SmartAdvocate Reviews

“powerful case management hub

Pros

Having everything in one system makes SmartAdvocate really valuable for managing cases. It keeps case details organized in a single place and I really like being able to handle tasks, documents, notes and communications all within the same platform. The workflow and template customization is also a big plus since it helps us stay efficient while handling a heavy caseload.

Cons

At the beginning the system can feel a little overwhelming simply because there are so many features and customization options to work through.

“Good for organized case files

Pros

One of the best parts of it is how well the files and cases are organized. It makes documents quick to locate whenever I need them.

Cons

The only thing that bothers me about it is that the left-side panel is not consistent across every case.

“Like the helpful layout

Pros

SmartAdvocate offers really strong functionality overall. Every tool is user friendly and doesn't take long to learn. I also really like that the case notes are shown right on the main page and the overall layout works very well.

Cons

One thing I'd like to see improved is how case documents are organized. It would be much better if it used folders instead of keeping everything in one long list. I'd also like quicker responses to support tickets when reporting issues or bugs.

“All case details are centralized

Pros

Having every bit of case information in one place has been a big advantage for us and the task management feature has saved a lot of time by helping us stay on top of assignments across the team. The case browse reports have also been really useful during our weekly status meetings because everyone can quickly see where things stand without having to sort through notes and emails in every individual case file.

Cons

Getting everything migrated and converted at the beginning was rougher than we expected. That said once the data was cleaned up and the system was fully worked into our firm's day to day operations, the CRM turned out to be user friendly, helpful to the firm and a great tool for managing our cases.

“simple navigation and quick client lookup

Pros

It is very user friendly and the system isn't hard to navigate at all. It's also really quick to pull up client information when needed.

Cons

Nothing major but what did not work well for me was running the reports I needed for tracking data.

“fantastic reports and training

Pros

Using this product has been very easy. The layout is well organized, the reports we're able to generate are really useful and the training resources from the staff have been a big help.

Cons

I'd really love to see is a mobile app that works reliably when I am out in the field. I can get by with my laptop but being able to quickly pull up a client's phone number or access contact details for a judge or opposing attorney on my phone would be incredibly helpful.

“Has useful tools

Pros

It was quick to learn and the system is overall very user friendly. The customization features are helpful and the document management works really well too.

Cons

I'd love to see more flexibility with color customization especially a full color range so custom skins can be created.

“task tracking keeps me organized

Pros

The task system has been the biggest highlight for me. Every day, I get a report showing exactly what needs my attention, along with any unfinished tasks and how long they've been sitting there which helps me stay on top of everything.

Cons

There is a bit of a learning curve at first. At one point, I assumed the emails I had saved to a file were gone but it turned out I had clicked an icon that was just hiding them. Once I turned it back on, everything I needed was still there.

“organized tabs that boost workflow

Pros

Everything stays organized and efficient with separate tabs for different categories like names, phone numbers, insurance information, lien details and more.

Cons

Getting plugins set up for new employees or after updates has been a little challenging. The templates also still take a bit of time to work through but it's still worth it overall.

“Outstanding rollout and support

Pros

From the start, the development and implementation teams were exceptional. Their communication, follow-up and overall execution went beyond what we expected. Because of the effort they put in, our conversion process had just one major issue and that was resolved very quickly without disrupting our work.

Cons

Well the Outlook calendar integration has been disappointing. I really wanted it to work well and tried a number of different approaches but it just didn't perform the way I hoped. I am still optimistic that this will get better over time. The QuickBooks integration does function but it comes with a few quirks that forced us to build workarounds. For example, only the primary contact address syncs to QuickBooks, there's no way to choose a mailing address for checks when a contact has multiple addresses and it doesn't handle a DBA name separately from the check payee name.

“detailed and useful features

Pros

There's a lot packed into the software and I really appreciate how much detail you can go into with the features.

Cons

The help manual can be hit or miss and it doesn't always cover what you need when a question comes up.

“powerful workflow and support

Pros

Getting around the back end features is very easy and the whole system is organized really well. SmartAdvocate helps end users streamline their work quickly and efficiently. The merge code flexibility is better than any other case management software I have used. Workplans are simple to build and even simpler to follow. The training materials are extensive and presented in a way that even very basic users can understand. On top of that customer service is friendly and exceptionally fast to respond.

Cons

One thing I'd really like to see added is a children option. For example, if I have a parent docket called expert deposition, I'd want to create documents underneath that docket so everything stays together in one clean, easy-to-locate place.

“Great layout!

Pros

The layout is well done, the system is very detailed and it gives a lot of flexibility when it comes to annotating almost anything.

Cons

Not very user friendly at all. As even simple tasks take too many steps and in this industry, unclear processes only create more complications as each case builds on the last.

“Has the best daily-use features

Pros

Navigating SmartAdvocate is very easy and it comes with plenty of features I rely on every day. The calendar function has been especially helpful.

Cons

One thing I don't like is that there still isn't a way to automate calendar reminders.

“powerful messaging and support

Pros

There are quite a few useful features in it and the texting and email tools have been especially amazing. Tech support has also been excellent whenever needed.

Cons

Getting through the transition was challenging at first but I picked it up pretty quickly.

“user-friendly and easy to learn

Pros

Since we started using it in October 2024, it has been a fantastic experience. The platform is very user friendly and getting comfortable with it didn't take long at all.

Cons

Honestly I don't have any complaints as I have really loved using it.

“helpful training and steady updates

Pros

It keeps getting regular updates and the product continues to improve over time. The training team has also been very helpful whenever needed.

Cons

Completing a specific task takes several steps which can feel a bit more involved than it should be.

“Excellent support and powerful tools

Pros

Their customer support has been outstanding and the advanced features really add a lot of value.

Cons

The hardest part was moving over from our old system and getting used to a completely new case management setup.

“client texting works brilliantly

Pros

Being able to text my clients directly through this app has been a big plus and makes communication much more convenient.

Cons

Honestly there's very little about it that I dislike.

“super useful tool

Pros

SmartAdvocate is really easy to use and the layout makes everything easy to find and use. It's been incredibly useful.

Cons

To be honest I don't have any complaints.

“packed with best features

Pros

SmartAdvocate is a decent tool because it's easy to use and offers many features. Overall it has taken a lot of stress out of my work and made my daily tasks much easier to handle.

Cons

I honestly haven't run into anything about it that I dislike.

“Proven helpful for us

Pros

Handling medical providers and records for every case at our firm would be nearly impossible without this software. With the number of cases we manage, SmartAdvocate helps me stay on top of everything through reminders, task tracking and several ways to pull data into chronologies, spreadsheets and other applications. It has made my workload much more manageable.

Cons

It is user friendly overall but getting started does take some time because there is a bit of a learning curve at first.

“Smart Advocate is perfect

Pros

My firm has been using Smart Advocate for about four months, and I discover new features every day. I really appreciate that I can open the same case multiple times and filter the documents I'm working on simultaneously, along with the dashboards.

Cons

I believe that color coding would be quite beneficial. Smart Advocate operates as an online program, and at times it can become slow, which may need a stronger internet connection.

“Easy to review case files

Pros

I find it beneficial to quickly review all the case file information and have multiple cases open at once so that I can easily switch between them by clicking on a tab.

Cons

The issue arises when the internet lags or freezes due to its reliance on a browser.

“Integrate well with other software's

Pros

I truly value the ability to integrate seamlessly with other software. This feature enhances my workflow significantly, allowing for smoother transitions between different tools I use.

Cons

The workplan tab could use some improvements to increase its efficiency.

“Learning something new every day

Pros

I have been using SmartAdvocate for more than five years now, and I have gained a lot more knowledge from it since the pandemic.

Cons

As I continue to familiarize myself with SmartAdvocate, I have not found any issues worth mentioning. I'm still discovering both its current and new features.

“Simply Perfecttttttt....

Pros

Everything just flows so well. It's a fantastic system to use once I have mastered all its functions.

Cons

I have absolutely nothing to complain about. It is flawless and I wouldn't change a single thing.

“Document Handler feature is very useful..

Pros

I appreciate the Document Handler feature that allows me to view case documents without needing to download them.

Cons

It does take quite a while to download files. I have to save the document into my download folders before I can access it. Often, I end up downloading the same file multiple times, leading to several copies in the download folder, which slows down my computer. It would be more efficient to be able to retrieve documents directly from a database instead of having to download each time.

“Top choice available in the market

Pros

SmartAdvocate has significantly enhanced my efficiency at work, far beyond what I thought possible. Taking the time to set up templates, run reports automatically, and input client information helps me manage an extremely high case volume effectively. I love that SmartAdvocate can correct errors made by our firm. For instance, if one of our paralegals forgets to report an expense to account, we can search through notes for the date of the charge and pinpoint the case to assign the expense to.

Cons

I would love for SmartAdvocate to automatically update case statuses and sub-statuses based on the upload of specific document categories and sub-categories in the documents tab. It currently has this function with the Med Providers Tab, which updates the status of a medical records request from internal to received when records are uploaded. It would be wonderful if case statuses could also reflect whether certain documents have been uploaded, allowing for a real-time overview of each case's status without relying on manual updates from users.

“Great Platform overall.....

Pros

Overall, the organization within the program creates a smooth and structured platform for an efficient work environment.

Cons

Occasionally, the difficult nature of the tabs can be difficult to teach, though this challenge is somewhat solved by the weekly tips.

“SmartAdvocate is my No 1 choice

Pros

SmartAdvocate is detailed and simple to use. Some CMS options in the industry offer too many customization possibilities. The SmartAdvocate team thoughtfully addresses issues and continuously evolves the product.

Cons

Using SmartAdvocate feels like acquiring my all-time favorite car equipped with every feature imaginable. It takes time to learn how all the options in this new vehicle work. At times, I think there should be varying versions available for clients, perhaps a base model for firms that have never experienced the capabilities that SmartAdvocate offers.

“i LIKE all the features

Pros

I love how easy it is to use. Everything makes sense and is easy to use. I appreciate all the integration capabilities for client communication, document signing, and records requests.

Cons

While SmartAdvocate might already include this feature, it would be great to have a document production management tool. The ability to summarize medical visits (records) is fantastic, but it would also be beneficial to perform bulk OCR searches within medical records.

“Exactly the right fit for us

Pros

I enjoy that there are regular updates which allow us to keep enhancing our functionality as a firm. Our representative is always willing to answer any questions to ensure we maximize our use of SmartAdvocate.

Cons

I'm not fond of the fact that I cannot view and edit contacts like I would in an address book.

“Happy customer...

Pros

The most impactful feature of SmartAdvocate is having all case information consolidated in one location, making it easy to determine the parties involved, dates, contacts, and so forth.

Cons

The feature of SmartAdvocate that I find least effective is the synchronization with QuickBooks, which has never worked for me.

“Reliable software and quality service

Pros

The organization aligned perfectly with what I was aiming to accomplish at Stephen T. Collins and Associates, all in one place. After I acquired the product, I was even more impressed with the training and customer service.

Cons

I had some difficulties during the setup, but that was primarily due to my lack of comfort and the constant worry that I might be doing something incorrectly, even when I wasn't.

“Customizable solution

Pros

The platform is smooth to use, from setup to settlement. It is designed in a logical way, with everything positioned reasonably. Even someone unfamiliar with case management solutions could probably pick it up quickly and dive into a workflow. Plus, the ability to customize the information displayed and its layout is a very useful feature.

Cons

The system does have a few limitations that hold it back. The file preview tools appear to be quite finicky regarding when and where they function. While Word documents rarely present issues with previewing, PDFs often cannot be previewed. For a period, HEIF documents weren't supported well, though I'm not certain if that has been resolved. It would be advantageous if medical bills could be transferred to liens more efficiently rather than one item at a time. The calendar events are incredibly useful, yet when I delete a series, it doesn't automatically remove it from my Outlook calendar. Instead, it updates it to show �Deleted.� While it may not be feasible, it seems like it should be possible.

“User-friendly and keeps things organized

Pros

I really value the extensive customization options available, which allow me to customize the software to fit my specific needs and preferences.

Cons

I am very accustomed to using SmartAdvocate, and I genuinely like it. I remember once wishing for something, but I can't recall what it was today.

“Has multiple useful tools

Pros

The case management tools and simplicity of use are vital for our business to operate efficiently.

Cons

I feel that status tracking could be made simpler, and report searches might benefit from having more options available.

“Support team is helpful...

Pros

Smart Advocate offers a wealth of online resources that generally assist with most troubleshooting before I need to contact support. When support is necessary, they typically respond fairly quickly! However, the monthly tips are usually simple enough to navigate.

Cons

It would be great if photos sent via text messages could appear in the Notes feature.

“SmartAdvocate - The right choice

Pros

I genuinely love the simplicity and efficiency that this software offers, making my job much easier to manage.

Cons

There are some occasional glitches on certain days, but they usually get resolved within the workday.

“Flawless integration with Microsoft products

Pros

Smart Advocate has an almost flawless integration with Microsoft products, which simplifies tasks such as drafting documents with information already prefilled from the specific case I am working on, and adding emails related to the case directly into the case notes.

Cons

With some generated documents, like envelopes, the addresses often do not populate correctly or fail to auto-generate the actual envelope.

“Can't recommend it enough

Pros

The program makes it easier for me to locate cases, and I can read everyone's notes.

Cons

The program tends to freeze at times, especially when I am generating new cases.

“Takes the stress out of life

Pros

What I appreciate most about SmartAdvocate is how effortless it is to stay on top of my cases.

Cons

What I dislike most about SmartAdvocate is the limited options for customizing my account theme.

“Has helpful templates

Pros

SmartAdvocate helps expedite the monotonous and repetitive aspects of the personal injury process with their helpful templates and communication tools.

Cons

The only comment I would make regarding SmartAdvocate is that it can run a bit slowly, but this is quite rare and reflects the high demand for this amazing software.