This year, VXT was excited to attend the Australasian Legal Practice Management Association (ALPMA) Summit 2024, the largest law firm management conference in Australia. Over three days, professionals gathered to explore key topics like HR, Marketing, Business Development, IT/Legal Technology, Strategy & Innovation, Operations, Finance, and Leadership.
Throughout the event, we engaged with lawyers and exhibitors, gaining valuable insights into the strategies and technologies helping firms stay innovative and efficient. Let’s dive into the top takeaways from the conference and what they mean for the future of legal practice.
The State of Practice Management Systems: Where Law Firms Are Heading
At ALPMA 2024, it became clear that law firms are in a critical phase of selecting or switching practice management systems (PMS). Firms are moving away from legacy systems, prioritizing cloud-based solutions for better accessibility, integration, and scalability. For some, it’s a switch from on-premise systems to cloud-based options. For others, it’s upgrading from one cloud platform to another as firms search for better automation, AI capabilities, and integrations like VXT.
So, which practice management systems were law firms leaning towards?
Clio’s Bold Move in APAC: What It Means for Law Firms
Clio has already established a presence in the APAC region, but it’s now making a bold move to expand its influence and become a dominant player. As part of its offering, Clio has Clio Grow, a built-in CRM that helps law firms manage client relationships and streamline client intake processes, a common trend we are starting to see, following law firm counterparts in North America.
Clio also provides comprehensive tools for matter management, time tracking, billing, and client communication. With an open API and over 200 third-party integrations, including VXT, it’s highly adaptable and customizable for firms looking to enhance their workflows through third party integrations.
There was certainly a a significant buzz around Clio’s recent $900 million (USD) raise, with many anticipating that its growing presence in APAC will reshape the local market. With its strong global reputation and extensive integration capabilities, Clio is poised for a bold takeover.
Watch a video of VXT’s Clio integration
Actionstep is Dominating the Mid-Sized Law Firm Market—Here’s Why
Another hot topic at ALPMA was Actionstep—a cloud-based, customizable PMS known for its workflow automation and customization capabilities. With document management, matter management, time tracking, and client portals built into the platform, Actionstep offers mid-sized firms the tools they need to optimize internal processes and deliver a superior client experience.
Actionstep’s workflow automation stands out for its ability to streamline repetitive tasks, from assigning matters to staff to tracking deadlines. This level of automation helps firms reduce human error and spend more time on high-value legal work.
For firms considering a move from legacy systems, Actionstep’s combination of customization and easy-to-use interface made it a standout at ALPMA. Many practice managers at the conference expressed interest in transitioning to Actionstep in the coming year.
Watch a video of VXT’s Actionstep integration
Smokeball: The Secret Weapon for Small Law Firms
Smokeball also gained significant attention at ALPMA 2024, particularly among smaller firms looking for an easy-to-use yet powerful platform. Smokeball excels in document automation, automatic time tracking, and task management, helping smaller firms stay organized without needing complex setups. Its user-friendly interface allows lawyers to jump in without a steep learning curve, making it an excellent fit for firms focused on client service rather than back-office operations.
What sets Smokeball apart at ALPMA is its AI-powered tool—Archie—which provides real-time document summaries, intelligent answers to matter queries, legal drafting, and tailored communication.
Smaller firms that need a cloud-based solution with minimal onboarding but maximum functionality found Smokeball to be the perfect balance of simplicity and capability.
Watch a video of VXT’s Smokeball integration
Are You Even a Law Firm if You’re Not Using VXT?
While practice management systems are crucial, effective communication is the lifeblood of any successful law firm—and that’s where VXT steps in.
It was clear that law firms using traditional phone systems are finding it harder to keep up with today’s hybrid work environment. With VXT’s cloud-based phone system, lawyers can stay connected with clients from anywhere, while every communication is logged into the firm’s PMS, making remote work easy.
For law firms using more modern phone systems like Microsoft Teams or 3CX, what really stood out was how VXT integrates with their existing systems like Clio, Actionstep, Smokeball and LEAP. The switch from their current phone system then became a no-brainer.
Learn how VXT can sync your contacts, generate file notes and automatically record time from calls.
AI Everywhere: Is Your Law Firm Ready for the Next Big Thing?
At ALPMA 2024, one of the biggest buzzwords was AI. Lawyers are increasingly asking, “What AI is in this technology, and how does it help me?” While providers were quick to plaster AI on their backdrops, many attendees raised the question: Is AI really being applied to solve a problem, or is it just a buzzword?
The reality is, AI can be incredibly powerful, but it should be applied where it genuinely makes a difference. The key takeaway from the conference is that firms need to keep things simple and apply AI strategically, ensuring it actually helps streamline their workflows rather than adding unnecessary complexity.
Keynote Inspiration: Resilience and Leadership from Steven McGowan
Amid the business discussions, one of the most memorable moments of ALPMA was the keynote by Steven McGowan, whose incredible story of resilience after being held captive by Al Qaeda for six years left a lasting impact on attendees. His powerful narrative wasn’t just a story of personal endurance—it was a reminder that the daily stresses, challenges, and pressures we face pale in comparison to what’s possible to overcome. It put everything we do in our busy lives into perspective, offering a leadership lesson that made us rethink how we handle setbacks, big or small.
This theme of perspective and managing the pressures of a busy life was also central to a session led by Mollie Tregillis, another speaker at the conference and a previous File Notes Podcast guest. Mollie discussed how the legal industry's relentless pace can cloud our ability to focus on what really matters, underscoring the importance of rethinking how we handle the demands of both work and life. Her insights mirrored McGowan’s lesson of perspective, reminding us that shifting our perspective is key to navigating the challenges of being a legal professional.
Final Thoughts on ALPMA 2024
ALPMA 2024 was full of innovation, insightful discussions, and invaluable networking. Whether it was the practice management systems like Clio, Actionstep, LEAP and Smokeball, or the rise of AI and communication tools like VXT, this year’s conference offered key takeaways that every law firm should be paying attention to.
Want to hear more? Check out our File Notes Podcast debrief, where we dive deeper into the key takeaways and share our experiences from the event!
See you next year!
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