Posts by Chelsea Huss

8 Top Marketing Tips for Family Law Firms
8 Top Marketing Tips for Family Law Firms If you’re a family lawyer, it’s a constant challenge to demonstrate what sets you apart from the competition. This is especially true…

A Guide to the Best Fonts for Your Law Firm
Readability is fundamental. That means even the font of your law firm’s website and legal documents matters. Whether you’re working for a small law firm or BigLaw, using the right…

Webinar: 3 Reasons Why Firms are Migrating from Juris
Join us on Thursday, August 4, 2022 from 2:00 pm- 2:30 pm CST where we discuss three pains firms using Juris have (and how to fix ALL of them)!

How to Present New Technology to Your Team Through Implementation and Training
So, your law firm just invested in new technology; congratulations! Before it’s rolled out to your team, there are a few things that need to happen behind the scenes via implementation and training.
Implementation can be split into three separate buckets: data migration, setup and configuration, and training. When it comes to implementation, vendors may make a wide range of promises, so, you need to understand the different levels of detail offered with each facet of implementation when it comes time to determine what is best for your firm.

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Webinar: Revolutionizing the Way You Look at Your Data: Introducing CB Studios Reporting & Analytics
Join us on July 28th, at 2:00 PM CT for a great webinar and expert-led discussion about how your firm can transform the way you collect, analyze, and report on your data.

How to Determine the Practice Management Features & Requirements That Best Meet Your Law Firm’s Needs
Recently, we wrote a blog about the timekeeping, billing, and accounting features you may want from your legal practice management solution. However, those requirements likely don’t include anything related to calendaring and task management, document and email management, workflows and automation, or communication tools.
When evaluating new technology, you should also think about your firm’s day-to-day operations and how those procedures lend themselves to your practice management software requirements.
Webinar: 3 Ways Your Law Firm Can Build a Conversion Focused Website (Centerbase)
Join us on Monday, February 7, 2022 from 11:00 am- 12:00 pm CST for a great webinar and expert-led discussion about what law firms need to know in order to be prepared for filing taxes this year.

Webinar: 3 Ways Your Law Firm Can Build a Conversion Focused Website
Join us on Thursday, June 16, 2022, from 2:00 pm- 2:30 pm CST for a great webinar and expert-led discussion about what law firms need to know if they want to have a conversion-focused website.

Should Your Law Firm Work With a Software Consultant?
So you’re evaluating new legal technology; maybe you’ve already picked your vendor. Most software vendors today are set up for you to work directly with their team throughout your migration, go-live, training, and ongoing support period; however, they will also accommodate your firm if you choose to work with a practice management consultant.
How do you know if you should work with a software consultant? Use this blog as a guide to determine what will work best for your firm’s needs.

How to Begin Evaluating New Technology
Many firms, upon deciding it’s time to evaluate new technology, make the mistake of immediately sprinting toward a solution, especially when they have been forced to react to address a sudden problem.
Diving headfirst into the search for a new practice management software completely forgoes a huge step (and arguably the most important one): meeting with the people who are going to use the software the most.

Determining the Right Time to Evaluate New Technology
Timing is everything. This old adage holds true even when thinking about upgrading technology. Maybe you’ve been on legacy software for years. Maybe you work entirely on paper. Perhaps you’re still dipping a fountain pen into an inkwell (by the way, if that’s the case – cool). Wherever you’re at, how do you know when it’s time to start evaluating new technology?
When firms begin to think about evaluating new software, two distinct mindsets come into play: reactive and proactive. Which one your firm holds will set the stage for how you kick off this process.

Everything You Need to Know About Legal Workflow Automation and Why You Should Have It
What if we told you about a technology that would relieve 50% of the administrative burden from your legal operations professionals… would you be interested in hearing what we had to say? Of course you would!
In this blog, we’ll introduce you to workflow, explain what workflow is, some of its benefits, and the different workflow tools available in legal practice management software to help you streamline your law firm.

Should Your Law Firm Be Using QuickBooks?
Innovations in legal practice management software have changed the way that law firms do business. Technology is an incredible tool for law firms looking to streamline workflows and increase productivity, but how do you know which one to choose? While some software is fully integrated, others can only perform one function, like billing and accounting, client management, tracking metrics, or generating reports.
Let’s explore the most important features legal accounting and billing software should have. (Spoiler alert: QuickBooks is not the most efficient option.)

A Law Firm’s Guide to Tax Season Preparation
Tax season can be a stressful time of year for law firm leaders and administrators, but there are some steps law firms can take to help alleviate that stress for a more seamless approach to tax season. The most important components of tax preparation are deadlines, organization, and documentation. With an awareness of potential tax deductions and guidance from a skilled accountant, law firms can successfully navigate tax season.

Webinar: Everything You Need to Know to Navigate the 2022 Tax Season
Join us on Monday, February 7, 2022 from 11:00 am- 12:00 pm CST for a great webinar and expert-led discussion about what law firms need to know in order to be prepared for filing taxes this year.

Ten Trends That Will Shape the Legal Industry in 2022
It’s no secret that the last two years have been filled with unprecedented challenges. Moving into 2022, the legal industry is taking the lessons learned from navigating these challenges and turning them into resources to support a successful year to come.
Firms want tools to help them handle routine tasks in a more efficient manner so they can save time and drive revenue. Keep reading to explore some of the trends that will drive these concepts and shape the legal industry in 2022.

Answers to Your 7 Biggest End of Year Attorney Compensation Questions
Evaluating end-of-year compensation for your attorneys may be the last thing (or, we’ll say it, most dreaded thing) on your to-do list as you work through closing the books for 2021.
There is some good news – you don’t have to go it alone. We were lucky enough to be joined on a webinar by Amanda Koplos, Executive Director, and Stephanie Donaldson, Controller, at Shuffield, Lowman & Wilson, P.A. They were gracious enough to share their own theories and best practices surrounding end-of-year compensation for attorneys. Here is what they had to say:

Everything You Need to Know About Wellness in the Legal Community
Studies show that mental, emotional, and physical health issues have become more common among legal professionals as they struggle to deal with the demands of their chosen careers. Wellness is not a one-size-fits-all concept because different people need different strategies to help them feel healthy and at their best. Wellness includes an improved work-life balance, better stress management, and a positive mindset that prioritizes self-care.
Firms are uniquely situated to address these issues by making wellness an aspect of their overall firm culture. Learn strategies to promote wellness here:

Getting Your House in Order: Building a Law Firm Strategy
Chris Sims and Chrissie Eastin (shoutout to Chrissie for being our fill-in for Tina Terrian) share their thoughts on law firm strategy and the change that has come to the industry due to the pandemic. From recruiting hurdles, getting your house in order, to finding the spotlight, Chris and Chrissie give us a lot to think about.

Susan L. French Emerging Leader Fellowship Program 2019 Recipients
The Susan L. French Emerging Leader Fellowship Fund was established by GLJ Benefit Consultants in memory of former ALA President Susan L. French. In 2019, Jess Beyer and Emily Spehar were bestowed the honor of the Fellowship and for the last two years, have had the privilege of experiencing the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Join co-hosts Rob Joyner and Amanda Koplos as they sit down behind the mic with Jess and Emily and get a first-hand look at what the Fellowship meant to them and how their career trajectory changed.

Centerbase Donates $5,000 to Foundation of ALA
Over the course of season 1, we began amassing a donation to present to The Foundation of The Association of Legal Administrators. For every subscriber, we pledged to donate $10! Well, season 1 has come to an end and we have a big number to announce!

Redefining the Traditional Law Office
Law firms nationwide are redefining the traditional law office by embracing virtual work, reducing their financial footprint, and promoting flexibility.
Now, more than ever, it is important to be adaptable in all aspects of your business, including financially and operationally. The right legal technology tools can support remote and hybrid work arrangements while ensuring both productivity and client confidentiality.

3 Ways to Simplify the Legal Billing Process
Law firms can simplify their legal billing process, and even expand their client base, by implementing the acceptance of credit card payments. E-billing and simplified time tracking combined with multiple payment options are sure to make your billing easier for internal and external clients alike.

Navigating the Complex Client Relations and Billing Arrangements of Family Law
Family law clients have a lot on their plates as they try to care for their families and traverse the waters of domestic relations law. Family law firms can alleviate some of their worries by implementing legal practice management tools that promote excellent client service, streamline various billing arrangements, and promote accurate trust accounting.

The Mostly Legal Podcast: Episode 6 “If You Get Lost – Just Shake Something”
Buckle your seatbelts, because there is a lot to unpack in this episode! Holly Pulido (Chief Operating Officer at Slack Davis Sanger LLP) and Eric Hightower, CLM SPHR (Director of Operations at Wright, Constable & Skeen, L.L.P.) take us through a jam-packed, 60-minutes’ worth of award-worthy entertainment. From uncovering the real myth behind the legal management profession and navigating mergers and acquisitions, to learning how to prioritize an onslaught of requests, this episode will remind you why you do what you do. And, as a bonus, you’ll also discover what really happens when the light bulb during a Kmart blue light special goes out… Take it from us, if the hosts of our show suddenly become Holly and Eric, you’ll know why!

The Mostly Legal Podcast: Episode 3 “Working With Friends”
Everyone knows you should always maintain a professional relationship with your coworkers, but what happens when your coworker also happens to be a great friend? From a floating Walmart to...

How Insurance Defense Firms Can Better Leverage Technology
Insurance defense law firms are faced with unique challenges every day. Because of this, they need specialized tools that will help them manage complex matters while maximizing productivity and promoting profitability. This blog will delve into some of those issues and suggest how the right software features can help firm attorneys and administrators effectively address them.

How Practice Management Software Eases the Transition Back to the Courtroom
With the world starting a slow return to normal, court systems nationwide are beginning to open up, welcoming attorneys and the public back into courthouses for in-person appearances and other court-related business. While some jurisdictions remain at partial or limited capacity, others have made the transformation to 100%, forcing many attorneys to make a quick transition. Is your firm ready for this? See if you have what you need here.

8 Unique HR Challenges Firm Administrators Face and How They Can Solve Them
Legal regulatory guidelines and industry standards require considerations not often seen within other business industries. While most big law firms maintain an HR department to address these complexities, HR issues often wind up on a law firm administrator’s long list of duties. This blog will take a look at eight unique HR challenges commonly experienced by law firm administrators.

Does Practice Management Software Make Your Firm More Flexible?
As law firms announce their respective return-to-office strategies, flexibility appears to be a common theme. To best handle these transitions, law firm administrators and members need a comprehensive practice management system that promotes consistency while minimizing potential roadblocks, learn why.

The Reporting Data that Law Firms Need for Financial Success
When you think about the function of a law firm, your thoughts probably go straight to the provision of legal services. But, with regular reporting, firms can track metrics that provide valuable detailed financial analysis.

Does Your Intake Process Affect Your Bottom Line?
There is a common aphorism that often gets applied to life that goes, a rising tide lifts all boats. And it’s true in many cases. In good times, many businesses…

How to Use Legal Technology to Address Law Firm Administrative Bottlenecks
The law firm administrator keeps the entire firm running with productivity and efficiency. A huge part of that responsibility involves identifying bottlenecks and implementing solutions to address them. Take a look at the latest technology that law firm administrators need to address the many inefficiencies that hamper law firm processes.

How Do You Know What to Automate At Your Law Firm?
Attorneys time is their most important asset. It’s what they use and it’s what they bill for. Anything they can do to take that time, preserve it, and use it effectively, and furthermore bill for it, is going to go a long way in making their firm more efficient, more profitable.

What Practice Management Features Does Your Firm Need?
A practice management system creates a hub for the entire firm to find information about your cases, which makes you more efficient and allows you to give better client services, answer questions faster, and gain a better grasp of your data. But how do you decide which practice management features you need? We have your answers!

Tips for Building a Requirements List for Your Next Legal Software
Buying legal technology can be a huge source of stress. By building out a requirements list you’ll not only be better prepared, but you will have a better sense of what your firm actually needs. This step is critical in the buying process, find out why.

Determining the Right Time to Evaluate New Technology
Timing is everything, right? The old adage holds true when thinking about upgrading technology. How do you know when it’s time to start evaluating new technology? Is there ever a bad time? And why do you need to make a change anyway? We have your answers.

Cost Breakdown of Cloud and On-Premise Software
There are vast differences between cloud and on-premise servers, but how do you know which one is right for your firm? We have the breakdown from cost, to characteristics, and everything in between.

Strategic Planning for Law Firms: Learning the Financial Basics
Every firm has its own set of goals and objectives, but not every firm knows how to reach them. Utilizing a strategic plan will help you properly analyze and allocate your resources to achieve your targets. If you’re unsure of where to begin, we can help!

6 Steps to Remote International Depositions
In this remote world we live in now, many aspects of our jobs have changed. Conducting remote international depositions is no exception. Learn what you should be aware of, the steps you should be taking, and how you can best navigate this critical part of your job in our new world.

6 Tips to Manage Your Exhibits in a Virtual Courtroom
How do you manage exhibits in a virtual courtroom? Going to court today looks different. The processes and procedures we may have followed at one point have changed. Because of this, there are some steps you should follow, take a look!

Building a Better Client Intake Process with 6 Steps and a Checklist
Think of your client intake process as your first impression. What would potential new clients say about you to their friends? Would they hire you on the spot? This process can be easy to overlook, but we have made it easy for you with a checklist that will keep you on track.

Business Development 101: Online Communication Strategies to Increase Your Billable Hours
There are so many communication tools that work to improve your business development process, but if you do not know how to use them you will not only be creating inefficiencies for your firm, but you will also be losing billable hours too.

Reviews & Millennials Part 2: Using Insights to Reduce Friction
Take a look take a look at how you can use your online web presence to protect and gain referrals, how you can utilize the power that is Google, and how to begin thinking about social media as a point of leverage not a pain point.

Best Legal Research Tools in 2021 for Your Law Firm
Having hands-on resources for your law firm’s needs will undoubtedly create more meaningful research that drives cases forward. This has been a game-changer for smaller firms who once had to shell out huge expenses for legal research software. Check out what you could be missing!

Reviews & Millennials Part 1: How Your Online Presence Can Make or Break Your Firm
8 out of 10 millennials will not buy anything without reading a review first and 77% trust reviews they read on brand websites. So what’s the takeaway here? Reviews are crucial, learn why.

Calendaring Best Practices: Seems Simple, but Is It?
Calendaring seems so simple and trivial, but there is nothing more critical to your day-to-day operations than an accurate and up-to-date calendar. Check out some calendaring best practices and learn how your firm can establish a successful workflow.

Determining Your Firm’s Profitability in 5 Steps
In a world of uncertainty, how do you determine your firm’s profitability? How can you make decisions that will be in the best interest of both your firm and your clients? Let’s take a look.