Skip to main content

Legal calendaring software solves the problem of missed deadlines and scheduling chaos, freeing up your team to focus on building stronger client relationships. Managing court dates and compliance timelines can be challenging, but the proper support can boost accuracy and reduce stress.

In this article, I compare and review the best legal calendaring tools to support your buying decision.

Best Legal Calendaring Software Summary

Best Legal Calendaring Software Reviews

Best for comprehensive legal practice management

  • 7-day free trial
  • From $39/user/month (billed annually)
Visit Website
Rating: 4.6/5

Clio is a cloud-based software that offers a complete package for managing legal practices, including scheduling, client communication, case management, and billing. With its in-depth features, it allows attorneys to stay organized, managing all aspects of their practice in one place.

Why I Picked Clio: I chose Clio for its comprehensive nature and excellent user experience. While comparing various tools, it stood out for its extensive feature set, covering every aspect of legal practice management.

I believe Clio is best for comprehensive practice management because it offers more than just calendaring; it combines all elements of managing a legal practice - from communication to billing - making it an all-in-one solution.

Standout features and integrations:

Key features include task management, document management, time tracking, timekeeping, and legal billing, among others. Its robust calendaring function supports deadline calculation, event reminders, and calendar sharing.

Integrations include over 200 apps and services, including Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Dropbox, and QuickBooks, providing a less time work environment.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • User-friendly interface with excellent customer support
  • Integration with numerous other services and apps
  • Comprehensive feature set covering all aspects of legal practice

Cons:

  • Mobile app features are limited compared to the desktop version
  • Learning curve can be steep for non-tech-savvy users
  • Advanced features require more expensive plans

Best for intuitive user interface and accessibility

  • 10-day free trial + free demo available
  • From $49/user/month (billed annually)
Visit Website
Rating: 4.4/5

MyCase is a robust, end-to-end legal case management software designed to streamline your law practice. Its emphasis on a user-friendly interface and easy access across devices makes it a strong contender for professionals on the go.

Why I Picked MyCase: I selected MyCase for its simplicity and intuitive nature. Its modern, clean interface makes navigation and usability straightforward, even for those not technically inclined. This accessibility is why I determined MyCase to be best for intuitive user interface and accessibility—it facilitates ease of use, no matter your tech expertise or where you choose to access it.

Standout features and integrations:

Key features include case management, time tracking, billing, and client intake online payments. Its calendaring function supports sharing, reminders, and syncing with other calendars. Notably, it provides a client portal for secure communication and document sharing.

Integrations include QuickBooks for accounting and Google Calendar for scheduling.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • No minimum user requirement for subscription
  • Client portal for secure communication and document sharing
  • Clean and user-friendly interface

Cons:

  • Some users may find the pricing a bit steep for solo practitioners or small firms
  • The mobile app could benefit from more features
  • Limited integrations compared to some other tools

Best for large law firms seeking advanced features

  • Pricing upon request
Visit Website
Rating: 4.7/5

SmartAdvocate is a comprehensive legal management software aimed at improving efficiency and organization in large law firms. Equipped with advanced features, it is primarily designed to handle high volumes of cases and manage complex legal proceedings, making it ideal for larger law firms.

Why I Picked SmartAdvocate: I selected SmartAdvocate for this list due to its comprehensive suite of advanced features specifically designed to cater to the needs of larger law firms. The richness of its functionality, from document automation to detailed analytics, separates it from other tools. Considering these aspects, it's clear that SmartAdvocate is a top choice for large law firms seeking advanced features.

Standout features and integrations:

Key features include document automation, robust reporting, and detailed analytics. These features provide in-depth insights into firm performance and streamline various administrative tasks.

Integrations include Microsoft Outlook, Dropbox, and QuickBooks, making it a versatile addition to any law firm's toolkit.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Offers a variety of software integrations
  • Robust reporting and analytics capabilities
  • Comprehensive suite of advanced features to streamline operations

Cons:

  • Might be too advanced or complex for smaller firms or solo practitioners
  • Pricing information is not readily available
  • Does not provide a free tier or plan

Best for personal injury attorneys and paralegals with its specialized platform

  • From $85/user/month.
Visit Website
Rating: 4.7/5

CloudLex is a legal practice management tool that primarily focuses on personal injury law. By streamlining the litigation process with its robust features, it serves as an efficient platform for personal injury attorneys.

Why I Picked CloudLex: I chose CloudLex due to its specialization in personal injury law. Most legal practice management tools attempt to cater to a wide range of legal practices, but CloudLex distinguishes itself by focusing exclusively on personal injury. This specialization makes it the ideal choice for personal injury attorneys seeking a tool designed with their unique needs in mind.

Standout features and integrations:

Key features include matter management, medical record ordering, and referral management.

Integrations include popular third-party tools like Microsoft Office 365 and Outlook enhances user convenience and productivity.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Integrates with popular third-party tools
  • Robust set of features tailored for personal injury attorneys
  • Specializes in personal injury law

Cons:

  • Its focus on personal injury law might limit its usefulness for attorneys in other practice areas
  • Pricing is higher compared to more general legal practice management tools
  • No permanently free plan

Best for its robust set of features and client portal

  • 7-day free trial
  • From $39/user/month (billed annually)
Visit Website
Rating: 4.2/5

PracticePanther is a comprehensive legal practice management tool known for its wide range of features and a very useful client portal. This tool integrates case management, billing, calendaring, and client communication into a single platform, making it ideal for firms seeking a comprehensive feature set and a dedicated client portal.

Why I Picked PracticePanther: I selected PracticePanther for its comprehensive nature and the inclusion of a client portal. Its breadth of features makes it stand apart from many other legal management tools, offering an all-encompassing solution for various legal practice needs. Therefore, I regard PracticePanther as the top choice for those who need a tool with a robust set of features and a client portal.

Standout features and integrations:

Key features include case management, time tracking, billing, and particularly a client portal. This client portal provides a unique selling point by facilitating transparent communication between lawyers and their clients.

Integrations include several third-party applications, including QuickBooks, Gmail, and Microsoft Calendar.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Integration with third-party applications
  • Dedicated client portal
  • Comprehensive feature set

Cons:

  • Might be overly complex for smaller firms or solo practitioners
  • Higher cost for smaller practices
  • Short free trial period

Best for integrated legal accounting and calendaring systems

  • Free trial available
  • From $79/user/month (billed annually)
Visit Website
Rating: 4/5

CosmoLex offers a unified platform for legal practice management, including the critical functions of legal accounting and calendaring. It's a single solution designed to manage cases, client records, billing, and, importantly, legal-specific accounting needs.

Why I Picked CosmoLex: CosmoLex caught my attention because of its comprehensive integration of legal accounting and calendaring—a rare but powerful combination. This integrated approach means you can avoid the juggle between multiple tools for different needs, making CosmoLex the best for an all-in-one solution.

Standout features and integrations:

Key features include tracking billable hours and generating invoices to detailed financial reporting and trust accounting. Its built-in calendar can schedule tasks, manage deadlines, and even send automated reminders.

Integrations include LawPay for processing payments and has a secure client portal.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • No additional setup fees
  • Extensive features including trust accounting and client portal
  • Integrated accounting and calendaring

Cons:

  • Limited integrations with other software tools
  • The user interface could be more intuitive
  • Lack of a permanent free tier

Other Legal Calendaring Software

Below is a list of additional legal calendaring software I shortlisted but did not make it to the top 10. Definitely worth checking them out.

  1. TimeSolv Legal Billing

    For seamless billing and calendaring integration

  2. Docket Enterprise

    For docketing and legal calendaring in large firms

  3. MatterSuite

    Good for firms requiring customizable workflow templates

  4. Easy Legal Billing

    Good for easy-to-use legal billing and invoicing

  5. Jarvis Legal

    Good for small law firms seeking all-round practice management

  6. Bigle Legal

    Good for automating complex legal document workflows

  7. Thread Legal

    Good for enhancing team productivity through collaboration

  8. Rolling Legal

    Good for expense tracking in a user-friendly platform

  9. LEAP

    Good for seamless LawToolBox integration for matter management

What is Legal Calendaring Software?

Legal calendaring software is a tool that automatically tracks deadlines, court dates, and appointments for law firms. It’s used by attorneys, paralegals, and legal admins to reduce human error, avoid missed deadlines, and stay compliant with court rules.

Choosing the right legal software for your firm is no small feat, and it's crucial to pick a tool that aligns with your firm's needs and work processes. Having tested and researched several of these tools, there are specific criteria I used to evaluate their effectiveness.

Core Functionality

A reliable legal software should enable you to:

  • Manage cases and clients in a centralized database
  • Schedule appointments and deadlines
  • Create, edit, and store legal documents
  • Track billable hours and generate invoices

Key Features

The key features that enhance the utility of legal software include:

  • Integration capability: This allows the software to work seamlessly with other tools that the firm already uses, like email clients, calendars, or accounting software.
  • Security measures: Since legal documents are sensitive, the software needs robust security features such as encryption and two-factor authentication.
  • Customization: The tool should be able to adapt to the specific jurisdiction and procedures of your law firm.
  • Compliance management: The software should assist in adhering to legal regulations and standards.
  • Document automation: This feature enables the quick creation of legal documents using predefined templates.

Usability

Usability is crucial for legal software. This ensures a smooth workflow and efficient use of the tool:

  • Intuitive design: Legal professionals should be able to navigate through the software without technical difficulties. Features and functions should be clearly labeled and accessible.
  • Accessible customer support: Legal work is time-sensitive. It is vital that customer support can be reached promptly for any issues or queries.
  • Training and onboarding resources: Due to the specialized nature of legal software, having a comprehensive set of training materials or onboarding programs can significantly shorten the learning curve.
  • Mobile access: Being able to access the software from a smartphone or tablet allows lawyers to work from anywhere.
  • Search capability: With the vast amount of data that legal software holds, a sophisticated search feature will aid in quickly retrieving necessary information.

People Also Ask (FAQs)

What are the benefits of using legal calendaring software?

Legal calendaring software offers several benefits including:

  • Efficient Time Management: It helps legal professionals keep track of appointments, court dates, deadlines, and other important events all in one place. This greatly reduces the risk of missing important dates.
  • Improved Collaboration: These tools often allow multiple users to access and update the calendar, facilitating better team collaboration.
  • Integration with Other Tools: Many legal calendaring software can integrate with other tools such as email clients, case management systems, and document management systems. This provides a streamlined workflow.
  • Reminders and Alerts: The software typically offers automated reminders and alerts, ensuring no important dates or deadlines are overlooked.
  • Document Linking: You can often link calendar entries to relevant case files or documents, which provides context and saves time when preparing for appointments or deadlines.

How much do these tools usually cost?

Pricing for legal calendaring software varies significantly depending on the features, the size of the firm, and whether the software is stand-alone or part of a larger practice management system. The pricing model typically falls into a per-user/month structure.

What are the pricing models for these tools?

Most legal calendaring software operates on a subscription-based model, typically charged per user on a monthly or annual basis. Some software may offer a one-time purchase option, but this is less common. There might also be additional costs for premium features or additional storage.

What is the typical range of pricing?

The pricing for legal calendaring software typically starts from around $20/user/month for basic plans and can go up to hundreds of dollars per user per month for advanced plans with more comprehensive features. Keep in mind that many providers require a minimum number of users or offer volume discounts for larger firms.

Which is the cheapest and the most expensive software?

Easy Legal Billing is one of the more affordable options, with prices starting from around $20/user/month. On the other hand, tools like LEAP, which offer more comprehensive legal practice management functionalities, can be on the higher end of the spectrum.

Are there any free tool options?

Yes, some legal calendaring tools offer a free version or a free trial. However, these free options may come with limited features or usage restrictions. Always check the specifics of what is offered in the free plan.

What Next?

For more legal insights and resources, subscribe to The Legal Practice newsletter and join a community of innovative legal practitioners shaping the future of law.

Ben Aston
By Ben Aston

Ben Aston is an online media entrepreneur and founder of Black & White Zebra, an indie media company on a mission to help people and organizations succeed.

Since 2011, he has been evaluating, reviewing, and helping to recommend software through hundreds of articles across the company's influential digital publications, seeking to make technical workplace topics fun and easier to understand.