Our Customers

Ernie Svenson puts Clio on Trial

What did you use before Clio?

I used Timesolv for a few years, and then a service called Bill4Time. Both were cloud-based services, but neither was tailored specifically to lawyers.

Mac or PC?

I use Macs for most of my work. I have a PC, but don't use it for time & billing, although I could since Clio is a cloud-based service.

What problems did Clio help your firm solve?

I like the peace of mind that comes from knowing that my time & billing system is backed up by professionals who know how to do that sort of thing exceptionally. Also Clio is always adding new features, which is minimally intrusive since I don't have to install updates on my computers to take advantage of those new features.

What did you find to be Clio's most valuable feature?

The ability to set up several matters to bill to, and then to be able to click on the clock icon to start a timer for whatever matter I'm working on. I also like being able to send emails and documents to a matter and have those automatically filed in the appropriate area.

What benefits have you realized from Clio that you didn't anticipate?

I guess I expected that Clio would be simple to use and come with great support, but the more I use it the more I appreciate the elegant interface and ease of use. I have not had to call for support that often, but whenever I did I was able to get help quickly and the people who I talked to were very knowledgeable and friendly.

Have Clio & "the Cloud" changed the way you practice law? If so, how?

Having my time & billing in the cloud with a service I trust is key; I was working at a large firm when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. Their time and billing system was down for two weeks, despite having the resources of two full time IT people. I am confident that if any disaster ever hit New Orleans again my time & billing wouldn't be down at all. I can't say the same for other law firms here, not even those that have a bevy of IT people to attend to disaster problems.

What made you decide on Clio? Did you try out any other solutions?

I tried other cloud-based services, and was mostly satisfied. I like Clio because: (1) it's geared to lawyers, (2) it's affordable, and (3) the people involved with Clio are very friendly and very accommodating.

How did you find the process of getting up and running with Clio?

I've switched my time & billing three times in the past 5 years, and it's always challenging so it's not something I yearn to do. But Clio was the easiest switch I made; the people at Clio are very helpful, way beyond what I would expect given the very affordable charges.

How has Clio improved your firm and the service you offer your clients?

I've used the Client Connect feature a couple of times, and had several clients opt to pay my bills by credit card. Normally, my clients take a few weeks to pay. But, using the Client Connect feature, I was paid a couple of times on the same day that my bill when out. Clients seem to like the convenience, and I like getting paid quickly.

Have you had any experiences with Clio's support team?

Yes, and every time I've talked to support people they've been exceedingly friendly and helpful. Way beyond what I expected.

Would you recommend Clio to your colleagues?

I have recommended Clio to several lawyers I know. They've all thanked me for making them aware of Clio.

Visit Ernie's website at www.ernietheattorney.net