Goodbye 2020 and hello to 2021! As we kick off a new year, we asked some of our partners to make some predictions on what we can expect to see across the legal industry in 2021. (Note: some responses have been edited for length or clarity) When it comes to legal practice management software, what features are necessary to help law firms navigate 2021? Deborah Schaefer: Law firms will now consider solutions that will provide flexibility for all members of the firm. Tools that give firm members access to shared documents, calendars, client, and file information will continue to be…

Each year, the Zola Suite development team releases hundreds of updates and dozens of new features to help law firms be more efficient and profitable. While it can be difficult to narrow down our list of favorites, Zola Suite users have spoken, and based on their feedback, we’re pleased to share our top 10 releases of 2020. 1. Personal Injury Module Zola Suite’s Settlement Management tools enable firms to efficiently manage settlement percentage and seamlessly generate settlement memos for all parties and even referring attorneys. With this feature, an accompanying customizable Settlement Statement is also generated with each Settlement Memo.…

  In today’s competitive environment, it is important that all businesses use the most competent and cost-effective provider to service them.   As the business of law continues to change, Alternative Legal Service Providers (ALSP) are becoming a more integral part of the legal industry. Law firm clients continue to investigate the best solutions to suit their needs. In today’s competitive environment, it is important that all businesses use the most competent and cost-effective provider to service them. Many businesses are now providing services that lawyers traditionally provided. They include: Litigation Support, Litigation/Legal Research, Document Review, E-Discovery, Regulatory Risk, and…

  We asked Zola partners to share some of the trends they witnessed in 2020 and how they may affect the transition to cloud-based solutions.   It’s safe to say that 2020 threw us all a curveball. Despite the hardships this year brought, the legal industry rose to the challenge, adapting operations and offering new services to help clients through these unprecedented times. We asked Zola partners to share some of the trends they witnessed in 2020 and how they may affect the transition to cloud-based solutions. In part two of this series, these legal technology experts also share their…

  There needs to be clear expectations for payment terms for the services provided by the law firm.   Controlling receivables directly affects a firm’s financial health. Therefore, it is imperative that a law firm has an organized and detailed method for collecting client payments in a timely manner. Rather than waiting until each billing cycle, I recommend taking a holistic and forward-thinking approach to the regulation of these receivables. Set Client Payment Expectations At the start of any engagement with a client, there needs to be a detailed contract between the law firm and the client. This language sets…

  When using any social media platform, it is important that all employees be well-versed in what to do and what not to do — even when posting from one’s personal profile.   Social media has quickly become a preferred way to communicate with one another. The pandemic has made it an even more necessary form of communication. Today, law firms are taking advantage of these platforms as well. For many practices, these social media platforms have become the new reception area. To potential clients, they often represent the first interaction with the firm. People routinely search the internet, check…

  It’s often hard to pinpoint one reason why a firm seems to be stuck in neutral, cruising along but not accelerating.   Has your firm’s growth stalled? Are you struggling to scale your operations or your team? It’s often hard to pinpoint one reason why a firm seems to be stuck in neutral, cruising along but not accelerating. The cause is often a combination of things ranging from ineffective teams and poor processes to inadequate systems and subpar reporting. While restructuring your teams and bringing in fresh talent may not be an easy fix, correcting the processes and systems…

  With so many different types of cloud environments available, it can be hard to determine which one is best suited to your business’s needs.   In the past few months, with employees everywhere going remote, the adoption of cloud-based technology in law firms has reached all new heights. In contrast to on-premises servers (which store a firm’s files locally), cloud-based solutions securely store files on a virtual server. With so many different types of cloud environments available, it can be hard to determine which one is best suited to your business’s needs. This article aims to lay out the…

It may not feel like it, but the end of the year is fast approaching! Between running reports for shareholders, generating 1099s for every vendor, and figuring out employee bonuses, there can be a lot to deal with and you don’t want to be scrambling to do it all at the last minute. During an ALA Webcast on November 4th, attendees were shown different ways to prepare their firms for the end of the year, including important actions that extend beyond the usual financial considerations, by Gerri Martin, a partner at Software Analysis Corporation. In this Zola Suite-sponsored webinar, Martin…

  With email being a major form of communication in most practices, it’s now more important than ever that you look for ways to make email work for your firm.   Email is one of the most popular forms of communication in modern law firms. According to the American Bar Association’s 2019 Legal Technology Survey Report, 91% of respondents used email to communicate with clients. Despite its prevalence, many attorneys aren’t using the right systems or tools to efficiently manage the high volumes of emails they receive on a daily basis. Here are five email faux pas to avoid so…

  With email being a major form of communication in most practices, it’s now more important than ever that you look for ways to make email work for your firm.   Email is one of the most popular forms of communication in modern law firms. According to the American Bar Association’s 2019 Legal Technology Survey Report, 91% of respondents used email to communicate with clients. Despite its prevalence, many attorneys aren’t using the right systems or tools to efficiently manage the high volumes of emails they receive on a daily basis. Here are five email faux pas to avoid so…

  Vision not only impacts a company’s longevity, but it can also have a major impact on customers.   Blockbuster and Kodak dominated their industries… until they didn’t. Their tales, though inherently different, share a common thread: both were wildly successful companies that failed to adapt and innovate, until they could no longer compete in an evolved marketplace. While neither of these companies were involved in the legal technology industry, their stories should serve as cautionary tales for companies and consumers alike: a lack of vision can have a devastating impact. Vision not only impacts a company’s longevity, but it…