What is a Matter Management System? A Matter Management System (MMS) is a software solution designed to help corporate legal departments track, manage, and organize legal matters efficiently. It serves as a centralized hub where legal teams can store case information, deadlines, documents, billing records, and communications related to legal cases, transactions, and regulatory compliance matters.
Why Should a Legal Department Adopt a Matter Management System? Corporate legal departments manage a high volume of legal matters, including litigation, contracts, regulatory issues, and internal investigations. Without a proper system in place, tracking these matters can be time-consuming and error-prone. Adopting an MMS provides several key benefits:
- Centralized Information Management – Legal teams can access all relevant matter details, including documents, emails, and notes, in one place.
- Improved Collaboration – Enables better coordination among in-house counsel, outside counsel, and business teams by facilitating seamless communication and document sharing.
- Increased Efficiency – Automates administrative tasks, such as matter intake, document organization, and deadline tracking, reducing manual work and enhancing productivity.
- Cost Control & Budgeting – Many MMS platforms integrate with e-billing systems, helping legal departments monitor legal spend, enforce billing guidelines, and control outside counsel costs.
- Compliance & Risk Mitigation – Provides audit trails and secure document storage to help legal teams maintain compliance with industry regulations and company policies.
What Problems Does a Matter Management System Solve? Without an MMS, legal departments often face several operational challenges:
- Disorganized Matter Tracking – Relying on spreadsheets or email chains to track legal matters can lead to inefficiencies, missed deadlines, and difficulty retrieving critical information.
- Lack of Visibility into Legal Spend – Without an integrated system, legal teams struggle to monitor and analyze outside counsel costs, making budget forecasting difficult.
- Data Security Risks – Storing sensitive legal information in unsecured locations increases the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches.
- Inefficient Collaboration – Without a central repository, in-house legal teams and external counsel may experience delays and miscommunications when working on cases.
- Compliance Challenges – Legal departments need to maintain proper records and audit trails to ensure regulatory compliance; an MMS helps streamline these processes.
Conclusion A Matter Management System is a valuable tool for corporate legal departments looking to enhance efficiency, collaboration, and cost management. By implementing an MMS, legal teams can improve their ability to track legal matters, optimize workflows, and mitigate risks. Choosing the right system that integrates with existing legal tech tools and meets organizational needs is essential for long-term success.
