LexisNexis is proud to announce the release of PCLaw Version 12. So why upgrade, or consider this version? Because after participating in beta testing in Ontario, Canada this past April, I came away convinced this version has “real beef” packed into it! I’ll comment on several new features over the coming weeks. But the general observation is that with this new version, LexisNexis moved away from the idea that PCLaw is only “half” of a practice management “whole”, and has added features to make it stand alone as a comprehensive practice management solution.

The Killer Feature: Time Entry Adviser

It’s the end of the month. Where did the time go? How many people wait until then and look at their calendars to figure out what they did in order to record their time? The Time Entry Advisormonitors phone calls, emails, documents, events, and tasks recorded in PCLaw, and gives users the opportunity to turn them into billable time entries.

Features include:

1. The ability to look at unbilled entries by Date Range – users may pick a common date range, or establish a customrange

2. Define the typeof items to review

3. If you want to concentrate on only certain items, look at them by Matter, Client or Lawyer

4. The list can be printed out and even exported for manual review prior to choosing entries

5. Is there something here that shouldn’t be billed? Highlight or mark and entry and click on the button to Remove from this List

6. Finally, the user has the option of marking appropriate entries and turning them into Time Entries

By utilizing the practice management features in past versions, such as the Calendar, Phone Messages, and Document Management, LexisNexis has taken the next step to improve on their benefits. The old adage that “Time is Money” holds true here. Using this new feature gives users a real boost in capturing their time, improving their productivity, and increasing their financial bottom line.

To view LexisNexis’ video presentation of the Time Entry Advisor, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvz6UcmITeg

While the Time Entry Adviser is a big feature, it is by no means the only one. Stay tuned – we’ll be discussing other features in future posts.

Have you received your new software? Do you know about the other features contained in Version 12? What do you think of them? We’d love to talk to you about how to make PCLaw work for you. Be sure to call us at 1-877-ELS-0555 for advice or assistance in implementing Version 12.

Dana Riel

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.