CRM for Law Firms: Can a case management platform be used as a CRM?

The benefits of CRM for law firms cannot be overstated. Managing client relationships has always been a vital part of the legal profession. With the plethora of legal tech platforms available today, the question arises: Do you require a dedicated legal CRM system, or can your existing legal case management platform double up as a CRM? 



Let's examine the immense advantages and explore the best approach for your firm.



What is a legal CRM?

CRM—or customer relationship management—tools are widely used in modern businesses across multiple sectors. They offer features such as lead management, marketing automation, and sales forecasting. Modern CRM platforms tend to be cloud-based and integrate well with other business systems.



These platforms are satisfying an ever-increasing demand. Across the globe, the customer relationship management market was estimated to be worth $58.8 billion in 2022 and is forecast to grow by 13.9% a year from now until 2030.



Legal CRM platforms offer many benefits to law firms and provide important features which can help you meet your business goals.



Are there CRM systems specifically for law firms?

CRM systems specifically designed for law firms do exist, but they may not be the optimal solution for your firm. Generally speaking, they are standalone pieces of software that integrate with existing business systems.



If you’re looking for a solution to help ease your workload, a mish-mash of individual apps and integrations that forces you to spend time flitting between them is far from ideal. You want a single system that streamlines the overall efficiency of your practice.



If you’re looking for CRM features, you should strongly consider using a practice management system that offers them as part of a broader and more complete package. This would reduce the software your firm needs, making managing your cases easier and saving money.



What features should I look for in a legal CRM? 

The best CRM for lawyers should include:



Time tracker

If your practice bills by the hour, you know how critical time tracking is. Legal CRM software generally has time-tracking functionality for ease of accurate invoicing. This integrates seamlessly with the rest of the CRM system, so your centralized records are always up to date. Software like Neos lets you manage multiple timers from different cases, making converting your time to billable hours much more straightforward.

Easy integration

This is one of the key strengths of CRM legal software. Everything from client data and contact information to case-related details and marketing analytics are brought together into one system. This makes it much easier to manage daily casework. It also makes it possible to generate meaningful insights that will help you grow your business.



Address book

It seems so simple, but having an address book that can be automatically updated in real time is a crucial foundation for successful client relationship management. Not all traditional case management software solutions include this; some still rely on manual data entry. The best CRM platforms make it much easier to keep your address records current.



Accounting tab

Any business needs a solid accounting solution, and the legal industry is no different. CRM tools can integrate with your financial software to make the process of handling pricing, invoicing, and payments straightforward.



Communication center

Any law CRM solution worth its salt should have a dedicated communication center so you can keep track of incoming and outgoing calls. You should be able to integrate the platform with your preferred VoIP provider for convenience.



Advantages of CRM for different tiers of law firms

CRM software for law firms can make a massive difference to the efficiency of your everyday law practice workflow. A user-friendly CRM tool can benefit any company, regardless of size. 



For large legal firms

Large firms are more likely to be handling huge, complex cases, so effective collaboration is critical. Legal CRM software can streamline workflow and improve cross-team collaboration efforts. It provides a central repository for all your digital documents and simplifies contact management.



For mid-sized legal firms

The main challenges for mid-sized legal firms tend to center on business development. Client relationship management is crucial, but this often takes a back seat to the everyday delivery of core legal services.

Law CRM tools are specifically designed to deal with these challenges. They use your client data to quickly identify which leads to contact and which channels will be most effective for doing so.



For small legal firms

The success of small law firms depends entirely on maintaining excellent relationships with clients. It’s vital to have a professional, user-friendly way of reaching out to them and managing your workflow.



A CRM system will help you improve the client experience, cementing your relationship. You’ll also benefit from other aspects of CRM functionality, such as marketing automation, invoicing tools, and document management.



Benefits of using CRM for lawyers

Law firm CRM software provides several benefits for companies across the legal industry.



Accessible and efficient

The efficiencies gained by automating processes such as data entry are only a first step. The more significant benefit is that it frees your staff to focus on more important tasks.



Accurate data collection

CRM solutions can collect, streamline and centralize all kinds of client data, from contact information to case notes. The automated nature of the system reduces the risk of human error creeping in. 



Personalized campaigns

While customer relationship management is vital in any sector, the legal industry has its own unique features. The best CRM platforms for law firms handle these with aplomb, letting you craft your own personalized campaigns. 



Better client relationships

Happy clients make for thriving law firms. When was the last time you sent a follow-up email to check in with a client? Can your clients follow the progress of their cases via a mobile app? Does your practice management software use advanced analytics tools to keep track of client engagement? Neos can help with all of this.



Collaboration made simple

CRM systems enable the sharing of customer data in real time to teams in different departments. No matter who your client is speaking to, that employee will always have the latest information at their fingertips. This makes for a seamless customer experience and means less wasted time for your staff.



Manage your client relationships easily with Neos’ CRM capabilities

At Assembly, we know the law. And we’re enthusiastic about the benefits of CRM for law firms. We have decades of experience in practice management and are familiar with the unique business needs of the legal industry.



Neos, a specialized legal case management system with CRM capabilities, will put you in the perfect position to move to the next level in your practice. Not only will it optimize the efficiency of your day-to-day operations, but it will also help you streamline your analytics reporting and marketing efforts. In short, it will be nothing but great news for the bottom line.