There are a few document management system (DMS) options for legal out there—one look around the ILTACON exhibit hall sees names like iManage, NetDocuments, Worldox, OpenText and so many others. But especially for small and midsize law firms and corporate legal departments, actually choosing one, figuring out how to use it most effectively, or deciding whether you need one in the first place is a confusing proposition.
The quick answer? Yes, you do need a document management system, pretty much no matter the size of the firm or the legal department, as an ILTACON panel titled “Is Document Management ‘in the Cards’ for Your Law Firm or Legal Department?” noted. But how that DMS actually works within a legal organization varies by size and need, and it can be a challenge to actually encourage management and user adoption.
