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| LawBase 10.5 | |
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Some practice management software packages on the market are just pure databases that serve as repositories where you can store information about clients and cases. They adhere to a pure “file” metaphor and are about as useful as the paper file sitting in your drawer. Then you have the process-oriented packages, which focus on paperwork-heavy practices such as bankruptcy and immigration. Then there are hybrids that try to straddle the line between database and process. They do so with varying degrees of success. Most of the newer packages are process-oriented with generic or configurable processes, and only a smattering of database capabilities. However, a few holdouts from the database paradigm still survive, such as LawBase from Synaptec Software Inc. The company has stayed relevant by starting with a solid database program and adding enough process-oriented functionality to stay in the game. LawBase 10.5 revolves around a highly configurable database that organizes case data into tabs. Each tab can have its own customized data entry screen for tracking whatever information you tell it to. Better yet, the layout of the data entry screen is completely customizable. In this area, LawBase is as good as anything on the market. In the past, I found firms often have to modify their intake forms to match their software to make sure the information appears in the same order on both the paper and electronic versions. With LawBase, you can work the other way around, designing the electronic version to match the already-existing paper version. Another strength of the database model is the ability to have multiple records for each tab. For example, if you have a tab called “Expert Witness,” you could enter any number of expert witness records under it. Firms handling class action or complex litigation matters will appreciate the ability to list any number of plaintiffs or defendants on a case. In addition to the configurable tabs, LawBase has five tabs hard-wired into the system. These allow you to track notes (tab-specific or case-wide), critical dates and history. The “Office Link” tab allows you to track and open files, including word processing documents, Portable Document Format files, pictures and even sounds. The “Case Notes” tab serves as a catch-all diary that includes phone calls, letters, faxes and any other general information you might want to track in a case. For contact records, LawBase also offers full customization capabilities with unlimited custom tabs in addition to the five hard-wired tabs. You also can create custom searches for contacts or cases and save those searches as quick tabs, such as “Dave’s Cases,” “Pending Discovery” or “Mailing List.” One unique feature of LawBase is what Synaptec calls a “Graphical Workflow Module.” Just about every practice management software package provides some method of creating groups of tasks that allow you to easily fill your To-Do list with commonly repeated tasks. What makes LawBase unique (at least for now) is it lets you create grouped tasks, or “workflows,” using the familiar flowchart model. Now, it should be said the workflows themselves are very flexible, and with that flexibility comes complexity — so much so that I would not recommend trying to create your own workflows from scratch. Leave that for the experts. However, once the workflow is in place, you have a very comprehensive picture of how all of the tasks tie together. For example, you could create a workflow for the opening of a case. It automatically could send an e-mail to the responsible attorney notifying him or her the case has been opened, and requesting that he or she call the client. The system could check to see whether a fee agreement has been executed and, if not, automatically prepare an engagement letter citing all the pertinent details. The flexibility is limited only by the capabilities of the software itself. Along those lines, LawBase is missing some features common to most competing practice management packages. For example, LawBase doesn’t have a built-in document assembly engine. Instead, it comes bundled with HotDocs. I would not necessarily say this is a bad thing, though. If you don’t mind having to go outside of LawBase to generate a form document, this will not be a problem. All in all, LawBase is a solid solution for mid- to large-sized firms. The installation, configuration and training costs likely will place it beyond most smaller firms’ budgets. For other firms, however, a capable solution with less of a following might be the best choice. Some firms would look at LawBase’s relatively Spartan feature set and find it weak, while other firms would look at the same thing and see it as flexibility. Fewer features also can mean the software doesn’t dictate how you do the job. That is what LawBase is going for. And, for its niche market, it has done a very good job. I recommend LawBase for any firm that handles complex or class action litigation. It also would work very well for claims-based practices such as social security disability, workers’ compensation and the like — especially on the defense side. |
Synaptec Software Price: $1,000 per user, five-user minimum Windows 98/ME/NT 4.0/2000/XP Reviewed by David Hiersekorn, a legal
researcher and brief writer based in Orange County, Calif. He can be reached
at
hiersekorn@ PROS CONS VERDICT |
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