Tasks

This article covers the following:

• About Tasks
• Finding Tasks
• Tasks Panel
• Viewing Task Details
• Adding a Task
• Editing a Task
• Deleting a Task
• Reassigning a Task
• Changing Task Status
• Task Comments
• Task History

About Tasks

Tasks in LexisNexis® CounselLink® provide users a way to see all the work assigned to a matter or fee offer. They are assigned to users associated with them. Tasks can include due dates across all matters or fee offers that are associated with them and may be linked to other tasks with dependencies.

Your client(s) can assign you tasks and communicate with you through comments. You can also create or assign tasks for only internal use.

Finding Tasks

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You can locate existing tasks by using using pre-configured search links in the Tasks panel on the homepage.

Click here to learn more about the search features in CounselLink.

Accessing Tasks from the Tasks Panel on the Homepage

The Tasks Panel on the homepage contains quick links to the Tasks Search page and to tasks you've assigned or created.

Using the Tasks Search Page

Click the Search link in the upper right corner of the Tasks panel. From here, you can use the search bar to find key words and filters or columns to modify your results. You can also use saved views to retrieve your previously saved search criteria for quick access.

Tasks Panel

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The Tasks panel on the homepage contains quick links to the Tasks Search page and to your assigned or created tasks.

Click here to learn more about homepage panels.

Click the drop down option under the 'Tasks' title to group the tasks in your panel by:

• Tasks assigned to me
• Tasks created by me

Filtering Tasks

Once you've grouped your tasks, click one of the 'Due' options to view tasks within that category:

• Due Today
• Due Tomorrow
• Next 7 Days
• Overdue

This will display a list of tasks that match that criteria, including their status and due date. You can click a task name to access the task details.

Viewing Task Details

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Once you find a task and click on it, you will access a slide-out panel with an overview of the task's details.

Using the Actions on the Tasks Slide-Out Window

You can perform various actions on the task slide-out window. Access these actions by clicking the vertical three-dotted More Actions icon.

Click a link in the Action column to learn more about the topic. See later sections on this page for more information on performing these actions.

Action	Description
Edit	Click this option from the More Actions drop down to edit a task.
Reassign	Click this option from the More Actions drop down to reassign a task.
Change Status	Click this option from the More Actions drop down to change the status of a task. You can also click Mark Complete near the current status to mark a task as 'Done.'
Add Comment	Click this option from the More Actions drop down to add a comment to the task. You can also click the plus sign by the Comments box to add a comment.
Show History	Click this option from the More Actions drop down to view a window with the history of actions performed on the task.

Adding a Task

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You can add a task to an existing matter or fee offer and assign it as necessary. You can assign it internally for law firm staff or share it with your client.

1. Click the +Add Task button on Tasks tab from the Matter Overview or Fee Offer page. The Add Task window displays.

   

2. Enter a Task Name into the field.
3. Optional: Enter a Task Description to describe the task you are creating.
4. Select a Task Type:
   • Internal: Only users at your firm with access to the matter or fee offer can view the task.
   • Client: Users at your firm and with the client can view the task.
5. Select a user or group in the Assign To field:
   • Role: Select 'Unassigned' or 'Lead Attorney' on the matter or fee offer.

   • Person: Assign the task to a specific user. As you type the name, user options will appear in the drop down to select from.

     When you select Internal, only users at your firm will be available for selection. When you select Client, users with your client and your firm will be available for selection.

   • Group: Select a group from the drop down to assign the task.
6. Optional: Enter a Due Date for the task. Click the field to reveal a calendar drop down.
7. Optional: Enter a Reminder before Due date in the field. Select the number of days before the Due Date selected for the assignee to receive a task due reminder via email.
8. Optional: Select a Priority level for the task (Normal, High, or Low).
9. Optional: Click Show Advanced Settings to enter a value for estimated hours expected to complete the task.
10. Click Add Task and Create Another to finish this task and start to create another. Or, click Add Task to finish creating this task and exit.

Editing a Task

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You can edit a task and reassign it to another user or group, adjust the due date, and more.

Editing a Task from the Matter Overview or Fee Offer Page

1. Find the task name from the Tasks tab on the Matter or Fee Offer Overview page.
2. Place a check mark next to the task.

3. Click the Edit Task button. The Edit Task window displays.

   

4. Edit the info on the page as necessary. See the section above for more information on the fields for the task.
5. Click Save Task.

Editing a Task from the Tasks Panel

1. Select the task to be edited from under the Tasks tab on the Matter or Fee Offer Overview page. The Edit Task screen slides out.

2. In the Task panel slide out window, click the More Actions menu for more edit options.

   

3. Click the Edit Task button. The Edit Task window displays.

   

4. Edit the info on the page as necessary. See the section above for more information on the fields for the task.
5. Click Save Task.

Deleting a Task

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If you create a task mistakenly or don't need it for a specific matter or fee offer, you can delete it.

1. Find the task name(s) from the Tasks tab on the Matter or Fee Offer Overview page.
2. Place a check mark next to the task(s).

3. Click the Delete Task button. The Delete Task window displays.

   

4. Click Delete Task. The Task Overview page displays a deletion confirmation.

Reassigning a Task

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You can reassign a task to a different user from the Tasks tab. You can also reassign a task by editing it.

Reassigning a Task on the Tasks Tab

1. Find the task on the Tasks tab of the Matter or Fee Offer Overview page.

2. Click the pencil icon next to the assignee name.

   

3. Click the Reassign Task button. The Reassign Task window displays.

   

4. In the Assign To area, select one of the following:

   If no role, person, or group is selected, the task goes to Unassigned and will not show up on any user's list.

   • Role: Assign the task to a specific role.
   • Person: Assign the task to a specific user. As you type the name, user options will appear in the drop down to select from.
   • Group: Select a group from the drop down to assign the task.
5. Click Reassign Task.

Reassigning a Task from the Task Window

1. Click the name of a task to access the task window. 

2. In the task panel slide out window, click the More Actions menu for more edit options.

   

3. Click the Reassign button. The Reassign Task window displays.

4. In the Assign To area, select one of the following:

   If no role, person, or group is selected, the task goes to Unassigned and will not show up on any user's list.

   • Role: Assign the task to a specific role.
   • Person: Assign the task to a specific user. As you type the name, user options will appear in the drop down to select from.
   • Group: Select a group from the drop down to assign the task.
5. Click Reassign Task.

Changing a Task Status

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Changing a task's status let's other users know where it stands. You can change it to Not Started, Pending, In Progress, or Complete. There are various ways to change a task's status from the Tasks tab on the overview page.

Using the Change Status Button (Changing Multiple Tasks)

1. Find the task name(s) from the Tasks tab on the Matter or Fee Offer Overview page.
2. Place a check mark next to the task(s).
3. Click the Change Status button. The Update Task Status window displays.

4. Select a new status from the drop down list.

   If you select Done, enter time spent in the Actual Hours field.

5. Click Update Status.

Using the Status Button on a Task

1. Find the task name from the Tasks tab on the Matter or Fee Offer Overview page.

2. Click on the task's status button (e.g., In Progress) in the Status column. 

   

3. The Update Task Status window displays.

   

3. Select a new status from the drop down list.

   If you select Done, enter time spent in the Actual Hours field.

4. Click Update Status.

Updating a Task Status from the Task Window

1. Click the name of a task to access the task window. 

2. In the task panel slide out window, click the More Actions menu for more edit options.

   

3. Click the Change Status button. The Update Task Status window displays.

4. Select a new status from the drop down list.

   If you select Done, enter time spent in the Actual Hours field.

5. Click Update Status.

Task Comments

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Task comments allow you to respond to existing comments or create comments that tag other users. You can tag users at your law firm or client users.

Adding a Task Comment

1. Find the task name from the Tasks tab on the Matter or Fee Offer Overview page.

2. Click on the task name from the Task column. The task slide out window displays.

   

3. Click the plus sign above the Comments section. The Add Comment window displays.

   

4. Enter your comment in the comment box. Use the formatting options if necessary:
   • B: Bold the selected text.
   • I: Italicize the selected text.
   • U: Underline the selected text.

5. If you wish to tag a user, enter an Ampersand (@) followed by at least three characters to identify and tag a user. Click the name to add them. You can tag multiple users in a comment.

   The tagged user will be sent an email notification with a link to the comment. You can only tag a client user if you select the 'Client' option in the 'Shared With' field. See below.

6. Select an option in the Shared With field:
   • Everyone - Shared with all users who have access to the matter or fee offer.
   • Client Only - Shared only with client users who have access to the matter or fee offer.
7. Click Save.

Editing, Replying to, or Deleting a Comment

You must be the comment owner to edit or delete a comment. You can only reply to comments for which you are not the owner.

1. Navigate to the comment by clicking the task name from the Tasks tab on the Matter or Fee Offer Overview page.

   

2. Perform one of the following actions (the edit options become visible when you hover your cursor over the comment):
   • Click the pencil icon on the comment you wish to edit. The comments window displays.

   • Click the trash can icon next to the comment you wish to delete. A confirmation window will display confirming the action.

     

   • Click the Reply button at the bottom of the comment to reply. The Reply to Comment window displays.
3. Click Save.

Task History

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To access and view the history of a task, click the History tab on the Matter or Fee Offer Overview page. The Task History page displays.

Here, you can view any changes that have been made to tasks on the matter or fee offer.