JANUARY 2026 | 83 THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL are sent promptly and payments are tracked efficiently, reducing delays and minimizing human error. Many modern legal practice management systems offer built-in tools for generating invoices, sending automatic reminders and even providing clients with secure online portals for communication and payments. If you do not have billing and trust accounting software, one practical way to use this technology is by implementing Smokeball Bill, which is a free benefit for OBA members. Smokeball Bill allows you to easily generate invoices, track payments, reconcile trust accounts, view detailed reports and set up credit card payments in one platform. SPOT THE EASY WINS: SMALL TWEAKS, BIG IMPACT Lawyers may assume that improving profitability requires dramatic changes. Often, the opposite is true. Look for simple adjustments with meaningful upside: Consolidate legal research tools if you are paying for more than one platform without using them fully. The OBA offers vLex Fastcase, a research platform that is a free OBA member benefit. Audit your software licenses and cancel unused accounts. Set caps on discretionary spending, like meals, gifts or marketing experiments. Reduce paper and postage costs by leaning more heavily on electronic communication and client portals. Review insurance, phone and internet contracts. These rates change more often than most lawyers realize. These steps alone can produce hundreds or thousands of dollars in annual savings, especially for small firms. LEAVE ROOM FOR THE BIG THINGS Most firms make at least one larger purchase every year. Microsoft is no longer supporting Windows 10, so do you need a new laptop? You may want a second monitor, upgraded software or office furniture. Instead of allowing these events to occur
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