“E-billing technology changes the way the law department does business.” Yeah right

“When correctly implemented, e-billing actually changes the way attorneys and support staff do business. Call it business process reengineering brought down to the legal department.” This optimistic claim comes from Corp. Counsel, Vol. 15, May 2008 at 75.

Certainly, members of the legal staff do different things with respect to invoices once they have e-billing software. But not every modification of behavior deserves renown and praise as business process reengineering. The hyperbole that surrounds software that “transforms the practice of law” usually turns out to be marketing exaggeration. It is enough that software improves the productivity of those in law departments who use it.