform for immigration lawyers: If you are a small immigration law firm or a solo attorney, this is likely the best management platform for you, as all the tools and features are specialized for immigration.
• Comprehensive form filing and storage: Immigration forms can be tedious, but LollyLaw simplifies this by storing customizable forms and allowing you to file documents directly from their system.

Cons for LollyLaw

• Does not allow any integrations
• Not ideal for lawyers outside of the immigration niche
• Collaboration and case management systems are not the most comprehensive, so it may not be the best platform for larger teams

Pricing for LollyLaw

LollyLaw provides customized pricing plans depending on your firm’s size and the features you need. You can get in touch with a LollyLaw sales rep to discuss pricing and features. You can also sign up for a free demo of LollyLaw to see how it can help simplify your legal practice today.

6. Filevine

Key features of Filevine

• AI-powered case management software
• Unlimited cloud storage
• Comprehensive document storage, organization, signing, filing, and sharing
• Simple systems for time tracking, billing, invoicing, and payments
• Data and analytics tools for law firms
• Highly customizable platform
• Compatible with quite a few integrations, including National Record Retrieval, Office 365,  Quickbooks, and more

Trusted by over 50,000+ users, FileVine is a leading case, matter, investigation, and project management software designed to keep your client data, documents, notes, tasks, and even client texts all in one place. This all-encompassing platform includes a massive amount of software that covers just about every need of lawyers in a wide variety of niches. The Vine Platform is tailored to legal professionals and helps make collaboration and communication easy. Enjoy personal and team calendars across multiple locations and easy-to-use secure document storing and sharing. 

Pros for Filevine

• Full of features but simple to use: The platform includes a ton of different features and tools, with just about everything any small or large firm will need. It does all this while still remaining relatively user-friendly and easy to understand.
• Excellent customer support, onboarding, and training: It’s no secret that law practice software platforms have a steep learning curve and can be complex to learn to use. Filevine does a good job of onboarding teams and training companies to use the platform.
• Innovative use of AI: Filevine has upgraded many of its tools with AI technology to speed up and improve processes. Some of these tools include AI search in case management software, AI-powered analytics, and AI-organized document storage.

Cons for Filevine

• Tends to cost more than other options
• Due to the complexity of the software, there are occasionally bugs or errors with certain functions

Pricing for Filevine

Like many of the platforms on this list, Filevine pricing depends on how many users and the number of features you need. You’ll need to contact the company’s sales team to get custom pricing for your firm. Request a demo to see how to build your case records. Automate task assignments between team members and communicate with clients.

7. Legal Files

Key features of Legal Files

• Various products catering to different legal specialties such as government law, insurance litigation, legal aid, and law firms
• Unlimited cloud storage
• Comprehensive case management software
• Automated document management and creation
• Several integrations, including Gmail and Outlook
• Training programs from account managers

Legal Files is a legal management software designed to make attorneys more efficient and organized. You can deploy Legal Files on-premises or in the Cloud, making it a preferred choice for corporate and government legal departments, leading law firms, legal services clinics, insurance companies, and universities around the country and the globe. Legal Files creates custom software packages for specific types of lawyers and areas of practice. For example, they offer products catering to government law, corporate law, large firms, insurance law, and more.

Pros for Filevine

• Easy-to-use automation: Legal Files makes life easier with automated systems for document management and creation, speeding up everyday processes. This software is easy to grasp and won’t require special training to use.
• Helpful U.S.-based customer support: 100% of Legal Files customer support is based in the USA. The support team is quick to respond to and able to efficiently help you with your query or request.
• Customized plans and packages for different areas of practice: One of the most significant benefits of Legal Files is that it has pre-arranged products designed specifically for different types of law. This simplifies the process of choosing the best features for your purposes.

Cons for Legal Files

• Installing and setting up the platform is complex and may require help from IT
• Does not have as many features and integrations as other management platforms

Pricing for Legal Files

You’ll have to contact the Legal Files sales team to get a quote for your firm, as prices vary depending on the number of users and features you require. You can request a demo for Legal Files to see how it works in action. 

8. CosmoLex

Key features of CosmoLex

• Case management software that includes calendars, document storage, email, and communications
• Unlimited cloud storage
• Accounting software bookkeeping
• File sharing and e-signature system for collaboration and streamlined e-filing
• Built-in payment processing with CosmoLexPay, accepting credit and debit cards
• Invoicing and time-tracking systems to keep up-to-date on payments
• CRM for marketing and growing your firm
• Website management software for creating top-notch websites
• Large list of integrations, including Office 365, Google Suite, Dropbox, and more
• 10-day free trial available

Touted as the #1 cloud software for law practice management software, CosmoLex is trusted by thousands of law firms to manage calendars, email, documents, and client matters while also covering legal billing and payments, as well as law office accounting. This is one of the most comprehensive platforms for law firms, and it has an impressive amount of helpful and well-developed software.

Despite the platform’s comprehensive features, it is relatively simple to use and will simplify everything involved in running a firm, from time tracking and invoicing to marketing, communications, document management, and much more.

Pros for CosmoLex

• All-encompassing legal management platform: ComsoLex is loaded with features and includes top-notch software as well as add-ons such as a payment system, CRM, and website creation tools.
• No long-term contracts: If you still aren’t sure about the platform after the 10-day free trial, you don’t have to commit to an annual plan. The contracts for CosmoLex are monthly, and you can cancel at any time.
• Software built for attorneys: Often, the different features for legal management software are designed without thinking of their primary users: lawyers. The software for CosmoLex is easy to understand and learn, and the accounting software is simple to understand, even for non-accountants.

Cons for CosmoLex

• Base plan costs more than other competitors
• Bit of a learning curve to learn all of the different features

Pricing for CosmoLex

Pricing for standard access to all of CosmoLex’s features starts at $99 per month. That said, the company offers different pricing points for various extra features. For example, you can add on file sharing and e-signature software for $25 per month, CosmoLex CRM for $147 per month, and CosmoLex Website management for $149 per month. You can also contact the sales team to discuss adding CosmoLexPay to your platform to allow integrated payments via credit or debit card.

CosmoLex won’t lock you into a long-term contract, so you can cancel anytime, for any reason. You can try CosmoLex for free for 10 days with no credit card information or obligations required. 

9. MyCase

Key features of MyCase

• File sharing, automated client intake forms, and comprehensive document management systems
• AI legal writing assistant
• Software for billing, time tracking, invoicing, and expenses
• Easy communication with built-in SMS and email
• Workflow management and organization systems with calendars and customizable workspaces
• Several integrations are available, including Google Suite, Zapier, Dropbox, Lawbrokr, Mail Chimp, and Quickbooks, just to name a few
• Training and onboarding sessions to get you and your team acquainted with the software
• Secure built-in payment software
• Add on features including CRM, eSignatures, and access to the Mobile App
• 10-day free trial available

A case management software built for hybrid work and elevated productivity, MyCase allows for full access to all case details anytime, anywhere, and is a top choice for any size law firm. The platform includes tons of integrations and can help solve efficiency problems across all aspects of the legal sector. In fact, the company has even created a time-saving calculator that shows how much time your firm will save by using the legal practice management software platform. MyCase has tons of useful features, including comprehensive case management solutions, easy communications, and built-in billing and payment systems that’ll make your life much easier.

Pros for MyCase

• Affordable entry price point: MyCase is packed with functionality but costs much less than some of the other legal management platforms out there. For the basic plan, you’ll only need to pay $39 per month, while others can easily cost over $100 per month.
• Saves you lots of time on menial tasks: The platform helps streamline mundane everyday tasks such as invoicing, document management, and communication, allowing attorneys to spend less time on menial work and more time practicing law.
• Large list of compatible integrations: Integrations are an essential part of any decent legal management platform. MyCase can be used with most third-party software that a law firm would need.

Cons for MyCase

• Some important integrations do not function smoothly
• Limited ability to customize the platform
• Some attorneys may find the platform to be less user-friendly than others

Pricing for MyCase

MyCase comes at a relatively low price point compared to most of the other options on this list. When paying annually, the basic plan costs just $39 per month. This includes the main software but doesn’t include integrations, internal communications, advanced document automation, or other premium features. To access more features, you’ll need to enroll in the Pro plan ($79 per month) or the Advanced Plan ($99 per month). You can try out MyCase for free for ten days. 

10. GrowPath

Key features of GrowPath

• Intuitive and comprehensive case management software
• Document storage, management, sharing, and e-signing capabilities
• Unlimited cloud storage with consistent backups
• Workflow customization and automation
• AI tools that help speed up and automate tasks
• Analytics and data for driving performance and gaining efficiency
• Internal communication through SMS, email, and MMS
• Integrations with many useful third parties

GrowPath is the ultimate management software platform for larger law firms and is packed with features that will help you grow and manage your firm effectively. The platform offers state-of-the-art systems such as client intake, case management, and reporting in one seamlessly integrated interface. While many of the products on this list focus on helping firms manage cases and streamline tasks, GrowPath takes this all a step further and acts as a marketing and lead-generation tool as well.

With GrowPath, you can quickly identify high-value cases at intake, find new cases, and get notified of potential issues with any case or employee. The legal software management platform will keep your teams productive and provide clarity around marketing initiatives and actionable business insights.

Pros for GrowPath

• Comprehensive platform for optimizing law practice systems: GrowPath is a massic platform that allows your firm to optimize and manage your processes all in a single space.
• Massive arsenal of features and integrations: The platform has a ton of useful features and software that you’ll get access to, and it is compatible with several common third-party integrations.
• Lead generation and marketing tools: GrowPath goes beyond the standard time-saving efficiency features and includes marketing software for lead generation, client intake, and optimizing your marketing strategies.
• Easy to navigate interface: While the GrowPath interface is certainly a behemoth, it is reassuringly easy to learn. The home page is particularly handy as it shows all of your basic stats, notifications, and daily tasks.

Cons for GrowPath

• Billing and invoicing system could use some improvements
• The extensive list of features and software may be a bit overwhelming for small firms or individual lawyers

Pricing for GrowPath

GrowPath plans start at $79 per month, but as you might expect, there are many different add-on features that can drive the monthly cost. Your best bet is to get in touch with the sales team and discuss the different features you want for your firm. They will then be able to create a customized package for you. Unfortunately, GrowPath doesn’t offer a free trial, but you can request a free demo of the services.

More law practice management software platforms

• Bill4Time: A cloud-based legal management software that specializes in billing and payments. The software helps law firms streamline invoicing, manage case details, and automate payment.
• Zola Suite: All-in-one platform with integrated practice management, billing, and accounting features. Zola Suite helps improve task management and operational efficiency for legal teams.
• SmartAdvocate: Legal management platform designed specifically for personal injury firms. The software includes case management tools, document automation, and powerful reporting capabilities to optimize case handling and client management.
• CASEpeer: Another platform made for personal injury case management. CASEpeer offers many different tools, such as customizable workflows and detailed reporting, to help firms manage cases more efficiently and improve communication.
• Smokeball: Excellent software for driving growth in small law firms with case management, document automation, and time-tracking tools. Its unique activity tracking feature helps firms capture all billable hours, even for non-tracked tasks.
• CaseFleet: Management software with a strong focus on litigation management, providing features like fact and issue tracking, timeline creation, and evidence organization, which help attorneys build stronger cases and manage litigation details more efficiently.

What is legal management software and why do you need it?

Law practice management software is a collection of features and tools to help lawyers organize their cases and manage their firms effectively. The days of managing your firm with paper filing, physical agendas, and various different online platforms are over. Nowadays, the best solution is to have a single all-inclusive management platform that includes all of the different software and functionality your firm could need.

These platforms can include a variety of different features, from invoicing and bookkeeping software to calendar organization, communications, e-filing for court documents, document organization, and much more. The platforms often include some built-in features and also allow for integrations of other important external software such as Slack, Google Suite, and DropBox. Are you considering moving your firm to a software platform and wondering if it is worth the hassle? Here are four reasons why this is an excellent choice!

Improved efficiency and productivity

Legal management platforms can streamline many processes within your firm, saving you time and money. For example, most platforms include automated document formation, which allows you to automatically generate common documents that would otherwise take up much more time.

Automated billing management

Time-tracking, invoicing, and payment processing often take up a lot of time for firms that are much quicker with these systems. With built-in billing systems and ePayment options, firms can streamline invoicing and payment collection. Many of these platforms include automated reminders, flat transaction rates, and customizable billing settings to ensure you receive payments on time. This reduces the need for manual follow-ups and cuts down on unpaid invoices.

Data security and compliance

The modern digital landscape is littered with cybersecurity threats, and since law firms tend to hold sensitive information about clients, they are at an even higher risk of a data breach. 

Management platforms ensure your law firm’s data remains secure and compliant with industry regulations. Most platforms include high-grade encryption, secure cloud storage, and automatic backups to protect sensitive client information from breaches or loss. 

Legal software also regularly updates its cybersecurity protocols, staying ahead of emerging threats and significantly reducing the risk of a data breach.

It is important to note that while these platforms can reduce the risk, you should always invest in cyber liability insurance for your law firm to avoid the financial risk involved with data breaches.

Enhanced collaboration and communication

Law practice management software platforms also streamline communication and collaboration within your firm by centralizing case data and documents. This makes it easy for team members to access and update case information, share documents, and track progress. With the rise of remote or hybrid teams, this feature is a massive time saver and makes it simple for lawyers to collaborate on cases through a simple platform regardless of location.

How to choose the best law practice management software platforms: 4 things to look out for 

As you can tell, there are a ton of different legal management platforms out there, so determining which product is the best option can be a challenge. Here are some tips for choosing the best management platform for your law firm.

Determine your budget

The amount of money you are willing to spend on a platform is obviously a major factor in your decision. Some platforms may be loaded with premium features, but they will come at a much higher cost than other software. It is important to determine how much money you are willing to spend on the management platform and narrow down options within your budget.

Consider integrations

Third-party integrations are one of the most important features of legal management platforms. Most firms use external software such as Slack, Google Suite, Microsoft 365, and MailChimp, so the ability to access these programs within a single legal platform is a huge benefit. Some management platforms like Clio allow integrations with pretty much every third party under the sun, while others may be lacking in this arena. It is crucial to ensure that each platform you are considering is compatible with the most important third parties your firm uses.

Prioritize features that are most important for your firm

It is easy to get sucked into the fancy bells and whistles of legal management platforms and lose track of your core needs. If your firm needs integrated calendars and collaboration tools, it is important to prioritize platforms with these features. Some software platforms include far more features than your firm will actually use on a day-to-day basis, so view your priorities realistically and choose the most practical option.

Use free trials and demos to determine if they are a good fit

Before committing to a legal management platform, you should always request a demo from the sales team or, at the very least, sign up for a free trial. Most platforms will allow you to try the software for 7 to 14 days for free without committing to a membership. Otherwise, you can contact the sales team, and they will happily show you the features and functions through a free demo.

This allows you to see the management platform in action before putting money down and making an important commitment.

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