Insights for Modern Law

Artificial Intelligence (AI) isn’t just for tech startups, it’s quietly (and quickly) changing the way law firms attract, engage, and convert new clients. Here’s how smart firms are putting AI to work on the front lines of client acquisition: 

1. Automating Your Client Intake 

• Forget missed inquiries or slow responses. AI-powered chatbots handle first-touch conversations 24/7. They capture leads, answer basic questions, and keep the conversation going, even when your team’s offline.
• Automated follow-ups keep prospects warm without dropping the ball, helping firms convert leads faster and more consistently.

2. Predictive Analytics

• AI doesn’t just look at data, it learns from it. Predictive tools help firms spot patterns in client behavior and figure out which leads are most likely to convert.

3. Personalized Marketing at Scale

• AI makes personalization easy (and automatic). From email campaigns to ad targeting, AI tools create messaging that hits the right tone, with the right offer, at the right time. 
• This personalization leads to higher engagement, stronger early connections, and more conversions from first click to signed retainer.

4. Spend Smarter, Not More

• AI-driven insights break down what’s performing and what’s not. Enabling your firm  to invest in strategies that maximize return on investment.
• Real-time data allows firms to adjust strategies swiftly, staying ahead of market trends and competition.

Real-Life Success

Law firms already using AI in their client acquisition strategies are seeing the impact:

•  Higher conversion rates
•  Faster intake
• Smarter targeting

It’s not just more efficient, it’s how modern firms will grow smarter, stay competitive, and show up better for clients.

Choosing the right case management system isn’t just a tech decision, it’s a strategic one. The right platform helps your firm run more efficiently, scale with confidence, and deliver a better client experience.

Clio, Filevine, and MyCase are three of the most popular tools in the legal world, each with its own strengths (and tradeoffs). Here’s a straight-to-the-point comparison to help you choose the one that fits your firm best.

Clio: Scalable and Feature-Packed

Clio is the heavyweight in the space, for good reason. It's built for flexibility, integrations, and growth.

Strengths:

• Highly scalable and feature-rich, ideal for firms of all sizes.
• Offers hundreds of integrations with third-party applications.
• Excellent billing and invoicing features

Weaknesses:

• Client portal features are only available in higher-tier plans.
• Can become costly with add-ons and integrations.

Best fit for: Firms looking for a comprehensive system that can grow and evolve with them.

Filevine: Collaborative and Customizable

Filevine is purpose-built for teams, especially those working in litigation-heavy environments.

Strengths:

• Exceptional team collaboration tools, especially for larger teams.
• Built-in texting capabilities for easy client communication.
• Highly customizable workflows, great for litigation-heavy practices.

Weaknesses:

• Steeper learning curve due to complex customization options.
• Client portal features are limited.

Best fit: Firms with high case volumes that need tailored workflows and team visibility.

MyCase: Simple and Affordable 

MyCase is a great entry point for firms that want functionality without complexity.

Strengths:

• Simple, user-friendly interface ideal for smaller firms.
• Built-in client portal with secure messaging and file sharing.
• Transparent, competitive pricing.

Weaknesses:

• Fewer advanced features and integrations compared Filevine and MyCase.
• Lacks advanced features to scale as smoothly with fast-growing firms.

Best fit: Solo and small firms prioritizing ease of use and client communication on a budget.

Enhancing Your Choice with Hona

Choosing a case management platform is a smart move. Adding Hona? That’s the power play. It plugs into any system, Clio, Filevine, MyCase, and instantly upgrades how you communicate with clients. Hona complements any case management platform by providing seamless client updates, secure messaging, and automation. 

Ultimately, the best platform is the one that supports how your firm works. Consider your size, case volume, workflow preferences, and growth plans. Then choose the solution that aligns with your goals, and supercharge it with tools like Hona to ensure nothing slips through the cracks.

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Positive reviews and client referrals are among the most powerful tools in your law firm’s growth strategy. Why? Because people trust people. In fact, 82% of legal clients read online reviews before ever reaching out to an attorney, according to a FindLaw survey. Reviews build credibility, boost trust, and bring in more business than any cold ad ever could. If you want to turn satisfied clients into your firm’s loudest cheerleaders, here are actionable strategies to make it happen.

1. Perfect Timing

• The best time to ask for a review? Right after the case wraps. Your client’s happy, relieved, and emotionally connected to your firm. 
• Clients are more likely to provide positive reviews when their experience is fresh. 

2. Make It Stupid Easy

• Don’t make clients dig through inboxes or navigate confusing websites.
• Send them a direct link to your preferred review platform, and include a quick how-to if needed.
  The easier it is, the more likely they are to actually do it.

SEO Tip: Include keywords like “how to leave a Google review for a law firm” in anchor text or FAQs.

3. Use Automation to Do the Heavy Lifting

• Stop chasing reviews manually. Utilize automation tools to consistently request feedback from clients without manual follow-up.
• Tools like Hona plug directly into your case-closure process, firing off review requests at exactly the right moment. 

4. Personal Touch = Power Move

• A little effort goes a long way. Address your client by name, and if possible, mention a detail from their case.
• It makes the request feel genuine, not transactional. This increases the chances of getting a thoughtful, specific review.

Pro Tip: Personalized messages perform significantly better than generic ones in client feedback campaigns.

5. Don’t Just Read Reviews. Talk Back. 

• Actively respond to reviews, both positive and negative. Thank clients who leave glowing feedback, and address less-than-perfect reviews with professionalism and care.
• This builds trust with potential clients and shows that your firm listens, learns, and values transparency.

6. Leveraging: Turn Praise Into Proof

• Showcase standout testimonials front and center on your website, landing pages, and social channels.
• Build compelling case studies that spotlight wins and satisfied clients. Nothing builds trust like real results.

Building a strong reputation doesn’t happen overnight,  but it does happen consistently. And in today’s digital-first world, online reviews are often the first impression your firm makes. When you make it easy for clients to share their experiences, and you’re intentional about when and how you ask, you turn everyday moments into long-term impact.

By weaving these strategies into your client experience, your firm will consistently generate positive reviews, encourage referrals, and build a strong, authentic reputation in the legal community.

The legal industry isn’t exactly known for moving fast, but client expectations sure are. As we continue into a more digitized world, people are no longer satisfied with traditional, one-way communication. They’re used to tracking packages, getting banking alerts, and managing their lives from their phones.

And guess what? Legal clients are no exception.

According to the latest Clio Legal Trends Report, 60% of clients now say they prefer to get their case updates through secure online portals. Marking a significant shift away from traditional phone calls and email exchanges. 

What’s Driving the Shift?

1. Convenience and Accessibility:
   
   • Clients want access on their terms. Online portals make that possible. They allow clients to access updates anytime and from anywhere.
2. Transparency and Trust:
   
   • When clients can see what’s happening in real time, they stop wondering and start trusting. It builds confidence, and keeps the “What’s going on with my case?” calls and emails to a minimum.
3. No More Communication Potholes
   
   • Missed calls, confusing email threads, forgotten updates... it all adds up to frustration. A secure online portal clears the air. Everyone knows where things stand, without needing to ask.
     

What Law Firms Should Be Doing

‍Modern clients aren’t comparing you to other firms. They’re comparing you to every digital experience in their lives. And if you don’t measure up, they’ll find someone who does.

1. Roll Out a Client Portal:
   
   • Platforms like Hona that integrate with your case management software make it easy to provide real-time updates, document sharing, and secure messaging in one centralized place. It’s a straightforward way to upgrade your communication without adding more to your plate.
2. Automate Routine Updates:
   
   • Not every update needs a personal touch. Automating case progress notifications, deadline reminders, or document uploads ensures clients are always in the loop without pulling your team away from more important work.
3. Set Clear Expectations:
   
   • Digital doesn’t mean impersonal. Make sure clients understand how the portal works, what kinds of updates they’ll receive, and how frequently they’ll hear from you. A little clarity goes a long way in avoiding confusion later.
     

The Bottom Line

Clear, reliable communication. It’s one of the first things clients judge you on, and one of the biggest factors in whether they stick around. Firms that embrace secure, digital-first tools aren’t just checking a box, they’re showing up in a way that builds trust and sets them apart.

The legal world is shifting fast. Hanging on to old habits (like relying on calls or scattered emails) will only slow your team and firm down.

Let’s be real: running a law firm today isn’t just about winning cases, it’s about keeping everything behind the scenes from falling apart. If your tools aren’t talking to each other, your team’s losing hours (and probably patience) on tasks that should’ve been automated yesterday.

The fix? Integrations. They’re how you turn your software from a cluttered dashboard into a well-oiled machine.

What Are Integrations? Why Should You Care?

Integrations are how your case management system—Clio, Filevine, MyCase, or whatever you’re using—connects with the rest of your tech stack to create streamlined, automated workflows.

No more manual entry. No more duplicating tasks or juggling multiple tabs to get simple things done. With the right integrations in place, your team can work more efficiently, with less friction and fewer distractions.

Tools Every Firm Should Be Integrating: 

1. Client Communication Portals
   
   • Automatically keep clients informed with real-time case updates and deadline reminders. This reduces inbound calls and builds trust through transparency.
2. Accounting and Billing Solutions
   
   • Sync your billing software—like QuickBooks or LawPay—with your case management platform to simplify invoicing, track payments, and manage trust accounts more accurately and efficiently.
3. Document Management and eSignature Tools
   
   • Link your case management system with document tools such as Dropbox or DocuSign to facilitate efficient document handling and signatures. Some client communication platforms, such as Hona, include these features directly, reducing the need to manage multiple systems.
4. CRM and Client Intake Systems
   
   • Automate lead capture, streamline onboarding, and ensure data flows seamlessly from first contact to active case.
5. Calendaring and Scheduling Tools
   
   • Centralize all appointments, court dates, and deadlines. Integrated calendars reduce scheduling conflicts and help prevent critical oversights.

Real-World Benefits of Effective Integrations:

• Save Time Where It Counts: Free up your team from tedious, repetitive admin tasks.
• Reduce Costly Errors: When systems are connected, there's no need to copy-paste or work across disconnected platforms. Leaving less room for mistakes and creating consistency across the board.
• Improved Client Satisfaction: Real-time updates and faster turnaround times lead to fewer check-ins and happier clients who feel taken care of.

Closing Thought

Disconnected systems waste time. Period.

If you're managing business operations at a law firm, it's time to ask the tough question: Are your tools helping your team, or slowing them down?

Be intentional with your integrations. Focus on what actually improves day-to-day operations. Build a firm that runs with purpose, not one held together by disconnected tools.

The legal landscape is evolving at warp speed. Staying ahead in the legal industry means adapting to evolving technological trends.These five legal tech trends are making waves in 2025, and they could seriously impact where your firm’s headed. 

1. AI Is Taking Over ( and That’s a Good Thing) 

Artificial intelligence isn’t just a buzzword anymore. According to the ABA’s 2024 Legal Technology Survey, over 35% of firms are already using AI to streamline tasks like document review, legal writing, and litigation prediction. And it’s not just large firms leading the charge. Clio’s 2025 Legal Trends Report shows that a staggering 93% of mid-sized firms and solo firms now use AI in some form, with over half deploying it widely across their operations.The payoff? Less busywork, lower overhead costs, and fewer errors. Firms that haven’t adopted AI are already playing catch-up. ‍

2. Clients Want More 

Law firms increasingly prioritize exceptional client experiences through advanced digital portals and real-time communication. Clients expect seamless, transparent interactions, and those firms embracing client-centric technologies will notably improve satisfaction and retention.

A sleek client experience isn’t just a “nice to have”—it’s now a dealbreaker. Research from Clio shows that 79% of clients say the ability to work with a lawyer remotely is a key factor when choosing a firm. Secure portals, mobile-friendly communication, and transparent updates are driving client satisfaction and retention. Forward-thinking firms are doubling down on tech that makes working with them seamless and stress-free.

‍3. Integration Is the New Efficiency

In 2025, disconnected tech is dead weight. Powerful APIs and seamless integrations are transforming legal tech, simplifying workflows and eliminating repetitive data entry. Firms that connect systems like case management, billing, and client communication are seeing major gains in efficiency and productivity.

‍4. Remote/ Hybrid Work Is Here to Stay

Remote and hybrid work have become a permanent part of the legal landscape. The ABA’s 2022 survey found that 70% of lawyers work remotely at least part of the week, with younger attorneys placing a high value on flexibility.

The best firms are adapting by investing in secure remote access, cloud-based collaboration tools, and flexible digital infrastructure. This shift is becoming essential for attracting top talent for your Firm in 2025. 

5. Data Is Driving Better Decisions

Gut instinct is no longer enough. Data analytics is now central to smart decision-making in legal operations. From forecasting case outcomes to analyzing client behavior and optimizing resources, firms using analytics are gaining a serious edge. Tools like Power BI, Tableau, and legal-specific platforms like LawLytics and CoCounsel (formerly CaseMetrics) are empowering firms to track, measure, and act with confidence.

Why These Trends Matters More Than Ever

These aren’t far-off predictions, they’re shifts that are already paying off for firms willing to adapt. Proactive adoption means your firm remains agile and future-proofed against industry disruptions.The firms dominating the next decade won’t just be great at law. They’ll be bold, data-driven, and tech-savvy.