Legal Matter Management Process

A Legal Matter Management Process is a domain-specific matter management process that facilitates the handling of legal matters, encompassing the organization, tracking, and communication necessary to manage Legal Cases and legal matters effectively.

• Context:
  • It can feature Task Management components that allow for assigning tasks, tracking progress, and setting deadlines to ensure timely completion of activities related to a legal matter.
  • It can be supported by a Legal Matter Management System, often built on a legal matter management platform, to enhance coordination and workflow.
  • It can support team and client communication, informing all parties about case developments, decisions, and status updates.
  • It can include automated workflows that improve efficiency by automating document generation, case intake, and billing processes.
  • It can utilize Reporting and Analytics tools to assess matter profitability, team performance, and workflow bottlenecks.
  • It can integrate with other legal tools and applications, such as billing systems or document management platforms, for seamless operations.
  • It can enforce compliance tracking, helping legal teams meet regulatory requirements and legal deadlines.
  • It can connect with Legal Document Management Processes, allowing for a streamlined approach to managing documents within legal matters.
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• Example(s):
  • Legal Matter File Organization: A traditional manual process in which paralegals and clerks maintain physical case files, organizing case documents and correspondence chronologically for easy access.
  • Legal Matter Assignment and Tracking: Assign case responsibilities among team members and track case status on a shared board, ensuring each team member knows their role in progressing the case.
  • Legal Matter Deadline Scheduling: A system of scheduling and tracking important legal deadlines by manually entering dates on a central calendar to avoid missed court dates or filing deadlines.
  • Legal Matter Team Communication: Regular in-person meetings among attorneys and support staff to communicate case updates, decisions, and next steps to ensure team alignment.
  • Legal Matter Profitability and Billing Review: The manual review of case files to assess matter profitability and client billing, where records are physically reviewed to check costs against budget projections.
  • Legal Matter Documentation: Documenting case details and decisions in handwritten notes or typed documents stored in central filing cabinets, allowing attorneys to review case history and progress at any time.
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• Counter-Example(s):
  • Medical Matter Management Processes.
  • Legal Project Management Processes?
  • Customer Relationship Management Processes focused on sales and customer service rather than the management of legal cases or matters.
• See: Contract Management, Legal Document Management Process, Legal Workflow Automation, Task Management in LegalTech.

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References

2023

• (GBard, 2023) ⇒ Author Unknown. (2023). “Efficient Legal Matter Management Best Practices.” In: Online Legal Tech Publication.
  • QUOTE: Legal Matter Management is the process of efficiently organizing and managing all information and activities related to a Legal Case or matter. It encompasses everything from intake and initial client communications to research, document management, deadlines, billing, and case closure.
    • Organization includes centralized storage, matter profiles, and task management.
    • Collaboration involves team and client communication, as well as document sharing.
    • Efficiency is achieved through automated workflows, reporting and analytics, and integration with other systems.
    • Risk management includes compliance tracking, data security, and conflict checking.
    • Benefits span from increased efficiency and reduced errors to better client service and enhanced profitability.
    • Tools such as Clio, LawVu, Onit, SimpleLegal, and ServiceNow can aid in legal matter management.
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