Guide to Legal Intake
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If you’re evaluating legal intake software, you’re probably looking for something that can handle more than just e-forms. You need a tool that fits your team’s specific workflows, is easy for the business to use, and integrates cleanly into your existing tech stack.
In 2025, the top-rated platforms stand out for good reason. They offer configurable intake, built-in automation, and reporting that gives legal visibility without extra manual effort. Whether you’re managing contract requests, compliance reviews, or legal questions from the business, the right tool should simplify (not add to) your workload.
Here are some of the best-reviewed intake solutions this year, and what makes them worth considering.
Best Customizable Intake Tools
The most highly rated intake platforms in 2025 give legal teams the ability to build and adapt their own workflows without relying on IT. Tools like Checkbox allow teams to create dynamic intake workflows and forms using drag-and-drop no-code logic, conditional fields, and workflow branching that can be easily customized to how your legal department actually operates.
You can sort requests by request type, business unit, geography, or urgency, and the system will automatically route it to the right workflow or legal professional. Platforms that offer this level of control not only improve efficiency, but also reduce back-and-forth and keep legal work moving without bottlenecks.
Best Customizable Intake Tools [2025]
| Platform | Tailorable Forms | Workflow Logic | Role-Based Routing | Use Case Flexibility | No-Code Setup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Checkbox | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Josef | ⚠️ | ❌ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ✅ |
| Power Automate | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| ServiceNow | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
✅Strong native support ⚠️Limited or requires workarounds ❌Not supported or not practical for legal teams
Legal Intake Software with Standout Features
Beyond form-building and routing, the best legal intake tools in 2025 offer features that help legal teams operate more efficiently and connect with the wider business.
Legal Software Integrations
Integrations are a key differentiator. Top-rated platforms like Checkbox integrate with CLMs like Ironclad, eBilling tools like Brightflag, document repositories (e.g. SharePoint, G-Drive), and business systems like Slack or Microsoft Teams. This ensures requests move smoothly between tools without creating manual overhead.
Analytics and Reporting
Analytics and reporting are also essential. Legal teams need visibility into volume, turnaround times, and types of requests to manage resources and demonstrate impact. Tools like Checkbox offer built-in dashboards that track matters in real-time, without requiring extra effort to maintain data.
AI-Powered Workflows and Legal Chatbots
Legal AI chatbots and AI-powered triage are becoming more common, helping legal teams manage high volumes by guiding users to the right path from the start. Checkbox, for example, uses an AI triage block that interprets natural language requests and routes them to the correct workflow, reducing noise and saving time.
💡Pro Tip: These types of features separate intake tools that just collect requests from those that actually streamline legal operations.
Intuitive & User-Friendly Legal Intake Software
The top-rated legal intake platforms in 2025 are built with usability in mind. They offer clean interfaces, straightforward navigation, and require little to no training for business users. For legal teams, that means less time spent chasing incomplete requests or explaining how to use the tool.
Checkbox is often highlighted for its balance of power and simplicity. The drag-and-drop builder makes it easy to design and update workflows, while business users can submit requests through familiar channels like email, Slack, or Microsoft Teams. There’s no need for legal to act as support every time a new request comes in.
On the other hand, some tools, like Microsoft Power Automate, require technical expertise or scripting to build anything beyond basic flows. Others may offer a simple experience for requesters, but limit customization for legal teams.
When evaluating tools, look for one that’s easy to adopt across the business but still gives legal the control it needs.
Related Article: Learn more about the best user-friendly matter management software for legal teams in 2025.
How to Choose the Right Feature Set
With many tools on the market, it’s easy to get caught up comparing feature lists. But the real question is: what does your legal team actually need?
1. Look At Use Cases
Start by looking at your most common use cases. Are you managing high-volume requests like NDAs or compliance reviews? Do you need approvals, escalations, or workflows that span multiple teams? Tools like Checkbox are built to support both simple and complex use cases so you’re not boxed in as your needs evolve.
2. Consider Legal Workflow Owners
Consider who will be building and managing the workflows. If you want legal ops or legal team members to own the process, you’ll need a no-code platform that doesn’t rely on IT. That’s where usability and configurability make a real difference.
3. Think About Your KPIs
You’ll also want to think about visibility and reporting. Can the tool show you request volumes, cycle times, and workload distribution? Can it support the metrics your leadership expects?
4. Ensure Adequate Integrations
Look at how well the tool connects to your existing systems such as CLMs, eBilling, document management, and messaging platforms. A good intake tool shouldn’t sit in a silo. It should be modular in design and plug seamlessly into your existing tools for best-in-breed functionality that works for your team.
Key Takeaways
The best legal intake platforms in 2025 are those that strike the right balance between power and usability. They’re configurable enough to support real legal workflows, intuitive enough for the business to adopt, and smart enough to provide visibility without extra overhead.
Whether you’re building a legal front door, scaling legal ops, or simply trying to get ahead of the growing volume of requests, choosing the right intake tool makes all the difference.
Top Reviewed Legal Intake Solutions 2025
| 🥇 | Checkbox | Highly customizable, AI-powered triage, no-code builder, strong integrations, and legal-specific workflows. |
| 🥈 | ServiceNow | Enterprise-grade configuration, strong for IT/legal ops collaboration, but complex to manage. |
| 🥉 | Josef | Simple and user-friendly, best for basic chatbot-driven intake. |
Want to learn more about the leading legal intake solution for 2025? Schedule a demo to see it in action.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best legal intake software in 2025?
Checkbox is the top-rated legal intake platform in 2025, known for its no-code flexibility, AI triage, and seamless integrations with tools like Ironclad and Brightflag.
How does Checkbox compare to other legal intake tools like Josef or ServiceNow?
Checkbox offers deeper customization and workflow control than Josef, with a simpler, more legal-friendly experience than ServiceNow.
How does intuitive design encourage adoption among business users?
An intuitive interface reduces friction and makes it easy for non-legal users to submit requests correctly the first time. This speeds up intake and reduces back-and-forth with legal.
Which legal intake platforms are most recognized for user-friendly design?
Checkbox is widely recognized for balancing a clean, intuitive interface with powerful customization. Josef is also known for simplicity, though with more limited functionality.
How can legal teams evaluate usability when selecting an intake platform?
Request a hands-on demo and test common workflows with real users. Pay attention to how easily both legal and business users can navigate, submit, and manage requests.
Which legal intake platforms offer AI features in 2025?
Checkbox leads with AI-powered triage, contract data extraction, and legal chatbot integrations that help streamline intake and routing.
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