Do you have any advice about using Microsoft Access within the context of a small law firm.?

Question

One of the head partners wants to use Access to manage his clients/matters, etc. I think he is starting to perceive the program as a sort of fix-all to his current state of disorganization.

Has anyone used MS Access to help organize the inner-workings of a law firm? And if so, do you have any advice about its use?

Answer 1

I have a lot of Access experience. It is a relation database program. So given the right set up you could use it to manage client lists, billings etc. Some things I can see it would work for in a law firm, some stuff would probably require expertise you don't have.
I would have to think a software program designed for a law office would be much better. It may actually use Access in the backgound, but have all sorts of interfaces already set up.
Example, I could run my small business accounting on Excel, or I could buy Quick Books or Peachtree and have 100s of functions already built in.
Also is there a commitment to adhere to the requirements of a centralized data management process? If not, setting one up is a waste of time. Example, you use the database for client info. Mr Smith gets a new client and puts the info on the usual post-it note. Then losses the post-it note, then wonders why the client info is not in the system.
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Answer 2

MS Access is a database management software and someone must have an in-depth knowledge of it to be able to effectively use it in a firm or in any organization. I recommend using legal practice management software instead because they are already designed for all our specific needs. There are lots of these software in the market. There's MyCase,Rocket Matter, etc. I've tried them all. But the best i have experienced is PracticePanther. Its the most simple and most intuitive so far.