Most law firms don’t have an automation problem.
They have a memory problem.
If your firm relies on someone remembering to:
- follow up with a lead
- send the engagement agreement
- move a matter to the next stage
- draft the right document
- or remind a client what’s happening next
…that’s not a people issue. That’s a systems issue.
I’ve spent a lot of time working with law firms to design and build automations inside tools like Lawmatics, Gavel, and practice management systems. And across practice areas, firm sizes, and personalities, the same gaps show up again and again.
So let’s talk about the five automations every law firm actually needs—not the flashy ones, but the ones that quietly keep the firm running.
1. Lead Intake & Follow-Up Automation
(Because “I thought someone emailed them” is not a strategy.)
This is the big one.
Most firms lose leads not because they’re bad at marketing—but because the follow-up is inconsistent. Someone gets busy. A voicemail sits too long. An email never gets sent.
A solid intake automation should:
- Immediately acknowledge the inquiry
- Deliver the intake form automatically
- Trigger follow-ups if the form isn’t completed
- Move the lead through pipeline stages without manual effort
When I build this for firms, the goal is simple:
No lead gets ignored, even on your busiest day.
If a lead reaches out at 9:30 PM on a Tuesday, your system should already be working for you.
2. Engagement Agreement & Onboarding Automation
(Clients should never wonder “what happens next?”)
Once a client says “yes,” momentum matters.
This automation handles:
- Sending the engagement agreement
- Tracking signature status
- Collecting initial information
- Kicking off onboarding tasks automatically
Instead of manually emailing PDFs, chasing signatures, and creating tasks one-by-one, this system:
- moves the matter forward
- assigns the right tasks to the right people
- and sets clear expectations for the client
Clients feel calmer.
Staff knows what to do.
Nothing sits in limbo.
3. Document Drafting Automation
(Stop rebuilding the same document over and over.)
If your firm drafts the same documents repeatedly, document automation isn’t optional—it’s inevitable.
Using tools like Gavel, I help firms:
- turn intake answers into structured logic
- generate consistent drafts
- reduce errors caused by manual copying
- and dramatically cut drafting time
This doesn’t replace attorney review (and it shouldn’t).
It replaces the busywork that keeps attorneys stuck in documents longer than necessary.
Automation here means:
- faster turnaround
- fewer mistakes
- and a much better use of billable time
4. Internal Task & Workflow Automation
(Your firm shouldn’t rely on tribal knowledge.)
This is the behind-the-scenes automation most firms ignore—and the one that matters most when someone is out sick, on vacation, or dealing with life.
A strong workflow automation:
- creates tasks automatically when a matter moves stages
- assigns work based on role (not memory)
- ensures nothing depends on one person’s brain
When I build these systems, the test is simple:
Could someone step in tomorrow and know exactly what to do?
If the answer is no, the workflow needs work.
5. Client Communication Automation
(Less email chaos, more clarity.)
Clients don’t need constant updates.
They need predictable communication.
Automation helps with:
- status updates
- appointment reminders
- document requests
- and next-step explanations
This reduces inbound emails like:
“Just checking in…”
“What’s the status?”
“Did you get my form?”
When clients know what’s happening, trust goes up—and interruptions go down.
Automation Isn’t About Replacing People
This is important.
Automation doesn’t replace staff.
It protects them.
It removes repetitive tasks, reduces stress, and allows your team to focus on work that actually requires judgment and experience.
And it allows your firm to keep running when:
- someone is out unexpectedly
- life gets chaotic
- or you need to step away for a minute
Want This Built Inside Your Firm?
I work with law firms to design and implement these automations based on how your firm actually operates—not how software demos pretend you do.
If you’re tired of:
- rebuilding the same workflows
- relying on memory
- or feeling like your systems fall apart when you’re not available
Let’s fix that.
👉 Reach out to me directly or reply to this post and let’s talk about what automation would look like inside your firm.
Your future self (and your staff) will thank you.