1.Overview
A matter in Sque functions as a comprehensive container for all case-related information. Understanding matter structure and lifecycle enables effective matter management and ensures consistent information capture throughout the matter lifecycle.
2.Matter Creation and Configuration
The matter creation process establishes the foundational structure for information organization:
1. Basic Matter Information
- Matter Name: Descriptive name identifying the case or transaction
- Matter Number: Unique identifier aligned with firm accounting systems
- Matter Type: Selection from firm-defined matter types (e.g., Litigation, Transaction, Advisory)
- Client Assignment: Selection of client(s) involved in the matter
- Lead Attorney: Primary responsibility assignment
- Matter Start Date: Date matter opened or engagement commenced
2. Matter-Specific Configuration
- Billing Rate Structure: Selection of applicable billing rates for attorneys assigned to the matter
- Billing Arrangement: Specification of billing method (hourly, fixed fee, contingency, hybrid)
- Matter Budget: Definition of estimated matter cost and budget constraints
- Confidentiality Level: Specification of matter confidentiality classification
- Opposing Parties: Documentation of adverse parties for conflict checking
3. Access Control Configuration
- Team Member Assignment: Addition of attorneys and staff to matter with role specification
- Permission Levels: Specification of access levels (view, edit, approve, delete)
- Client Portal Access: Configuration of client access to matter information
- External Counsel Access: If applicable, addition of external counsel with appropriate permissions
3.Matter Information Architecture
Each matter organizes information across eight functional categories:
1. Client and Matter Information Hub
Primary client contact information, billing contacts and billing arrangements, adverse parties or transaction counterparties, regulatory authority contacts (if applicable), and key deadlines and matter milestones.
2. Document Repository
Matter-specific document briefcase, automatic document classification by type, document version control and change tracking, document access logs and audit trail, and client-visible vs. attorney-only classification.
3. Timeline and Event Tracking
Chronological record of significant events, automatic event generation from documents (filing dates extracted from pleadings), manual event addition for meetings, depositions, and court appearances, deadline tracking with escalating reminder notifications, and integration with calendar systems for matter-wide visibility.
4. Task Management and Assignment
Task creation with deadline specification, assignment to specific team members, subtask creation for complex multi-step work, task status tracking (not started, in progress, complete), and completion verification and sign-off workflows.
5. Communication Thread and Matter Context
Linked email communications automatically filed from Email Intelligence, internal collaboration comments on documents, tasks, and matter sections, secure internal messaging with team members, communication history with complete searchability, and client portal communications with separate visibility controls.
6. Time and Billing Records
Time entries automatically captured from Background Billables™, manual time entry capability for non-digitally-recorded work, time entry narrative documentation, billable vs. non-billable work classification, and matter profitability analysis and billing status.
7. Team Collaboration and Responsibility Assignment
Matter team member listing with assigned roles, responsibility assignment (who is responsible for specific matter aspects), collaboration access logs showing team member activity, internal notes and strategy discussions, and meeting notes and decision documentation.
8. Matter Analytics and Metrics
Matter profitability analysis (revenue vs. time invested), team utilization analysis for the matter, timeline adherence analysis (are we on track for key deadlines?), deadline compliance tracking, and cost analysis vs. budget projections.
Frequently asked questions
A matter is the central container for all information related to a specific legal engagement or transaction—clients, documents, emails, tasks, deadlines, time entries, and team collaboration. Every piece of case-related work is organized within a matter.
Access is controlled through team member assignment and permission levels (view, edit, approve, delete). Administrators assign attorneys and staff to matters with role-specific permissions. Client portal and external counsel access can be configured separately.
Documents can be filed automatically via Email Intelligence, uploaded manually to the matter briefcase, bulk-imported from legacy systems, or attached from connected cloud storage such as Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive.
Deadlines can be extracted automatically from documents by Ask Sque, entered manually, or imported from integrated court docket systems. Sque sends customizable reminders, escalates approaching deadlines to matter partners, and syncs events to your calendar.