The Top Legal Software Stacks

Legal software stacks must be structured logically around core functions: Timekeeping, Billing, & Document Management, Payment Processing, Expense Management, and Accounting. These stacks are based on direct, hands-on experience of each platform listed. The result is a holistic approach to the fundamental software stack that attorneys need.

Defining the Core Legal Software Stack Structure

The core components of a high-quality legal software stack are:

• Timekeeping, Billing & Document Management (normally the same product)
• Payment Processor
• Accounting
• Payroll
• Credit Card/Spending

Note: Software performs or assists with the practice of law or business function. Software is a tool, not a function.

Stack Insights and Perspectives

Each of the stacks is a high-quality stack and what is right for you depends on your firm's needs. The main items to consider are:

• Ease of Use: There were a number of software platforms that did not make the list based on difficulty to use, and more importantly, difficulty to export data.
• Services Provided: Client file management, billing, timekeeping, integration with MS Office/G-Suite, and accounting software are required.
• Turnkey vs. Customizable: Are you buying a "shell" that you have to build out yourself or a turnkey solution with processes prebuilt?
• Price: Most follow the same pricing model, but per user cost varies.

Smokeball

Smokeball is a consistently strong product that is improving quickly. It is characterized as a turnkey product. The individuals who were the builders of Smokeball were the people at Time Matters when it was considered a leading legal software product.

• Ease of Use: 9/10
• Services Provided: 9/10
• Turnkey vs. Customizable: Heavily structured as a turnkey product. This is a positive for 99.99% of firms.
• Price: Three tier subscription model with pricing in line with Clio and Filevine.

Standout feature: Smokeball has a desktop app feature that runs more quickly than the standard cloud site. It also has a trust accounting module that allows you to do the full trust accounting separate from your firm's accounting software.

Biggest Weakness: The trust accounting module is not tied to the bank account via live feed. However, with the roll out of Smokeball Payments, this is a very strong product.

LeanLaw

LeanLaw is the cheapest option primarily because it does not have a built-in practice management system (yet). For firms that do not want client file management, document storage, etc., this is a great solution.

• Ease of Use: 10/10
• Services Provided: 4/10
• Turnkey vs. Customizable: Heavily structured as a turnkey product. This is a positive for 99.99% of firms.
• Price: The cheapest of all options if you are not using NetDocs.

Standout feature: LeanLaw is the only product with a native 2-way QuickBooks Online integration. This means that changes in QuickBooks Online affect LeanLaw trust accounting and changes in LeanLaw affect QuickBooks Online trust accounting. LeanLaw also provides a "live" view of whether your trust bank account and corresponding client trust liability account are in sync.

Biggest Weakness: LeanLaw is purely a billing, timekeeping, and trust accounting tool (though an excellent one). If you need document management and client file storage, you'll need a separate platform.

Filevine

Filevine is heavily marketed towards contingency firms, but don't let that fool you. If you enjoy highly customizable products, Filevine should be on your list of platforms to use regardless of practice area.

• Ease of Use: 7/10
• Services Provided: 10/10
• Turnkey vs. Customizable: Heavily structured as a fully customizable product.
• Price: Multiple tier subscription model with pricing in line with Clio and Smokeball.

Standout feature: The platform does have a very high level of customization across the board.

Biggest Weakness: Many attorneys hear the "You can build it any way you want" in sales calls and realize later that customizing from scratch requires significant time investment. Building it out is often more work than anticipated.

Clio

Clio is the most recognizable name on the list and arguably the most powerful "off the shelf" product. It's a very strong platform with high customization capabilities.

• Ease of Use: 8/10
• Services Provided: 10/10
• Turnkey vs. Customizable: Heavily structured as a fully customizable product.
• Price: Multiple tier subscription model, but beware of additional fees.

Standout Feature: Clio has a high level of customization. Consider an "all in on Clio" approach when possible. However, use caution with Clio Accounting because QuickBooks Online integrates with software that Clio Accounting does not.

Biggest Weakness: The family of products can result in a "nickel and dime" cost feeling, with features being available only with additional per-user purchases.

MyCase

MyCase was once a leading option but has fallen behind in recent years. It's a middle-ground between turnkey and customizable.

• Ease of Use: 6/10
• Services Provided: 7/10
• Turnkey vs. Customizable: Middle ground
• Price: Cheaper than Clio, Smokeball, and Filevine

Standout Feature: Price. It is cheaper than other premium options.

Biggest Weakness: Limited investment in product improvement has caused it to fall behind. The focus on LawPay has limited standalone benefit as all other products have their own payment processors.

Conclusion

Smokeball, Clio, and Filevine are roughly the same price for equivalent benefits. If you want a turnkey product, Smokeball is the strongest option. If you want a highly customizable product, Clio & Filevine are the strongest options. If you need a lower price point and don't need full practice management, LeanLaw is excellent. Choose based on your specific needs and firm size.