Sharp Tudhope Lawyers and Practice Evolve
Key Insights
Evolving Legacy: Sharp Tudhope Lawyers and PracticeEvolve Partnership
Sharp Tudhope Lawyers, a distinguished law firm based in New Zealand, boasts a remarkable legacy, providing legal services since 1896. Their success has been built on a foundation of expert knowledge, client support, and community engagement. However, with a forward-looking mindset, the firm acknowledged the need to embrace modern technology to continue thriving in an evolving legal landscape.
After three decades of relying on the same practice management system, Sharp Tudhope Lawyers realised that future growth demanded a more advanced solution. The firm made the bold decision to switch, driven by a need to adapt and innovate. Despite facing a time constraint to transition, the firm refused to settle for the conventional options and discovered PracticeEvolve. Becoming the first firm in their region to partner with PracticeEvolve, they successfully went live with the system in 2017. Turning the rapid transition to their advantage, the firm’s strategic approach maximised the return on investment with their new solution.
Embracing Change with Strategic Training
Sharp Tudhope Lawyers embraced the challenge of implementing new technology within their firm. Recognising the importance of thorough training, they invested time and effort to educate their staff on the functionality of PracticeEvolve, guiding them through the transition with expert assistance.
Reflecting on the success of the move, Practice Manager Deena Himpers highlighted their strategic approach, stating, “We took the time to train super-users in each department, ensuring that every team had a knowledgeable point of contact to address any queries. It also helped that the software is quite intuitive and the functionality easy to learn and use.”
To ensure a seamless experience for their teams, Sharp Tudhope Lawyers prioritised system training for all staff members, reducing potential downtime and fostering a supportive environment for embracing the new technology.
“We understand that those firms that invest well and stick with the technology reap enormous benefits when it comes to saving time and money, keeping track of profit-driving metrics and ultimately, delivering superior quality of service to their clients. PracticeEvolve offers all the features and functionality to help us realise those benefits.”
Reducing Administrative Workload Across the Board
As Sharp Tudhope Lawyers continued to grow, the management realised the increasing value of integrated document management functionality. With a larger team, a wider client base, and a growing workload, they understood the importance of streamlining their document handling processes.
For the firm, PracticeEvolve’s easy document management function became especially crucial. Storing all documents in a central and secure location allowed the firm to assist clients promptly and professionally, even when a key staff member was unavailable. This centralised approach proved invaluable, particularly for staff who travelled or worked remotely, as it enabled flexible working without compromising the quality of client service.
This, combined with access to a comprehensive accounting solution which enabled automated bill production, allowed the firm to realise tangible time-savings from the reduced administrative workload across the board.
Key Learnings from the Transition
Sharp Tudhope Lawyers’ successful move to PracticeEvolve provided valuable insights and learnings:
- Strategic Staff Training: By allocating part of the new system budget to comprehensive staff training, the firm ensured that their teams felt confident during the transition to PracticeEvolve. The presence of knowledgeable super-users in each department allowed individual teams to have immediate access to someone who understood their unique workflows and could address any queries.
- Streamlined Billing Process: Taking the time to streamline the billing process resulted in significant improvements for the firm. Drafting, approving, and issuing bills became simpler and more efficient. With the help of the Accounts team and automated bill production, administrative staff were relieved from manual typing tasks. The prompt issuance of bills was appreciated by clients, and the firm benefited from reduced lock-up and improved cash flow.
- Enhanced Back-office Efficiency: Implementing process improvements in the back-office allowed the Practice Manager to dedicate her attention to more strategic business matters. By reducing repetitive administrative tasks, the firm optimised its operational efficiency and allowed key personnel to focus on value-added activities.
A Long-term Partnership for Continued Success
The journey of Sharp Tudhope Lawyers with PracticeEvolve has not only resulted in immediate benefits, but it also sets the stage for long-term success. By embracing new technology and committing to thorough training, the firm has established a solid foundation for future growth and efficiency.
The partnership between Sharp Tudhope Lawyers and PracticeEvolve goes beyond a one-time implementation; it is a commitment to continuously enhancing their legal operations. With PracticeEvolve as their trusted partner, the firm remains well-positioned to adapt to industry advancements, serve clients with excellence, and build on their legacy of providing expert legal services since 1896.
