PCLaw is *the* go-to software program by LexisNexis for the time tracking, cost tracking, billing and general ledger accounting needs of law firms. Its strength is that it is matter (case) centric. Therefore, setting up a new case or matter the right way, the first time, is important.
In order to have a matter, there must first be a client. Many users don’t know that PCLaw can track prospective clients. Enter a prospective client as a Contact record – or, if the program is connected to Outlook, transfer Contact data from there. Users also have the option of running a conflict check on the new contact.
Once the prospective client has been added to the PCLaw Contact Manager, users have several options – recording notes, calls and appointments, to name a few:
Using the Contact Manager is also a useful way to work with vendors, particularly if a firm needs to track correspondence, make appointments or record other interactions. All contacts also have the option of having labels generated, or even having information exported to other programs.
Next time we’ll look at the next step in using PCLaw to turn prospective clients into clients with matters by using the Client Intake feature.
Dana Riel is President and Founder of Business Solutions, Inc., serving the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area since 1985. Her firm is the authorized training center for the region for Time Matters and PCLaw by PCLaw|Time Matters, PLLC; Timeslips and Sage 50 Accounting by Sage Software; and QuickBooks by Intuit Corporation. She also serves as a consultant for Caret Legal (formerly known as Zola Suite), CosmoLex, Soluno & TimeSolv. As a trainer, Dana has provided training services to organizations such as the DOD Defense Logistics Agency, Judge Advocate General’s Office (JAG)/Department of the Navy, University of the District of Columbia School of Law, U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as with small‐ to mid‐size law firms in the Baltimore‐Washington D.C. area. In 2009, she participated in the series of day‐long seminars sponsored by the District of Columbia Bar Association Practice Management Section, titled “Basic Training: Learn About Running a Law Office”. Ms. Riel also served as an Adjunct Professor in Georgetown University’s Paralegal Studies Program, having taught the course, “Legal Ethics/Legal Technology” in 2009; and “Legal Technology” for the Spring and Summer Semesters of 2010. She presently serves on the Advisory Board for PCLaw|Time Matters, PLLC.
