Goodmans LLP is recognized internationally as one of Canada’s premier transaction law firms because its lawyers and clients are industry leaders. With a strategic entrepreneurial history and deal-making mindset, Goodmans lawyers deliver intelligent solutions, responsiveness, energy, talent, and determination to get the deal done.

Unlike other legal firms who seek to acquire Business Process Management (BPM) technology to automate the many process-intensive procedures that run its business, Goodmans was in a different situation. The firm considers itself an advanced user of BPM having already gone down the path of automation and using the technology for a number of years until finding itself at the point of needing to replace its current BPM vendor with one that was more aligned with its future goals. The firm’s main objective was to find a vendor that would support its Microsoft-centric infrastructure in addition to one that would integrate with its Elite financial and practice management system.

After reviewing a number of BPM vendors, Goodmans selected Metastorm BPM® as its enterprise process management solution. The firm made the choice based on Metastorm’s track record and proven success in the legal market and close relationship with Microsoft that would serve its future needs.

Using Metastorm BPM as the foundation for its processes, Goodmans is successfully moving its automated processes from its former BPM system to Metastorm. The firm reports the transition to be going extremely well and has already a number of processes running live with no issues. Processes already deployed are as follows:

Trust Requisition – Trust accounts are an essential part of practicing law and Goodmans has established internal controls for handling and documenting many of its financial transactions. This particular process tracks and manages the transfer of funds from a trust account that was set up on behalf of a client over to Goodmans as services are billed.

Purchase Order Requests – The firm has developed an extremely elaborate purchase order processing system that manages the complete lifecycle of a purchase request from initiation to payment. Everything is completed in Metastorm BPM and data is pulled from the firm’s Thomson Elite accounting system giving the firm the ability to generate reports on budget vs. actual in real-time. The firm is also in the process of greatly expanding the scope of this process.

Paperless American Express Bill Payment – Goodmans receives all American Express invoices electronically which in turn is sent to each lawyer electronically via Metastorm BPM. The process enables all lawyers to input proper descriptions and codes and send to accounting for processing without ever seeing a paper invoice. This process has removed the hassle of receiving paper invoices and provides an easy way for the firm to manage costs.

The firm is continuing to transition all of its processes to the Metastorm BPM platform and is now working on its core legal processes including new matter intake and conflict checking. Users access the Metastorm BPM interface as an extension of their email system, which allows them to receive a notice that a task needs action, and within the email allows them to enter the Metastorm BPM system and perform the necessary action.

Metastorm has provided Goodmans with an enterprise platform to streamline and automate its core administrative and legal procedures. The flexibility of Metastorm enabled the firm to easily transition a wide range of processes within a short timeframe and achieve a common process-centric foundation across the firm.

Goodmans reports it has experienced improved performance versus its former BPM system, and gained the ability to better manage processes in an auditable environment for enhanced productivity and collaboration for its 550 plus users.

As an advanced user of BPM technology, Goodmans had extremely high expectations of Metastorm software and feels that Metastorm is helping the firm run a more effective business and has provided a technology platform that aligns well with future goals.