Lawyers use client portals to securely share information such as case documents, court dates, invoices, messages, and any other relevant information with their clients online. The clients will then receive an email notifying them of the unread message.
With the right approach, features, and best practices, client portals can make communication more efficient, convenient, and secure. If you want to use client portals successfully, here are some of the features you should look out for in your ideal client portal:
1. Document Management
The right client portal should make sharing, viewing, and downloading files very easy. Since a lawyer may need to share multiple folders and files at the same time, they should be able to do this quickly and securely. A file-sharing feature on client portals should have configurable columns, allow file locking to prevent duplicate editing, allows the sharing of video files, and also allows version control.
2. Communication Tools
One of the main uses of client portals for law firms is to make communication easier, faster, and more secure. This means the right portal should allow clients and lawyers to communicate in different ways such as @ mention messaging to target a specific person and group discussion for easier collaboration with team members.
The portal should send email notifications, mobile push notifications and also allow a user to send group messages such as newsletters with other users in all the groups on their portal at the same time.
3. Top-Notch Security
Client portals must be very secure. Since its main purpose is to transfer sensitive information from one user to the other, the communication between the two parties must not read any unauthorized party.
The portal should have a single sign-on, private cloud, encryption, secure access, and two-step authentication to promote security.
4. Collaboration Tools
The portal should make working with other lawyers or multiple clients efficient. This feature will allow you to request files, schedule your meeting and tasks, upload contacts from your email for easy communication, and keep track of relevant content.
5. Workspace Feature
Client portals should allow real-time updates of activities within a user’s portal. The workspaces feature provides users with a comprehensive audit and report on all activities that happen on the portal.
6. Customization Capabilities
Apart from the white-label solution, a good client portal for law firms should allow a custom domain, configurable widgets, sign integration, and a custom branded app. The app will provide you with a professional-looking mobile application.
7. Bill Sharing
This feature makes sharing bills more efficient and confidential. Since the portal will make it easy for you to communicate with the client consistently, sharing a bill will be easier because the client is aware of your progress.
8. Smart Integration
Since some cloud-based practice management systems allow integration, using a client portal that allows integration with your firm’s practice management system will promote functionality, efficiency, and security.
The Bottom Line
If you are looking for the best solution for communicating with your clients and colleagues remotely and efficiently, implementing a portal is one of the best solutions. However, to get the best from this solution, ensure you consider the features listed above to find an idea portal for your needs.
