Best 6 Legal Document Management Software For Law Firms

The six options below are listed in an order that is not an objective security ranking:

• NetDocuments: best for firms that want built-in controls.
• LexWorkplace: best for small and mid-sized matter-centric firms.
• iManage Work: best for large firms with complex ethical walls.
• Microsoft SharePoint: best for Microsoft 365 firms with IT support.
• Clio Manage: best for small firms that want one platform.
• MyCase: best for small firms that want documents inside case management.

Note: NetDocuments and LexWorkplace document all four controls in our comparison of legal document management software for law firms, while the other products differ in their licensing, configuration requirements, and publicly available documentation. 

At CMIT Solutions, we help law firms choose and secure legal document management software, and we do not sell a document management system ourselves. That keeps our security-first advice focused on protecting your clients’ confidential information by design, not by reaction.

Explore our IT support for law firms to see how our security-first, locally delivered support protects the tools your attorneys use every day.

 

How we compared legal document management software for confidentiality

We compared each tool on four confidentiality controls:

• Access controls
• Encryption
• Audit trails
• Retention

For each control, we marked whether the vendor documents it as included, documents it with an add-on or setup, or does not describe it publicly. The comparison reflects published vendor information reviewed in October 2026.

Many firms feel unsure whether their current system meets the duty in ABA Model Rule 1.6(c) to make reasonable efforts to prevent unauthorized access to client information. The ABA guidance describes reasonableness as a sliding scale that depends on how sensitive the information is, how likely exposure is, and what safeguards cost.

The table below shows what we looked for in each control.

Control	What we looked for
Access controls	Matter-level or finer permissions, ethical walls, and multifactor authentication
Encryption	Encryption stated with specifics, such as a named standard, protocol, or key options
Audit trails	Document-level activity logs and records of permission changes
Retention	Retention schedules and legal holds

Each control gets one of three statuses:

• Included: The vendor documents the capability within the product, not necessarily on every plan.
• Add-on or setup: The vendor documents the capability, but it needs a separate module or firm-configured design.
• Not found: We did not find the capability in public documentation, which does not prove the product lacks it.

Plan and licensing availability can differ, so confirm it with each vendor before you buy.

We can apply this comparison to your shortlist and request the evidence from each vendor on your behalf, giving your firm clear visibility and cybersecurity-informed recommendations on how each tool protects client data.

Additional reading: law firm HIPAA compliance

The 6 best legal document management software options for law firms

The six best legal document management software options for law firms, by our confidentiality comparison, are NetDocuments, LexWorkplace, iManage Work, Microsoft SharePoint, Clio Manage, and MyCase.

The order is not an objective security ranking. It reflects how many controls each vendor documents as included, with NetDocuments first because it also documents customer-managed encryption keys and a FedRAMP-authorized instance.

Without clear comparisons, firms can end up with a system that adds growing IT complexity instead of reducing it.

Tool	Access controls	Encryption	Audit trails	Retention	Independent audits noted
NetDocuments	Included	Included	Included	Included	SOC 2 Type 2, ISO 27001 family, FedRAMP-authorized instance
LexWorkplace	Included	Included	Included	Included	SOC 2 Type II audited data center
iManage Work	Add-on or setup	Included	Included	Add-on or setup	ISO 27001 family, SOC 2 Type 2 (2021 datasheet)
Microsoft SharePoint	Add-on or setup	Included	Included (180-day default)	Add-on or setup	Not covered in our review
Clio Manage	Included	Included	Included	Not found	SOC 2 Type II, SOC 1 Type II
MyCase	Included	Included	Included (described generally)	Not found	SOC 2 Type 2, PCI DSS

Encryption no longer separates these tools, since all six document it with specifics. The real differences show up in add-ons, setup requirements, audit windows, and retention.

NetDocuments: best for firms that want built-in controls

NetDocuments is a cloud-based legal document management system, and it documents all four controls as included. It fits firms that want confidentiality controls built into the platform instead of assembled around it.

• Access controls: The vendor documents ethical walls at the user, document, and workspace level, plus multifactor authentication and role-based access control.
• Encryption: Customer data is encrypted, with both vendor-managed and customer-managed key options.
• Audit trails: Data activity logs, administrative logs, and individual file histories are available in the admin console.
• Retention: The vendor describes flexible retention policies, legal hold capabilities, and secure deletion, while noting that NetDocuments is not a full records management system. 
• Independent audits: The vendor reports SOC 2 Type 2 audits for security, availability, and privacy, plus ISO 27001, 27017, 27018, and 27701, and it offers a FedRAMP-authorized instance for government agencies.

LexWorkplace: best for small and mid-sized matter-centric firms

LexWorkplace is a cloud document and email management system built for law firms, and it documents all four controls as included. It suits small and mid-sized firms that want matter-level security without running their own servers.

• Access controls: Permissions are set by user, group, and matter, and ethical walls block viewing, searching, and even seeing that a matter exists. Firms can also require multifactor authentication for every user.
• Encryption: Data is encrypted at rest using AES-256 and protected in transit using encrypted connections.
• Audit trails: Every ethical wall change is logged and reviewable, and version history shows who changed a document and when.
• Retention: The vendor describes retention settings applied at the matter level, plus legal hold support that suspends deletion for email filed to the matter, so ask how both apply to documents. 
• Independent audits: The vendor describes a SOC 2 Type II audited data center.

iManage Work: best for large firms with complex ethical walls

iManage Work is a document and email management platform for law and professional services firms, and several of its controls come as add-ons. It fits larger firms that need need-to-know security across several systems.

• Access controls (add-on): Ethical walls and need-to-know security come from the companion Security Policy Manager, which applies policies by client, matter, department, or location.
• Encryption: The vendor states that all data is encrypted and traffic is protected with TLS.
• Audit trails: The vendor states that user and document activity is captured in an audit trail, so confirm the logging scope and retention period for your subscription.
• Retention (add-on): Retention policies and legal holds come through optional products, Records Manager and Disposition Manager, so ask what your quote includes.
• Independent audits: A vendor datasheet dated 2021 lists ISO 27001 with related controls and an annual SOC 2 Type 2 report, so request current reports.

Microsoft SharePoint: best for Microsoft 365 firms with IT support

SharePoint is the document library inside Microsoft 365, and its strongest controls depend on firm setup. It fits firms already on Microsoft 365 that have IT support to design matter structure and permissions.

• Access controls (setup): Access depends on permissions and Microsoft Purview settings that your firm designs for each matter, so design quality decides the result.
• Encryption: Per-file encryption gives each file its own AES 256-bit key, and every update is encrypted with its own key.
• Audit trails: Microsoft Purview Audit is on by default and keeps records for 180 days in the Standard tier, while the Premium tier keeps SharePoint records for one year by default.
• Retention (setup): Retention policies and retention labels let a firm keep or delete content, and label settings travel with a file inside the tenant, so confirm which license tier includes them.

Clio Manage: best for small firms that want one platform

Clio Manage is a cloud practice management platform with built-in document tools, and it does not describe retention publicly. It fits small firms that want matters, billing, and files in one system.

• Access controls: Matter-level permissions limit who sees sensitive case information, and two-factor authentication, SAML single sign-on, and MFA are available.
• Encryption: Data in transit uses HTTPS with TLS 1.2 or higher, and stored data uses AES-256.
• Audit trails: Clio logs the IP address of every session and the actions users take, and administrators can view login and activity history.
• Retention: We did not find built-in retention or legal hold controls described publicly, so ask how files are kept and disposed of.
• Independent audits: The vendor reports annual SOC 2 Type II and SOC 1 Type II examinations.

MyCase: best for small firms that want documents inside case management

MyCase is a cloud case management platform that stores documents with each matter, and it does not describe retention publicly. It fits small firms that want documents, client communication, and billing in one place.

• Access controls: The vendor describes role-based permissions and a secure client portal, and its support center states that multifactor authentication is required on every account.
• Encryption: Stored data uses 256-bit AES encryption, and the vendor also encrypts data in transit.
• Audit trails: Audit trails are listed among its security features, and version tracking shows who edited a file and when.
• Retention: We did not find retention controls described publicly, so ask for a demonstration.
• Independent audits: The vendor reports a current SOC 2 Type 2 attestation and PCI DSS compliance.

As your trusted technology advisors, we compare these six against your firm’s matters and growth plans and confirm each claim with the vendors before you commit.

See how well your firm can prevent, detect, and respond to threats today with our custom cybersecurity score.

 

Best fit and considerations beyond security

Beyond confidentiality, most firms also compare document search, integrations, collaboration, and pricing before choosing a system. The table below gives a brief view of each tool’s everyday strengths, based on published vendor information, so your shortlist reflects both daily workflow and your security needs and budget.

Tool	Search and collaboration	Integrations	Pricing considerations	Best fit
NetDocuments	Search and filter tools, document collaboration sites, and Microsoft Teams integration	Vendor states 150+ integrations	Contact the vendor and request an itemized quote	Firms that want built-in controls.
LexWorkplace	Full-text search with built-in OCR, Outlook email filing, and matter co-editing	Microsoft 365 and practice management software	Migration help is available, so confirm fees	Small and mid-sized matter-centric firms.
iManage Work	Document and email management inside Microsoft Office and Outlook	Published REST APIs	Ask for a quote that itemizes add-on modules	Large firms with complex ethical walls.
Microsoft SharePoint	Works with Microsoft 365 apps and Teams	Microsoft 365 ecosystem	Included with Microsoft 365 plans, but advanced compliance features vary by license	Microsoft 365 firms with IT support
Clio Manage	Version history and a comment thread on each file	Vendor states 300+ integrations, including Dropbox, Box, OneDrive, NetDocuments, and Google Drive	Tiered plans, so confirm which plan includes the features you need	Small firms that want one platform
MyCase	Full-text search and MyCase Drive desktop sync	Zapier and open API connections	Tiered plans, with some document tools on higher tiers	Small firms that want documents inside case management

We can help your firm weigh these everyday needs against security controls and budget, so the tool you choose fits how your firm works and grows.

How to match a tool to your firm

Match each tool to the gap your firm can least afford. If you need ethical walls, start with NetDocuments, LexWorkplace, or iManage Work; if you need a long audit history, plan for SharePoint’s Premium audit tier; and for a practice management suite, add enforced multifactor authentication and separate backups.

Pairing two vendors can create accountability gaps, and treating document management as routine maintenance leaves it disconnected from how the firm grows. We guide your firm through that choice with strategic IT planning that aligns each tool with how your firm serves clients and grows, and we help assign a single owner for access reviews.

Questions to ask every vendor before you sign

Ask every vendor for evidence rather than marketing claims, because brochures change faster than contracts. A good answer is a written report, a live demonstration, or a sample export that your firm can inspect before committing. Use the six requests below to compare vendors on equal terms.

Skipped questions often turn into data loss, downtime, and operational disruption after the system is live.

1. Independent audit reports: Request the current SOC 2 Type 2 or ISO 27001 report, not just a badge.
2. Ethical wall demonstration: Ask the vendor to build a wall live and show what a blocked user sees.
3. Audit log sample: Request a sample export showing views, downloads, edits, and permission changes.
4. Retention demonstration: Ask how a retention schedule and a legal hold are set, applied, and logged.
5. Key management: Ask who holds the encryption keys and whether customer-managed keys are available.
6. Data location: Ask where your data is stored and whether it stays inside the country.

We can join vendor demonstrations alongside your team and bring enterprise-level security expertise to review the evidence with you.

Estimate what an outage would cost your firm and plan for business continuity with our IT downtime calculator.

 

How CMIT Solutions helps law firms choose and secure a document management system

CMIT Solutions helps law firms choose and secure a document management system by comparing options against confidentiality controls, configuring permissions and multifactor authentication, and continuously monitoring the environment around it. We have kept thousands of small and mid-size businesses secure for more than 30 years.

CISA advises organizations to enable multifactor authentication, noting that any MFA beats none while phishing-resistant MFA is the standard to aim for. Your document system holds client secrets, so that setting should be enforced for every user.

Without a trusted long-term technology partner, firms often face inconsistent support and IT resources that cannot scale as the practice grows.

• Selection support: We compare your shortlist against the comparison above and your firm’s practice areas, size, and growth plans.
• Secure configuration: We set up matter-level permissions, enforce multifactor authentication, and tune audit log settings so security is built in by design, protected by default, and held to standards above baseline expectations.
• Layered protection: Our security-first services add continuous monitoring and threat visibility, layered protection across systems, devices, networks, users, and data, and backup and recovery for business continuity.
• Local support, national strength: Your firm gets responsive local support and trusted advisor relationships, backed by a network of over 900 IT experts and shared tools and best practices across locations. We also provide on-site support when in-person assistance is needed.
• Strategic guidance: We act as a trusted technology advisor, balancing innovation with strong cybersecurity protections and aligning document management with how your firm serves clients and grows.

Additional reading: law firm disaster recovery

Firms that serve defense contractors can learn how we help meet strict security standards through our CMMC compliance services.

 

Choose and secure your document management system with a partner you can trust

Our team guides your firm from shortlist to secure rollout, with responsive local support backed by a nationwide network of technology experts. We start with security and align technology with business goals, so your attorneys gain stronger protection, productivity, and resilience while we handle monitoring, backup, and recovery.

Optyx, an optical retail chain with 13 storefronts, in-house doctors, and a unified EMR system, relies on CMIT Solutions for always-on support and scalable infrastructure. Read the Optyx case study to see how we simplify IT complexity and maintain compliance across locations.

Ready to choose and secure your firm’s document management system with security-first support from your local CMIT team? Contact us or call (800) 399-2648 today.

 

FAQs

How long should a law firm keep client files in a document management system?

A law firm should keep client files for the period set by its state bar rules, practice area, and client agreements, so no single number fits every firm. CMIT Solutions helps firms confirm requirements with their bar and carrier, configure the schedule in the system, and log every deletion.

What should a law firm check before moving files to a new document management system?

A law firm should inventory its files, map every permission, and test a few matters before the full move. The firm should also confirm that metadata, version history, and activity logs carry over. CMIT Solutions plans and tests the move and keeps the old system read-only until attorneys verify results.

How should a law firm budget for legal document management software?

A law firm should budget for the full cost of legal document management software, not only the per-user price. Vendors price users, storage, add-on security modules, implementation, training, and audit log retention separately, so request itemized quotes. CMIT Solutions compares quotes side by side and plans ongoing IT support.

What happens to a law firm’s files if it cancels a document management system?

A law firm’s contract should state how and when it can export every file, with metadata and version history, and how the vendor deletes data afterward. Get the export format and timeline in writing. CMIT Solutions reviews these terms with your firm so moving archives never risks files.

Who is responsible for document security, the vendor or the law firm?

The vendor and the law firm share responsibility for document security. The vendor secures the platform, while the firm controls access, multifactor authentication, retention, and activity log reviews. CMIT Solutions handles the firm’s side by configuring settings, monitoring accounts, and reviewing access on a schedule.