How technology can improve client communication according to Advanced

Effective client communication stands as the cornerstone of a successful law firm, and yet our Legal Sector Trends Report found 29% of firms struggle with client collaboration.

The importance of video in legal tech – find out more with Helm360

At heart, lawyers are communicators. We are persuaders and, to some extent, teachers. Yet legal education and practical training leave lawyers ill-equipped to use the most crucial communication tool in today’s business world: video.

Client collaboration in the cloud with Advanced Legal

Clients are demanding better communication, quicker response times, and access to their matter status anytime, anywhere. Law firms in general are not strangers to challenges when trying to collaborate with clients, such as communication bottlenecks, inefficient data access, and slow response times.

What are the key features of a case or matter management system for an in-house legal team? Find out more with 3Kites

Case Management Systems have been used in legal practices for decades.  In essence, they help to organise and manage legal work, enabling lawyers to track and coordinate all the activities, documents, deadlines, and communication related to a specific piece of work (we’ll call it a “matter” here as it could be a court case, a transaction, or an advisory piece).

Building relationships through the client journey with Advanced

Building lasting relationships with clients are crucial to the success of every law firm. But how do you go beyond simple communication and actually build a lasting relationship with your clients?

Five dashboards directors shouldn’t work without according to Advanced

Digital dashboards are essential to streamline workflows, enhance productivity, and improve communication between teams, and firms need to adopt digital dashboards to streamline their operations and stay ahead of the competition.

The impact of clear communication with clients according to Advanced

Maintaining clear and open communication with clients can often be overshadowed by the complexities of cases and the intricacies of legal procedures.

Integrity matters: exploring transparency in modern legal practice with Advanced

Integrity is important to law firms, and clients are often sceptical to trust firms as well. As such, the importance of transparency in legal proceedings and client relationships is vital with financial dealings of law firms the most critical area for scrutiny. In this article, we delve into the significance of transparency in finances within law firms, and explore methods for enhancing transparency, and weigh the benefits against the potential drawbacks of not adhering to these principles.

Transparency serves as a cornerstone of trust in any professional relationship, and this holds particularly true in the legal industry. As clients place their legal matters and financial resources in the hands of law firms, they expect a high level of clarity and openness in all financial transactions. However, the legal industry has historically been criticised for its opacity in billing practices, making it difficult for clients to understand the value they receive for the fees they pay.

This is despite steps firms take to outline their position. Engagement letters will outline costs to clients, but potentially only hourly rates and projections, with a guide estimate potentially the only thing that clients can go to set their expectations. Something that can come crashing down if the matter is complex.

Law firms can take proactive steps to enhance transparency in their financial dealings and client interactions, ultimately bolstering trust and integrity. Regular updates on fees and expenses should be communicated to clients as well. By providing itemised invoices that clearly outline the services rendered, time spent, and expenses incurred, you are empowering your clients to understand the value of the legal services they receive and minimises the chances of surprises.

Embracing technology can streamline communication and transparency. Client portals can offer real-time access to case updates, billable hours, and expenses. Regular communication through emails, phone calls, or virtual meetings keeps clients informed about the progress of their cases.

While hourly billing remains common, law firms can explore alternative fee arrangements such as flat fees, contingent fees, or hybrid models. These arrangements can increase transparency by aligning the firm’s interests with the client’s goals.

The importance of transparency

Transparent billing practices foster trust and client satisfaction. When clients understand what they’re paying for, they are more likely to appreciate the value of the services rendered. Detailed invoices and open communication minimise the potential for billing disputes, leading to a smoother attorney-client relationship and improved overall experience.

Law firms that prioritise transparency can distinguish themselves in the market. Clients are more likely to choose firms that offer clear, transparent billing practices over those that don’t.

Conversely, a lack of transparency in billing processes can have several negative repercussions. Clients who feel deceived or surprised by unexpected charges are likely to lose trust in the law firm, leading to dissatisfaction and potentially creating brand detractors. In today’s digital age, a single dissatisfied client can share their negative experience online that is seen by anyone searching for more information on your firm, tarnishing the law firm’s reputation and potentially affecting future client acquisition.

Operating with non-transparent billing practices may also raise ethical concerns, damaging the law firm’s professional credibility. The loss of client trust can lead to delays with payments, disputes raised, and invoice actualisation reduced. Ultimately, a lack of transparency could lead to less customers and less revenue.

Transparency in financial matters is a vital component of modern legal practice that underscores integrity, trust, and ethical conduct. Law firms that embrace transparent billing practices and open communication stand to gain not only in terms of client relationships but also in terms of their reputation and competitiveness.

Webinar by Ascertus – Governance: Syncly – 31 May , 11am

Learn how Syncly can help you streamline your document management workflows and improve collaboration and communication with clients and partners. Syncly is a powerful tool that can be used to synchronize iManage with HighQ, a leading cloud-based collaboration platform.

Reducing requisitions and expediting post-completion – InfoTrack’s webinar – Jun 7, 2023, 11 AM

Requisitions are a source of frustration for all conveyancers. Without a doubt, you’ll receive them on a weekly basis and manage the communication back and forth with HMLR; even in the ‘new’ world of digital AP1s, this can be a time-consuming process.