Challenge

Legal teams are often overwhelmed by the volume of data, including documents, contacts, deadlines, and financial information. It slows down real work. The task was straightforward: transform messy information into a clean, intuitive Matter Page so attorneys could spend more time practicing law and less time hunting for data.

Research

We dug deep. I led card sorting sessions, journey mapping, and user interviews with lawyers and legal staff. We discovered:

• Consistency matters — users needed the same categories in the same spots.

• A single source of truth was non-negotiable.

• Key dates were more important than a full calendar view.

That insight drove every design decision. By listening first, we made sure the product reflected how real legal professionals think and work.

Design

I built a clear, reliable Matter Page:

• Central data hub so critical info isn’t lost across tabs

• Structured sections—like documents, contacts, finances—for fast scanning

• Prominent key dates panel so deadlines stand out

• Search and filters tuned to lawyers’ workflow

• Mobile-first layout so the experience works on any device

I simplified where it counted. We even dropped customization options that cluttered the interface. It paid off — the default layout was lean and efficient.

Trust

Midway, I realized our personas were falling short. I flagged the problem and gathered fresh feedback. It was awkward to pivot, but that realignment earned trust. I also insisted we not ship without a usable mobile interface. It added a week, but the final design launched strongly and is usable everywhere.

Test

We demoed a clickable prototype with attorneys using real use cases:

• Finding a document due date

• Checking who’s billed hours

• Fixing document priority

• Looking up a specific contact

Here’s what happened:

• Task success up by 62%

• Preparation time down 48%

• Satisfaction scores up 36%

Those are the results of solving real problems.

Results

• 89% user adoption in three months

• Search time dropped 54%

• Support tickets flat — no new complaints

• Attorneys focused less on admin and more on legal work

Learnings

Good design isn’t just neat layouts. It’s about understanding mental models and workflows. It’s about simplifying and building only what solves real pain. We learned to listen deeply, act decisively, and avoid complexity where it didn’t matter.

Future

This wasn’t a one-off redesign. It set a foundation for future scaling. The structured, intuitive system can grow with new features. The Matter Page is now more than a screen — it’s the platform lawyers rely on to work smarter.