Document Management

Why should my law firm use a legal document management system?

Law firms can benefit in several ways from having a legal document management system.

• Organization by matters. A legal document management system enables a law firm to organize its documents by matters, bringing together in a central location all documents, emails and notes pertaining to a particular matter or client.
• Email management. A legal document management system is not just for documents. It also organizes and indexes all law firm emails within the appropriate matter.
• Document identification. Unlike generic document storage systems such as Dropbox or OneDrive, legal document management systems enable law firms to classify and tag documents by the type or nature of the document. This makes it easier for lawyers to find pleadings, contracts, and other types of legal documents.

Is my law firm big enough for a legal document management system?

Law firms of all sizes, from solo on up, can benefit from a legal document management system. Even for a small firm, a legal DMS system can help you keep your documents organized by matters, streamline your document workflows, collaborate with your colleagues, and protect the security of your documents.

What are the most important features to look for in a legal document management system?

The most important features to look for in a document management system include:

• Powerful search. A document management system should allow you to search the text and metadata of your documents.
• Strong security. For lawyers, maintaining document security is paramount.
• Permission-based access. This allows your law firm or legal organization to control who has access to various types of files.
• Mobile access. Legal professionals need to have access to their documents wherever they are, whether they are in the office or working remotely.
• Cloud-based. For most law firms and legal organizations, a cloud-based document management system provides the flexibility and convenience of access from anywhere.
• Integrated electronic signatures. A legal document management system should make it easy for legal professionals to obtain signatures on legal documents.
• Version history. When legal teams collaborate on drafting and negotiating documents, it is essential that they be able to track all prior versions and know exactly who made which edit and when.

What additional features should I look for in a legal document management system?

Additional features to look for in a legal document management system may include document analytics, document assembly, approval and signature processing, obligation monitoring and notifications, and integration with case management, contract management and knowledge management systems.