Montana Lawyer October/November 2025

• Business and

MEDIATOR and SETTLEMENT MASTER David J Steele II (406) 541-4940

Corporate Governance

• Contract disputes • Real Property and Real Estate • Probate disputes • Construction Defects • Professional Negligence • Other civil disputes

dave@lawmissoula.com www.lawmissoula.com

Tech Tips for Lawyers Technlogy Tips for Nonprofit Attorneys

Nonprofit lawyers serve on the front lines of access to justice, often working under intense time and funding constraints. With increas ing demand and limited resources, finding practical ways to streamline work and serve clients more efficiently is essential. While many legal tech tools are designed with large firms in mind, there are accessible, adaptable technologies that nonprofit attorneys can use to support their mission. From secure communication to community outreach, these tips highlight ways to harness tech that supports both casework and client impact—without straining tight budgets or ethical boundaries. 1. Leverage Secure Client Portals for Remote Access • Why: Many nonprofit clients lack consistent internet or phone access, and delays in communication can hurt case outcomes. • Tip: Use secure, mobile-accessible client

• Why: Nonprofit legal work is often funded by grants that require detailed reporting on time, scope, and impact. • Tip: Adopt case management tools with built-in grant tracking and reporting fea tures so attorneys can easily align casework with grant metrics and requirements. 3. Enable Language Access Technology • Why: Many nonprofit clients are limited-English proficient and may not have access to in-person interpreters. • Tip: Integrate live interpretation services or multilingual chatbot tools into your in take or triage systems to better serve diverse communities and meet language access obligations. At their best, technology tools in the nonprofit legal sector don’t replace human connection— they reinforce it. Whether you’re tracking grant deliverables, improving access for non-English speakers, or simply making day-to-day work more efficient, even modest tech upgrades can help you deliver better, faster service to clients in need. The key is choosing tools that align with your mission, respect client confidential ity, and support the long-term sustainability of your work. With thoughtful implementation, technology can be a powerful ally in advancing equity and access to justice.

portals where clients can view docu ments, receive updates, and securely message their attorney—without need ing to make a phone call or visit in person. Use Grant Management Tools to Track Funding-Linked Case Work

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