What counts as law firm technology stack cost?

The calculator includes software licenses, build and migration time, ongoing maintenance, and time lost when systems or connections fail.

How should I value attorney or staff time?

Use a loaded hourly employment cost for a conservative estimate, or the value of time redirected from billable work to measure opportunity cost.

Does a high result mean the firm should replace its software?

No. A high result may mean the stack needs simpler connections or a different operational owner. The calculator separates software, maintenance, setup, and disruption costs so the firm can address the real driver.

Does this calculator require client or matter data?

No. It uses only firm-level cost and time estimates. Do not enter client names, matter details, or confidential information.

Free tool

What is your law firm tech stack actually costing?

Add the licenses, setup time, maintenance, and attorney hours. See the true annual cost of running the stack yourself, plus the clearest next move: keep it, simplify it, replace the weak link, or hand off the operation.

FreeAbout two minutesNo client dataResult shown before email

Your current stack

Count the cost that doesn't appear on an invoice

Use firm-level estimates only. Don't enter client names, matter details, or confidential information.

Monthly software spendInclude practice management, intake, research, automation, and storageBuild and migration timeCount the time spent setting up or migrating this stackOngoing maintenanceInclude updates, fixes, user support, and manual data cleanupWho owns the stack?Choose the person who handles routine maintenance and failuresHourly value used for the estimateUse loaded employment cost, billable value, or a blended team rateDisruptionsCount failures that interrupt intake, drafting, communication, or case workTeam time lost per disruptionCombine the time lost by everyone affected

About two minutes

How the calculation works

The invoice is only the visible cost

Software spend is annualized. The calculator then values build time, routine maintenance, and time lost to disruptions using the hourly value you enter. Setup appears in year one. Maintenance, licenses, and disruptions repeat each year.

The recommendation follows the dominant cost pattern. It doesn't assume that buying, building, or outsourcing is always the right answer.

Formula

Annual licenses: Monthly software spend × 12
Setup labor: Build and migration hours × hourly value
Maintenance labor: Monthly maintenance hours × 12 × hourly value
Disruption cost: Quarterly disruptions × 4 × team hours lost × hourly value

Questions

What counts as law firm technology stack cost?: The calculator includes software licenses, build and migration time, ongoing maintenance, and time lost when systems or connections fail.
How should I value attorney or staff time?: Use a loaded hourly employment cost for a conservative estimate, or the value of time redirected from billable work to measure opportunity cost.
Does a high result mean the firm should replace its software?: No. A high result may mean the stack needs simpler connections or a different operational owner. The calculator separates software, maintenance, setup, and disruption costs so the firm can address the real driver.
Does this calculator require client or matter data?: No. It uses only firm-level cost and time estimates. Do not enter client names, matter details, or confidential information.