Clio Manage lets you upload document templates (Word or text-based) and sprinkle them with merge fields. Think of merge fields as smart placeholders—they reach into Clio, grab your matter, contact, and custom field info, and drop it neatly into the right spot.

The result? A document that looks like you slaved over it for an hour… but took you 30 seconds.

And yes, those quirky custom fields you built (“Date of Dog Bite,” “Opposing Counsel’s Favorite Excuse”)? Clio supports those too. Which means your templates aren’t just standard—they’re tailored to the way your firm works.

---

The Hidden Superpower of Templates

Sure, templates save time—but their secret power is consistency. Every letter, agreement, or pleading leaves your office looking sharp and professional. Fonts match, logos line up, and nobody freelances with Comic Sans.

Consistency means fewer corrections, fewer “oops” moments, and the peace of mind that every document reflects your firm’s brand voice.

---

The Comedy of Errors You’re Avoiding

Let’s be honest: retyping data is a recipe for embarrassment. Forget to swap out the client’s name? Oops—you just welcomed “Mr. Peterson” in Mrs. Johnson’s retainer letter. Accidentally left last week’s dates in a notice of appearance? Now you’re time-traveling.

Templates kill those mistakes before they even have a chance to sneak in. Think of them as a built-in proofreader who works faster than you can hit Ctrl+C.

---

Templates That Practically Build Themselves

Most firms kick things off with:

• Engagement Packages: Retainer letters, fee agreements, and welcome emails that make clients think, “Wow, these folks have their act together.”

• Case Openers: Acknowledgement letters with attorney info, key dates, and next steps—because organized first impressions matter.

• PI Requests: Standardized records requests that pull incident dates, provider lists, and claim numbers. (Say goodbye to hunting down random details.)

• Litigation Staples: Proofs of service, notices of appearance, discovery cover letters—the classics, now on autopilot.

And for the firms who want extra magic: pair Clio Manage with Clio Draft’s Microsoft Word Template Builder. That’s where you unlock conditional clauses, clause libraries, and multi-document sets. Translation: your templates start making decisions for you.

---

Custom Fields = Your Secret Sauce

Custom fields turn templates from “useful” into “unbeatable.” Immigration firm? Pull passport numbers straight into petitions. PI firm? Automatically insert provider lists and claim numbers. Family law? Drop custody schedules right into agreements.

It’s like a frozen yogurt toppings bar: everyone gets exactly what they need, no two firms look the same, and yes—you can pile on as many sprinkles as you want.

---

ROI in Plain English

Let’s do the math.

• Drafting a letter by hand: 15 minutes.

• Doing that 10 times a week: 150 minutes (2.5 hours).

• Over a year: about 130 hours.

That’s more than three weeks of work… just typing the same names and dates over and over.

With templates? That time drops to seconds. Translation: you just gave yourself a summer holiday—or at least the ability to enjoy your coffee while it’s still hot.

---

Try-This-Now Checklist

1. Grab one document you crank out constantly (hint: the one everyone groans about).

2. Highlight every bracketed variable—anything you normally copy-paste.

3. Make sure a custom field exists for each.

4. Build the template in Clio.

5. Test it on a real matter. Patch the gaps. Repeat.

Boom. You just turned hours of admin into minutes of automation.

Don’t feel like playing template detective? Send 2b1 Inc. your top three documents. We’ll map the fields, build the templates, and show your team how to keep them updated. You’ll look brilliant, your staff will cheer, and your keyboard will finally stop crying.

Ready to start? Fill out the form below or contact us at 415-284-2221.