How to Use Juris in the Cloud in 2025

This guide on making Juris Software Cloud-Based is for law firms who currently use Juris, or is considering it, and wants to take advantage of the multitude of benefits that moving to the cloud offers.

This includes:

Our Ultimate Guide to Juris in the Cloud provides you with roadmap, from education to execution, to harness the power of Juris when cloud-based.

This section is for readers new to Juris or anyone who wants a quick primer on the company behind these billing and accounting tools. If you already know Juris and want to jump to cloud use, feel free to skip ahead.

LexisNexis created Juris years ago to provide law firms with time, billing, and accounting software. Juris is typically used by firms with at least 5–10 timekeepers; while solos and larger firms can use it, it’s optimized for that size.

Juris is server-based: it’s designed to run on your firm’s on-premises server (the one in the closet or copy room) with the desktop client installed on each computer.

There’s also a Private Cloud option, which offers more flexibility on where you can use the software. It’s a newer workaround we’ll dig into later in this article.

Juris Software comes in three primary modules:

Juris as a whole offers robust software to ensure that you are handling your accounting, billing, and financial management with software to track and execute necessary functions for your law firm.

Juris is often a good fit for law firms of 5 or more attorneys (especially law firms of 10+ attorneys).

Juris is especially useful for law firms that need sophisticated legal accounting and find the accounting capabilities of general-purpose law practice management (or generic accounting software) lacking.

Juris is an especially good fit for firms that use Time Matters for case/document management and need to complement Time Matters with a robust billing and accounting solution.

Juris is generally not well-suited for solo and very small law practices.

The cloud brings reliability, security, and mobility—but many small and midsize firms assume the only way to get those benefits is to abandon their software for a web app.

In practice, Juris and other server-based platforms often offer more robust features than cloud-native alternatives. We frequently see firms switch to a cloud app, find it falls short, and later switch back.

You can avoid that detour. Keep the software you prefer and still gain cloud benefits by using a Juris cloud-hosting solution.

Juris provides great billing and accounting software to law firms.

Their software is only enhanced when utilized through the cloud.

In most cases, law firms’ favorite software is experienced better in the cloud. I understand that you know Juris as server-based software, but let’s talk about why and how you can run Juris in the cloud.

But before we talk precisely about how it works, let’s talk about why.

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Juris is premise-based software.

This means that it was created to run on a server. From its conception until present day, Juris required law firms to own, operate, and maintain their own servers to host this software.

Whereas cloud-based software operates through the internet, so you’re able to access it through a browser – without the need to retain servers.

One way to get around the way Juris was set up is to run it as a cloud app. Let’s talk about how.

Foremost, the simplest way is to “cloudify” Juris by running Juris through a simple cloud platform such as Practice Go.

Through a system like Practice Go, you can run Juris in the cloud by operating it as web application. This is one way to rid yourself of the burden of server ownership.

While this is a good solution, it’s not always the best. Here’s why…

If your law firm only requires Juris, or another singular software, then it would be no problem. However, if your firm needs to run something else, say Time Matters for your document management, then you’ll need to have another strategy for each other system/software.

Instead, perhaps you’re looking for a more holistic approach. If so, consider using a Private Cloud or Virtual Desktop as a better solution for your firm.

Continue reading for more information on these two options!

Now that we’ve covered the benefits, here’s how Juris in the cloud works—and how it differs from web-based apps versus desktop/server software.

Cloud computing was first put into broad practice by Google and Amazon around 2006, grew steadily, and became mainstream closer to 2012.

Before then, most firm software (including Juris and other practice-management tools) was installed on in-house servers. Staff ran the desktop client on their PCs while the database and core application lived on the server.

In practical terms, using Juris meant you also needed a server.

Owning and maintaining that server—and the in-house IT to support it—was seen as mandatory, a necessary but burdensome part of running law-firm software. There wasn’t much choice.

But not today.

Today, we can utilize a technology called the Private Cloud. A private cloud is a hosted, managed IT platform that provides the same (or better) function that a server would. Namely, it hosts a law firm’s legal applications, documents, email, other data while providing greater mobility, reliability and security.

With server-based software such as Juris, a server in some fashion is still required for it to run (with no change in sight).

In the case of a private cloud, the private cloud is the server.

To provide further clarity, a typical private cloud setup for Juris in a law firm often encompasses the following:

Private Clouds are so-called because every law firm (called a “tenant,” in cloud computing parlance), has their own segregated, dedicated working environment.

In most cases, that means:

If you’re not familiar with these technologies, here’s the rundown. We separate your firm’s software, documents, and data from other law firms, thus giving you extra security and privacy protection.

Related:

That’s the “back-end” of running Juris in the cloud. You and your team will interact with the Private Cloud through what’s known as a Virtual Desktop.

Now that we’ve covered why and how Juris runs in a Private Cloud, here’s what day-to-day use looks like.

The short answer: a Virtual Desktop.
It’s the same kind of Windows or macOS desktop you use at the office—only it’s hosted in the cloud. You sign in from any location, at any time, and everything is there.

Your Virtual Desktop typically includes:

• Everyday tools like Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook

• Your practice management, accounting, and document management software—including Juris

This setup lets every team member access firm software from anywhere, without being tied to a specific workstation. Virtual Desktop solutions are also known as Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS)—similar in concept to Software-as-a-Service (SaaS).

Traditionally speaking, your computing environment at work operates by having the software you need installed on your literal, local computer – whatever you use in the office.

Everything is local and installed individually.

A Virtual Desktop is different. In a Virtual Desktop environment, very few, if any, applications are actually installed on your local computer. Often, the only icon on your local desktop is a shortcut to log into your Virtual Desktop.

Once you or any member of your team logs into the Virtual Desktop, you will have full access to all of your law firm’s software, documents, and data.

The Virtual Desktop serves as a centralized platform where you can seamlessly work with all the essential tools and resources required for your firm’s operations.

This includes:

This gives your entire firm access to Juris (and all your applications, documents, and data) from anywhere, on any device.

Another bonus!

Virtual Desktops also mean that you no longer have to manually install, update, and maintain each of your applications on each computer within your firm. Instead, your Cloud Service Provider will simply keep all software updated for you.

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Virtual Desktops offer numerous benefits to law firms, particularly in the following scenarios where they are often the optimal technology solution:

We’ll cover selecting the right Virtual Desktop provider, and doing your due diligence, shortly.

For an example of working in a Virtual Desktop, watch our demonstration of Uptime Practice.

Now that we understand how Juris in the Cloud works, the benefits, and the functions, we’ll walk through how to move Juris to the Cloud.

This process is typically administered by your chosen Cloud Service Provider but could be done via a combination of IT consultants, software consultants, and cloud hosting providers.

Your Juris cloud migration is best begun the same way any well-managed project is – through a single point of contact.

Your project manager (at Uptime Legal, we call this person the Onboarding Manger) should begin by clear communicating the expectations and steps in the process, so you’re not left with uncertainty of the road ahead.

This Onboarding Manager should define specific timelines, expectations, and what is needed from you.

Although a reputable cloud service provider will have a clearly defined and documented onboarding process, it is important to note that this process is never one-size-fits-all, as every law firm is unique.

An effective Juris cloud migration process should begin with a thorough discovery and assessment of the firm’s existing environment for a tailored strategy.

This includes:

Next, your Juris hosting provider will begin building the private cloud environment you’ll work in. A good provider will have a well-developed process and can build your private cloud quickly. The Onboarding Manager and engineering team will install your software, provision your email accounts, and generally build the “shell” of your complete IT platform.

This process includes:

Next, your Juris software cloud provider will collect your data from your current environment to transfer over. Every element of your firm’s technology will be migrated over – piece by piece.

This cutover process includes:

The data transfer should be secure and designed for a smooth transition. After import, the Onboarding Manager’s team should thoroughly test every application—as well as workstations and peripherals—to confirm everything functions in the new cloud environment.

To minimize downtime, schedule the cutover during off-hours. Evenings and weekends usually work best to avoid disrupting operations and help prevent the migration from lasting longer than a day.

First impressions matter.

To drive adoption, give employees an environment that’s easy to use and ensure your Juris cloud host has a clear, firm-wide training plan. Your onboarding manager should stay engaged from planning through post–go-live.

Thorough onboarding and steady follow-through are what turn a migration into a smooth, successful transition—for Juris and for your firm.

Beyond the functionality,  security, reliability, and mobility that Juris cloud hosting provides, there’s also the economic case for moving Juris to the cloud.

Running Juris in-house, with on-premise servers is a deceptively expensive proposition.

You have to buy servers. You have to buy ancillary IT infrastructure, like backup systems, battery backups, and more. You have to hire a capable IT consultant to not only set up the server, but proactively manage and maintain it.

And these costs are always higher in a given year than you think they will be.

To understand the economics of moving Juris to the cloud, we need to compare a Private Cloud solution to the costs of in-house, on-premise servers and IT.

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To start, analyze all costs incurred each new server cycle (which is typically only 3 to 5 years).

This entails the costs of buying and implementing server infrastructure, and usually includes:

In order to properly understand these costs, I recommend that you get pricing for each of these aspects, record it in a spreadsheet, and add them up.

With this, you’ll have a sense of the total up-front cost of on-premise IT.

It is worth noting that the costs associated with server setup and maintenance are heavily influenced by the software used by the law firm.

How many servers are required and how powerful should they be?

Is it necessary to have multiple dedicated servers?

Would VMWare virtualization be necessary?

Ultimately, these questions are determined by the software utilized, particularly the Practice Management and Document Management software, and their respective server requirements.

Use our Cloud Cost Calculator to tally up all relevant up-front costs for your firm.

Unfortunately, the financial cost of servers needs to account for another aspect. Now that we’ve covered the upfront costs, we can analyze costs you would incur on an ongoing basis.

To achieve this, identify monthly recurring costs, as well as annual costs (renewals, maintenance), and determine your average monthly or annual recurring costs.

Common components of these costs for many law firms typically include:

Add up what you currently, or will, spend on an ongoing basis.

This should include fixed monthly costs (such as a Managed IT Provider contract) as well as sporadic, less predictable costs (such as hourly IT support). For the latter, if you’re unsure of a reasonable budget for this amount, I recommend finding the average over the past two to three years.

The total of all of these determines your average monthly IT spend.

Finally, we need to identify and budget for the inevitable hiccups that you may face with server ownership. You are bound to encounter some level of unplanned IT expenses.

While proactive IT measures significantly decrease the likelihood and impact of unforeseen IT problems, it is important to acknowledge that over a sufficient period of time, such issues are still likely to occur, albeit less frequently.

Still, these unplanned costs may take the form of:

As you can see, while some costs are fixed and predictable, others are wildly unpredictable (but should be budgeted or accounted for in some way nevertheless).

With all things considered, total your up-front costs, monthly ongoing costs, and your budget for unplanned/unforeseen costs:

This is your Total Cost of Ownership for on-premise IT.

Now, compare this Total Cost of Server Ownership to that of a Private Cloud.

We’ve already demonstrated that a Private Cloud is objectively better than in-house IT — in terms of reliability, security and mobility. But simply comparing the costs of in-house vs. cloud-based IT shows that Private Cloud is also more economical than in-house IT.

Private Cloud costs typically include:

It is worth mentioning that, with the appropriate Private Cloud provider, these cost comparisons encompass all the technology that would otherwise need to be purchased and maintained. In contrast, on-premise IT, as demonstrated earlier, often involves hidden and unpredictable costs.

Who wants this kind of surprise?

A fully managed Private Cloud provides costs that are simple, clear, and predictable.

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Now that you know how Juris in the cloud works—and what it can do for your firm—it’s time for due diligence.

There are many ways to migrate Juris to the cloud. Whatever path you choose, do your homework. A growing number of vendors—from solo local IT shops to large, generalist providers—claim they can host Juris. Claims aren’t competence.

Running and maintaining Juris in the cloud isn’t for amateurs. It requires specific configuration and deep product expertise.

What to verify with any prospective provider:

Related:

Once you’ve developed a short list of potential Juris hosting providers, do your homework on each company.

We recommend:

To see the Google reviews for a Private Cloud provider (or any business), if the company is reputable you can simply perform a Google search for that company, and the reviews will show up in the search results sidebar.

For example:

Learn more about doing your due diligence:

At Uptime Legal, we host Juris and other legal software for hundreds of law firms across North America.

Get in touch with our team to learn more about Juris in the cloud for your law firm.

Learn more about running Juris in the Cloud.