The 12 Tech Tools That Actually Save Lawyers Time

Skip shiny objects—these deliver real ROI for solo and small firms.

Most lawyers don’t need more tools. They need the right ones that reduce friction fast.

Here’s the list that I shared with my online lawyer community of tech that consistently moves the needle—for communication, automation, and sanity.

Core stack (start here)

1. ​Zoom​ — video meetings and ​online workspaces​ (about $150/year).

2. ​ChatGPT (Paid)​ — your $20/month all‑purpose AI assistant. Use it for drafting, research, and brainstorming.

3. ​Wispr Flow​ — frictionless voice‑to‑text across any app; 3x faster than typing.

4. ​Granola​ — meeting transcripts and summaries without bots; perfect for action items.

5. ​Calendly​ — stop the scheduling ping‑pong; automated booking with reminders.

Asynchronous communication

1. ​Loom​ — record quick explainer videos and SOPs; fewer meetings, clearer delegation.

• Obviously you should be using Slack or Teams for short-text messages to support internal communications, not email.

Basic Automation

1. ​TextExpander​ — short snippets that expand into full text, emails, clauses, and signatures.

Security & organization

1. ​1Password​ — strong passwords and secure sharing firm‑wide.

2. ​SweetProcess​ — centralized SOPs so your team does work the same way every time.

Email control

1. ​SaneBox​ — auto‑filters low‑value mail so you see only what matters.

Best hardware tools

1. ​Plaud Note Pro​ — AI recorder that attaches to your phone; capture calls and meetings cleanly.

2. ​Shokz OpenComm2​ — bone‑conduction headset; comfortable all‑day calls and instant Zoom switching.

How to implement (without overwhelm)

• Pick one tool that has the most promise

• Use it daily for four weeks

• Pick another tool, and follow the same process

The goal isn’t more software. It’s fewer clicks, clearer workflows, and better outcomes.

Want help putting this into practice (and seeing how other solo/small firms are using these tools)? Join my Inner Circle.

👉 Check it out: ​https://ernietheattorney.net/inner-circle-community/​

;-)

Ernie

P.S. If you want hands‑on AI guidance, my weekly ChatGPT Lab is inside the Inner Circle. Apply here: ​https://innercircle.ernietheattorney.net/chatgpt-workshop​

Here’s a handy infographic of the top tech tools (created using Google’s ​NotebookLM​)