There are now thousands of managed IT support companies in the US, and an increasing number of them have packages designed specifically for law firms.
In this article, we review and compare the best of them: the companies that not only offer a package for lawyers but also have experience providing IT support for law firms at the highest levels. If you’re looking for quotes, these firms can provide you with a benchmark, telling you what a good offer should include and how much you might expect to pay.
Here’s the list of the best IT support companies for law firms as of this year.
Key Criteria When Selecting an IT Support Firm
The most important factor when choosing among the best IT support companies for law firms is knowing the level of expertise that a software company actually has in the legal industry. Software that works for a retail firm or a healthcare conglomerate is not going to be the right choice for you.
IT support companies that are experienced at working with law firms and understand the unique technological needs and compliance requirements of law offices will give you the best overall results. Your IT partner should have a good understanding of your existing legal software, including case management systems, document management tools, and e-discovery platforms.
As with any vendor, you will want to feel sure of the level of responsiveness and availability that a company will provide you with. Lost time in the legal world can be expensive, so it is worth investing in a company that offers 24/7 support or at the very least, a guaranteed response time. This will help to ensure that your issues are addressed quickly.
The leading IT support companies also offer proactive monitoring and maintenance services that can help you prevent problems from getting bigger in the future.
The cost of any IT support always has to be weighed against the price of your entire system being down. It is worth considering IT support as a form of insurance that you may not use for long periods of time, but it will be there when you need it.
You can surely save money by choosing a company with less experience or less availability, but, in the long run, cutting corners in this type of purchase only causes more problems.
#1: Wheelhouse IT
Highly rated across multiple platforms, Wheelhouse IT has bespoke IT solutions crafted with a deep understanding of the unique challenges and needs that legal professionals face daily.
Wheelhouse can handle everything from tech support to cybersecurity and compliance, allowing law firms to bundle their services and reduce costs.
The company claims to have been supporting law firms’ IT for more than 20 years, understanding the specifics of legal document management and common IT infrastructure problems. Their reviews bear this out, currently rated 4.7 out of 5 by users on Google and being ranked in Channel Futures 501 for top Managed IT Service providers for a fifth year in a row.
On top of their technical expertise and experience with law firms, Wheelhouse are consistently praised for their customer service. With quick response times and capable support staff, Wheelhouse should help law firms solve IT issues quicker and with less hassle.
#2: EMPIST
EMPIST is another highly regarded IT support company with extensive experience in the legal sector. In particular, they offer an array of solutions that enable law firms to shield their invaluable data and adhere to stringent compliance standards.
Unlike many (or even most) IT support companies that offer services to lawyers, EMPIST has law-specific IT credentials, specializing in IManage, Prolaw, and Perfect Law. The company provides a variety of IT support services for lawyers, including help with document management, a round-the-clock help desk, and extensive cybersecurity support.
One law firm reviewing EMPIST said they have worked with the firm for more than 10 years because of their dedicated service and ability to problem solve, often staying late or starting early to help clear urgent concerns. The firm has a 4.5 rating on both Google and Clutch, and a list of satisfied clients in the legal sector.
#3: Integris
Integris is now a large IT support provider listed in Clutch’s top 100 fastest-growing firms. But it started out as an IT support company solely for law firms. Their first client was a law firm in New Jersey that helped out the CEO with a speeding ticket!
Of all the companies on our list, Integris has perhaps the most comprehensive service offering for law firms specifically. Among them are:
- US-based, 24/7 help desk
- System design and networking
- Strategic infrastructure planning and budgeting
- Assistance with applications/reporting for cyber risk insurance
- Software license management
- Hardware/software management and inventory
- Cabling and phone systems
- And many more
As well as the particular services, Integris is among the best at understanding the culture, perhaps the reality of legal practice. In their own words, “Did a document bomb on you at 3 a.m. the day before trial? Call us. Our US-based, expert help desk can resolve your issues.”
Being a large firm, you shouldn’t expect Integris to be the cheapest provider you’ll get a quote from. Instead, expect them to provide the highest level of service in your most important IT matters.
#4: Betterworld Technology
Betterworld does not so openly market itself as an IT support company for law firms, but it should still be high on your list for consideration. Why? As a managed IT support provider generally, they have more reviews on Clutch than any other firm on our list, and with a higher score, coming in at 4.9 out of 5.
Like the other firms on our list, they excel at the important things: A strong help desk, managed servers with admin and cybersecurity from monitoring to compliance. But in addition, they stand out in their ability to help with staffing augmentation, policy development, training, and more.
Interestingly, the reviews of BetterWorld from legal industry clients say they were surprised by its low cost compared to other companies they’d tried.
Another differentiator is that Betterworld is a certified B corp, committed to “using the power of business to build a regenerative, equitable, and more inclusive economy.” If this aligns with your law firm’s values, partnering with Betterworld can be (on top of the other benefits) an opportunity to show your clients and stakeholders that those values matter.
Comparing the Top 4: How Do They Vary?
It is important to understand how these companies vary and what their particular levels of expertise are. While they are all experienced with law firms, some have additional features that can be useful, and some companies may be more suitable for smaller or large firms.
Integris is the largest of the firms on our list and you can expect this to be reflected in their pricing. If you’re a small to mid-size law firm and budget conscious, I would try Wheelhouse IT first.
If, however, you want IT support for a multi-location legal practice, you may find Integris or EMPIST more accommodating. One of Integris’s top reviews is from a law firm with 14 offices nationwide, and believes Integris is vital to their business.
One of the reasons you might choose EMPIST over the rest is if cybersecurity is a high priority in your firm. While both Integris and EMPIST have high cybersecurity capabilities, their Clutch profiles show that EMPIST is a higher percentage of their total service at 20% compared to Integris at 10%.
Conclusion
Taking the time to select the right IT support company for your law firm is going to be worth it. By doing so, you will be better assured of seamless operations and the highest level of cybersecurity. The top 3 IT support companies highlighted above are all well-respected among a wide range of law firms and should make a great place for you to start in obtaining quotes.
The factors you choose to prioritize will depend on your particular needs, but most law firms focus on finding an IT support company that is experienced in data security, software integration, workflow management, and helping a law firm to grow. Keep in mind that IT support is not just a service that you are outsourcing, but it is a vital part of your company. By choosing an IT support company that understands law firms, you will give yourself the best chance for a successful and long-term business relationship.
With the right IT support at your side, your law firm will be better positioned to achieve and move forward with confidence.
