Media Centre

Minneapolis, MN. - February 28th 2007 - Minnesota’s largest personal injury law firm, Schwebel Goetz & Sieben, has joined the growing number of law firms across the state to have recently implemented BigHand3 Digital Dictation workflow technology. Schwebel Goetz & Sieben quickly recognized how the software, designed specifically for law firms, could improve their service to clients and the positive results of the project have now fully supported this. BigHand software is exclusively supplied and implemented by Loffler Companies Inc. across Minnesota.

The BigHand system allows attorneys to send dictated case notes instantly to their assistants even if they are out of the office, in another meeting, or leaving to go home. The system creates ‘virtual teams’ across the firm that mean secretaries have the capability to team together and ensure documents get out of the door to clients twice as quickly. Attorneys can even email dictation into their assistants when they are at court, at a client site or even on vacation – dramatically speeding up the drafting and production process.

Whereas it was not uncommon for some cases at Schwebel Goetz & Sieben to have backlogs before BigHand software was implemented, now 99% of all files are processed within a week and clients are feeling the direct benefit. In addition, the amount the firm will save from service calls and tape costs, which were significant with the old system, has helped pay for the new software.

Denise Lieske, Schwebel Goetz & Sieben Controller, described the impact of BigHand Digital Dictation software: “In our business it is critical we move fast in response to newly published medical records and reports – and there is no doubt BigHand software gives us a unique advantage over other firms who may not have the capability to move as quickly as we can. This has obviously made everyone at the firm very satisfied, as our clients have always come first, but when you add the costs savings we have made from moving off old tape equipment then it really has been a success story. I think it paid off implementing software that is designed for lawyers as we had originally looked at systems that came out of the medical sector - and it was obvious they were not as flexible as we needed them to be.”

Schwebel Goetz & Sieben founder James Schwebel described the service levels they have experienced as part of the project: “Our service from Loffler was outstanding. Our consultant was immediately available for any of our employees who needed instruction on the new dictation software. Her patience, calmness and friendly demeanor made her an outstanding instructor. As a result we are all enjoying the new system.”

The firm previously had a tape cassette based system and found over a number of years that:

- Tape machines consistently broke down

- The quality of recordings and instructions was very bad and increased redrafting time

- Cassette tapes often went missing

- The firm had spent a substantial amount of money on buying replacement tapes and servicing old machines

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