CaseDesk

Overview

CaseDesk is legal practice management software for work spanning client intake through post-judgment matters. Its scope includes docketing, deadlines, conflict checks, evidence, documents, legal research, drafting and billing. The maker lists 106 supported practice areas, each with purpose-built matter fields and tools.

It combines matter management with deadline calculation, legal references, court search and email review. CaseDesk describes itself as a professional tool for licensed attorneys, so its breadth is aimed at legal practice rather than general document or task management.

For a docketing-focused comparison, see our Legal Docketing Software list; for broader practice tools, see Legal Practice Management Software.

Key features

Deadlines, docketing and research

CaseDesk calculates jurisdiction-specific deadlines while accounting for court days and holidays. Each computed date cites the governing rule. The product also lists national rules coverage, docket monitoring, rules-based dates and filing alerts.

A 13,400-entry legal reference library is included, alongside live CourtListener search. These resources sit within a system that also covers matter documents, evidence, drafting and billing.

Email and connected services

Gmail and Outlook messages sync into a review queue. Users decide whether to file each message to a matter, rather than having synced mail automatically assigned. Listed integrations also include Google Calendar, Microsoft 365, Stripe, QuickBooks Online, Twilio, Box, OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, CourtListener and PACER RSS, as well as Anthropic and OpenAI.

AI, privacy and evidence integrity

Users can run a local AI model or provide their own Anthropic or OpenAI key. The maker says processing with a local model remains on the user’s machine. Case data is stored locally in a SQLCipher-encrypted database by default, with optional field-level and file-level encryption.

Optional Cloud Sync stores encrypted ciphertext on infrastructure operated by the maker, which says it cannot decrypt that data. Document files currently remain on users’ computers. The privacy policy also says that when document fingerprints are anchored to Bitcoin through OpenTimestamps, only the SHA-256 fingerprint is sent to public calendar servers. CaseDesk can hash and sign documents for this evidence-integrity workflow.

Offline and phone access

The support page says the full app can work offline. Internet connections are used for integrations a user enables and for version checks. The phone companion runs in a browser and reads end-to-end-encrypted Cloud Sync; the maker says its iPhone and Android store apps are under review.

Pricing

CaseDesk lists paid plans as well as a free beta. The beta build runs free for 90 days from its first run on a machine, followed by two weeks of read-only access for exporting data. The listed Beta plan is free, requires no credit card and has no beta end date stated; it is listed for Windows, Linux and macOS.

The Pro options remove the beta expiry and include priority support; Cloud Sync is optional. The annual plan is described as including two months free. Support is provided by the practicing-attorney builder, and replies may take a business day.

Platforms

CaseDesk lists Android, iOS, Linux, macOS and Windows. Desktop availability should be distinguished from phone access: the phone companion works in a browser and reads Cloud Sync, while the maker says native store apps for iPhone and Android are under review. The beta plan specifically lists Windows, Linux and macOS.

Who it's for

CaseDesk is positioned for licensed attorneys who want matter management spanning deadlines, docketing, evidence, documents and billing, with practice-area-specific fields and tools. Its local-first data storage and offline operation may suit lawyers who prefer case data to remain on their own computers; those who want synced access across devices can opt into Cloud Sync, with document files still kept on the user’s computer.

The beta’s time limit is an important consideration for anyone evaluating it: after 90 days on a machine, the build becomes read-only for two weeks to allow data export. The maker describes the software as a professional tool, not a general-purpose legal reference app for the public.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Broad lifecycle coverage, including intake, docketing, deadlines, documents, evidence, research, drafting and billing.
• Pros: Jurisdiction-specific deadline calculations cite the applicable rule and account for court days and holidays.
• Pros: Local encrypted storage is the default, offline use is supported, and optional Cloud Sync is described as end-to-end encrypted.
• Cons: The free beta expires after 90 days on a machine, then permits only two weeks of read-only access for exporting.
• Cons: The phone companion is browser-based, and the maker says native iPhone and Android store apps are still under review.
• Cons: The maker cautions that support replies may take a business day.

Alternatives

For docketing and deadlines, compare CaseDesk with DocketBird, LitDocket, Deadlines.com and DockItFlo. Other listed alternatives include AnchorLex, AcclaimIP, CourtDrive and Alt Legal.

Verdict

CaseDesk stands out for combining full-practice matter management with rule-cited deadline calculations, court search and a local-first data model. Its breadth and practice-area-specific tools make it relevant to licensed attorneys seeking more than a docketing calendar. The trade-offs are worth weighing: the beta has a defined expiry, mobile access is currently through a browser companion, and cloud sync covers encrypted data while document files remain on the user’s computer. The $290 a year annual plan removes the beta expiry, while the free beta offers a limited evaluation window.