Automation is one of the best ways to increase the efficiency, and in turn the profit, of a law practice. At its core, automation is a task that occurs on its own, usually after some event or trigger occurs, through the use of technology. At its best, it allows your law practice to work even when you aren’t.
Some softwares include build-in automation. For example, MailChimp allows for sending emails automatically after a certain amount of time has passed. Once the email itself is added to the system, MailChimp handles the sending without any additional work.
Some software includes native connections to other providers. These integrations are nice because they not only allow a connection to otherwise independent software but the connection is built by developers, often making it more robust. For example, Clio integrates with Outlook, allowing the two calendars to be synced. So when you to accept a calendar invite sent by email, both your Outlook calendar and your Clio calendar are updated and identical.
Because there is so much software out there, sometimes a connection between two independent ones hasn’t been established yet. Luckily, there are several options that help fill the gap. The following services allow you to establish a connection between software that doesn’t otherwise have a way to connect:
- If This Than That (IFTTT)
- MS Flow
- Zapier (my personal favorite*)
If you’re thinking the idea of automation sounds great but aren’t quite sure how you’d actually use it, here are a few examples of ways technology can automatically complete tasks without your lifting a finger:
- Saving all email communication with a client to their matter
- Importing data into a case management tool
- Setting a reminder to circle back if no response is received
- Updating case status across all platforms
- Sending a reminder about an upcoming appointment or court date
- Scheduling a consultation
- Drafting pleadings and contracts
- Sending out email notifications when a task is completed
- Assigning subsequent task to the responsible party
- Saving case files to backup storage
- Sending immediate response to new leads
- Recording survey data into a master report
The automation possibilities are vast and grow each day. To avoid becoming overwhelmed, it’s best to first identify a pain point (i.e. “It would be nice if this email saved directly to the matter so I didn’t have to stop and do it manually.”). Then, look for a solution to fill the gap. Even if the task you automate is straightforward and takes only a few minutes for you to complete now, the total time saved adds up. Plus, it’s one less thing to worry about.
This is not an ad. I do not endorse or receive compensation from any tools mentioned.
Where do you see gaps in your practice? What admin tasks are you ready to get off your plate? Could you automate them?
