Tools to Support Legal Operations in Your Practice
Running a legal practice today means managing a wide range of responsibilities. From client onboarding and compliance checks to time tracking, billing, and document management, every part of your workflow needs to work smoothly.
While “legal operations” often refers to the structure and strategy behind in-house legal teams, the core idea applies just as well to law firms and service providers. It’s about putting the right systems in place to handle your daily legal work with clarity and consistency.
This guide outlines what to look for in legal software and introduces a few tools that can help your team stay organized, compliant, and efficient.
What Good Legal Operations Look Like
Whether you’re part of a law firm or a service provider, improving legal operations means building a more structured way to manage your work. That could mean better visibility across cases, fewer manual tasks, or clearer reporting.
With the right setup, you can:
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Organize client and case information in one place
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Keep up with KYC and AML obligations
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Automate time tracking and invoicing
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Improve team collaboration
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Access your work securely from any device
What to Look For
The best tools help you focus on legal work instead of admin. Look for software that offers:
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Case and Contact Management
A central view of all your matters, deadlines, and client records. -
Built-in Compliance
KYC/AML checks, document expiry alerts, and reporting tools. -
Time and Billing
Track hours, manage different rates, and generate accurate invoices. -
Jurisdiction-Specific Support
Tools designed for your legal and regulatory environment. -
Mobile Access
Ability to stay updated, even when you’re out of the office. -
Training and Support
Guidance not just at onboarding, but as your needs evolve.
A Look at the Tools
We’ve included a few software options that legal teams commonly use. Each serves different needs, so the right fit depends on your structure and goals.
| Software | Best For | Description | Standout Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zygos | Law firms and corporate service providers | Zygos supports your full practice -casework, compliance, billing, and contacts – within a single platform. Designed for firms working in regulated environments. | Case management, KYC/AML, billing, mobile access, entity tracking |
| Clio | Small to midsize law firms | A simple tool for managing billing, calendars, and client communications. Easy to set up and use. | Time tracking, invoicing, client management |
| iManage | Firms with large volumes of documents | Designed for secure document storage, search, and collaboration. | Document and email management, security tools |
| Ironclad | In-house legal teams | Helps teams manage contracts from drafting to signing and storage. | Contract lifecycle management |
| NetDocuments | Firms focused on knowledge sharing | Organizes documents and communication for secure collaboration. | Document management, email tools, internal workflows |
Final Thoughts
Legal operations isn’t just for in-house teams. Any legal practice can benefit from the right tools to manage daily work more clearly. Whether you’re handling complex matters or routine tasks, software that’s built for legal work can help you stay focused, compliant, and productive.
Zygos is built for legal professionals who need a complete and adaptable solution. It brings structure to your operations and helps your team deliver better results.
