One of our tools for success

The problem of inefficiency corrects itself with many of SmartAdvocate's customizations and automation. For example, we are expediting electronic contracts/agreements to clients via text message and email, whereas other firms are still stuck on paper contracts. Never would I have thought clients would embrace technology, like the use of text over email. Yes, snail mail still has a role and a place, but the practicality and adaptiveness text messages give clients is excellent. This program stays relevant at the speed of shifts and trends, as well as changes with technology.

Pros

Our personal injury law firm switched from Needles to Smart Advocate about three years ago. The amount of growth we've had plays largely thanks to this case management software, especially after Covid-19 hit. This software made the transition from working in the office to working from home almost effortless. Our staff never missed a beat, and our clients never realize the change happened virtually overnight. While other firms struggled with technological, let alone case management issues, for us, it was business as usual. With Smart Advocate's features, updates, support, and innovation, there is no other way but growth. It's a powerhouse of a tool for great staff, which gives clients the most significant outcome.

Cons

There is not much to dislike, but there is always room for improvement. That said, when a dislike does arise, reaching out to SmartAdvocate usually remedies our dislikes. For example, the recommendation was to set up multiplaintiff parties under one case number. We tried that out and realized that would not work for our reporting and usage needs. Their development team quickly remedied a solution for each party to work with one case number while still giving us the linking ability needed for multi-party cases.

Intuitive & Robust

Much more effective reporting on intake, client contact, and staff management. Very effective case browsing and searching. Implementing SmartAdvocate has allowed us to move much closer to a "less paper" work environment.

Pros

I love the templates in SA. They are easy to create and administer as well as user friendly. I also really like the searchability of each window, particularly documents.

Cons

I like the UDF Editor, except for the way that items are re-ordered. It would be easier if there was a way to drag and drop to put the items in the order you want.

Happy Customer

Pros

I love how user friendly the software is

Cons

Lots of very similar titled fill- ins for templates No client portal app Our clients have lots of issues with being locked out/ not receiving notifications from the portal

Powerful. Hard to understand all the functionality available.

Again. I think its the right solution for us but we need more granular post implementation collaboration.

Pros

I think it's very capable but I struggle with understanding all the things it will do. Wish we had more access to SA experts to actually work with out firm on a regular basis and understand how we use it.

Cons

I am frustrated that I suspect we are not maximizing it's value.

not as flexible as I told it would be

case management of arbitrations status reports

Pros

assists with arbitration and personal injury departments / used and understood by all employees /

Cons

does not assist enough; limited capacities salespeople made promises that they could not keep overpriced for its value