Contact Management Software/Database
The functionality of CounselPro that supports our members in the most profound ways is difficult to summarize, please feel free to contact us for a more detailed discussion about the benefits of using software this advanced! Members are thrilled to have the following database responsibilities covered in their practice:
- Stores all contact information including notes from anyone in the firm for clients, prospective clients, vendors, professionals, staff and more.
- “Communicate” feature allows users to send client appointments and emails to anyone in the database with a valid email address
- “Activities” feature is a handy “to-do” list for all staff, tracking all open items, action items by staff, allowing sorting by any field, and with reporting available.
- Document assembly of client estate plans for Revocable Living Trusts, Legacy Wealth Trusts, Special Needs Trusts, Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts, Wills, Charitable Remainder Trusts, and more, all from the client’s main screen.
- Produces over 200 management or marketing reports. These reports tell the proper law firm staff:
- What marketing method was used for a speaking engagement, how many people attended, how many appointments were made, how many appointments were kept, how many new clients were retained and what type of work did they require. What were the expenses and revenue relating to that event?
- Where is the work now? How many documents are in production, how many are awaiting signing, how many were signed during a specific time period.
- Reports can be created to reflect a list of clients or prospects celebrating a birthday or anniversary this week or month.
- Reports can be created to list clients with a deceased spouse.
- Activity Reports display open activities, sorted by user, or by type of activity; also have one that displays Activity Items with Time (timesheet for clients).
- Consultation "no-shows", cancellations and retention reports can be generated.
- Company reports – list by category, by city, or run a company fax or email export.
- Marketing Budget Reports help members plan effectively.
- Sign-in Sheets for Events and Continuing Education Events allow clients to register when they arrive.
- Referral Source reports for particular periods oftime.
- "Age Group Total" and "Zip Code"Reports help in the planning process.
- Mail House and Email Exports provide the ability to export names, addresses, email and phone fields to CSV (Excel) filesfor use with other programs or mail houses.
- With well over 300 letters for specific purposes, members never have to draft a single letter; it has already been written and is ready and waiting for use inside the database.
- Mail merge feature: ONE record can be merged for any of these letters, or the letter can be used for specific filters of records inside the database.
- Quick letter feature: Send a letter directly from the client’s contact screen. You can customize the filters to add your own letters.
“In my 23 years as an attorney, I've been through many practice models. I've worked in a prestigious firm, worked for the Federal Government, worked in a small firm, operated in a partnership and ultimately opened my own firm. During the first half of my career, I was diligently searching for the model which would make me happy and allow me to honorably serve my clients and still have a balanced family life. I've worked closely with the two gentlemen who helped write this book and I attribute my success and happiness as a lawyer and layperson to their coaching. This book is the perfect primer for new law school graduates and seasoned attorneys seeking the answers which have alluded them in striking the right balance between life and law. Unfortunately, while law school teaches you how to think like a lawyer, it does a poor job of teaching you how to operate in a law firm or run a legal business. I've read all of Michael Gerber's books and heard him speak numerous times. I think he's right on point. This book is a supplement to his other books and specifically addresses the challenging issues which cause attorney dissatisfaction and law firm failure. If you are a satisfied attorney you shouldn't read this book. It's not for you. If you are not happy, this is the place to start. Legal practices are changing at a rapid speed. The old models are being replaced like yesterday's garbage. Successful, happy lawyers understand the skills involved in operating their practices as businesses. In my experience, this creates happy, satisfied clients. It's a win-win situation. Two of my children are now in college, both wishing to pursue different passions. I've encouraged both of them to get business degrees and learn accounting, computer skills, social networking, human resources, entrepreneurship and the myriad of other components mentioned in this book.”
Cheryl D. — North Carolina Member