I'm beginning to use Daylite for an emerging solo practice. I sense that my use of Daylite will evolve as I learn more. I'm using Daylite in conjunction with OmniOutliner to grok my cases.

I put each case as a separate project. I categorize the cases as "Law" and create a smart list for such projects. I created "client" and "adverse" keywords for conflict checks.

I sense that I should develop litigation-specific pipelines, and I haven't worked out the reports and merge letters yet.

I'm curious how other attorneys have bent Daylite to their workflow.

Thanks for sharing that. I'm interested to hear what other legal folk have to say as well since I'm starting to promote it to some of my existing clients in the field.

David,

I'm actually at about the same stage as you are (or I hope I will be if I passed the bar) although I have the benefit of having used DL for a couple of years in my other business (a mobile DJ business). My initial thought as to how to handle cases is similar to yours. I do know that one thing that you're going to want to utilize is the reverse activity sets. They were specifically built for lawyers so you can, e.g. set a trial date as the target date and then have specific filings due x numbers of days before the trial. Very useful for not letting deadlines slip by.

BTW, are you using any legal specific accounting at this point? I was wondering because I've taken a look at some of the accounting packages and it seems like they really stick it to you just because the software is law office specific...

In any case, I look forward to talking to you in the future!

I've contacted attorneys on the MacLaw list that are interested in discussing Daylite for the law practice. I think I hear the rumbling of momentum....

Reverse activity? Please give me more information on this.

quote:

Originally posted by Grant Griffiths:
Reverse activity? Please give me more information on this.

Grant, a reverse activity is basically an activity set that works backwards. For example, say you have a case that is supposed to go to trial on May 1, 2007. You'll need to have your discover completed by (let's say) 6 months in advance (or December 1, 2006) and your experts designated at least 4 months in advance. What a reverse activity set can do is automatically set up tasks given that target date. See what I'm saying?

I certainly understand the concept. I should have asked better. My question is, where do I do that at in DL.

quote:

Originally posted by Grant Griffiths:
I certainly understand the concept. I should have asked better. My question is, where do I do that at in DL.

No problem. You set them up in Preferences>Activity Sets and you apply them with Create>New Activity Set For...

Very handy and made just for lawyers!

I have played around with the reverse task feature. If those that have used it would mind, what task have you included in this? And I know at least one other member is a family law attorney, any thoughts would be great.

The way we've seen lawyers use this feature is when they need to file paperwork prior to a court date. I'm not a lawyer so I'm not sure of the terminology.

For example - 10 days before a court date, you have to file xxx with the Justice. 5 days before you have to file xxxx with the Justice of the Peace.

For these types of filing - it is always the same number of days prior to the date. So you can create a reverse activity set that matches those dates.

Then when you have a case (a Project in Daylite), you go ahead and create the tasks/appointments from that set. In that process, you use the court date as the 'end date'.

Hopefully this makes some sense.

Ah, wouldn't it be nice if Activity Sets could be discreet objects that could be shared with others? For example, if you practice personal injury law in a state, wouldn't it be nice if you could share a common set of activity sets with other lawyers in that state/court system? Perhaps even go so far as to sell Activity Sets for various court systems. I'll go so far as to say that this would be great for other industries, too.

OK, David Sherman. Tell us more about what you are doing with DL. And have you updated that website lately.

I know there are others out there use DL in their law firms. Please post about how you are using DL in your firms. What, if anything you have done with projects. Anyone using the reverse activity feature and in what way?

And Pipelines -- is there anyone using pipelines with cases? I have been looking at that. I do like the project feature and have also set up smart list based on what kind of case it is.

In addition, is there anyway that we could call it Matters or Cases instead of Projects? Is there anyway to actually change that name?

Yes, I have a client that is using Pipelines with cases. They like the visual that it gives them. But they are using the Opportunity section rather than the Project section because of the forecasting feature with using Estimates-gives them a better feel for their business cash flow.

As to using different "cases" or "matters", not at this time. Those values are hard wired into the system from what I understand. It would be nice to change the labels to suit the industry, but that is not the case today.

quote:

Originally posted by Grant Griffiths:
OK, David Sherman. Tell us more about what you are doing with DL.

I was leaning toward using FileMaker Pro for managing client/conflicts. I may still go that route, but I'm using keywords to identify clients and adverse parties, than maintaining a smart list in contacts and organization for both clients and organizations. Eventually, I'd like to build a report that combines information, but good enough for now.

As for Pipelines, I'm trying one for clients (a progressions from inquiry to hired to completed, with some intermediate steps) and one for litigation (from intake to over). Don't know that it will be helpful, but doesn't seem to get in the way of a good time.

I keep a "Cases" smart list under Projects for all the law stuff - keeps things segregated from the rest of my messy life.