Blog

Blog posts for your law firm

February 7, 2025
12 Tips to Transform Your Law Firm in 2025
12 actionable suggestions that you can implement today to help you streamline your workflows, save time, and boost profits.
February 4, 2025
Changing Your Practice Management Software in 2025
Tips to ensure a smooth transition to your new practice management system.
January 31, 2025
Why You Should Attend Spark 2025
Discover why Smokeball Spark is one of the biggest events on the legal calendar.
February 4, 2025
December Product Update
Learn more about the new features we released during December.
January 14, 2025
Top Legal Events You Can’t Miss in 2025
The best legal events in Australia you need to have in your calendars in 2025.
December 19, 2024
How 2FA Protects Sensitive Legal Data
Learn why passwords alone aren’t enough and how two-factor authentication boosts your cybersecurity.
December 17, 2024
November Product Updates
Learn more about the new features we released during November.
December 12, 2024
2024 In Review: Celebrating a Year of Innovation and Productivity
Let's look back on the top 4 features you loved in 2024.
December 19, 2024
How to Grow Your Firm: Modern Law Firm Marketing Strategies
Discover how your law firm can cut through the noise and build trust, boost visibility, and drive firm growth.
December 19, 2024
Supercharge Your Practice with AI: Empire Legal
Discover how property law firm Empire Legal saved time with Archie, our AI matter assistant.
December 19, 2024
Smokeball wins CSIA Customer Service Team of the Year
Our Client Experience team are x2 CSIA Australian Service Excellent Award winners.
December 19, 2024
Enhance Your Workflow with New Features
Learn about our exciting new feature releases for Grow and Prosper+.
December 19, 2024
7 AI Apps to Transform Your Legal Practice
In a recent roundtable discussion, Smokeball users and lawyers explored the AI tools that make their practice more efficient.
December 19, 2024
How Bona Fide Law Use Legal Tech for Exceptional Client Service
We interview WA-based Twistie Venning from Bona Fide Law on using legal tech in their firm.
December 4, 2024
Smokeball Showdown: AI and Legal Technology with VXT
We question our integration partner VXT on all things AI and legal tech in the first video of our new Smokeball Showdown series.
January 31, 2025
Moving Your Legal and Conveyancing Business to the Cloud
How adopting cloud computing technology can improve your firm's day-to-day and help fortify cybersecurity measures.
December 19, 2024
Why Lawyers Need to Care About AI
How AI can give you and your firm a competitive edge in the ever-evolving landscape of legal technology.
December 19, 2024
Smokeball Tops the 2024 Best Places to Work List
For the past three years, Smokeball has placed in the top 10 of the WRK+ Best Places to Work list. This year, we took the top spot.
December 19, 2024
Smokeball AI Revolutionises the Legal Tech Industry
Our new suite of AI solutions embedded into Smokeball will transform workflows for small-to-medium law firms.
December 19, 2024
On Advancing Racial Justice with Sarah Ibrahim
An insightful interview with Sarah Ibrahim, our 2024 Community Hero Award Winner.
December 19, 2024
Navigating Growth, Talent, and AI in the Legal Landscape
Smokeball's State of Law Report unveils the challenges and opportunities facing the legal industry that will shape the year in 2024
August 21, 2024
Highlights from Smokeball Spark: Implementing a Roadmap for Growth
Discover an actionable roadmap that you can leverage to achieve success and growth for your law firm
August 21, 2024
Enhance Your Practice with Marketplace Precedents: Newly Added Fertility and Surrogacy Law Precedents
If you are a Family, Fertility or Surrogacy Lawyer, we have Precedents available for you in Smokeball
August 21, 2024
Empowering Family Law Professionals on How to Best Address Family Violence Matters
Discover practical insights that you can implement in professional practice to help your clients who have been impacted by family violence
August 21, 2024
Highlights from Smokeball Spark: Building a Financially Thriving Legal Practice
Discover all the valuable insights from Clayton Oates on building a financially thriving legal practice
August 21, 2024
FileMan now integrates with Smokeball
Level up your security and simplify the archiving of all your closed files with FileMan’s integration with Smokeball.
August 21, 2024
Highlights from Smokeball Spark: Automating Your Legal Practice
Learn how automation tools can enhance you law firms' efficiency, accuracy, resource allocation, reduce costs, and improve client satisfaction, in Hunter Steele’s transformative Smokeball Spark session.
October 3, 2024
ChatGPT for Lawyers: Everything You Need to Know
Will AI replace lawyers? We outline information on legal technology and the role of machine learning, and how it will impact legal professionals around the world.
August 21, 2024
Smokeball and FamilyProperty Present the “State of Family Law Series: Best Practice in Family Violence”
Registrations are now open for the six-part webinar series beginning 31st May.
August 21, 2024
Celebrating National Secretary's Day 2023
To celebrate our unsung legal admin superstars, we asked our clients to tell us how their remarkable paralegal or secretary goes the extra mile for their firm, for their chance to spoil them with a luxury hamper. And the winners are...
August 21, 2024
8 Strategies to Safeguard your Firm During Economic Downturn
Use these 8 strategies to protect your firm and maintain a robust profit regardless of the fluctuating economy.
August 21, 2024
Highlights from Smokeball Spark: 6 Superpowers of High-Performing Happy Lawyers
Uncover the six super powers of high-performing happy lawyers in Clarissa Rayward's enlightening Smokeball Spark session.
August 21, 2024
Highlights from Smokeball Spark: Designing a Seamless Legal Client Experience
Discover all the valuable insights from Paul Hugh-Jones Smokeball Spark session on designing a seamless legal experience.
August 20, 2024
How Legal Technology Can Help Your Firm Grow and Retain Its Client Base
The law firm of the future is one that embraces technology to grow and retain its client base.
August 21, 2024
PaperCut MF using Cilantro now integrates with Smokeball
Streamline your workflow and securely manage all scan and print activities.
August 21, 2024
Smokeball Spark 2023: Highlights from Hunter Steele's 'Vision + Product Innovations' Keynote
Smokeball CEO and Founder Hunter Steele opened the inaugural Smokeball Spark conference with a captivating storytelling keynote exploring how innovation in legal tech is evolving.
August 21, 2024
Women-In-Law Embracing Equity – Sarah Smith
To celebrate International Women’s Day 2023, throughout March we will be shining a special light on our inspiring 2023 Community Hero female finalists, who are forging equity and change within the legal space.
August 21, 2024
Women-In-Law Embracing Equity – Sarah Ibrahim
To celebrate International Women’s Day 2023, throughout March we will be shining a special light on our inspiring 2023 Community Hero female finalists, who are forging equity and change within the legal space.
August 21, 2024
Women-In-Law Embracing Equity – Claudia Maclean
To celebrate International Women’s Day 2023, throughout March we will be shining a special light on our inspiring 2023 Community Hero female finalists, who are forging equity and change within the legal space.
August 21, 2024
Women-In-Law Embracing Equity – Sheetal Deo
This March, we are excited to celebrate International Women's Day 2023 by shining a light on the inspiring female finalists from the 2023 Community Hero Awards, who are forging equity and change in the legal sector.
August 21, 2024
Takeaways from Smokeball Spark 2023
Inaugural Smokeball Spark Conference for Small Law Firms & Sole Practitioners Hit the Big Topics
August 21, 2024
Sheetal Deo Named Smokeball 2023 Community Hero
Sheetal receives the honour for reinventing the business model for legal services to improve access to justice, and for her commitment to delivering diversity and inclusion in the law.
August 21, 2024
Smokeball's Marketplace Precedents offering welcomes another new author - Vik Sundar
We are thrilled to introduce Vik Sundar, our newest Marketplace Precedents legal author specialising in estate planning.
August 21, 2024
Marketplace Precedents gets Bigger and Better with our Newest Author - Rachael Bosnjak  
Access all new high-quality immigration precedents through Smokeball's subscription based service - Marketplace Precedents.
August 20, 2024
Lighting the Spark for 2023
Smokeball Starts Year Strong with Inaugural Smokeball Spark Conference for Small Law Firms & Sole Practitioners
August 21, 2024
Top 4 Tips for Effective Law Firm Referral Marketing
With the right strategy in place, referral marketing can be a great marketing tool that will help you put your law firm on the map without you spending any money on marketers.
August 21, 2024
Top 6 Time Management Tips for Busy Lawyers
Improving your time management will enable you to become a more organised, productive and less stressed lawyer. In this blog, we explain how you can master your time management at work.
August 21, 2024
Invest in Your Success in 2023 - Win Tickets to Smokeball Spark
We're excited to be giving away 5 pairs of tickets to Smokeball Spark.
August 21, 2024
What goals should my law firm have in 2023?
From client communication to wellness, here is what your legal practice should be prioritising in the next 12 months.
August 21, 2024
Not All Heroes Wear Capes - Smokeball Launches Second Annual Community Hero Award
The Smokeball Community Hero Award returns for a second year to acknowledge the impactful work that small law firms conduct in their communities.
August 21, 2024
Smokeball Now Integrates with Vxt – The Phone System for Lawyers
Capture more of your billable hours with Vxt and Smokeball.
August 21, 2024
How to Ensure Smooth Lawyer-Client Relations from Day 1
Let’s outline the three key areas that lawyers must focus on to effortlessly build strong long-term relationships with their clients.
August 21, 2024
Unlock the Power of Social Media Marketing with Lawyer Thought Leadership
Thought leadership affects brand-building and sales at every stage of a customer’s journey. It not only provides more exposure for yourself and your firm, it also helps to position you as a leader in your industry.
August 21, 2024
Tradition Still Reigns Supreme in Small Law Work Attraction
Uncover the unique findings from the State of Small Law Australia Survey 2022, highlighting the top methods firms are focusing on to attract new clients.
August 20, 2024
Smokeball joins forces with eBrief Ready
Never compile a brief manually for Counsel again.
August 20, 2024
3 Ways Automation Tools Boost Your Personal Injury Firm's Success
Let’s look at three steps during each matter where personal injury software automation tools help your firm offer better service.
August 20, 2024
Setting a Spark Alight
We are beyond excited to launch our inaugural Smokeball Spark Conference for small law firms and sole practitioners.
August 20, 2024
5 Ways Legal Professionals Can Combat Imposter Syndrome
Let’s look at five ways you can manage and eradicate the effects of imposter syndrome— and how to identify it in the first place.
August 20, 2024
Smokeball Makes 2022 Australia's Best Workplaces™ for Women List
We are incredibly proud to share that Smokeball has been named on the 2022 Australia's Best Workplaces™ for Women List, which identifies organisations across the country committed to fostering equity in the workplace.
August 21, 2024
5 Ways Legal Technology Boosts Your Client Relationships
Here are five ways legal technology tools boost both the law firm client experience and loyalty.
August 21, 2024
Cut out time spent on unbillable administrative work
What can lawyers do to ensure that they’re spending their time on work that both moves their matters forward and contributes to their firm’s bottom line?
August 21, 2024
8 Easy Steps you can Employ to Keep your Law Firm Clients Happy
Building a book of good law firm clients is essential. Keeping those clients happy and referring others is even more critical. Here are eight easy steps that you can start today.
August 21, 2024
2022 State of Small Law Australia Survey: The New Normal Is Here to Stay
New findings from Smokeball's 2022 State of Small Law Study show that Australian firms are back to business as usual, but the 'new normal' is here to stay.
August 21, 2024
Leverage Your Firm’s Practice Management Software as Project Management Software
Learn how to leverage your firm's matter management software as a project management tool to get your firm ready for remote work — or to improve your current processes.
August 21, 2024
Introducing Marketplace Precedents
Save hours drafting legal documents from scratch and leverage our new high-quality precedent library.
August 21, 2024
How to Boost Your Law Firm Business Development
Smart law firm business development means using what you already know about your practice and clients to generate more success. By narrowing your focus, you increase your chance of success. Here’s how Smokeball can help.
August 21, 2024
How to Keep Your Hybrid Law Firm Engaged
How can firm leaders ensure staffers remain engaged and productive, producing consistent work while working at a hybrid law firm?
August 21, 2024
Discover Best Practice Tips and Tricks in the Smokeball Community
Visit the Smokeball Community for best practice tips, the latest product updates and Q&A sessions with experts.
August 21, 2024
How to Fight Lawyer Burnout at Your Firm
Lawyer mental health matters—and is an essential part in becoming a better practitioner. Learn how firms can better manage lawyer stress and cultivate supportive work environments.
August 21, 2024
Use Smokeball Workflows to Support your Law Firm Training and Mentorship
Is your firm going hybrid or fully remote? Don't lose out on great benefits like training and mentorship programs. Learn how you can use workflows to set expectations, performance metrics, and shorten the learning curve for those new hires.
August 21, 2024
How Many Days is Right? Setting Your Law Firm Work-From-Home Policy
It’s time to define your firm’s hybrid policy clearly, so everyone understands expectations — both in and out of the office.
August 21, 2024
How to Set Law Firm Goals that Boost Profits and Productivity
Think beyond the grind of your daily workload and take time for goal-setting. Learn how metrics help your firm set goals that align with your current successes and desired future.
August 21, 2024
Smokeball Makes the Podium with WRK+ and Great Place to Work Listings
We are thrilled to share that Smokeball has made the podium in two high-profile employee engagement listings in 2022!
August 21, 2024
Manage your Growth from Solo Practitioner to Multi-staffed Law Firm
Moving from solo to multi-member firm? Make sure you understand your goals, market and competition before you start interviewing potential colleagues. Learn more about the factors to consider.
August 21, 2024
Setting New Law Firm Hires Up for Success
Before you start interviewing, you need a plan for how your new law firm hires will add value. Let’s explore how you can set new hires up for success.
August 21, 2024
3 Steps to Building Your Ideal Firm Client Base
How can you bring in a larger caseload while maintaining trust with your current client base and staying on top of your day-to-day responsibilities?
August 21, 2024
Attracting the Right Legal Clients for Your Boutique Law Firm
Learn how you can identify and attract your dream legal clients — and why you shouldn’t be afraid to let go of clients that aren’t the right fit for your firm.
August 21, 2024
Turn Your Small Law Firm’s Leads into New Clients
Take these proactive steps today to effectively nurture your future law firm clients.
August 21, 2024
Finding Your Law Firm’s Brand Voice
Defining your voice will take your brand to the next level. But, how do you find your brand voice exactly? And, how can you do it when you’ve already got so many matters you’re working on?
August 21, 2024
Building a Strong and Engaging Law Firm Brand
How do you build your law firm’s brand from the ground up (or re-brand it), especially when you have client matters to manage?
August 21, 2024
How To Take on a Law Firm Partner with a Different Specialisation
Let’s explore what you should look for in a new partner, outline the business considerations when taking on a partner with a different specialisation and discuss how to publicise your firm’s additional services.
August 21, 2024
2022 Law Firm Leadership Interview Series: Kerri Shaw & Gemma Bunner, Shaw & Bunner Legal
To conclude our 2022 Law Firm Leadership Interview Series, we are delighted to welcome Kerri Shaw and Gemma Bunner, co-founders of Shaw & Bunner Legal.
August 21, 2024
Family Lawyers: Make These Updates When a Client’s Child Turns 18
Your role is focused on helping your clients navigate the short-term stresses of these legal arrangements. But engaging in a multi-year relationship means you’ll need to revisit their agreements once a child turns 18.
August 21, 2024
How To Hire Your Next Law Firm Intern
Your small law firm can greatly benefit from hiring an intern. It’s a great way to test-drive a long-term hire and reduce admin work for your senior team. So how do you find and hire an intern? Follow these tips.
August 21, 2024
FCFCOA Merger – Reaching Resolutions
The Smokeball and FamilyProperty 2022 State of Family Law Conference east coast tour concludes. Uncover the key event summary, highlights, and commentary.
August 21, 2024
2022 Law Firm Leadership Interview Series: Laura Vickers, Nest Legal
During this episode, we are thrilled to chat with Laura Vickers, Principal Lawyer and Founding Director of Nest Legal. She's been hailed an 'industry game-changer' through her innovative approach to client service.
August 21, 2024
Check Financial Cleaning Off Your Firm To-Do List
It’s tough to move forward when your finances are in disarray. That’s why financial cleaning is one of the most important tasks on your law firm to-do list. Let’s get started.
August 21, 2024
How to Think Bigger about Law Firm Growth
Each firm will find a unique path forward to success, but these important steps will help ease your law firm’s growing pains.
August 21, 2024
2022 Law Firm Leadership Interview Series: Jodi Allen, Allen & Searing Criminal Lawyers
Listen in as Jodi Allen speaks candidly about life as a criminal lawyer and how switching to Smokeball during the pandemic helped the firm transition to working remotely and retain staff.
August 21, 2024
Add Tech Updates to Your Firm’s Digital Housekeeping
Focus on these tech updates to ensure your own digital investments are worthwhile, secure and promote your law firm’s productivity and profitability.
August 21, 2024
FCFCOA Merger – Is it Costing Family Law?
To help family lawyers navigate this new era, Smokeball together with FamilyProperty are holding several in-person conferences in Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne with leading family law experts to explain the new state of family law and share practical insights.
August 21, 2024
2022 Law Firm Leadership Interview Series: Sach Fernando, Maxiom Injury Lawyers
We sat down with Sach Fernando, Principal, Maxiom Injury Lawyers, to learn more about his journey to becoming a lawyer and what the switch to Smokeball software has meant for his firm.
August 21, 2024
National Secretary's Day 2022 – Celebrating Your Unsung Law Firm Superstars
To acknowledge and celebrate our unsung legal admin superstars, we asked our clients to tell us how their remarkable paralegal or secretary goes the extra mile for their practice, for their chance to spoil them with a luxury hamper valued at $250. And the winners are...
August 21, 2024
Celebrate Your Unsung Hero - The Search for Australia’s Best Legal Secretary Underway
The search for the Australia's best unsung legal hero is underway with the launch of Smokeball’s 2022 National Secretary Day competition
August 21, 2024
International Women’s Day In-Conversation Series: Jane Oxley
Throughout March, we’re chatting with key women dominating the legal tech space, forging innovation, and inspiring change. Our final interview is with Smokeball’s Chief Revenue Officer, Jane Oxley.
August 21, 2024
International Women’s Day In-Conversation Series: Connie Lu
Throughout March, we will be shining a light on key women dominating the legal tech space, forging innovation and inspiring change. Next up, we chat with Smokeball’s Lead Software Tester, Connie Lu.
August 21, 2024
2022 Law Firm Leadership Interview Series: Luke Shanahan, Shanahan Family Law
Clarissa Rayward is talking with lawyers at the top of their fields to find out what makes them tick, what challenges they face, and why they do what they do. We are excited to kickstart the series with Luke Shanahan​, Principal Solicitor​ of Shanahan Family Law.
August 21, 2024
International Women’s Day In-Conversation Series: Fiona Kirkman
Throughout March, we will be shining a light on key women dominating the legal tech space, forging innovation and inspiring change. Next up, we chat with FamilyProperty’s CEO & Co-Founder, Fiona Kirkman.
August 21, 2024
International Women’s Day In-Conversation Series: Bianca Bowron-Cuthill
Throughout March, we will be shining a light on key women dominating the legal tech space; who are forging innovation and inspiring change. Next up, we chat with Smokeball's General Manager, Bianca Bowron-Cuthill.
August 21, 2024
Family Law Experts Reveal How Effective the New FCFCOA Merger is
The implications of family law professionals and clients working with the newly established Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) were explored at the State of Family Law webinar.
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