1. What AttorneyCore Does
AttorneyCore brings common law-firm operations into one unified, firm-scoped workspace:
AttorneyCore should be treated as the firm’s organized system of record only after the firm has defined who enters, reviews, approves, and corrects each type of information.
2. Getting Started
2.1 Sign in
- Open the AttorneyCore web or desktop application provided by your firm.
- Enter the email address assigned to your AttorneyCore account.
- Enter your password and complete any multi-factor verification.
- Confirm that the firm or workspace shown after sign-in is correct.
Never share login credentials. If several team members need access, the administrator should create a separate account for each person.
2.2 First-login checklist
Complete these steps immediately upon your initial login:
- 1. Review name, email, time zone, and professional details.
- 2. Confirm assigned role and access level.
- 3. Check firm name and active workspace.
- 4. Review notification preferences (email/in-app).
- 5. Confirm default billing rate if recording billable time.
- 6. Review calendar and messaging integrations.
2.3 Password reset
Use Forgot Password on the sign-in screen and follow the email instructions. If the reset email does not arrive, check your spam folder, verify the exact email address with your administrator, and avoid creating duplicate trial accounts.
3. Roles and Permissions
AttorneyCore enforces least-privilege role boundaries so staff access only the records needed for their duties:
| Role | Typical Responsibilities |
|---|---|
| Firm Administrator / Owner | Firm settings, user accounts, role assignments, subscription, integrations, templates, and operational audit log. |
| Attorney | Matters, substantive legal work, deadlines, documents, communications, time entry, invoice review, and AI-output approval. |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | Intake support, matter files, tasks, calendar entries, document preparation, communication logging, and time/expense recording. |
| Billing & Accounting Staff | Time review, draft invoice creation, payment allocations, expenses, trust-account ledgers, and financial reports. |
| Client-Portal User | Approved information for the client’s own matters only (invoices, messages, and shared files). |
Notice: If you discover access to information beyond your required duties, notify the firm administrator immediately.
5 & 6. Clients, Contacts, and Intake
Creating Clients & Deduplication
Always search before creating a new client. Search by full name, aliases, email, phone number, and organization name. Link or create matters only after the firm’s conflict-check procedure is completed. Never delete a client record merely because it appears duplicated; it may contain linked invoices or trust transactions.
Prospect Conversion Workflow
Inquiry Received → Initial Screening → Conflict Review → Engagement Approved → Convert to Client → Create Matter → Assign Team & Tasks
7. Conflict Checking
AttorneyCore provides automated conflict-search across clients, adverse parties, witnesses, and matter descriptions.
1. Search Terms: Search the prospective client, all known aliases, opposing parties, opposing counsel, and related entities.
2. Review Records: Cross-reference current and closed matters, contacts, and journal entries.
3. Document Findings: Record the search terms, date, reviewer name, and disposition in the audit trail.
4. Escalate Matches: Escalate any match to the responsible partner before formal representation begins.
* Note: An automated "no match" result is a search tool, not a guarantee that no ethical conflict exists. Always apply independent attorney scrutiny.
8 & 9. Matters, Case Management, and Deadlines
Matter Command Center
Every matter connects documents, tasks, appointments, time entries, invoices, medical records, and notes. Maintain consistent matter statuses: Intake/Pending, Open/Active, On Hold, Closing Review, Closed.
Court Deadlines & Statute of Limitations (SOL)
The SOL tracker calculates critical filing dates from incident date and jurisdiction. In AttorneyCore, setting a statute of limitations earlier than the matter opened date is strictly blocked to maintain data integrity. Use dual-calendar verification for all court hearings.
10 & 11. Time Tracking, Invoicing, and Payments
Time Tracking Hygiene
Use the active timer in the top header or log manual time entries. All time entries enforce exact 2-decimal precision (e.g. 1.25h @ $350.00/hr) to eliminate rounding drift across billing and matter ledgers.
Invoice Review Checklist
12. Trust Accounting & IOLTA Compliance
Trust accounting holds client escrow funds under strict fiduciary standards (ABA Model Rule 1.15).
Separate Sub-Ledgers
Every dollar in trust is tagged to an individual client and matter. Zero commingling allowed.
Overdraft Guardrails
AttorneyCore structurally blocks disbursing more than the client's current verified balance.
Three-Way Reconciliation
Monthly automated audit tying Bank Balance = Journal Register = Total Client Sub-ledgers.
13, 14 & 15. Documents, E-Signatures, and Client Portal
Document Vault & Previews
Documents are stored securely in firm-scoped object storage. Uploaded PDFs, images, and text documents can be previewed directly inline. Always sanitize documents to remove hidden metadata or tracked changes prior to external sharing.
Electronic Signatures & Client Portal
Send engagement agreements and releases for digital execution with tamper-evident audit logs. Invite clients to the private portal at /portal to access approved documents and invoices without sending sensitive data over unencrypted email.
17. AI-Assisted Features & Ethics
AttorneyCore provides AI summaries, contract reviews, demand letter drafts, and timeline intelligence. All AI outputs must be treated as drafts requiring attorney review.
Mandatory Human Review Rule:
1. Verify every factual statement against the underlying case documents.
2. Check citations, statutes of limitations, and calculated numbers independently.
3. Never file or transmit AI-drafted material without the responsible attorney’s review and signature.
20. Recommended Operating Routines
Daily Routine
- • Review dashboard and calendar
- • Verify urgent court filings
- • Record billable time promptly
- • Check unread messages & portal
- • Stop abandoned timers
Weekly Routine
- • Audit unbilled WIP entries
- • Review draft invoices
- • Inspect upcoming deadlines (30d)
- • Check calendar sync status
- • Follow up on pending e-signs
Monthly Routine
- • Execute 3-way IOLTA reconciliation
- • Review AR aging receivables
- • Audit user seats & permissions
- • Review dormant matters
- • Export financial summary
23. Administrator Rollout Checklist
Interactive onboarding checklist for managing partners and firm administrators launching AttorneyCore:
24. Quick-Reference Workflows
Inquiry to Active Matter
Inquiry Received → Prospect Created → Minimum Information Captured → Conflict Review → Engagement Approved → Client Created → Matter Opened → Tasks & Deadlines Assigned → Portal Invited
Work to Payment
Work Performed → Time & Expenses Logged → Entries Reviewed → Draft Invoice Created → Partner Approval → Invoice Delivered → Payment Received → Account Reconciled
Matter Closing
Substantive Work Done → Calendar & Tasks Cleared → Final Time Billed → Escrow Balance Disbursed → File Returned → Status Marked Closed
Need Assistance?
For configuration support, custom templates, or license expansion, contact your firm’s AttorneyCore administrator or the AttorneyCore support team at support@attorneycore.io.