I have posted some information for those of you that have the PCLaw SQL version and want some information on the backup restore process. There does not seem to be a lot of documentation on this subject. View it here.
If you have PCLaw SQL Edition, you can only run the backup from the server where SQL is installed. I was having issues with the backup not working even though I was running the back from the correct location. The reason was that PCLaw thought it was installed on a mapped network drive. I edited the PCLaw.cfg file in notepad and now everything works.
INCORRECT SETTINGS
The T Drive is a mapped network drive. PCLaw needs to be pointed to a local drive.
CORRECT SETTINGS
I was quoted and one of my clients featured in the March Issue of Law Technology News.
http://www.lawtechnews.com/r5/showkiosk.asp?listing_id=1929932
You will need to have the following GL Accounts in PCLaw before you setup the new ADP Payroll.
If you do not have the General Ledger Accounts setup in your PCLaw, you will need to add them.
Options --> Lists --> GL Accounts
Check Payroll Account.
Close the ADP Payroll and re-open it.
Some firms do not charge clients for faxing, mail , and photocopies but instead charge the client a one time Administrative Fee.
In PCLaw go to Option --> System Settings --> Matter Billing
One Time Amount will show up as a disbursement.
A Percent of Fees will charge your client a percentage of their fees. So if you have $100 in Fees for your client, they will get charged an additional 10%.
Amount Every Invoice charges you the same amount every invoice.
This will only effect Matters that are created after you make the selection. You can however go into Matter --> Global Change and select this for Matters you have already created so the charge will be on their next bill.
At first glance PCLaw 9 has made drastic changes to the visual appearance of the program. You can see below how the side bar has changed.
| PCLaw 8.0 | PCLaw 9.0 |
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If you are alarmed by the changes, PCLaw has given users the option of switching back to the classic view. You can right click your mouse in PClaw and select Switch to Quick Step Classic which will bring back the previous version view.
Options --> System Settings --> Data Entry.
PCLaw does not have a Minimum Time Entry Setting like other programs. It does have a Round Time Entries to feature. In this example we will set it to 0.25. If the Minimum Time entry at your firm is 0.25, all time entries below 0.25 will round up to 0.25. Time entries over 0.25 will round up to 0.50. Time entries over 0.50 will round up to 0.75 and time entries over 0.75 will round up to 1.00.
Rounding will only occur if you use the timer to record the time entry. If you manually type in 0.20, it will not round up to 0.25.
In the old days, PCLaw would let you purchase timekeepers and network access (Nodes) separately. Once Lexis took over, this changed and you now have to purchase one license which includes a node and a timekeeper. Since Lexis is trying to get everyone on the same page, you can now upgrade mismatched nodes and timekeepers for free. Lets say you have 4 timekeepers and 2 nodes. You can upgrade and have 4 timekeepers and 4 nodes. If you have PCLaw 8.10 or above, you can just click on Help --> About PCLaw --> License --> Change and it will upgrade for you.
In the matter manager you can go into Quoted Type on the billing tab and change it to Contingency. This is not necessary for billing but it just a helpful reminder when creating a bill.
When creating the bill, click on Contingency button.
The Contingency Calculator will appear. It is very easy to type in the settlement amount and the percent of fees you will collect. PCLaw will make all the necessary adjustments. Once you are finished hit okay and the billing tab will come up. It might be helpful to have created a specific bill template for contingency.
