How Square Mile Solicitors is Building a Modern, Efficient Firm with Clio

Starting a new law firm from scratch is challenging, but Fazle Elahi came to the task well-prepared.

Before co-founding his Central London-based firm, Square Mile Solicitors, Fazle worked as a solicitor and consultant solicitor at larger firms. There, he learned how much of a difference the right legal software can make to a firm’s efficiency and growth—which he didn’t forget when starting Square Mile Solicitors.

The new firm turned to Clio as its legal software solution. Using Clio Manage for case management, Clio Grow for client intake and onboarding, and Clio Payments for payment processing, Square Mile Solicitors works efficiently as a small team and can deliver an exceptional, modern client experience to their customers.

The right software for a new, growing law firm

When setting up Square Mile Solicitors, Fazle and his co-founder had many different softwares to choose from.

“We were considering all the software options on the market, like LEAP, Proclaim, and Clio,” Fazle explains.

Having previously used Clio a bit at other firms, Fazle knew it was user-friendly and offered a range of features, but a few key factors helped make his decision easier.

First, the ability to try Clio without having to lock into a long contract was important.

“With Clio, the contract was not binding for the long term, and that’s a game changer,” he says. “The monthly fee is £10 more, rather than a year, but still, I think it gives you some breathing space to understand whether you like it or not.”

Also, because Fazle wanted to show his co-founder—who had previously used LEAP and Proclaim—the benefits of Clio, a free two-month trial period for a user was helpful.

“I assigned that to my business partner, and he now loves it.”

How using modern, efficient software set Square Mile Solicitors up for success from the start

As Square Mile Solicitors continues to build roots and establish itself with clients, Fazle has already seen multiple benefits of using Clio.

1. Massive time savings on billing and administrative tasks

One of the most significant benefits of using Clio billing for Fazle is the time savings the software’s automations unlock for repetitive administrative and billing tasks.

At previous firms, Fazle did his billing manually—a process that was very time-consuming. 

“Every month, I would spend a day doing the billing. It would take 15 to 20 min per invoice,” he explains. “With Clio, an invoice is just a few clicks, and that’s it—done. It’s easier with Clio. Without Clio, I would be spending a day before the end of the month to sort out my billing.”

Beyond saving time when sending out invoices, Clio’s billing reminders also save time that might otherwise be spent tracking down payments.

“The bill reminder feature in Clio is also a game changer because I don’t have to chase my client. I just set up a bill reminder to remind him every week and or every month, and the client gets automatic reminders.”

2. Increased efficiency brings financial benefits

By streamlining administrative tasks, Clio allows Fazle and his team to allocate more time to fee-earning work, crucial for a small law firm’s growth. For instance, Fazle can now complete monthly billing in minutes instead of a whole day, effectively saving both time and money.

Clio Payments is a key feature which saves time for Fazle and the Square Mile team by enabling online payments. This convenience allows clients to pay quickly and easily, helping the firm get paid faster. Fazle notes that clients can “sign electronically, receive a bill via link, and make payments online,” simplifying what used to involve cash or bank transfers.

3. More efficient document handling and client interactions

Clio helps Fazle and his team save significant time on document handling and client signatures. The E-signature feature is especially useful, offering clients the convenience of signing electronically. Additionally, Clio simplifies document management by automating saving and uploading processes.

4. A better experience for clients

Positive client experiences are essential for a law firm’s success, and Clio’s software helps Square Mile Solicitors deliver a smoother, hassle-free, and more convenient experience for clients.

Fazle also recognizes the importance of handling client data with care and appreciates how Clio’s industry-leading security helps protect client information and the firm’s data.

By using Clio to offer customers a more modern and positive client experience, the firm is able to foster a sound reputation—which is key to the firm’s growth now and in the future.

5. Smooth client onboarding

In addition to facilitating a great client experience for the firm’s existing clients, Clio Grow also helps Fazle deliver a more efficient client onboarding experience and makes it easier for Fazle to turn leads into clients.

Before using Clio, Fazle found that potential clients could sometimes get overlooked in the shuffle of follow-ups after initial contact. 

“With Clio Grow, if someone texts me or calls me and says they want to talk to me about a case, I just send the onboarding link and tell them to fill out the form. It saves my time,” he says. 

Instead of spending time opening a file the traditional way, Fazle uses Clio to streamline the process.

“In Clio, I send a link to the client, and the client fills it out. And then, from my end, I don’t have to re-enter it to Clio Manage. I just convert it from Clio Grow to Clio Manage,” he says.

6. The ability to work remotely and focus on what’s important to you

With Clio’s secure cloud-based software, Fazle and the team are able to work remotely, seamlessly—whether that means using Clio’s software for working from home or checking in on the mobile app while on the go.

The mobile app, in particular, is useful for Fazle as a way to keep track of client notifications quickly and conveniently. 

The flexibility to work remotely is key to supporting work-life balance for Fazle, who prioritises spending time with his family and young daughter.

Clio: The silent partner in your law firm

For law firms considering Clio, Fazle advises trying it out to see its benefits firsthand. “Switch to Clio and see how it changes your life as a lawyer,” he says. This has been true for Square Mile Solicitors, which views Clio as a partner in its growth. For a small firm without full-time IT staff, Clio’s features and innovation are invaluable.