In this series, we’ll explore different use cases for SharePoint and how each can help you save time and money by tracking information, automating business processes, and reporting on your data. Many organizations rely on multiple software tools for different functions, especially in legal operations. Time tracking, eDiscovery, research, billing, client communication, case management, and document management often require separate platforms. Each tool adds cost and complexity, from licensing fees to training and ongoing maintenance. It doesn’t take long for this overhead to become overwhelming.
The good news? If your company already has Microsoft 365, you likely have the tools you need with SharePoint and Microsoft Teams to deliver much of the functionality you’re paying extra for, without the unnecessary bells and whistles most firms never use.
A Real-World Example of SharePoint for Legal Operations
We recently helped a client transform their litigation tracking process. Previously, they managed cases through spreadsheets and file shares. Monthly reporting took hours, and finding the status on a case meant chasing down multiple people. Information was fragmented and hard to access.
Their requirements were straightforward:
- Document Storage for litigation cases
- Case Tracking from start to finish, including:
- Stage of the case
- Assigned attorney
- Outside counsel
- Jurisdiction
- Updates and notes
- Potential liability
- Case number
- Legal Holds: notices, releases, custodians
- Outside Counsel Contacts
- Management Reporting
Our Solution
We built a SharePoint site with interconnected lists and libraries:
- Outside Counsel: company and contact lists with lookups
- Jurisdiction Tracking
- Document Libraries for Legal Holds and Litigation Cases using Document Sets
- Custom fields for status, updates, exposure amounts, and links to related items
- Views for Active Cases, Assigned to, Litigation, Bankruptcy, Recent Updates
We also implemented naming conventions and document tagging for consistency and easy filtering. After migrating existing files, reporting became effortless. What once took hours now takes minutes with Export to Excel. Management gained real-time visibility without constant email requests.
The Impact
- Time Savings: Hours reclaimed each month
- Improved Accuracy: Centralized, up-to-date information
- Reduced Frustration: Attorneys, staff, and management work smarter
- Future-Ready: Phase 2 includes Power BI dashboards for risk and liability metrics and automating retention on inactive cases
SharePoint for Legal Operations and Beyond
If your organization faces similar challenges, Compass365 can help. Contact us to schedule a discovery meeting and learn how to save money, reduce risk, and achieve your business goals with SharePoint.
