Today's issue of TechnoLawyer NewsWire covers a Web-based case management application (see article below), a mobile billing application, software that automates document drafting, a PDF annotation tool, and an add-on utility for the iPhone Mail app. Don't miss the next issue.
Case Management Hits the Web
By Neil J. Squillante
Did you feel that? No, it wasn't an earthquake. But the ground shifted. Web applications have arrived. It all started with that search box on Amazon and then Google. Webmail and online banking proved that you could manage highly sensitive information online. Law firms embraced intranets, extranets, and other lightweight applications. The next logical step? Practice management.
Caseload ... in One Sentence
Blackletter's Caseload is a secure Web-based case management system for solo practitioners and small law firms.
The Killer Feature
It's about time. Your practice that is. Not only do you bill your time, but the order in which events transpire also plays a key role.
Caseload offers lawyers a timeline-driven project management system. Every matter has its own timeline in which you and your colleagues can add events, documents, to-dos, issue outlines, and more, thus creating a dashboard from which you can see everything associated with a matter.
In ye olden days, a case file served a similar purpose — but with a fraction of the functionality. For example, Caseload displays information about upcoming deadlines, current todo items, and co-worker activity all in one place on the matter dashboard.
Other Notable Features
In addition to project management, you'll also find contact management, shared calendars, to-do lists, billing, and document management. Caseload also offers a system-wide search function for finding what you need.
All the functions integrate. For example adding an event to a matter's timeline also adds it to your calendar and vice versa. The contacts database lists the related matters for each contact. Etc.
Outlines never enjoyed mainstream success probably because most people don't write much. But lawyers love outlines because they write a lot. Knowing this, Blackletter built a hierarchical outliner into Caseload. You can quickly move items around and tag entries with issues. Like everything else in Caseload, you can attach outlines to projects so that they'll show up in your dashboard and timeline.
What Else Should You Know?
Caseload works in all major Web browsers on Macs and PCs. It does not require any up-front costs or any software installation. As you would expect, Caseload protects your data and transmissions using bank-grade encryption. Caseload offers four subscription plans ranging in price from $5/month for 3 users and 10 active matters to $50/month for unlimited users and matters. Learn more about Caseload.
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