Automating Client and Matter IDs

Using the Client and Matter ID settings to automatically apply sequential numbering to your clients and matters

Jay Sanchez avatar
Written by Jay Sanchez
Updated over a week ago

Whenever you create a new client or matter, you have the option to enter an ID in addition to a name. Your client ID and or matter ID will appear, hyphenated together, in many places throughout LeanLaw. If you don't wish to keep track of every number and enter it by hand, you can automate your ID creation in one of four ways in your Firm Settings.


How to automate client and matter IDs


You can reach your firm's Client and Matter IDs settings page by following the steps below, or by clicking this link.

1. Open Settings

In the top right of any page, click the gear icon ⚙️ in order open your Firm Settings.

2. Click Client and Matter IDs

In the left sidebar, underneath the Firm Setup heading, click the link labeled Client and Matter IDs. This will open your client and matter ID automation settings.

3. Choose your automation settings

Select an automation setting between Manually Generated, Numerical, Year + Numerical (Client), Year + Numerical (Matter), and Matter-only ID. Select the setting you wish, and click Save Changes to save your changes. More information on the automation options is provided below:


Client and Matter ID settings


Manually Generated: This is the default setting. With Manually Generated selected, no client or matter ID will be generated unless a user manually enters them.

Numerical: LeanLaw will generate sequential numbers for a client ID and matter ID. The sequential client ID begins at the value you enter in the Starting/Next Client Number field and increases by 1 with each client you create. The sequential matter ID will always be 1 for the first matter you create for a client, and then increase by 1 with each additional matter you create for that client.

Year + Numerical (Client): LeanLaw will automatically generate numbers for the Client ID with the current year followed by a sequential number. The sequential number begins at the value you enter in the Starting/Next Client Number field and increases by 1 with the next entry. No matter ID will be generated.

Year + Numerical (Matter): LeanLaw will automatically generate numbers for the Matter ID with the current year followed by a sequential number. The sequential number begins at the value you enter in the Starting/Next Matter Number field and increases by 1 with the next entry. No client ID will be generated.

Matter-Only ID: LeanLaw will automatically generate numbers for a matter ID. The sequential number begins at the value you enter in the Starting/Next Matter Number field and increases by 1 for every additional matter you create for that client. No client ID will be generated. 

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