Case management software

What it is

Case management software is the system of record for a law firm's matters. For a plaintiff firm it typically covers intake, contacts, documents, calendars and deadlines, tasks, client communication, medical records and bills, liens, settlements and reports. Well-known names include Filevine, Litify, SmartAdvocate, CasePeer, Needles and Clio, and many workers' comp firms use MerusCase. Each fits a different firm; see our comparisons.

The professional rules

No statute governs the software itself, but the Rules of Professional Conduct govern how a firm uses it. The comment to California's rule 1.1 says competence includes keeping up with the benefits and risks of relevant technology, and rule 1.6 and Business and Professions Code 6068(e) require protecting client confidences, which reaches where data is stored and who can see it. The State Bar's practical guidance on generative AI applies the same duties to AI features: confidentiality, supervision of the output, and care about what a tool can and can't do.

Why it matters to a plaintiff firm

The system decides how many cases each person can carry and how often deadlines slip. When choosing one, compare the pricing model (per seat or per case), practice-specific pages and rules, how records are read, security terms, and what moving from the current system involves. Start with the personal injury buyer's guide, per-case vs per-seat pricing and the cost calculator.