Actionstep

Actionstep provides a cloud-based legal practice management platform tailored for midsize law firms and compliance-focused businesses. The company was established in New Zealand in 2004 by Ted Jordan, who envisioned a flexible software solution that could adapt to a firm's specific processes rather than forcing users into a rigid workflow. Initially serving a range of businesses, the company pivoted to focus on the legal sector after observing significant adoption by law firms. Its business model is centered on providing a comprehensive, all-in-one system that operates on a subscription basis.

A significant milestone occurred in October 2020, when private equity firm Serent Capital acquired a majority stake, fueling Actionstep's global expansion, particularly in the U.S. market. This partnership has enabled a series of strategic acquisitions, including Australian legal software companies LawMaster in 2022 and FilePro in 2023, as well as the Toronto-based legal accounting platform Soluno in 2023. These moves have consolidated Actionstep's position in the mid-market and expanded its service offerings, with plans to integrate these technologies into a unified platform. In 2022, founder Ted Jordan transitioned from CEO to Chairman of the board, with Early Stephens taking the role of Global CEO to lead the company's next growth phase from its U.S. head office in Denver.

The platform offers a suite of integrated tools designed to manage the entire lifecycle of legal work. Core functionalities include matter and case management, workflow automation, document automation and storage, time tracking, billing, and both office and trust accounting. Clients can customize workflows to automate processes from client intake to case resolution, generate documents from templates, and manage communications. The system integrates with widely used software such as Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Xero, and QuickBooks, enhancing its utility within a firm's existing tech stack. A secure client portal allows for transparent communication and document sharing with clients, and a mobile app provides access to essential features on the go. The company's primary clients are small to mid-sized law firms across various practice areas, including family law, criminal defense, and estate planning.

Keywords: legal practice management, law firm software, cloud-based legal tech, workflow automation, case management software, document automation, legal billing, trust accounting, client relationship management for lawyers, legal tech platform, midsize law firms, Serent Capital, Ted Jordan, legal software integration, matter management, law firm productivity, legal operations, cloud software for law, legal accounting software, law practice automation, FilePro acquisition, Soluno integration, LawMaster acquisition, law firm efficiency, automated legal workflows