I've spent a couple of years in the legal tech industry and this looks like a cool solution, in a lucrative market that are willing to spend A LOT of money on IT solutions but I'd keep in mind
- Your customers will be running a centralised practice management platform (basically a specialised CRM), you'll need to integrate with it; this isn't easy. In fact it's really hard.
- Most of the time, the fee-earner/practitioner won't do any of their own data input, they'll have their PA do it for them, consider this when you're building a backend.
- They live and die by their Outlook calendars and contacts. You'll need to integrate with that; this is easier.
- You'll have questions about how you're storing and transmitting data and what jurisdiction its being hosted in. Some of these questions will seem naive and obvious, but legal tech is a _paranoid_ market.
- This is also a CONSERVATIVE market, they fear change, they don't like change. This is a constant uphill battle.
- The flip side is that 90% of the software in this market is 5-10 years old and "cloud" solutions are novel and strange to them (cf fear about data storage)
- Focus on mobile. Ignore desktop. Seriously.
- Don't discount this only being applicable for lawyers, any professional service industry (financial planners etc) will benefit from this.
- You're right compliance, audit trails, history is EVERYTHING. Pitch it as a record keeping solution for the firm, not a productivity tool for the practitioner.
- Bake in export. Make the data as easy to get out and easy to get in.
First off, thank you very very much for your comments and feedback. This post is amazingly on point based on everything we have seen so far. A few points to elaborate:
-They are. The folks we are developing with use one of these. We are still trying to figure out how to pull the data out of it into a portable format of some sorts, but we haven't had the time to crack the nut yet. Thankfully, our current client has expressed a willingness to run their CRM system side-by-side with our product as we launch and develop. As it currently stands the value of their data falls dramatically over time because its just not easy to get to.
-We've identified a number of constituencies within law firms (clerks, attorneys, managers as broad classes) they all have different use cases and we are doing our best to consider each of them as we progress.
-Yes.
-We think a bit more paranoia about data storage is not necessarily a bad thing. I personally enjoy explaining how this stuff works to people (its not just lawyers, most people don't have a good understanding about how and where their data is stored online).
-Yes, this was one of our biggest struggles starting out. I've been doing the research for a lot longer than we have been coding and trust building has actually been the hardest thing we've had to do.
-Yup!
-We will keep this in mind. We are currently developing it as a responsive web app (so functional on both) but we will definitely keep our eyes open for ways to enrich the mobile experience.
-This is a fascinating and ambitious thought that I will save for later.
-Again, 100% spot on. The managers are the decision makers and what they care about is record keeping and compliance.
-Will do more of this as we continue development. We have it set up for the backend currently, but I can definitely see the value for end users of being able to export bits and pieces of the data as needed.
This "our current client has expressed a willingness to run their CRM system side-by-side with our product as we launch and develop. " is really important, partner with a guinea pig firm so you can learn on the ground
Pretext: I also work in this field, have for the last 5 years.
- The flip side is that 90% of the software in this market is 5-10 years old and "cloud" solutions are novel and strange to them (cf fear about data storage)
Actually I'd have to disagree with that to some degree. I do agree there is some what of a stickyness for doing things the way you were doing things, but its also pretty regional. California is a very different audience then Indiana. Additionally more and more states are mandating the move digital products.
Desktops for most fee-earners are locked down tight, there's little room to move with new software. Phones are still considered personal so you'll have more freedom
ditto to the max... several years implementing your exact solution... wish I could share the knowledge... I hate to say it but you may want to find something a little more exciting to work on (done as a 501c3)
- Your customers will be running a centralised practice management platform (basically a specialised CRM), you'll need to integrate with it; this isn't easy. In fact it's really hard.
- Most of the time, the fee-earner/practitioner won't do any of their own data input, they'll have their PA do it for them, consider this when you're building a backend.
- They live and die by their Outlook calendars and contacts. You'll need to integrate with that; this is easier.
- You'll have questions about how you're storing and transmitting data and what jurisdiction its being hosted in. Some of these questions will seem naive and obvious, but legal tech is a _paranoid_ market.
- This is also a CONSERVATIVE market, they fear change, they don't like change. This is a constant uphill battle.
- The flip side is that 90% of the software in this market is 5-10 years old and "cloud" solutions are novel and strange to them (cf fear about data storage)
- Focus on mobile. Ignore desktop. Seriously.
- Don't discount this only being applicable for lawyers, any professional service industry (financial planners etc) will benefit from this.
- You're right compliance, audit trails, history is EVERYTHING. Pitch it as a record keeping solution for the firm, not a productivity tool for the practitioner.
- Bake in export. Make the data as easy to get out and easy to get in.