We started Name Warden to make lawyers more efficient, by automating trademark docketing. We are big on efficiency, so we thought we’d share some examples of data connections that can help law firms streamline operations and communications.

Every year the Name Warden team heads to the Clio Cloud conference to learn from and connect with others in the legal tech industry. As a Clio-connected app, we know the importance and benefits of cross-platform connection to automate certain aspects of a legal practice and drive efficiencies. Every year we learn a lot and have a great time. This year is no different.

(Other practice management programs offer API connections, including Rocket Matter, Practice Panther, and others. We happen to be familiar with, and fans of, the emphasis and technical effort that Clio has put into enabling these kinds of connections.)

First, to make sure everyone knows what this is about:

What’s an API?

API stands for application program interface. It’s a software intermediary that allows two applications to talk to each other. When one software program allows another to access its API, it’s allowing you to perform certain tasks or access a certain set of data on its server.

For example, when you purchase a ticket through Eventbrite, and you get a pop-up that asks if you want to add the event to your Google Calendar, that’s an API at work. Eventbrite is accessing the Google API to add its event to your Google Calendar.

API connections can really drive efficiencies between practice management tools and data between them. Here are some examples of APIs you can use to be more efficient when it comes to law practice management.

Clio Connections

Clio is law practice management software that can connect to a number of different apps and software into its system so that managing your practice can be done from one dashboard. If you’re a trademark attorney, the Name Warden and Clio connection is key! Connecting our software with Clio can turn all of your Name Warden docket items into Clio tasks and calendar items.

Clio can also connect to your accounting software like Quickbooks, CRM software like Lexicata, Document management programs like Dropbox, and even timekeeping apps like Chrometa.

Zapier

Zapier is like an API food court. It helps connect lots and lots of other apps to each other. You don’t need to know how to code to make automated tasks (called “Zaps”). In no time at all you can create Zaps that will transfer data from one application to another and set up simple task flows between apps. So Event 1 in App 1 can trigger Action 2 in App 2. Automagically. These Zaps can be used for a number of things. For example, you can use Zapier to send information from project management app Trello to your law practice management software or vice versa. You can also automatically track time from calls by connecting Zapier to your CRM. You can bring data from any number of places into an email marketing program like InfusionSoft, or save Gmail attachments to Dropbox.

Clio itself has a whole blog post on great Zaps to use with Clio.

Niche APIs to Consider

There are more and more API offerings every day it seems, many of them relevant to law firms, legal marketing, and universal business functions like accounting, email, client tracking, and cloud storage of notes and documents. Our suggestion is to look first at your practice management platform and the one or two other cloud-based services you use on a regular basis. Chances are you can start connecting them and save yourself some data input and time.