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| PowerLaw 2002G | |
| If your law
firm is in the market for a completely integrated financial software
package, you might want to take a closer look at PowerLaw, from PowerLaw
Inc. The program offers a complete financial package that includes general
ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, reporting and budgeting
modules that fully integrate with its time and billing, and case management
modules. While sophisticated enough to handle firms with up to 100
attorneys, smaller firms also can benefit from PowerLaw. Features such as
multiple stopwatches and PowerLaw’s ability to run on Palm handheld devices
are added bonuses.
PowerLaw is designed with its clients in mind. Each firm that purchases PowerLaw will have an extensive consultation with a client product specialist who is actively involved in setting up the system. The client specialist will assist new users with entering firm information, G/L account number structure, accounts payable, aging data, late charge settings and more. PowerLaw also offers a checklist for new clients to ensure all system information is entered into the system properly. A timesaving feature found in the “Accessories” module is the “Initial Entry” feature. Centralized for easier system entry are seven options: general ledger, attorney statistics, checks, override/allow initial entry option, work in process, bills, and advance deposit and trust. This is where you would enter beginning G/L balances from your old system. Attorney balances and activity, work in process (WIP) statistics, and trust or advance deposit information would be entered here as well. After signing into PowerLaw, a rectangular screen appears with six program module tabs; timekeeping, case management, accounts receivable, accounts payable, general ledger and accessories. To add timekeepers, click on “User Configuration.” A split screen window will appear. To the left of the screen is a list of user categories set by PowerLaw called “Default Status.” You can use these categories, add additional status categories or edit them to reflect your firm and user preferences. Once added, you can enter up to 99 different rates for each timekeeper. System configuration options such as “Days in Aging,” “Checking Account Setup” or “Late Charge Settings” are edited or entered in accessories. You can import or export reports or tables from this module as well. The table maintenance option lets you set up or edit 19 various tables, which include “Activity,” “Reference,” “Bill Type,” “Calendar” and even a spelling dictionary table. Accounts payable vendors are set up in the “Accounts Payable” module by clicking on “Vendor” then “Add.” PowerLaw assigns vendor numbers automatically. Information for 1099 also is entered and tracked through the “Accounts Payable” module. When setting up clients, click on “Matters,” then “Add Client.” Basic client information is entered on this screen. You have the option to choose or add a billing attorney, supervising attorney or originating attorney. While this feature might be unnecessary for small firms, large offices with multiple attorney levels might find this option particularly useful. Tabs at the top of the screen allow you to enter additional billing information for that particular client. The Time and Billing module is comprehensive, offering top-of-the-line features including a stopwatch for easy, accurate client billing. Just click on the client, click “Start” and the timer begins. Once completed, the information is saved on a timesheet, which you can view with or without dollar amounts. If you need to get a handle on current month activity, check the time calendar, which reflects all posted and unposted timesheets and WIP fees. For peace of mind, a user-defined security option limits employee access to client billing information. You can review posted billings by clicking on “Posted Bills” on the Accounts Receivable screen. The Posted Bills screen will give you a summary of all of the posted bills currently in the system. What is really helpful is you can retrieve a particular bill, reverse it, reprint it or view the entire bill in detail. You also can run a daily cash report, which provides you with a quick summary of any banking activity for any date range. The Case Management module, working in conjunction with the Timekeeping module, allows complete tracking of firm clients. You have the option to enter notes about each particular client or matter. You also can track clients or matters that have related matters, documents or parties. If your firm communicates with clients frequently via e-mail, PowerLaw will print and save reports and bills in portable document format (PDF), making it easier to forward billings to clients by e-mail. Report capabilities are good, with standard financial reports such as current and prior year balance sheets and profit and loss reports available, along with various timekeeping, case management and accounts payable reports. You also can create custom reports easily when necessary. The cost of PowerLaw is $899 per timekeeper. While PowerLaw’s target market is 10 to 100 attorney firms, they also sell to smaller firms. For small firms with one or two attorneys, the initial outlay is minimal. In order to run PowerLaw, your firm will need to be running Windows Me/NT 4.0/2000 on its server. Although it will run on Windows 98 client machines, it will not install on Windows 98. For the server, you also will need at least a 200MHz processor, 128MB RAM, and 300MB available on your hard drive. For each client, you need at least 200MHz processor, 64MB RAM and 100MB available on your hard drive. What you don’t need is take an inordinate amount of time to learn the system. PowerLaw is easily navigated, even for the novice user. The module screens are clean, without clutter or unnecessary information, and an in-depth help system included with the software will get most users out of a momentary jam. If not, PowerLaw offers its clients free e-mail support. |
PowerLaw Inc. (760) 930-0889 www.powerlaw.com Price: $899 per timekeeper Windows Me/NT 4.0/2000 server Reviewed by Mary Girsch-Bock, a technical writer and independent software consultant based in Albuquerque, N.M. PROS CONS VERDICT |
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