President's Notes

by Judd Kessler, Esq.

You probably don't use every feature in Abacus. In fact, each person in your office may use some features that others don't - often based on assigned duties, but also because they simply didn't take time to learn other aspects of the software.

Customers with Abacus Customer Care get free, unlimited, 24/7 access to helpful online training modules. You're likely to spot an aspect of AbacusLaw you'd like to learn. When you start using a new function, you'll find your work day gets easier and your clients will get even better service from your firm.

Want more tips on using features? We included an electronic user manual on the CD we shipped with your original order. We also offer affordable, personalized classes so you can have something special packaged just for you and your staff. Call us if we can help.

When you consult with a prospective client, but don't accept the case, there may be specific things your firm does to prevent future liability. For example, one of those actions may be confirming your decision to not handle the matter in a letter you send the prospect.

You can streamline this process by creating a template in AbacusLaw and using a calendaring rule to trigger its use. The event can be scheduled at the time you schedule the initial meeting, assuring you'll be reminded on your preferred timetable to take the next (or final) step with that prospect.

In this issue

[Jeff Wolf is an executive business coach. He is CEO of Wolf Management.]

I’ve been a CEO and I’ve hired and fired many a law firm in my time. In almost every case, my main reason for ending the relationship was the distant -- even cold -- attitude of those law firms. Their sole interest was to provide legal services. They were satisfied to follow the daily routine of their legal work without learning anything about our company. They sure didn’t offer us the superior client satisfaction that our own company’s employees provided our clients.

Please click here to read the entire article.

Productivity reports show you how time's being spent, what types of cases are most profitable, a revenue snapshot for each attorney, and more.
Class: Advanced E-Class - held privately
When: After you've installed AbacusLaw Gold
What you'll learn: How to stay aware of your most precious asset - each attorney's time

Class Outline:

1. Accounts Receivable Reports
2. Time Ticket Diary Report
3. Work In Process Reports
4. Unbilled/Billed Hours Reports
5. Fees Billed/Paid Reports
6. Timekeeper Cash Receipt Report
7. Timekeeper Performance Report

Click here to learn more about e-classes

Abacus Data Systems is pleased to provide a special opportunity for our customers: a 60% discount on courses from the Internet Bar Institute. Every one includes an e-course that opens right in your Internet browser, a course book, a 30 minute audio portion (specifically on legal ethics issues) and 1.5 to 2.25 hours of California MCLE, including .5 hours of ethics credit for each. Each program is regularly priced at $129, but Abacus friends and customers pay just $50 per course.

There are 10 courses to choose from. Each relates to issues at the intersection of law practice and the use of technology. To explore the courses, take the free course and enjoy the 60% discount on all courses, simply go to www.IBOinstitute.org and click on the Abacus information. You'll be prompted to join Internet Bar to receive the discount, but there is no membership fee and plenty of other benefits for joining.