Making the Most of Backdocket’s Custom Fields for Your Firm’s Specialty Cases

Not all cases are identical, so why does your software treat them that way? From complex custody arrangements to detailed medical treatment plans and evolving plea negotiations, specialized legal cases don’t fit neatly into one-size-fits-all software.

Too many case management systems force your team to work around those limitations, leading to confusion, missed steps, and potentially costly mistakes.

Whether handling personal injury claims, family law matters, or criminal defense cases, you need a law firm practice management software that is as flexible as your work.

With backdocket’s custom fields, you capture the details that matter most so your team can stay organized, work smarter, and deliver better client outcomes.

What Are Custom Fields in Your Practice Management System?

Every practice management system has built-in fields to capture the basics, like case type, client contact information, important dates, and assigned staff.

But for many teams, these standard fields aren’t enough. Specialty cases often require tracking more specific details, such as ongoing medical treatment, court-ordered conditions, or insurance claim information. Data that generic systems simply aren’t built to handle.

Backdocket’s custom fields let you fill in the gaps. You can create what your cases require, such as a dropdown for custody terms, a text box for medical notes, or a date picker for plea deadlines. Add categories for charges, treatment progress, and support agreements more tailored to your firm’s unique needs.

With backdocket, you can structure your cases around meaningful data, not software limitations.

How Law Firms Use Custom Fields for Specialty Cases

Practice areas vary in the type of information they rely on. Custom fields make it easy to build those differences into your workflow. Here’s how some firms can use them effectively:

Personal Injury Firms

Personal injury cases often involve tracking medical providers, treatment dates, accident locations, and insurance adjusters. A personal injury firm might add custom fields such as:

• Date of Last Medical Treatment
• MRI Results Received
• Insurance Policy Limit
• Settlement Offer Amount

These entries allow attorneys to assess case status quickly, prioritize next steps, and prepare for negotiations or depositions without searching through email threads.

Family Law Practices

Family law cases frequently evolve, changing schedules, court orders, and custody arrangements. Custom fields can help teams stay on top of important details, including:

• Custody Schedule Notes
• Next Mediation Session
• Parenting Class Completion
• Charge Severity Level
• Court Order Issued Date

Instead of searching through folders or messages, team members can instantly access case-critical facts, organize by trial dates, and easily identify matters that require immediate attention.

Criminal Defense Attorneys

In criminal defense, case outcomes often depend on timing, charges, and the status of evidence. Custom fields allow attorneys to track details like:

• Charge Severity Level
• Discovery Received Date
• Plea Deal Proposed
• Client Incarcerated Location

With this information, your team can assess case progress, organize upcoming trial dates, and identify matters that require urgent attention.

How Custom Fields Drive Productivity and Team Coordination

Using custom fields helps you collect detailed information at intake and throughout the case’s progress. Categories designed for your firm’s specialty offer these benefits:

• Trigger Task Automation: Tie custom fields to specific actions in your system so entering new information automatically creates the next steps. For example, when someone fills in “Discovery Received,” the system assigns a task to prepare the review summary.
• Filter Case Data Quickly: Custom fields let you sort and prioritize cases based on real-time status. For example, you can generate a list of personal injury claims with “Medical Records Outstanding,” helping your team stay on top of follow-ups and avoid delays.
• Keep Critical Details Visible: Details like “Plea Offer Made” are immediately visible in the case view, so your team doesn’t have to waste time searching through documents.
• Reduce Entry Errors: Using structured fields ensures consistent data entry across your team. Rather than typing names or dates manually, staff can select options like “Status: Requested / Received / Reviewed” from a dropdown.
• Improve Team Collaboration: Coordination becomes more manageable when everyone enters and finds information in the same place. A paralegal updating “Court Order Filed” can immediately alert the attorney that it’s time to draft the response.

With the right custom fields in place, your firm works with fewer delays, clearer information, and better communication.

Build Better Workflows With Backdocket

Backdocket’s custom fields allow your firm to manage every case on your terms. From medical records and plea offers to court-ordered requirements, your team can quickly access the details that matter.

With streamlined collaboration and faster decision-making, your staff stays aligned from intake to resolution.

Ready to simplify case management and focus more on delivering results for your clients? Schedule a free demo today.