TriLegal

A document management system for India's leading law firm Trilegal.

00

problem

Trilegal being one of India’s leading law firms, had a fundemental problem they wanted to solve. They never could implement a white label document management system due to it's rigidity in it's workflow. Since most of the employees had varied workstyles, I needed to come up with a flexible document management that could allow both structured and unstructured workflows

solution

I partnered with Trilegal to design and implement a heavily customized document management system (DMS) built on Microsoft SharePoint, due to tight project timelines. The solution catered to both structured and unstructured workflows, offering flexibility to meet diverse user needs.

Trilegal is one of India’s leading law firms, renowned for its expertise in corporate law, dispute resolution, and regulatory practices. With offices across multiple cities, Trilegal’s legal teams handle an immense volume of sensitive legal documents daily, necessitating a robust and flexible document management solution.

Trilegal encountered significant obstacles in optimizing its document management processes due to:

  • Heterogeneous Workflows: Teams exhibited divergent preferences, with some adhering to rigorously structured workflows while others adopted more fluid, ad hoc approaches.

  • Scalability Constraints: The exponential growth of the firm strained the capacity of its incumbent document management system, impeding efficiency and user experience.

  • Security and Regulatory Compliance: Legal practice mandates robust data protection protocols to maintain confidentiality and ensure compliance with stringent regulatory frameworks.

  • Tool Integration and Adoption: Seamless integration with existing tools—notably Microsoft Word—and user-centric design were critical to fostering widespread adoption.

To address these multifaceted challenges, we architected and implemented a tailored DMS solution leveraging a highly customized Microsoft SharePoint platform. This hybrid framework accommodated both structured and unstructured workflows, ensuring optimal functionality for all user groups. Key features included:

dual-workflow enablement

  • Structured Processes:

    For teams reliant on standardized methodologies, a dedicated application provided tools for document categorization, approval workflows, and retention policy enforcement.


  • Unstructured Processes:

    A bespoke Microsoft Word plugin enabled ad hoc workflows by allowing users to:

    • Access documents directly from the DMS repository.

    • Seamlessly upload finalized documents to designated matters without exiting the Word interface.

fortified security

  • Role-based access controls ensured granular permissions, safeguarding sensitive information.

  • Comprehensive audit trails logged all access and modifications, bolstering accountability and compliance.

usability and integration

  • The intuitive Word plugin integrated seamlessly into existing workflows, reducing disruption.

  • User training sessions were meticulously designed to expedite onboarding and ensure proficiency.

scalability and efficiency

  • The SharePoint architecture was optimized to accommodate Trilegal’s growth trajectory, maintaining system performance under increasing demand.

  • Advanced search functionality facilitated rapid document retrieval, even as the database expanded exponentially.


implementation process

The deployment was executed in meticulously planned phases:

  • Needs Assessment and Design

    Comprehensive stakeholder interviews and process analyses informed the design of a system aligned with Trilegal’s operational intricacies.


  • Development and Customization

    The Word plugin and workflow templates were developed and rigorously tested to ensure alignment with user preferences.


  • Phased Rollout

    Incremental deployment was coupled with interactive training sessions, minimizing disruptions and fostering familiarity.


  • Continuous Support

    Post-implementation, we provided iterative updates and user support, incorporating feedback to refine functionality.

outcomes

The newly implemented DMS yielded transformative results:

  • Operational Efficiency: Streamlined workflows reduced the time spent on document retrieval and management, significantly enhancing productivity.


  • High Adoption Rates: The dual workflow approach catered to diverse user preferences, ensuring extensive utilization across teams.


  • Regulatory Assurance: Audit trails and robust security measures ensured unwavering compliance with legal and regulatory mandates.


  • Enhanced Collaboration: The system fostered greater collaboration, whether through the standalone app or the Word interface.


  • Future-Ready Scalability: Designed for growth, the DMS positioned Trilegal to efficiently manage expanding operations.

year

2024

timeframe

6 months

tools

Figma

category

UI/UX

01

Trilegal's word plugin to aid flexibility in working in an unstructured workflow

02

A responsive mobile app for Matter Owners and Parteners that enables them to track on the move

03

Manage and access matter specific documents

.say hello

i'm open for freelance projects, feel free to email me to see how can we collaborate

.say hello

i'm open for freelance projects, feel free to email me to see how can we collaborate