From the rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools to cloud-based options that allow lawyers to operate more efficiently while working remotely, many firms are adopting more technology right now. However, it can be challenging to keep up with the latest options to find the tools that best fit your firm’s needs.

In this post, we’ll go over some of the top tools your firm should consider in 2024 for law firm success.

1.  AI tools

The recent rise of AI technology has already unlocked remarkable opportunities (and ethical considerations) for law firms. As such, more and more lawyers are interested in adopting AI tools to help their practices run more efficiently, with 19% of lawyers already using AI (in some form) in their practices and 32% of lawyers agreeing that AI can help reduce workloads, according to the 2023 Legal Trends Report.

While the range of AI tools for lawyers is rapidly growing, the most popular and highly anticipated AI options can boost law firm efficiency and improve productivity by automating many of the routine and repetitive—though necessary—tasks that would otherwise drain the time of lawyers and legal professionals.

For example, Clio Duo will bring the power of generative AI legal technology to Clio’s legal software tools, beginning with Clio Manage, in 2024. Clio Duo’s proprietary generative AI tech will serve as a coach, intuitive collaborator, and expert consultant for legal professionals.

2.  Virtual receptionists

Missing a call—whether because your law firm office is working remotely or you’re just away from the phone—means lost business, especially today when clients expect instant service.

A virtual receptionist service like Ruby (which offers live virtual reception and chat options) eliminates unanswered calls. This means better service for clients (and cuts the cost of having a full-time in-house staff member fielding calls).

3.  E-signature tools

Electronic signatures are more convenient to coordinate than physical signatures, and less back-and-forth means less room for human error. They also make legal work faster and more efficient for lawyers and clients. And, they save paper, which is important as more firms go paperless.

Legal technology can help make e-signatures easier and more secure. Clio Complete, for instance, offers easy online document signing tools as part of Clio Grow’s client intake and legal client relationship management (CRM) software and Clio Manage’s document management functionality.

4.  Online payments

Online payments—accepting credit card, debit card, or eCheck payments through an online platform like Clio Payments—make it easy and more convenient for clients to pay, so lawyers can get paid faster.

How much quicker can accepting online payments help lawyers get paid? According to the 2023 Legal Trends Report, law firms that offer online payments get paid twice as fast. Specifically, law firms accepting online payments waited a median of seven days to get paid. In comparison, law firms that do not accept online payments waited a median of 15 days.

Beyond improved collections for lawyers, tools that allow law firms to accept online payments benefit clients by giving them the payment options they want in 2024. As the same Legal Trends Report notes, 46% of clients most prefer to use a credit card when paying a lawyer.

5.  Practice management software

Legal practice management software is an essential tool for law firms in 2024. Running a practice is complex, and practice management software makes managing a firm easier. Cloud-based practice management software like Clio Manage centralizes and streamlines running your firm, organizing cases, and collaborating with clients. Clio also integrates with many other apps, making

 From the rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools to cloud-based options that allow lawyers to operate more efficiently while working remotely, many firms are adopting more technology right now. However, it can be challenging to keep up with the latest options to find the tools that best fit your firm’s needs. In this post,…… Continue Reading