Gryphon - Dec/Jan '98

Gryphon

The publishers of Gryphon state the program's mission as "create it, bill it, calendar it." Say, for instance, you receive a call from Jane Doe, opposing counsel in one of your cases. Most programs would let you do a quick search for the name, and then log the call with some notes.

Gryphon goes much further. As you are speaking, you log the call, indicating a call from Jane Doe. Gryphon performs a search for that name, and logs the call to the appropriate matter, not just the contact. At the end of the call, you enter a few notes and then click on a dollar sign to bill your time. Gryphon then creates a time slip for the matter that reads "Call from opposing counsel re . . . ." You would simply fill in the rest. Another few mouse clicks would then add any deadlines generated by the call.

Gryphon offers far too few fields in the contact records. This may just be a pet peeve of mine, since so many of the programs seem to be lacking it, but at a minimum there should be a place for a second address (I often list the home and work addresses of my clients) and e-mail addresses.

In its favor, Gryphon's excellent document management features help tame the Paper Beast. Most programs simply link documents to the appropriate files. With Gryphon, the
documents are organized by stage: development, pleading, discovery and resolution. You can isolate the documents generated in any phase, or view them all. Each entry shows who the document was to or from, and best of all, indicates whether any further action is needed or expected.

Gryphon also has an excellent document assembly feature. It ships with six templates, one for correspondence, one for a memo to file and four model pleadings. From these, Gryphon can generate 70 more. In the same manner, Gryphon can create a proof of service just by clicking on the names of the attorneys and the document, and then clicking on how you want it served. Service methods can be different for each recipient, and even include overnight mail and fax.

My biggest complaint with Gryphon is the lack of a calendar view. The calendar is not a calendar at all, but rather an "action list" of appointments and to-do items. Small icons indicate the type of item, such as appointments, deadlines and reminders, but these do not make up for the lack of a visual calendar. Even printing the calendar does not yield an actual calendar. According to the publisher, a calendar will be added in an upcoming revision. Also, Gryphon does not have the ability to calendar dates from rules.

Gryphon has a number of other features. One is called the "inactivity check." With a single click you get a complete report on cases that have not had any activity in "x" number of days, and a statement of what the last activity was. Another click displays all statutes of limitation dates. There is also a conflicts checker, and a number of predefined reports that show phone calls, documents created, and a "modifications audit" that provides a list of every action taken in every matter in the office. Gryphon also includes a basic time and billing system.

A beta copy of Gryphon 2.0 can be downloaded at www.poseidon.com, and adds calendaring by rules, support for Word 97 and improved billing features.

The Poseidon Group
(800-547-9746

By Aaron P. Morris

From the Shopper's Guide to Case Management Software - Dec/Jan '98