Key Law Office is an established and highly process-driven family law firm with three offices in Central Texas. In a practice area where each case is unique and requires frequent client communication, the firm doesn’t have room for administrative lag time. That’s why Bella Anderson, Billing Manager, chose Smokeball.
After dealing with inefficient billing processes, lost time, and client communication challenges, Bella knew the business needed Smokeball as their legal practice management software solution. She vouched for the product because of its:
- Client portal with 24/7 access to billing information and case status
No longer chasing down collections
Rather than spending hours on collections and client follow-up, Bella uses Smokeball's evergreen retainers to automatically notify clients. It consolidates two separate requests – balances due and replenishment reminders – into one clear invoice, removing client confusion and providing a concise explanation of what is owed and why. “We’re collecting about 98% of all balances due on each billing cycle, which is nearly unheard of—just from implementing Smokeball’s automatic evergreen retainers,” Bella emphasizes. This stark improvement from past 70-80% collection rates is a testament to Smokeball’s direct impact on firm revenue and realization. Plus, it frees up hours in Bella’s work week and creates better client rapport.
Delivering bespoke service for a wide range of family law matters
Every family matter is different. And because clients often return for additional services, it’s important Key Law delivers a consistent experience. With Smokeball, Key Law Office can build matter templates that automatically carry over client information into every new matter. “By customizing our matter types in Smokeball, we’ve created a consistent client experience that builds trust and keeps cases moving smoothly,” Bella says.
Protecting staff time while staying transparent with clients
When it comes to work-life balance, Key Law office cares deeply about protecting their staff’s free time. Bella states that Smokeball was a “total gamechanger” in ensuring the team logs off at the end of the workday. “With all the automations that are available through Smokeball, it has cut down on our administrative burden substantially. That allows us to focus on high-value work and client care. And when we're done for the day, we truly are done for the day,” Bella describes. The best part? This freedom doesn’t come at the expense of client communication. The portal allows clients to check on their billing status and case information 24/7. This promotes trust, transparency, and clarity while reducing interruptions for attorneys and support staff through the day.
Client feedback drives Smokeball’s product growth
Smokeball is a practice management software built by legal experts who understand the myriad needs of legal professionals and practice areas. When Bella noticed a gap in the software, she requested custom options for invoicing formats—such as including both the outstanding balance and the replenishment request directly in the body of invoice emails—and was impressed to see changes implemented within just a few months. “I really admire how Smokeball listens to client feedback. Every concern or feature request I’ve raised has been taken seriously—and I’ve always seen those changes implemented,” Bella says.
Smokeball changing the game for billing, client communication, and work-life balance.
Switching to Smokeball transformed Key Law Office. Previously weighed down by billing headaches, lost time, and constant client interruptions, the firm is now defined by efficiency, clarity, and trust. Smokeball hasn’t just been software, it’s been a game changer for Key Law’s finances, clients, and work-life balance, enabling them to help families when they need it most.
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