Orion Practice Management System vs. PCLaw

Entering billing time is a breeze. It is also easy to keep up with all billing through the Time Manager screen in conjunction with Fee Entry. It works great as a calendar, with the ability to designate entries as tasks, events and other topics. The calendar program synchs with Outlook, no need to enter deadlines in two separate programs. It is a breeze to run conflict checks and the Smart Timers Management option is very user friendly.

Incentivized

PCLaw is well suited for small to medium sized law firms with minimal accounting and bookkeeping needs. The software provides basic case management functions, and I've encountered issues with viewing or organizing new documents. The software crashes and freezes often, especially when multiple users are trying to access it at the same time. The user interface is a bit outdated but still very easy to navigate. You have to pay more for the cloud-based version of the software and it does not allow software integrations or workflow automations. I would recommend using this software only for billing/accounting purposes and subsidizing case management with more modernized products

• Billing
• Synchs well with other programs
• Contains massive contact list
• Keeps up with client payments by user

Incentivized

• Quick - reports generate faster than Clio or Cosmolex
• Efficient data entry
• When set up properly, it speeds up a lot of different tasks

• When multiple users utilize the program, it can sometimes slow down
• Doesn't always synch with other programs
• Occasionally a little bit difficult to perform a search

Incentivized

• Like I said in my pros, it can hold a lot of matters. But, if your firm is very large, PCLaw may not be the best option. My old firm grew to the point where they had to switch because they had too many matters for the system to hold.
• The software is definitely dated, and I have some issues with crashing and other weird/buggy behavior. I have to set the default printer every time I log on in order to avoid multiple pop-ups when trying to print a document/report (which definitely doesn't take much time, but it can get annoying).

Incentivized

The software may not be pretty, but it works. It could use a facelift but the functionality is still there. Personally, I would like to see an investment to make it prettier, but again, function over fashion. It is not a client-facing application, so internal use does not need to be razzle-dazzle.

Incentivized

Tech support for LexisNexis PCLaw has been seamless as far as I know. Those issues have been dealt with by others at my organization and I do not have personal experience.

Incentivized

PCLaw is still the only product that provides both front office (practice management/calendaring) and back office (accounting) solutions for a law firm in one product

Incentivized

• Provides accurate billing information for submission to clients for payments
• Ability to run financial reports
• Contact database is ongoing with new entries and updated information

Incentivized

• It helped the firm save money on case management software
• It negatively impacted productivity when dealing with glitches/crashes
• It was effective in keeping track of the firm's expenses