PCLaw Version 11 Quick Start Guide - support.lexis-nexis.com

1 PCLaw Version 11 Quick Start Guide This document provides a Quick , printable reference for commonly used features of PCLaw . Using Quick Step The Quick Step Menu is a simple alternative to accessing PCLaw features using the pull down menus. Quick Step Group buttons organize features of PCLaw according to the way you do business. Within each Quick Step grouping, Task buttons provide Quick access to the most commonly used features. The Help Panel provides a Quick description and overview of a highlighted PCLaw feature. The instructions on the following pages use the Quick Step Menu to access PCLaw features.

2 Adding Matters Begin by adding a matter for each for your cases. Startup > New Matter 1. In the Matter box, type the matter nickname. 2. In the Client box, type the client nickname. 3. In the Type of Law box, double click to select a type of law. 4. In the Responsible Lawyer box, double click to select the responsible lawyer. 5. In the Description box, type a matter description. 6. In the Client area, type the client s name or firm name, address, phone numbers, and email address in the respective boxes. 7. To add beginning balances, click the Opening Balances tab. 8. To save the matter, click OK. 9.

3 For subsequent matters, PCLaw automatically increments the matter and/or client nickname by one and assigns the next number in sequence. Recording Time and Fees Record hours and rate on the Time Sheet and fee amount only on the Fee Sheet. Time/Fees > Time Sheet 1. In the Matter box, type the matter nickname. 2. In the Lwyr box, type the nickname of the timekeeper who performed the work. 3. For time entries only: In the Hours box, enter the number of hours worked. 4. To record time as it occurs, click the clock button. The hours are automatically entered for you. To stop the timer, click the clock button again.

4 5. For time entries only: In the Rate box, type the hourly rate. 6. For fee entries only: In the Amount box, type the flat fee amount. 7. In the Explanation box, type the explanation for the work you are recording. 8. To save the entry, click OK. Recording Soft Costs Soft costs (or non cash disbursements), such as photocopy charges, are client expenses where a check is not issued. Client Costs > Expense Recovery 1. In the Explanation box, type the explanation for the work you are recording. 2. In the Matter box, type the matter nickname. 3. In the Amount box, type the value of the client expense.

5 4. In the G/L Account box, if a G/L account is automatically filled in for you, accept it or type another expense account. 5. If you are unsure of which G/L account to use, ask your bookkeeper or accountant. 6. To save the entry, click OK. Recording Hard Costs Hard costs, such as courier charges, are client expenses where a check is issued. Client Costs > Check (General) 1. In the Payee box, type the name of the payee. 2. In the Amount box, type the amount of the check. 3. In the Explanation box, type the explanation for the charge. 4. In the Matter box, type the matter nickname. 5. In the G/L Account box, if a G/L account is automatically filled in for you, accept it or type another expense account.

6 6. If you are unsure of which G/L account to use, ask your bookkeeper or accountant. 7. To print the check, click Print. 8. To save the entry, click OK. Creating a Bill Create a bill after time, fees and expenses are added to the matter. Billing > Create Bill 1. In the Matter box, type the matter nickname. 2. In the Output area, to print the bill, select the Printer check box. 3. To produce the bill, click OK. If you would like to review the charges before the bills are produced, follow the same procedure using Billing > Create Pre Bill. Pre bills are produced without any files being modified. Once the bill is produced, all the charges included on the bill are marked as billed for the matter.

7 All accounting reports are updated to show the bill and the A/R balance. Receiving a Payment After receiving payment from the client, apply the payment to the outstanding balance of a bill. Client Receipts > Receive Payment 1. In the From box, type the client s name. 2. In the Amount area, type the amount of the receipt. 3. In the Matter box, type the matter nickname. 4. To save the entry, click OK. PCLaw applies the payment to the oldest outstanding bill first. To apply the payment to a specific bill, type the bill number in the Invoice box. Producing a Client Ledger The Client Ledger provides a detailed history of all the accounting entries relating to a matter.

8 Reports > Client > Ledger 1. In the Matter box, type the matter nickname. 2. To show all entries, in the Start Date and End Date boxes, accept the defaults. 3. To print the report, in the Output area, select the Printer check box. 4. To run the report, click OK. PCLaw allows you to drill down on reports. To make adjustments to any entries, double click on the screen output of the report. If the entry can be modified, the correcting feature opens. Matter Manager File > Matter Manager Each case in PCLaw is called a matter, around which all activities revolve. To work with matters and their associated entries, use Matter Manager.

9 LexisNexis, Lexis, and the Knowledge Burst logo are registered trademarks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used under license. PCLaw is a registered trademark of LexisNexis Practice Management Systems Inc. Other products and services may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Copyright 2011 LexisNexis. All rights reserved.