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Matter Insights in Lawcus

Written by Devanshi Kackar

Matter Insights gives law firms greater visibility into matter intake, workload trends, attorney performance, client engagement, and financial health. These interactive charts and reports help firm leaders identify opportunities, reduce risk, improve efficiency, and make data-driven decisions.

All Matter Insights charts support drill-down capabilities, allowing you to click on a chart element and view the individual matters behind the data.


New Matters vs Closed Matters

The New Matters vs Closed Matters chart compares how many matters were opened and closed each month. This helps you quickly understand whether new work is coming into the firm faster than matters are being resolved.

This chart helps firms:

  • Monitor matter intake versus resolution trends.

  • Identify growing backlogs.

  • Measure case throughput and operational efficiency.

  • Understand whether workload is increasing or decreasing over time.

How to Read the Chart

  • X-Axis (Months): Each bar group represents a month.

  • Y-Axis (Number of Matters): Total count of matters.

  • Opened Matters: Counted using the matter Open Date.

  • Closed Matters: Counted using the matter Close Date and status.

Understanding the Results

  • Opened Matters > Closed Matters: More matters are entering the firm than are being completed, which may indicate increasing demand or a growing backlog.

  • Closed Matters > Opened Matters: Your team is resolving matters faster than new work is arriving, helping reduce the outstanding workload.

  • Opened Matters ≈ Closed Matters: Matter intake and resolution are balanced, indicating a steady workflow.

Drill-Down Details

Click any bar to view the underlying matters, including:

  • Matter Name

  • Matter Number

  • Client

  • Responsible Attorney

  • Practice Area

  • Matter Type (Pipeline)

  • Billing Type

  • Originating Attorney

  • Location


Matters by Practice Area – Trend

This chart displays how many new matters were opened each month, broken down by practice area.

Each month appears as a stacked column, showing both total intake volume and the contribution from each practice area.

Use this chart to:

  • Identify growing practice areas.

  • Detect seasonal demand patterns.

  • Plan staffing and resource allocation.

  • Evaluate business development efforts.

  • Monitor strategic growth initiatives.

How to Read the Chart

  • X-Axis (Months): Based on matter Open Date.

  • Y-Axis (Number of Matters): Total matters opened.

  • Stack Segments: Individual practice areas.

  • Measure: Count of matters opened.

Drill-Down Details

Click any practice area segment to view:

  • Matter Name

  • Matter Number

  • Client

  • Responsible Attorney

  • Matter Type (Pipeline)

  • Billing Type

  • Originating Attorney

  • Location


Matters by Matter Type (Pipeline) – Trend

This chart shows how new matters are distributed across matter types or pipeline stages over time.

Each stacked column represents a month, while colored sections indicate different matter types or pipeline stages.

This chart helps firms:

  • Track changes in matter mix over time.

  • Monitor pipeline growth.

  • Identify increases or declines in specific types of work.

  • Understand where matters are entering the workflow.

How to Read the Chart

  • X-Axis (Months): Based on matter Open Date.

  • Y-Axis (Number of Matters): Total matters opened.

  • Stack Segments: Matter Types or Pipeline Stages.

  • Measure: Count of matters opened.

Drill-Down Details

Click any segment to view:

  • Matter Name

  • Matter Number

  • Client

  • Responsible Attorney

  • Practice Area

  • Matter Type (Pipeline)

  • Billing Type

  • Originating Attorney

  • Location

  • Stage


Matters by Practice Area

This chart provides a snapshot of how matters opened during the selected month are distributed across practice areas.

Use this chart to:

  • Understand where current work is coming from.

  • Identify the firm’s busiest practice areas.

  • Support short-term staffing decisions.

  • Monitor monthly intake distribution.

How to Read the Chart

Each section of the chart represents a practice area.

Larger sections indicate a higher number of matters opened in that practice area during the selected month.

Drill-Down Details

Click any segment to view:

  • Matter Name

  • Matter Number

  • Client

  • Responsible Attorney

  • Matter Type (Pipeline)

  • Billing Type

  • Originating Attorney

  • Location


Matters by Matter Type (Pipeline)

This chart shows how matters opened during the selected month are distributed across different matter types or pipeline stages.

This view helps firms:

  • Understand the types of work entering the firm.

  • Monitor pipeline distribution.

  • Balance workload across teams.

  • Identify areas requiring additional attention.

How to Read the Chart

Each segment represents a matter type or pipeline stage.

Larger segments indicate a greater number of matters opened in that category during the selected month.

Drill-Down Details

Click any segment to view:

  • Matter Name

  • Matter Number

  • Client

  • Responsible Attorney

  • Practice Area

  • Billing Type

  • Originating Attorney

  • Location

  • Stage


Open Matters Without Recent Work in X Days

This chart highlights open matters that have not had any work activity recorded within a selected number of days.

Work activity includes:

  • Time Entries

  • Expense Entries

  • Flat Fee Entries

The chart groups matters by attorney and helps identify potentially inactive matters.

Key Benefits

Prevent Missed Billing Opportunities

Inactive matters may indicate work that was performed but not recorded, leading to lost revenue.

Reduce Client Risk

Matters with no recent activity may be stalled, increasing the risk of client dissatisfaction.

Improve Accountability

Firm leaders can quickly identify where follow-up may be needed.

Protect Revenue

Timely review of inactive matters helps reduce write-offs and revenue leakage.

Available Filters

Attorney Grouping

- Responsible Attorney

- Originating Attorney

Activity Window

Select the inactivity period:

  • 30 Days

  • 60 Days

  • 90 Days

Matter Qualification Criteria

A matter is counted when:

  • Matter Status = Open

  • No time, expense, or flat-fee entries exist within the selected time period

Drill-Down Details

Click any bar to view:

  • Matter Name

  • Matter Number

  • Client

  • Responsible Attorney

  • Practice Area

  • Billing Type

  • Originating Attorney

  • Location

  • Matter Type (Pipeline)


Open Matters Without Recent Client Contact in X Days

This chart identifies open matters that have not had recent client communication within a selected period.

Key Benefits

Protect Client Relationships

Regular communication improves client satisfaction and reduces complaints.

Reduce Billing Friction

Clients who feel informed are less likely to dispute invoices.

Prevent Stalled Matters

Matters lacking communication may require immediate follow-up.

Available Filters

Attorney Grouping

- Responsible Attorney

- Originating Attorney

Contact Window

Select the inactivity period:

  • 30 Days

  • 60 Days

  • 90 Days

Matter Qualification Criteria

A matter is counted when:

  • Matter Status = Open

  • No client contact has been recorded within the selected time period

Drill-Down Details

Click any bar to view:

  • Matter Name

  • Matter Number

  • Client

  • Responsible Attorney

  • Practice Area

  • Billing Type

  • Originating Attorney

  • Location

  • Matter Type (Pipeline)


Top X Matters by Outstanding AR

This table highlights the matters with the highest outstanding Accounts Receivable (AR), helping firms prioritize collection efforts and improve cash flow.

The report displays current-month data and is sorted by outstanding balance.

Key Benefits

  1. Focus collection efforts on matters with the largest unpaid balances.

  2. Identify the highest-impact collection opportunities first.

  3. Address aging balances before they become difficult to collect.

  4. Monitor which matters carry the largest outstanding receivables.

Available Options

Select how many matters to display:

  • Top 10

  • Top 20

  • Top 50

Table Columns

  • Matter Name (Number)

  • Client Name

  • Originating Attorney

  • Responsible Attorney

  • Outstanding AR

  • Last Activity Date

This report provides a quick view of where revenue is currently tied up and helps firms take targeted action to improve collections.

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