Busy law offices have been using off-the-shelf case management software for years. These out-of-the-box solutions are inexpensive compared to their custom coded cousins. The choices for government agencies are far fewer, especially for those that need a solution to fit a limited budget. I previously posted about a few that I caught up with at the 2012 NAALJ annual conference.
LegalTech NY 2013 offered a great many case management systems. Some are impressive, though most can’t handle administrative hearing/courtroom needs. Only one stood out as appropriate: Synaptec Software’s LawBase Case and Matter Management. LawBase can manage a case’s progress, create and update case file, keep complete calendars and schedules, maintain file room management, and perform large repetitive tasks with only a few keystrokes.
In use by administrative law court, the Kansas Court of Tax Appeals, among many other courts, LawBase works with popular calendar and email apps like Microsoft Outlook’s and Novell GroupWise, plays well with document management software like Worldox, iManage, OpenText (to name three), and interfaces with Summation and Concordance litigation support applications for quick access to transcripts and exhibits.
LawBase has two add-on modules. The first, FileBase, gives your agency the ability to track physical files and folders. It includes a completely customizable database for tracking every file, folder, or box for each case, in addition to managing email records, bar codes, circulation history, file inventory, and reporting. It even has check-in/check-out capabilities. Process control is easily adaptable and can handle tracking cases through all stages of a proceeding. As far as installation options go, it can be installed on your servers behind your firewall, ensuring maximum control by your IT staff, or it can be used in a cloud environment. The second optional module, Concierge, allows for automatic task generation like adjournment notices, and other correspondence to the parties.
Costs: Synaptec Software will provide a customized price quote for your agency based on the amount of work involved with each installation – other factors that influence this include the amount of data that will need to be migrated into LawBase, the amount of design work required, etc. There is a one-time price for LawBase on a per license installation which is extremely competitive (I was asked to not disclose the standard pricing information). The add-on modules, unlike the LawBase basic “per user” license fee, costs one amount regardless of the number of licenses purchased. The company provides a very straight-forward maintenance structure for its clients. Annual support (20% of the license fee) covers all technical support, subscription to the monthly newsletter, regular program updates, and entire version upgrades, including upgrades of existing integrations and additional modules.
For more information, LawBase may be reached by phone at 800-569-3377, or by email to sales@lawbase.com.
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No consideration of any kind has been accepted for this review. The opinions expressed herein are solely the author’s and do not necessarily reflect those of NYSALJA.