The world is in a fast lane. Things are moving very fast same with legal practice.  Here are 5 productivity tools to enhance your Legal Practice and get more done with the time that you have.

Time has become the most limited resource when you’re in practice. Yet it is your most valuable resource. Each day, you are inundated with endless phone calls, emails and person-person business meetings that taking control of the day and staying organized can seem almost impossible.

Without proper time management, these daily distractions could ultimately have an adverse effect on your entire company.

This is a major factor responsible for so much advancement in technology. There is an obvious need to rely on tools to keep not just you as a legal practitioner but your entire team more focused and organized. I don’t deny the fact that you need to have a good measure of self-discipline. However, chances are that tools will make going through tasks much easier and faster.

So here are 5 tools every lawyer can use to cut the clutter and increase productivity in their Legal Practice:

1. Slack
2. Dropbox
3. Evernote
4. WhatsApp Groups
5. Research tool

 

1. Slack

Slack is a messaging app for teams. It brings all your team’s communication and files in one place, where they’re instantly searchable and available wherever you go.

You can create open channels for projects, a team, a topic and everyone has the ability to monitor comments and performance of that channel.

Now for my sensitive management teams… Slack also allows you to have private channels where only invited people have access to whatever document or conversation is done on that channel.

Well, it does.

Once you upload the files (type of document) and share them with relevant people, you can edit or/and comment directly on the files. You also have the opportunity to chat directly with a colleague privately. It works exactly like Skype or Messenger, only with added productive features.

Did I mention that slack can also be integrated with other apps that you use within your law firm and this also helps to increase and improve productivity?

Slack is also a free app that can be used on any mobile device and also on your desktop. You can speak with anyone on your team and get work done wherever you are on the planet. Click here to start using Slack for your legal practice.

 

2. Dropbox

Now, dropbox is one of the most popular online file storage/ sharing services currently available. It is completely free, with no hidden charges leaping out at users at any time. Every user has a dedicated storage space of 2 GB on the cloud. This may not seem like much, but it is certainly plenty to start off with.

You can also buy more storage and don’t have to pay any monthly payment after that. Your files can be shared with individual users or the public by designating folders to specific users or enabling them for public sharing.

Dropbox is a convenient solution to backing up files in a safe and easy to access fashion. To start using Dropbox to save and share important document click this link.

 

3. Evernote

If you are looking for ways to leverage time and to take notes faster, but also close to the conclusion that nothing works better than pen and paper, Evernote is right for you. Unfortunately, pen and paper, as good as they may be, is still an incomplete method of taking notes.

Evernote is one of the most well-known online note-taking applications. A wide variety of Evernote’s advanced tools are available even to free users. While most users think of text notes when they think “Evernote,” the app can maintain a wide range of content. In addition to text notes, you can store images in Evernote with text included in the note.

Sitting in the courtroom with your pen and paper is no longer a dreaded chore. All you have to do is whip out your mobile device and get your Evernote app ready to make notes. You can either upload an image from your computer or snap one with your mobile device while working on the same document.

You can also upload PDF files, maintain links and archives of websites, and even record audio notes. Click here to open your Evernote account.

 

4. WhatsApp

It’s widely reported that people now spend 50% more messages over WhatsApp than texts – and it’s a trend that’s predicted to continue. If you’re under the age of 25, then chances are you’re using (or are aware of at the very least), this cross-platform mobile messaging app, which offers users the big advantage of being able to send multi-media messages without having to pay for SMS.

But what if you’re an organisation? Could you benefit from WhatsApp? Yes, you can if:

• You need an affordable, mass communication tool
• Customer service is a big focus for your company
• You need to communicate with your staff at different locations, etc.

To start with WhatsApp, simply download the app on the iTunes Store or the Google Play Store for Android devices.

 

5. Research tool

Research has continued to be a time-consuming aspect of Legal practice, especially in this part of the world (Nigeria). For most Lawyers, time is a major challenge, and then the right amount of resources for adequate research is a close second.

Legalpedia research tool was developed to address both challenges to a great extent. It bails you out on quick fixes because it gives you instant access to over 12,000 case summaries from the Nigerian Supreme Court and Court of Appeal with updates on the latest decided cases.

You have the tool on the go for any immediate legal research. You don’t have to wait till you get to the office to access case summaries or get late to the courtroom because you were at the library flipping through books to prepare for a case. Just click on this link to subscribe and keep up to date with the latest decided cases and summaries in the legal industry.

So you really don’t have to wait till you are seated in the comfort of your office, behind your desk to achieve your activities for the day. You get these on the go once you have a mobile device with you.

Most importantly as a Lawyer, you also carry around with you over 12,000 cases summaries and updates on the latest decided cases from the Nigerian Supreme Court and Court of Appeal. Click here to get instant access. 

You don’t need to bother about not being able to tidy up your tasks for the day and you no longer have to get frowned at by your team leader or principal partner. You are constantly in the flow of work whether you are in the office or not and can complete and comment on document needing your attention instantly. You have the tools you need to get your work done and even have more time to speak about lifestyle issues with clients, family and friends.

 

Bonus tips

Organize your work environment

While the above tools will undoubtedly save you time, you should also ensure that you have an organized work and desk environment.

 

Know when to say “no”

Another skill is knowing when to say “no”. Which can be easier said than done. However, sometimes circumstances dictate in work and personal life that you must simply say no.

 

Set Deadlines

It’s always advantageous to set realistic deadlines. Regardless of the task or project at hand, setting clear deadlines will help you to better prioritize and dedicate your time. Furthermore, if you work and collaborate within a team environment, then, of course, this will also be a great signal to your colleagues, as they’ll know the proposed task completion date.