Getting Started
Welcome to Cloud Counsel. Here's how to get up and running quickly.
Signing In
You can sign in using the email link sent to you by the firm. Click the link in the email, and you'll be signed in automatically. If you've used the platform before, you can sign in from the Sign In page using your email and password.
Your Onboarding Checklist
When you open your matter dashboard, you'll see a Getting Started checklist at the top. This is your personal guide — it walks you through everything you need to do, one step at a time, and updates automatically as you complete each task.
Your first tasks will typically include:
- Tell us about your concerns — use the My Legal Concerns tab to describe, in your own words, what happened that felt wrong. No legal terminology needed.
- Add a timeline event — describe the key incident(s) that brought you here, with dates and details.
- Add your contact information — your mailing address and phone number so the firm can reach you.
- Sign your agreement — we'll send you the Cloud Counsel Client Access Agreement to activate your case file tools.
- Request a meeting or service — if you'd like to speak with an attorney, click "Request a Meeting or Service" on your dashboard anytime.
Each tool in the portal is specialized: My Legal Concerns for what happened that felt wrong, Timeline for events in chronological order, Locations for physical and electronic venues, Documents for evidence, and People/Organizations for identifying who was involved. Building a complete case file in each tool is the best way to get the most from Cloud Counsel.
Building Your Case File
Once your immediate need is addressed, the checklist expands into a Build Your Case File section. This is where Cloud Counsel really shines — you can:
- Add events to your Timeline so the firm has a clear picture of what happened.
- Identify people and organizations involved in your situation.
- Upload documents that support your case.
- Describe your concerns — things you think may be legally significant.
The more detail you provide, the better your legal team can evaluate your situation and pursue the best outcome.
Earning Awards
As you complete onboarding steps and build your case file, you'll earn milestone awards. These are displayed in the checklist and in your Awards gallery. They're a fun way to track your progress and make sure nothing important gets overlooked.
Navigating the App
The sidebar (or menu on mobile) gives you access to every section. Here's what you'll find:
- Matters — view and manage your legal matters. Each matter has its own timeline, documents, questions, people, and billing.
- Messages — communicate securely with your legal team through conversation threads.
- Tasks — see items that need your attention, such as completing your profile or signing an agreement.
- Account — update your contact information, profile photo, and security settings.
- Billing — view invoices, make payments, and manage your payment methods.
- Agreements — review signed legal-services agreements.
- Help — browse help articles organized by topic.
Inside a Matter
When you open a matter, you'll see tabs across the top for each section: Dashboard, Proceedings, Timeline, People, Organizations, Locations, Documents, Contracts, and Billing. Your onboarding checklist will guide you to the right section at the right time.