Efficient task management is at the core of successful legal practice. With Lawcus, you can seamlessly add tasks and ensure streamlined collaboration within your team.

Add New Tasks in Lawcus

Method 1: Adding a Task via the Tasks Screen

On the left, click on the Tasks option and click on the New Task button.
Add a descriptive name for your task on the Title field.

To associate the task with a matter or lead, click on the Matter/Lead field, select from the Dropdown.

You can always create a task without associating it with any matter or lead. Make sure you don't select a matter or lead here.

Click on Assigned to field to assign the task to team members as necessary. Your name might be listed by default; remove it if needed by clicking the X, then select the assignees from the Dropdown.
Click on the Due Date field to set the task's due date. You can also configure the task's Start Date, Due Time, and Repeat Settings here. Click on Done to save your selection.
Add Tags, Description, and Add a Reminder if required. You can also add subtasks by clicking on Add Subtask button.
Click on the Save button to include the task in your task list.

Method 2: Adding a Task via +New Option

Click the +New on the top right from any screen for swift task creation.
Click on New Task under Tasks.
Follow the steps as mentioned in Method 1.

Method 3: Adding a Task via the Matters

On the left, click on the Matters option.
Click open the matter for which you wish to add the task and click on the Tasks tab.
Click on the Write a task name field and provide a descriptive name for your task.
Toggle the Lock Icon to set the task as private or public. Remember, private tasks are only visible to you, and all tasks are public by default.
Assign the task to team members as necessary. Your name will be listed by default; remove it if needed by clicking on it, and then click on the X, then select the assignees from the dropdown. Click Done to save your selection.
If applicable, click the Due Date Icon to set the task's due date. You can also configure the task's Start Date, Due Time, and Repeat Settings here. Click on Done to save your selection.
Click the Add button to add the task to your task list.

To add a task via the Leads, follow the same steps as Matters.

Making a Task Private from Public or Vice Versa

Private tasks are private to the user who created it and can be viewable only by that particular user. Whereas, the public tasks can be accessed by all within the organization. Here are the steps how you update the privacy.

While adding a Task from the Matter or Lead window, click on the Lock Icon to make it private.
Otherwise, in the Task list, locate the task you want to make private. Click on it and click on Make Private button on the top. You can change the private task to public by clicking on Make Public button.
Tasks marked as private will show a Lock Icon next to the task name in the tasks list.

Note: By default, all tasks will be created as Public tasks. Also, while you add a new task via Tasks window, you cannot make it private while creating it. You must edit it to make it private.

Note: You now have the ability to delegate private tasks to others. To assign a private task to someone else, open the task and follow the same process. Alternatively, you can also designate the assignee during the initial creation of the private task.

Edit or Update Existing Tasks

Go to Tasks on the left and hover on the task you want to edit and click on the Edit Icon or on the Matter/Lead's Task tab, click on the task you wish to edit.
Make all necessary changes to the task and click on Update.

Note: Based on the Start Date and Due Date, the tasks will also appear on your calendar. You will also see all such tasks are listed under Today's Agenda within the Dashboard. If there is no Due Date, the task will not appear on the Calendar.

View your Tasks

You can view all your Tasks under Tasks from the left menu. You can also view tasks on Relevant Matters or Leads page under Tasks tab. Also, based on the Due Date tasks are also viewable on Calendar and Today's Agenda on the Dashboard.

Switch between My Tasks and All Tasks to view tasks assigned to you and all public tasks respectively.

Note: On the Tasks page, please use the Filter, Sorting, and Grouping options to update your view and also zero down the required result.

Steps to Filter Tasks

Click on the Tasks section in the left-hand menu.
Look for the Filter button and click on it to open the filter dialog.
In the filter dialog, you have several options in the Columns to refine your task view and also select the operator and values as well:
1. Assigned: Select this to see tasks assigned to specific attorneys.
2. Matter: To see tasks exclusively related to a specific matter.
3. Tag: If you have assigned tags to tasks, you can use them as well.
4. Due Date: Manage your tasks by filtering them based on their due dates.
5. Task Name: Find tasks quickly by filtering them based on their names.
Once you select one or a combination of filters, Lawcus will automatically filter the result for you. Just click outside the dialog box to close it. Now, the tasks panel will display only the tasks that match your specified filters.

Note: If you ever want to clear the filters and view all tasks again, simply reopen the filter dialog and click the X Button to reset the filters. You can also use this method to modify your filter.

Marking Tasks as Complete

Use the following locations and methods to mark a task as complete.

From a Matter or Lead Info Page:
1. Click on the Tasks Tab.
2. Select the Checkbox right before the Task Name to mark it as complete.
From Task Page
1. Hover on the task which you want to mark as complete.
2. Click on the Mark as Complete button to complete the task.
3. Alternatively, select the Checkbox right before the task name and click on Mark Complete Button. You can use this option to Bulk Select tasks and mark them as complete as well.
From Task Detail View Page
1. Select the Checkbox right before the Task Name and click on Update to mark it as complete.

Steps to Re-open a Completed Task

Locate the completed task you want to re-open in the Task list.
Hover on the task and click on the Mark as Pending button to reopen.
Alternatively, click on the task to open the task detail page. Unselect the checkbox right before the task name. This action will re-open the task.

Steps to add a sub-task

Sometimes, a major task has several milestones that make it look as if the task isn't being worked on but is, in reality, being handled. Adding all the sub-tasks under such a complex task brings a much-needed structure and a clearer picture of how the task is progressing. Here are the steps:

While adding a new task or editing an existing task, click on Add subtask button, then input a name for it.
Click the contact button, add a teammate you want to assign the sub-task to, then tap Done.
Tap Update to wrap up the process.

You can select the checkbox right before the sub-task name to mark it as complete after opening the task to view it in detail.

FAQ Section

FAQ1: Can a task be assigned to multiple assignees?

Answer: Yes, you can. Click on the Assigned To section and assign the task to multiple individuals. You can either select from the dropdown or type a few letters to search for the individual.

FAQ2: Can I assign a priority to each task?

Answer: Yes, you can assign priorities using tags. Simply create tags such as High Priority, Medium Priority, and Low Priority (or any other system that suits your needs) and apply them to tasks.

FAQ3: How do I assign tasks to clients in Lawcus?

Answer: Just like you assign a task to a user, you can assign tasks to clients either from the Matters or Task section. Just select the client in the Assigned To field before saving. Clients can access assigned tasks via the Client Portal, under Tasks or Your Matters, and submit deliverables by uploading files or adding comments and sending them for review.

FAQ4: How can I view all completed tasks in Lawcus?

Answer: Completed tasks are hidden but can be viewed using the Show Completed button within the Tasks page. Switch back to only the incomplete tasks by deselecting the same Show Completed button.

FAQ5: Is there a feature to sort tasks by priority?

Answer: You have to define the Priority using the Tags feature, and Tags can't be sorted. However, you can Filter those based on your requirements.