This week, we’re spotlighting Slingbaum Law, a distinguished firm known for its dedication to justice and client care. Founded by Matthew Slingbaum, this growing firm with a team of eight specializes in nursing home negligence and medical malpractice cases. With a strong background in both medicine and law, Matthew has built a practice that combines his passions to help those in need.
Taylor from PracticePanther: Thanks for joining us, Matthew. To start, could you tell us a bit about your background and what inspired you to start Slingbaum Law?
Matthew: Absolutely. Since I was a kid, I have had a strong interest in both medicine and law. I was always fascinated by the medical field and thought about becoming a doctor. But I also admired the legal profession, partly because of some family friends who were attorneys.
My career path changed dramatically after a sports injury, which would have been a medical malpractice case today. That experience shifted my trajectory and made me realize I could combine my interests by focusing on medical malpractice.
Taylor: That’s quite a journey. How did your personal experience influence your approach to handling malpractice cases?
Matthew: It gave me a unique perspective on what clients go through. I understand the frustration and the need for answers when medical care goes wrong. The impact extends beyond physical injuries to emotional and psychological well-being. My goal is to provide the best representation and support for my clients, helping them find the answers they need and the compensation they deserve.
Overcoming Common Challenges in Law Practice Management
Taylor: Managing a practice must come with its challenges. How have you addressed these challenges over the years?
Matthew: Indeed, managing a high-volume practice like ours involves juggling many details. Before, we struggled with keeping track of all the photos and documents we received from clients. It was easy for things to get lost. We needed a system, like PracticePanther, to ensure all evidence was securely documented and accessible. Implementing a more structured approach to managing case files and client communications has been vital in improving our efficiency and client satisfaction.
Enhancing Client Communication
Taylor: You mentioned improving client communication. How has this changed your interactions with clients?
Matthew: Clients appreciate being able to reach us anytime. Many of our clients have busy schedules and prefer to communicate outside of regular office hours. By adopting a more flexible communication system through PracticePanther, they can send us messages at their convenience, and we ensure these messages are logged into their case files for us to review later. This process has made our clients feel more connected and valued, knowing that we are always recording their concerns and addressing them promptly.
Streamlining Document Management
Taylor: How do you keep document management at your firm streamlined, especially with the high volume of cases?
Matthew: We’ve drastically reduced the time spent on paperwork by creating document templates and syncing client data in PracticePanther. It used to take up to 40 minutes to prepare a new intake packet. Now, with auto-populating templates in PracticePanther, it takes around 5 minutes. We’ve been able to focus more on client interaction and case strategy instead of getting bogged down in administrative tasks.
Ensuring Firm Safety and Compliance
Taylor: Can you share an example of how you ensure your firm’s safety and compliance measures?
Matthew: One critical aspect is our ability to quickly check the statute of limitations on all our cases with PracticePanther. Using this feature prevents any oversight and ensures that we meet all our deadlines. By running reports, we can see the status of each case and identify any potential issues before they become problems. As a result, our compliance has improved, making our practice more secure.
Onboarding New Team Members
Taylor: Onboarding new team members can often be challenging. How have you eased this process using PracticePanther?
Matthew: We have found that PracticePanther’s user-friendly interface and tailored training sessions make it easy for new employees to get up to speed quickly. Our PracticePanther customer success manager has provided invaluable training sessions tailored to our specific needs. New staff members can quickly learn the system and start working efficiently, almost as if they’ve been with us for years.
Increasing Client Satisfaction and Referrals
Taylor: How have changes to your firm’s case management and client communications improved your client satisfaction and referral rates?
Matthew: Since we’ve adopted PracticePanther, our clients are happier because their cases move along faster, and they feel more informed throughout the process. We’re now seeing more referrals, repeat business, and just an overall increase in client satisfaction. The ability to communicate efficiently and keep clients updated, without a bunch of extra work on our part, has made a big difference.
Advice to Other Law Firms
Taylor: Finally, what advice would you give to other law firms seeking the growth you’ve experienced?
Matthew: I’d say it’s crucial to invest in a system like PracticePanther that increases efficiency and improves client satisfaction. The right software can pay for itself many times over through better case outcomes and happier clients. Your cases will move faster, which leads to more referrals and more revenue.
Plus, the time you save can be spent on other important aspects of your practice or personal life. Focusing on these improvements has truly transformed how we operate, and I highly recommend other firms consider similar steps.
Curious About PracticePanther for Your Firm?
The team at Slingbaum Law sets a high standard with their dedication to clients and innovative approach to practicing law. Interested in seeing how PracticePanther can improve your firm’s efficiency and client satisfaction like Slingbaum Law? Schedule a demo today and discover the difference for yourself.
