Identifying the best tech for law firms usually starts with finding the perfect case management system. But let's face it, finding the perfect case management system is like searching for a unicorn - it's mythical, expensive, and ultimately disappointing. Over 25 years in the legal industry, I’ve seen my fair share of “the perfect case management system.” Each one promised to be the magic solution, the holy grail of organization, and the ultimate way to streamline a law practice. Yet, every time I looked at a shiny new system, the same two questions loomed:
1) How much is this going to cost? 2) How long until I have to migrate to something else?
Because, let’s face it, moving out of a case management system feels like moving out of your first apartment—messy, expensive, and guaranteed to lose something critical along the way. By year 16, I had enough. I scrapped them all, turned to Microsoft 365 apps, and I’ve never been happier.
Why I Ditched the Box for a Toolkit
Microsoft 365 isn’t just another box; it is best tech for law firms because it's a customizable toolkit. It doesn’t try to shoehorn your practice into someone else’s workflow. Instead, it gives you the flexibility to create a system tailored to your firm’s needs. For me, that meant ditching the “all-in-one” dream and building a best-in-class tech stack. And trust me, that stack has been life-changing.
What’s in My Tech Stack? The Best Tech for Law Firms
While Microsoft 365 handles most of my needs, I’ve learned that no one toolkit can do it all. So, I’ve scaled my stack based on what my practice truly requires:
Microsoft 365 Apps:
Word: Document processing
Outlook: Email and calendar management
OneDrive: Document management
Planner & To Do: Task management
Forms: Intake management
Lists: Customized CMS, contacts management, and automation tool
SharePoint: Centralized online hub that brings together all Microsoft apps in one place
Teams: Collaboration and communication
PowerPoint: Presentations & timelines
Power Automate & Logic Apps: Automated workflows
Bookings: Schedule training and consultations
Sway: Develop and publish dynamic content
Additional tech I use:
Adobe: PDF editing and digital signatures (integrates with Outlook, SharePoint, OneDrive, and Teams)
TimeSolv: Timekeeping and billing (integrates with Outlook and SharePoint)
Zoom: For when Teams just isn’t their thing (integrates with Outlook)
Canva: For presentations and blogs (integrates with PowerPoint)
Snag-It: Creating training guides, handbooks, and screen recordings
Westlaw: Legal research (integrates with SharePoint and OneDrive)
QuickBooks: Accounting (AP/AR)
The key question isn’t What’s in the box? It’s Does it work with Microsoft 365?
After years of frustration with systems that didn’t integrate seamlessly, I now have a single, critical question for any new tech: Does it integrate with Microsoft 365? And if it does, which apps does it integrate with - Outlook, OneDrive, SharePoint, etc.? If the answer doesn’t check the right boxes, I move on.
Innovate the Wheel, Don’t Reinvent It
The beauty of this approach is that I’m not starting from scratch every time. I’m innovating the wheel, not reinventing it. Microsoft 365 serves as the foundation of my practice, and everything else enhances it.
Why Integration Matters for Your Practice
One of the biggest advantages of building a best-in-class tech stack with Microsoft 365 is seamless integration. Unlike all-in-one systems that often force you into rigid workflows, Microsoft 365 apps communicate effortlessly. Outlook syncs with Teams, SharePoint centralizes your data, and Power Automate ties it all together with workflows that save hours of manual labor.
This integration doesn’t just save time—it saves money. Think about the costs of migrating from one “perfect” case management system to the next. With Microsoft 365, those expenses are a thing of the past. You’re not renting a solution; you’re building one that grows with your practice. And the best part? It’s all scalable, so whether you’re a solo practitioner or a midsize firm, the tools adapt to your needs.
A Roadmap for Innovation
It's simple, you don’t need a box solution—you need a roadmap for innovation. Take it from someone who’s been there: It’s not about finding “the one ring to rule them all.” It’s about building the system that rules for you. And with Microsoft 365 at the core, you’re already halfway there.
Ready to Transform Your Practice with Microsoft 365?
Take a moment to think about your current setup. Are you stuck in a system that doesn’t adapt? Is your system holding you back, or are you ready to unlock the full potential of Microsoft 365? With the right tools and guidance, you can build a roadmap that empowers your practice to thrive.
Whether you’re looking for a pre-built solution (like Arrow365), custom workflow automations, hands-on guidance, or a combination of all three, we're here to help. In fact, we've already helped thousands of law firms and legal professionals worldwide learn how to manage their practice, clients, cases, deadlines, emails, tasks, and so much more using Microsoft 365.
Schedule a free consultation today to take the first step toward a more efficient, collaborative, and sustainable legal practice. You next level of awesome is waiting - let's build it together.
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