Migrate from LegalServer to Zoho CRM

LegalServer Client records map to Zoho Contacts. Client name fields split into First Name and Last Name. Poverty level assessment and financial data migrate as custom currency and picklist fields on the Contact record. Conflict-check timestamps preserved as custom datetime fields.

LegalServer Organization records (adverse parties, referral sources, contractors) map 1:1 to Zoho Accounts. Organization type (adverse party, referral source, contractor) requires a custom picklist field on the Account record since Zoho Accounts have no native type distinction. We pre-populate this picklist with all LegalServer organization type values during migration to preserve data integrity and enable filtered views by organization category.

LegalServer Case Matter records map to Zoho Deals. The Case Matter number becomes the Deal name prefix. Matter status (prescreen, intake, active, closed) migrates as a custom picklist field (Matter_Status__c) since Zoho Deal Stage is optimized for sales pipeline values. Case attorney assignment maps to Deal Owner via email lookup against Zoho users.

LegalServer Grants have no Zoho CRM native equivalent. We create a Grant custom module with fields for grant name, billing type (flat hourly, variable hourly), total grant amount, used balance, and fund status. Grant-to-matter linking uses a lookup field on the Deal record.

LegalServer Timekeeping records (time slips linked to a Case Matter and staff member) map to Zoho Tasks with Type='Time Entry'. Original time slip date, hours, staff rate, and billing notes are preserved as custom fields on the Task. Tasks are linked to the related Deal (Case Matter) via the WhatId field.

LegalServer Contractor records (outside counsel, panel attorneys) are part-person, part-organization. Contractor organizations map to Zoho Accounts. Individual contractor contacts map to Zoho Contacts with a custom contractor-specific picklist. Fee structures and case types handled migrate as custom fields. The contractor picklist on the Contact record allows your team to filter and report on communications with panel attorneys separately from regular client contacts.

LegalServer Outreach records track community outreach activities. These map to a combination of Tasks (for follow-up activities) and a custom Outreach module for detailed outreach session records including outreach type, location, and attendees. The Outreach module preserves programmatic data such as workshop topics, presentation materials distributed, and community partner collaboration notes that would otherwise be lost in a basic task-only migration.

LegalServer documents attached to Case Matters and Client records migrate to Zoho Attachments. File size limit in Zoho is 25MB per file. Documents are re-uploaded to the related Contact (Client) or Deal (Case Matter) record. Files exceeding 25MB are flagged during the pre-migration audit, and we provide a separate file inventory so your team can host oversized documents in Zoho Docs or a linked cloud storage service instead.

LegalServer custom fields on the Case Data subtable (Case Data > Custom Matter) map to custom fields on the Zoho Deal record. Field types are translated: bool to checkbox, money to currency, lookup to picklist, organization to lookup. We preserve any default values or required-field configurations from LegalServer when creating the corresponding Zoho custom fields.

LegalServer Communication Log entries on Case Matters map to Zoho Notes attached to the Deal record. Original communication date, type (email, phone, letter), and content are preserved. Rich-text formatting is converted to Zoho's note format. Any attachments referenced in the communication log are migrated separately to the Deal's Attachments section, with a note linking to the attachment for traceability.

LegalServer staff and attorney records are matched to Zoho Users by email address. Unmatched staff are flagged before migration — your team either creates the Zoho user first or assigns their records to a fallback owner. Staff roles and permissions are not migrated (those are Zoho-side configuration).