1. Think You Know How To
Use Attorney Software To
Measure Performance?
Presented by:
LexisNexis
http://www.lexisnexis.com

2. Measuring Performance
With Attorney Software
n Measuring performance is
the first step towards
improving a firm’s efficiency.
n Legal software makes
measuring performance easy,
but there are six common
mistakes that many firms
make when trying to
measure performance.

3. Mistake #1: Not Putting
The Data Into Context
n Legal software can give you report after report of
statistics on your firm’s performance.
n However, without context, this data doesn’t mean
anything.
n If a manager understands how this data corresponds to
performance, then they can make effective decisions that
can positively impact performance.
n Focusing on a few key metrics is a better plan than trying
to incorporate everything into a report.

4. Mistake #2: Focusing
Only On Numbers
n Income and billable hours are important and easily
understood metrics when it comes to determining
success.
n However, it is important to not only focus on this, but
to remember intangible values such as repeat business
or client satisfaction rates.
n Consider hiring a third party firm to survey clients
about their experience. This helps ensure that you
receive unbiased feedback about your firm.

5. Mistake #3: Manipulating
The Numbers
n Some attorneys may be tempted
to boost the numbers of hours
billed per month or other
measurable statistics.
n This is often not deliberate, but an
unintentional side effect of benchmarking and operating
to a performance metric.

6. Mistake #4: Forgetting
About The Future
n Focusing on past performance or spending too much time
trying to match last year’s financial performance is a big
mistake.
n Changes to the marketplace need to be addressed and met
head on to avoid making the same mistake year after year.
n It’s important to remember past performance as a reference,
but you need to also consider how to grow the company in
the current environment.

7. Mistake #5: Ignoring
The Competition
n It’s important to measure against yourself, but you also
need to remember the competition to see how you measure
up against others.
n You can compare your firm against others in your region or
those that handle the same types of cases.
n Don’t be afraid to use attorney software to measure yourself
against firms that are much larger. The basic principles of
efficient operation won’t be different.

8. Mistake #6: Becoming
Complacent
n Many firms become complacent as long as their legal
accounting software shows a profit.
n Instead of sitting back and relaxing, prepare and implement
a strategic plan to grow.
n The plan should seek out new clients or sectors of the
marketplace.

9. Using Attorney Software
To Benchmark
n Benchmarking with
attorney software is only
as effective as the
expertise and policies
behind it.
n Use performance
measurements to chart a
course to future success.

10. About LexisNexis
n LexisNexis is a leading provider of content-
enabled workflow solutions designed specifically
for professionals in the legal, risk management,
corporate, government, law enforcement,
accounting and academic markets.
n The company can customize its products to the
needs of the modern law firm and offers unique
features that generic software solutions cannot.