Essential Tools for Lawyers:
Legal Research and Document Management:
- Legal databases (e.g., LexisNexis, Westlaw)
- Document management software (e.g., iManage, NetDocuments)
- Citation management tools (e.g., Zotero, Mendeley)
Communication and Collaboration:
- Email clients (e.g., Outlook, Gmail)
- Video conferencing software (e.g., Zoom, Skype)
- Instant messaging platforms (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams)
Case Management and Billing:
- Case management software (e.g., Clio, LawPay)
- Billing software (e.g., MyCase, TimeSolv)
- Legal accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks, Xero)
Document Creation and Editing:
- Word processing software (e.g., Microsoft Word, Google Docs)
- Presentation software (e.g., PowerPoint, Keynote)
- Legal forms libraries (e.g., Westlaw Forms, LexisNexis Forms)
Technology and Cybersecurity:
- Computers and laptops
- Smartphones and tablets
- Password managers
- Antivirus software
- Cloud storage services (e.g., Dropbox, Google Drive)
Time Management and Organization:
- Calendaring apps (e.g., Google Calendar, Outlook Calendar)
- To-do list apps (e.g., Wunderlist, Trello)
- Note-taking apps (e.g., Evernote, OneNote)
Document Signing and Collaboration:
- Electronic signature software (e.g., DocuSign, Adobe Sign)
- Contract management software (e.g., Concord, Ironclad)
- Collaborative annotation tools (e.g., Dropbox Paper, Google Docs)
Additional Considerations:
- Expert witnesses and investigators
- Software for managing paralegals and other staff
- Practice management software for solo practitioners
- Artificial intelligence tools for legal research and document review