CARET Legal Front Office Operations
Your complete guide to mastering CARET's front office system
Understanding CARET Legal
What is a Matter-Centric Database?
CARET Legal organizes everything around matters. Think of a matter as the central hub for each case or engagement. Every email, document, contact, and note related to that client or case lives in one place. This means:
- ✓ No scattered information across different systems
- ✓ Faster client service with instant access to history
- ✓ When leads convert to clients, all their intake data persists
- ✓ Better collaboration across your firm
Integrated Dashboard
Email, calendar, tasks, and contacts all in one view. Sync your email accounts for seamless communication.
Matter Management
Create and organize matters by client, case type, or status. Everything related to a matter stays organized.
Communication Hub
Track phone calls, emails, and texts all within each matter. Automatic time tracking on calls.
Document Management
Upload, organize, and manage documents with drag-and-drop ease. Bulk upload when you need it.
Quick Start: Key Tasks
Master these core workflows on your first day
Access Your Dashboard
- 1Navigate to your firm's CARET login portal
- 2Enter your email and password
- 3Set up your email account sync (Settings Email Accounts)
- 4Explore the dashboard—calendar, tasks, and inbox tabs
Note: Email sync background—check back in a few hours.
Create a New Matter
- 1Click "New Matter" from the main menu
- 2Fill in matter details (client name, matter type, status)
- 3Assign team members who'll work on this matter
- 4Click "Create"—the matter hub opens instantly
All emails, documents, and contacts for this matter now centralize here.
Log Phone Calls & Notes
- 1Open the matter record
- 2Click + "Enter Phone Call Note" in the Communication tab
- 3Select Contact and use provided phone numbers to dial from CARET
- 4Add notes after the call ends
Time logs automatically—no manual entry needed for calls.
Upload & Organize Documents
- 1Navigate to the Documents tab in your matter
- 2Drag and drop files, or click "Upload"
- 3Tag documents by type (contract, intake, memo, etc.)
- 4Create folders to keep related docs together
💡 Bulk upload: Use "Upload Multiple" for batches of files.
Sync Email Accounts
- 1Go to Settings Email Accounts
- 2Click "Add Email Account"
- 3Enter your email address and approve access
- 4CARET automatically sorts emails into matters
⚠ First sync may take several hours —plan this step accordingly.
Log Time & Expenses
- 1Open the matter → Time & Expenses tab
- 2Click "Log Time" or "Log Expense"
- 3Select type (call, email review, admin, etc.)
- 4Enter duration or amount, add notes
Phone calls auto-log time; other activities you enter manually.
Your First Day Checklist
Check off these tasks to get up and running in your first shift
Morning Setup (30 minutes)
Hands-On Practice (1 hour)
Before You Leave
Core Features Explained
The Dashboard: Your Control Center
Your dashboard brings together everything you need daily:
- Calendar Tab: Upcoming client meetings, court dates, and firm events
- Inbox Tab: All email tied to your matters (once synced)
- Tasks Tab: Your to-do list, sorted by matter or priority
- Contacts Tab: Clients, opposing counsel, court contacts
You can rearrange these sections by dragging—customize it to match how you work.
Searching Like a Pro
CARET's search is powerful. You can search for:
- Conflicts: Ensure a new client isn't opposed to existing ones
- Matters: Find cases by client name, case type, or matter status
- Documents: Search by filename, document type, or tag
- Contacts: Find any client, attorney, or court contact instantly
Tip: Use the filter icon to narrow results by date, status, or tag.
Communication Features
CARET tracks all client contact in one place:
📞 Phone Calls: Log directly from CARET; automatic time tracking begins when you dial and ends when you hang up. Notes are attached to the call record.
✉️ Email: Once synced, all emails auto-link to relevant matters. You can also send emails directly from CARET.
📱 Text Messaging: SMS support (not MMS) is available if your admin has enabled it. Texts log to the matter just like calls and emails.
Suggested Video Tutorials
Watch our guided tutorials and read supporting articles to master each workflow
Priority Videos (Start here first)
Get started with your first login and system overview
Learn to customize your dashboard to match how you work
Set up a new matter and assign team members
Essential Workflows
Upload, organize, and share documents with clients
Log calls and track time automatically
Connect your email account for seamless communication
Time & Matter Optimization
Log billable time from your calls
Navigate your active matters efficiently
Complete matters and manage status changes
Getting Help & Next Steps
Your Onboarding Manager
Your assigned project manager is your go-to for account-specific questions and troubleshooting. They know your firm's setup inside out.
CARET Learning Library
Access video tutorials, in-depth guides, and FAQs for advanced features you'll use as you get more comfortable.
Support Team
For technical issues or bugs, contact CARET support. They're available during business hours to help.
Tips & Tricks
Once you're comfortable with basics, explore advanced features like custom fields, automation, and integrations.
Your Roadmap
Use this guide as a springboard:
- Week 1: Complete the Day 1 Checklist, master dashboard navigation and matter creation
- Week 2: Get email sync working, practice document management, start logging time
- Week 3: Explore searches, advanced tagging, and any custom workflows your firm uses
- Week 4+: Explore advanced features (CRM, automation, custom fields) with your manager's guidance