Tessaract: How Bellevue Law built a foundation for sustainable growth
Bellevue Law needed a practice management platform that could support its distinctive operating model while bringing its financial, matter and document information together. By implementing Tessaract, the firm has replaced disconnected systems with one integrated platform and gained clearer oversight of its operations.
About Bellevue Law
Bellevue Law is a B Corp-certified law firm built around flexible working. Founder Florence Brocklesby established the firm to offer experienced lawyers an alternative to the demanding hours and billing targets traditionally associated with larger firms.
Its consultants work flexibly and remotely, supported by a central team and shared technology infrastructure. As the firm developed, it needed a modern practice management platform that could accommodate this distributed way of working while supporting its commitment to sustainable and responsible growth.
The goals – building a flexible firm with profitability at its core
Bellevue wanted to create a more connected operational foundation for the firm. Its priorities included:
- Bringing matter, financial and client information into one platform
- Giving management access to more timely operational and financial data
- Improving processes and approval workflows
- Supporting consultants working remotely and flexibly
- Establishing a scalable technology platform for future growth
The challenges
Before Tessaract, Bellevue relied on several disconnected systems.
Because financial information was separated from matter records, the management team could not easily access a complete, up-to-date view of matters, cash flow and disbursements. Information often had to be extracted, combined or checked manually before it could be used.
The firm’s existing setup also lacked the structured workflows required to efficiently manage processes such as invoice approval. This made it harder to operationalise consistent ways of working across a distributed team and placed additional pressure on the firm’s central administrative and finance functions.
Tessaract has brought our key information and processes together in one place, giving us clearer oversight of the firm. We can stay closer to the financial position of our matters, manage billing and approvals more consistently, and reduce the work involved in bringing information together. It also gives our consultants a reliable, consistent way to access what they need while working flexibly and remotely. Florence Brocklesby Founder
Why Bellevue Law chose Tessaract
Bellevue selected Tessaract because it could bring core practice management functions together within a single cloud-native platform. This included client onboarding, matter management, time recording, billing, client accounting and email management.
The platform also provided a cost-effective alternative to maintaining multiple software subscriptions. Just as importantly, Tessaract’s modern approach and willingness to work collaboratively aligned with Bellevue’s culture and long-term plans.
A collaborative implementation
Bellevue’s existing information was spread across legacy systems, making data migration a significant part of the project.
Tessaract’s implementation team extracted, prepared and consolidated this information before moving it into the new platform. The system was then configured around Bellevue’s operating model, including its matter workflows, client accounting structure, chart of accounts and nominal ledger tracking categories.
Tessaract also helped Bellevue configure:
- Bespoke document and invoice templates
- Credit-note layouts
- SharePoint synchronisation
- Multi-stage invoice approval workflows
- Finance controls designed to support regulatory compliance
The implementation followed a phased approach to minimise disruption. A core group began working in the live environment first, allowing the team to test processes before access was expanded to the firm’s remote consultants.
Training covered the practical tasks employees would complete each day, including time entry, disbursement management, client accounting, credit notes and ledger postings. Sessions were recorded, with step-by-step guidance and Help Centre resources provided for future reference.
Our information was previously spread across different systems, so bringing everything together was a significant undertaking. The Tessaract team took on much of that complexity, working closely with us to understand our operating model, consolidate our data and configure the platform around the way our firm actually works. Their collaborative approach gave us confidence throughout the implementation and has continued as we develop our use of the platform. Kay Osborne, Chief Operating Officer
The outcomes – A connected foundation for long-term profitability and sustainable growth
Tessaract has given Bellevue a more connected platform from which to manage the firm.
Information has been consolidated, making it easier for the team to access and work with consistent data.
Combining matter management, invoicing and client accounting has improved financial oversight and reduced the need to extract information manually. Bellevue can now stay closer to the financial position of its matters and manage invoicing through clearer, more structured processes.
Approval workflows give fee earners, consultants and the finance team defined roles within the billing process. Invoices can move through the appropriate checks and approvals before being issued, supporting greater consistency and control.
The firm also benefits from stronger reporting capabilities, including access to nominal ledger information that supports its operational, financial and tax analysis.
For Bellevue’s consultants, the cloud-based platform provides a consistent way to access the information and processes they need while working flexibly and remotely.
Future plans
Bellevue continues to develop its use of Tessaract as the firm grows. Its next priorities include introducing updated billing functionality to further streamline the journey from time entry to invoice and adopting additional client accounting capabilities.
The firm is also exploring how Tessaract’s emerging AI functionality could support its consultants and wider operating model. This forms part of Bellevue’s work to develop a responsible technology roadmap that aligns innovation with the firm’s values and commercial goals.
Tessaract has been a collaborative and responsive partner throughout. The team has taken the time to understand how our firm operates, listened carefully to our requirements and worked with us to find practical solutions. That relationship has continued beyond implementation, giving us confidence that the platform will keep evolving alongside our needs and support the firm’s future growth. Kay Osborne
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