Why I Switched to Clio After 16 Years: My Honest Experience with Law Firm Software (And Why It Was Worth It)

For 16 years, I used LEAP to run my family law firm. It was our core platform for managing clients, documents, billing, and workflows. And for a long time, it worked. But as the firm grew and our needs evolved, I began to feel boxed in by the very system that once supported us.

Eventually, I made the decision to switch to Clio, a cloud-based law firm software platform that had recently launched in Australia. It was one of the biggest operational changes I’ve ever made—and also one of the most rewarding.

In this post, I want to share my honest experience of what led me to change law firm software after 16 years, how the migration unfolded, and what changed in the months that followed. Today, through Scalable Law, I help other firm owners make similar decisions—without the stress and without wasting time or money.

Why I Knew It Was Time to Switch Law Firm Software

LEAP had been reliable for years. But gradually, the friction started to build—and I couldn’t ignore it any longer.

1. It Became Too Rigid for Family Law Workflows

Drafting documents like consent orders and parenting plans became increasingly frustrating. LEAP’s automation just didn’t offer the level of flexibility I needed as our matters became more nuanced and high-volume.

2. Reporting Was Limited

As a business owner, I wanted to make data-driven decisions. But LEAP’s reporting tools were static and shallow. I couldn’t easily track team performance, client conversions, or matter progression—all things critical to scaling a law firm.

3. Costs Were Climbing

At over $300 per user per month, our team of 14 was costing the firm upwards of $3,000/month in licensing fees alone. That would’ve been fine if the value matched the investment—but it didn’t.

4. I Was Locked In

Every time I tried to make a move, I’d realise I was outside the opt-out window, and the contract had auto-renewed. It felt impossible to leave without paying for another 12 months I didn’t want.

So I started exploring modern, cloud-based law firm software that offered more flexibility, better integrations, and a user-friendly experience for both my team and my clients.

Trying Clio: What Stood Out

I’d heard about Clio for years but never took a serious look—until they officially launched in Australia. I signed up for a trial and within days, I knew it was what we needed.

Cloud-Based (For Real)

Clio was built for the cloud, not just ported to it. That meant my team could log in from anywhere—whether working from court, home, or on the go—and still access all matters securely. For a modern practice, that kind of access isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity.

Can you use Clio on a Mac? Yes, Clio works perfectly on Macs, PCs, and mobile devices since it’s browser-based and fully cloud-native.

Smart Integrations

Clio seamlessly connected with tools we already used:

• Xero for accounting
• Calendly for client bookings
• VXT for voice calls and automatic time capture
• Microsoft Word + Outlook for drafting and email

This eliminated so much double-handling. Tasks that used to take hours were now automated or integrated into one simple workflow.

Custom Pipelines and Workflows

With LEAP, we were stuck in fixed structures. But Clio allowed me to build workflows that matched exactly how I wanted the client journey to run—step by step, from intake to resolution.

Real-Time Dashboards and KPIs

Clio’s dashboards gave me instant visibility into:

• Billable hours
• Time to completion
• Staff utilisation
• Financial performance

Having those numbers in front of me—without exporting multiple reports—was a game-changer.

Is Clio the best law firm software for Australian practices? In my experience, yes—especially if you're looking to scale, automate, and improve your systems without relying on outdated tech.

What the Migration Really Looked Like

Switching law firm software is not something you do on a whim. It was a serious project—and I approached it accordingly.

9 Months of Planning

I gave myself time. We reviewed every matter, cleaned up our precedent library, and prepared our team well before the official cutover.

60-Day Dual Run

We ran LEAP and Clio side-by-side for two months. It gave us time to spot bugs, clean up mismatches, and get the team comfortable before committing.

External Migration Support

I hired an expert to manage the data migration. It cost around $20,000—but it saved us months of staff time and gave me confidence that nothing would slip through the cracks.

Team Training

Clio offered free training, which we recorded. That training became part of our onboarding process for all new hires, which saved me even more time down the line.

Does Clio include built-in legal precedents? No. I uploaded my own precedent bank manually. You’ll need to bring or build your own, especially for areas like family law.

Hidden Costs to Watch Out For

Here’s something I didn’t expect: LEAP charged $14,000 to release our stored documents.

While we could export matter and client data, full access to documents came at a steep price. If you’re thinking about switching, ask your provider for a full breakdown of any exit fees upfront.

What Improved After Switching to Clio

Seven months after the migration, the results were obvious.

Lower Costs

Our software bill dropped from around $3,000/month to $2,000/month. That’s $12,000 saved annually, not including the efficiency gains.

Better Automation

We automated client intake, document workflows, and phone call tracking. Manual admin tasks dropped significantly.

Real Visibility

I could finally see where each matter was up to, how each team member was performing, and where the business was headed in real time.

Better Client Experience

The Clio portal gave clients instant access to their documents and messages. No more endless back-and-forth emails or version confusion.

Would I Do It Again?

Yes—without hesitation.

Clio gave me the tools to run a more scalable, sustainable, and professional law firm. It wasn’t just a software change; it was a systems upgrade that allowed me to step out of daily operations and lead the business instead of being stuck inside it.

And that’s what I help other law firm owners do now through Scalable Law.

Want Help Choosing Law Firm Software That Supports Growth?

Through Scalable Law, I now work with ambitious law firm owners who are ready to scale their practice without scaling their stress. Choosing the right law firm software is a big part of that journey.

If your current systems are holding you back, let’s fix that. I’ve been through the trenches and built systems that create real freedom—without sacrificing client results.

Explore the Scalable Business Lounge

A private program where I help firm owners implement automation, create breathing room, and lead with clarity—not chaos.

Like What You Read?

This is just the beginning. In future blogs, we’ll dive deeper into the how — the practical steps we took during the transition and how you can plan a smooth migration for your firm.