Attorney user guide and product reference

Subscription is managed through Stripe. After signing up, you'll be directed to the Stripe checkout page.

Manage your subscription, upgrade, or cancel at any time from Account → Billing.

On cancellation, access is revoked at the end of the current billing period.

The attorney dashboard (/attorney/dashboard) is your main workspace. It shows:

• Client list, all active clients, sortable by status
• Client detail panel, opens when you click a client; shows all case data, tabs, and tools
• Analytics, practice-wide metrics at /attorney/analytics
• Activity feed, recent events across all clients

Client status labels:

1. Click Add Client in the dashboard.
2. Enter the client's name and email.
3. Select the case type (Chapter 7 / Chapter 13 / divorce / immigration, etc.).
4. The client is added to your list immediately.
5. Click Send Intake Link to send the questionnaire.

Intake link: Sent from your firm name via Resend (or your custom SMTP). Each secure tokenized link is valid for 30 days, becomes read-only after submission, and can be replaced by sending a new link.

Engagement letter: When sending an intake link, you can optionally attach an engagement letter PDF for DocuSign signature. The client signs first, then completes intake.

Click any client to open the detail panel. Tabs vary by practice area:

Overview Tab Case status, chapter, intake summary, quick action buttons. Bankruptcy: means test summary and qualitative discharge-risk posture. Immigration: USCIS receipt numbers, I-94 expiration, priority date. Divorce: DV intake flagging status.

Documents Tab Uploaded client documents, document extraction results, DocuSign envelope status, and direct document upload.

Case and Work Product Tabs Open practice-specific proof controls, drafts, forms, and attorney work product for the matter. Generated work remains reviewable and attorney-controlled; source posture and review history stay visible where the output supports them.

PACER / Court Tab (bankruptcy) Link a CourtListener case number, sync docket entries, view proof of claim alerts and key events (341 meeting, trustee report).

Trust Tab (all practices) View IOLTA trust account balance, record deposits and disbursements, see ledger history.

Time & Billing Tab (all practices) Log time entries, generate invoices from unbilled time, view invoice history.

EOIR Tab (immigration) Track EOIR hearing dates. Sync after adding EOIR credentials in Settings.

Custody Tab (divorce) Build and download custody schedules (2-2-3, week-on/week-off, custom). Download 12-month PDF calendar. Add to Google/Apple/Outlook Calendar (.ics).

Activity Tab Full activity log for this client: intake sent, documents uploaded, AI outputs generated, federal docket data synced, portal viewed, time logged, invoices, trust transactions.

BankruptcyBuddy

DivorceBuddy

MSA drafts contain [BRACKET MARKERS] for attorney completion. Never share an unreviewed draft with clients.

ImmigrationBuddy

USCIS Form Generation (immigration)

Generate USCIS forms pre-populated with intake data. Supported forms: I-129, I-129W, I-130, I-131, I-140, I-290B, I-485, I-539, I-589, I-751, I-765, I-821D, I-864, I-90, N-400, G-28, G-1145.

Forms download as PDFs with [BRACKET MARKERS] where data is incomplete. Review and complete all brackets before filing.

Send a Document for Signature

1. Open the client panel → Documents tab.
2. Upload the document (PDF or DOCX), or select one already in the client's folder.
3. Click Send for Signature.
4. Enter the signer's name and email.
5. DocuSign creates an embedded envelope and returns a signing link immediately.

Signing Flow

The client signs via an embedded DocuSign iframe, no DocuSign account required. On completion, the signed PDF is downloaded from DocuSign and stored in Supabase Storage automatically. You receive a notification when signed.

Status Tracking

Envelope statuses: sent → completed / declined / voided

1. In the client panel, click Link Case.
2. Enter the CourtListener docket number and court ID, or search by case number.
3. Click Sync Now to fetch docket entries from CourtListener.
4. Docket entries are classified automatically (key events, proof of claim, sensitivity level).

Proof of claim alerts: When a new POC is detected in a sync, you receive an email alert with the creditor name and filing description.

Auto-sync: All linked cases sync daily via a cron job.

1. In the client panel → Overview, enter USCIS receipt numbers.
2. Click Check Status to fetch current status from the USCIS API.
3. Status updates are logged with HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW urgency ratings.
4. Push notifications fire automatically for HIGH and MEDIUM events.

Processing times: The dashboard shows current processing times for each form type at the selected field office. Data refreshes daily.

Visa Bulletin: Enter the client's priority date and preference category. The dashboard shows whether the priority date is current and when movement is expected.

Setup

1. Go to Account → Trust Accounts.
2. Click Add Trust Account.
3. Enter your IOLTA account name and bank details.

Transactions

Reconciliation

Run a monthly reconciliation from Account → Trust → Reconciliation. Select the month; the report shows opening balance, all transactions, and closing balance. Download as a PDF.

DocketBuddy trust accounting assists with record-keeping only. You remain responsible for compliance with your state bar's IOLTA rules.

Log Time

1. Open the client panel → Time & Billing tab.
2. Click Log Time.
3. Enter hours, date, and description.
4. Set your hourly rate under Account → Billing Rates.

Generate an Invoice

1. Click Generate Invoice from Time Entries.
2. Select the time entries to include (unbilled only).
3. The invoice is created and emailed to the client via Resend (or your SMTP).

Invoice lifecycle: draft → sent → paid / cancelled

Payment is processed via Stripe. The webhook fires on payment to mark the invoice as paid.

Each client can be invited to a secure portal at /portal.

Invite a Client

1. In the client panel, click Portal Invite.
2. Enter the client's email.
3. They receive an invitation email with a secure sign-in link.

What Clients See

• Case status and next steps
• Document upload and download
• Signature queue (DocuSign envelopes awaiting signature)
• Messaging thread with your office
• Credit counseling course links (bankruptcy)
• Case dates calendar (.ics download)
• Roadmap PDF

DV Safe Mode (divorce)

When intake responses indicate possible domestic violence, a banner appears in the client panel (attorney-only). Enable DV Safe Mode to hide all DV-related flags from the client's portal view.

Language Toggle

The client portal supports EN/ES. Set the client's preferred language in the client panel; intake emails send in the preferred language automatically.

Invite a Team Member

1. Go to Account → Team.
2. Click Invite Team Member.
3. Enter their email and select a role: Paralegal, Associate, or Admin.
4. They receive an invitation email with a signup link valid for 7 days.

Roles

Role permissions are enforced server-side on every API request.

Send platform emails from your own domain: intake links, portal invites, invoices.

1. Go to Account → Email Settings.
2. Enter your SMTP server host, port, username, and password.
3. Enter the From name and From email address.
4. Click Test, a test email is sent to your account email.
5. Click Save to activate.

When active, all client-facing emails route through your SMTP server with no DocketBuddy branding.

SMTP credentials are encrypted at rest using AES-256-CBC. The encryption key is never stored in the database.

Profile Firm name, address, phone, scheduling link (Calendly or other booking URL, appears in client portal), practice area and state.

Billing View current subscription, access Stripe billing portal (upgrade, cancel, download invoices), set default hourly billing rate.

Security Change password, enable MFA: scan QR code with any TOTP app (Google Authenticator, Authy, 1Password).

Notifications Push notifications for key case events (requires browser permission), email digest settings.

Visit /attorney/analytics for practice-wide metrics:

• Total clients by status
• Intake completion rate
• AI outputs generated (by type)
• Revenue summary (invoices)
• Course completion rate (bankruptcy)
• Form generation activity (immigration)

Preview, not yet publicly hosted. The MCP server is built and functional but not yet deployed to a public endpoint. Setup is available on request; email hello@docketbuddy.org with subject "MCP Access" and we'll send you the endpoint URL and a setup walkthrough.

What it does: Connect Claude Desktop to your DocketBuddy account for natural language case queries:

• "What's the status of [Client Name]'s case?"
• "List all my active clients"
• "What documents are outstanding for [Client Name]?"

How it works (once hosted): The server uses the Model Context Protocol over HTTP+SSE. When the endpoint is available, the Claude Desktop config will be:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "docketbuddy": {
      "url": "https://<endpoint>/sse",
      "headers": { "Authorization": "Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" }
    }
  }
}

Generate your API key under Account → MCP Key. The server has read-only access scoped to your firm only.

What is DocketBuddy? DocketBuddy is the attorney-facing workspace for practice-specific legal work. It helps independent practices send prospect roadmaps, collect intake, manage client portals and documents, prepare attorney-reviewable drafts, track supported events, and handle time and billing in one place.

Which practice areas are supported? DocketBuddy is live for General / Mixed Practice, Bankruptcy, Immigration, Family Law, Social Security Disability, Probate, Estate Planning, Workers' Comp, and Personal Injury. General Practice is a neutral operations workspace. Federal workflows are available nationwide; state-law workflows show reviewed jurisdiction coverage and fail closed where controlling sources or forms are not verified.

Is DocketBuddy a law firm? No, DocketBuddy is software. We do not provide legal advice or representation, and all legal work is performed by the licensed attorney using the platform.

Can I use DocketBuddy on mobile? The attorney dashboard is optimized for desktop browsers. The client portal is responsive and works on mobile.

How do I get access? Visit your practice's attorney landing page or the pricing page and click Start Free Trial.

What does a subscription cost? The public self-serve plan is $99/month for one practice package: unlimited matters, every current feature for that practice, no feature tiers, and no per-case software fees. Additional practices and staff access use guided setup without a per-seat software meter. Usage services (SMS and AI drafts beyond the included quota) are pay-per-use and never required. Annual billing is available. Subscription is managed through Stripe and can be changed or cancelled from Account → Billing.

What happens when I cancel? Access continues through the end of your current billing period. Your data is retained for 90 days before deletion, contact us during that window if you need an export.

Is there a free trial? The self-serve plan starts with a 14-day free trial and no credit card required.

Can I use multiple practice areas on one subscription? The public self-serve plan covers one practice package. A firm dashboard can hold matters across practice types, while specialty intelligence is enabled only for the applicable package. Multi-practice or team setups use guided onboarding.

How does bar verification work? On first login, enter your bar number and state. Automated directory checks are available for Georgia, California, Florida, and Texas. New York uses an attestation fallback. Other states proceed with the bar number recorded for manual verification.

My bar verification failed. What do I do? State bar directories can have uptime or matching issues. Contact hello@docketbuddy.org and we'll manually verify your bar status.

I'm admitted in multiple states. Which do I enter? Enter your primary state of practice. You can add additional bar admissions to your profile manually.

How do I add a client? Click Add Client in the dashboard, enter the client's name, email, and case type. Then click Send Intake Link to send the questionnaire.

How long is the intake link valid? An intake link is valid for 30 days. Sending a new link replaces the previous token. After submission, the questionnaire is read-only and no longer returns the client's raw responses; ongoing sharing belongs in the client portal.

Can I have both bankruptcy and immigration clients? Yes. The dashboard can show both matter types. Practice-specific intelligence is enabled only for the firm's applicable package; multi-practice setup is handled through onboarding.

Can a client complete intake in Spanish? Yes. Set the client's preferred language to Spanish before sending the intake link, the email and questionnaire will send in Spanish. Clients can also toggle language in the portal.

What happens when a client submits intake? The client status changes to intake_complete, you receive a notification, and the client's responses populate the matter. Document review, proof controls, and the relevant practice workbenches become available from the matter workspace.

Does matter intelligence replace attorney judgment? No. Generated drafts and raised issues require attorney review and judgment before use. The product organizes recorded facts, proof gaps, sources, and next work; it does not decide legal outcomes.

Can clients see internal matter work? No. Internal drafts, proof controls, and work product are visible only to authorized firm users unless an attorney deliberately releases a client-facing item.

Which AI model does DocketBuddy use? Anthropic's Claude. The specific model version is logged with every output.

Are my client data and prompts used to train AI models? No. DocketBuddy uses the Anthropic API under a data processing agreement that prohibits use of API inputs for model training.

USCIS forms have brackets [LIKE THIS], is that a bug? No. Brackets mark fields where intake data was incomplete or could not be mapped to a form field. Review and fill all brackets before filing.

Does my client need a DocuSign account? No. Clients sign via an embedded experience in their browser. No DocuSign account or app is required.

Where are signed documents stored? After signing, the completed PDF is automatically downloaded from DocuSign and stored in your client's document folder in DocketBuddy.

Can I send any document for signature? Any PDF or DOCX file works; upload it in the Documents tab and click Send for Signature.

What if a client declines to sign? The envelope status changes to declined and you receive a notification. You can void and resend, or discuss with the client.

Does DocketBuddy have direct PACER access? No. DocketBuddy uses the CourtListener API (free, no login required) to fetch federal court docket data. CourtListener mirrors PACER data for most federal courts.

How often do cases sync? Manually via Sync Now, plus once daily automatically. You receive email alerts for proof of claim filings detected in a sync.

What courts are supported? All courts covered by CourtListener's RECAP archive, most federal district and bankruptcy courts. Coverage varies by court.

How does USCIS status tracking work? Enter your client's receipt number(s) in the client panel. DocketBuddy polls the USCIS case status API and logs any changes, rated HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW urgency. You receive push notifications for HIGH and MEDIUM events.

How often does USCIS status update? DocketBuddy polls daily. USCIS updates case statuses on their own schedule, typically within 1–3 business days of an adjudicative action.

What is the Visa Bulletin tracker? Enter the client's priority date and preference category. The dashboard shows whether the priority date is current and tracks month-to-month movement.

How do I set up EOIR tracking? Go to Account → EOIR Settings, enter your EOIR portal credentials, then enter the client's A-Number in the EOIR tab to sync hearing dates.

Are my EOIR credentials safe? Yes. Credentials are encrypted with AES-256-CBC before storage. The encryption key is never stored in the database, only in Railway's secure environment variable store.

Is this real trust accounting software? DocketBuddy's trust module is a record-keeping and ledger tool. It tracks balances and transactions per client and generates reconciliation reports. It does not process or move funds, all actual transfers occur through your bank.

Does this replace my state bar's required trust accounting? It can support compliance, monthly reconciliation reports are available as PDFs. You remain responsible for compliance with your state bar's specific IOLTA rules.

Can I have multiple trust accounts? Yes. Add additional IOLTA accounts under Account → Trust Accounts.

Can I invite a paralegal? Yes. Go to Account → Team, click Invite Team Member, and assign the Paralegal role. Paralegals can organize matter facts, upload documents, draft work, and send messages, but attorney-controlled approval and firm financial permissions remain restricted by role.

How long is the invitation link valid? 7 days; if it expires, delete the pending invitation and send a new one.

Can team members see all clients? Yes, team members see all clients belonging to your firm. There is no per-client team scoping in the current version.

Can emails come from my domain? Yes. Configure your SMTP server under Account → Email Settings. Once active, all client-facing emails send from your firm's domain with no DocketBuddy branding.

Is my SMTP password secure? Yes. SMTP passwords are encrypted with AES-256-CBC before storage. The key is stored only in Railway's secure environment, never in the database.

What if I don't set up SMTP? Emails send via Resend using the default sender. The platform name appears in the From display name.

What can clients see in the portal? Case status, documents (upload and download), signature queue, messages, case dates calendar, credit counseling links (bankruptcy), and a roadmap PDF.

Can clients message me through the portal? Yes. The portal includes a secure messaging thread between the client and your office.

What is DV Safe Mode? For divorce clients where intake responses indicate possible domestic violence, enabling DV Safe Mode hides DV-related flags from the client's portal view, protecting them if someone else accesses their portal.

Can the client portal be in Spanish? Yes. Clients toggle language in the portal navigation. You can also pre-set their preferred language in the client panel.

How do I enable MFA? Go to Account → Security → Enable MFA. Scan the QR code with any TOTP app (Google Authenticator, Authy, 1Password). You'll be prompted for your code on each login.

Is MFA required? MFA is optional for attorneys. We strongly recommend enabling it given the sensitivity of client data. It is required before you can enforce MFA for team members.

What is the MCP server? DocketBuddy exposes a Model Context Protocol server that connects Claude Desktop to your case data. Ask Claude questions like "What's the status of [Client Name]'s case?" and get answers from your live data. The server is built but not yet publicly hosted; email hello@docketbuddy.org with subject "MCP Setup" for setup details.

Is this secure? The MCP server has read-only access. Your API key is scoped to your firm only. Generate it under Account → MCP Key.

Does this share my data with Anthropic? Queries via Claude Desktop go through Anthropic's API. Review Anthropic's privacy policy and your Claude Desktop usage agreement regarding data handling.

How do I contact support? Email hello@docketbuddy.org. For security issues, email hello@docketbuddy.org.

Is there in-app help? Click the ? icon in the dashboard nav to open the help page.

Where do I report bugs? Email hello@docketbuddy.org with a description of the issue, steps to reproduce it, and any error messages you saw.