Collaboration platforms aim to streamline communication and collaboration, but many leading platforms were built for general teams and not tailored for the legal industry. Law firms present a different set of challenges and require a legal collaboration platform designed to meet those unique needs.
Traditional collaboration platforms, primarily designed to replace excessive email communication and breakdown information silos, fall short in meeting the requirements of legal professionals. Law firms operate in a complex environment with diverse roles, unique internal compliance requirements, and the essential need for secure data management to protect privileged information shared with external clients.
At the core of secure collaboration for law firms, there are three stakeholders: the chief information officer (CIO), the attorney, and the client. Does your legal collaboration platform meet everyone’s needs?
Chief Information Officer: Information Governance
The role of the chief information officer (CIO) in a law firm is crucial for aligning communication with information governance policies. The CIO faces challenges stemming from internal compliance requirements, data retention policies, privacy concerns, and the complexities of managing data across various locations. A strategic approach is needed: the adoption of a platform that not only provides secure collaboration but also supports matter management.
To tackle these challenges effectively, the CIO needs a comprehensive compliance module that monitors and automates adherence to retention requirements, ensuring that the law firm abides by its internal policies. Features like Workstorm’s Matter Folders provide a structured approach to organizing and categorizing channel data, facilitating appropriate access and retrieval while maintaining data integrity and security. Matter Folders regulate access to confidential and privileged information, creating a privacy layer between a firm’s information governance administrators and the protected communication between lawyers and their clients.
Encryption is a critical component in safeguarding sensitive data from unauthorized access or breaches, ensuring that data remains secure throughout its lifecycle, whether it is at rest or in transit. By encrypting data from the point of origin to its destination, the law firm can mitigate the risk of data breaches and protect client information from potential threats. Where data resides and who controls encryption keys are significant concerns for CIOs. Workstorm understands this and offers three deployment options: public cloud, private cloud, and on-premises.
In addition, Workstorm integrates with several document management systems to enhance functionality and accessibility without the need to replicate data. Integration allows firms to adopt specialized legal technology and optimize the firm’s technology stack, streamline operations, and improve overall efficiency without compromising data security or role-based access.
Workstorm offers a solution for CIOs: a secure collaboration platform that prioritizes information governance with compliance modules, Matter Folders, end-to-end encryption, and strategic integrations. With this solution, the CIO can effectively uphold the highest standards of data security and privacy within the law firm without sacrificing collaboration.
Attorney: User Experience
Attorneys need readily accessible information, efficient billing processes, and seamless matter management to focus on client outcomes. Whether it’s quick access to case files or client communication, having a platform that centralizes all relevant information in an organized dashboard can significantly enhance productivity and expedite decision-making capabilities.
The right matter management solution consolidates case-related documents, tasks, and communication channels so attorneys can effectively track case progress, assign responsibilities, and facilitate collaboration. Workstorm’s centralized platform can easily track meeting and messaging minutes to help streamline time management and billing processes.
A core factor of effective matter management is secure collaboration. Attorneys communicate and share information with clients, co-counsels, and other stakeholders and must maintain confidentiality and data privacy. Within a secure collaboration platform which supports matter management, attorneys can share sensitive documents, provide updates on case developments, and seek feedback from relevant parties in a secure environment.
Integrations with existing technology further optimize attorneys’ workflows by allowing them to leverage the functionality of their preferred tools seamlessly. Whether integrating with iManage, Dropbox, Microsoft, or Google, these integrations bridge gaps between different systems, enhance secure file sharing and accessibility capabilities, and create a cohesive workspace for attorneys to operate efficiently.
Workstorm offers a solution for attorneys: a platform that brings together matter management and secure collaboration. As a result, attorneys can simplify their processes with a centralized dashboard of their matters, which not only improves their efficiency and productivity but also enhances their ability to navigate complex legal challenges and drive successful outcomes for their clients.
Clients: Customer Satisfaction
Clients expect their information to be confidential and shared with discretion: it is essential that law firms prioritize secure collaboration while ensuring accessibility for their clients. Effective communication and collaboration not only keep clients informed throughout the legal process but also ensure that they are involved in decision-making, leading to greater satisfaction and trust in the legal services provided.
Data privacy is a constant concern for clients, especially when cybersecurity threats and privacy breaches are prevalent. Clients entrust law firms with sensitive information and their data must be protected at all times. Workstorm’s private-by-default Matter Folders offer clients secure channels to share confidential information and files with their legal teams. Matter administrators in the law firm determine who is invited to each channel so teams can collaborate securely and confidently.
As a member of a secure matter channel, clients can easily access their legal documents, case updates, and relevant information pertaining to their matters. Clients can send secure short form messaging or start video conferences from within their matter channel.
Workstorm offers a solution for clients: secure, seamless access to matter channels. In doing so, law firms ensure that clients can access and review their case information conveniently while minimizing the privacy risks associated with traditional email communication. Secure collaboration platforms should prioritize data privacy and accessibility to meet client expectations, create trust, and deliver exceptional legal services that prioritize the needs and preferences of the clients.
Summary: Matter Management + Secure Collaboration
Workstorm addresses the unique collaboration requirements faced by CIOs, attorneys, and clients while prioritizing matter management. This legal collaboration platform not only uses appropriate information silos while enabling efficient communication and collaboration, but also delivers a tailored solution that leads to improved legal outcomes, data privacy, and client satisfaction. Talk to an expert >>
