If you’re a law firm owner searching for ways to automate your client intake and call handling, you’ve probably wondered: can I connect Clio to an AI answering service like Upfirst? The answer is yes—with Zapier, you can set up a Clio answering service integration that saves you time, reduces manual data entry, and improves your client experience. Below, we’ll show you what’s possible, share practical workflow examples, and walk you through getting started.
What is Clio?
Clio is a leading cloud-based legal practice management software designed for law firms of all sizes. It helps you organize matters, manage contacts, track time, send invoices, and keep all your client information in one secure place. With Clio, legal professionals can streamline their workflow, stay compliant, and deliver better service to clients—all from a single dashboard.
What can you do with Clio and Upfirst’s AI answering service?
By connecting Clio and Upfirst through Zapier, you can automate much of your call follow-up and data entry. Here’s how a Clio answering service integration can work for your law firm:
1. Instantly create or update client contacts after every call
How it works:
When Upfirst’s AI receptionist answers a call, it collects information like the caller’s name, phone number, email, and any custom details you specify (for example, practice area, case type, or referral source). Zapier takes this data and automatically creates or updates a person contact in Clio—no more manual entry.
Why it matters:
This ensures you never lose a potential client’s information, and your Clio contacts stay organized and up-to-date. It’s especially useful for busy firms handling high call volumes or after-hours inquiries.
2. Log call notes and transcripts directly to the right matter
How it works:
After each call, Upfirst sends a full call summary and transcript to Zapier. You can set up your workflow to find an existing matter in Clio (based on details the caller provides, like their name or matter number), then create a matter note with the call summary and transcript attached.
Why it matters:
All your client communications are tracked in one place, making it easy to review call histories, comply with recordkeeping requirements, and keep your team in the loop—even if you missed the call.
3. Automatically assign tasks or follow-ups based on call details
How it works:
Use Upfirst’s custom question feature to ask callers about their needs (for example, “Is this an urgent legal matter?” or “Are you a current client?”). Based on their answers, Zapier can create a new task in Clio—like scheduling a consultation, sending documents, or following up on a case. You can even use Zapier’s filters or conditional logic to route only urgent calls to your team’s Slack or email for immediate action.
Why it matters:
You save time on admin work, respond faster to leads, and deliver a more professional client experience—without missing important follow-ups.
4. Qualify leads and automatically update your CRM
How it works:
Let Upfirst’s AI receptionist qualify new leads by asking screening questions (e.g., “What type of case do you have?”). The answers are sent to Zapier as custom fields. If the caller meets your criteria, Zapier can create or update a contact in Clio and add a note with all relevant details.
Why it matters:
You keep your database clean, prioritize high-value leads, and ensure your intake process is consistent—whether you’re in the office or not.
What actions can you trigger in Clio after our virtual receptionist answers a call?
With the Clio virtual receptionist integration via Zapier, you can:
- Create or update a person contact in Clio
- Create or update a task in Clio
- Create a contact note in Clio
- Create a matter note in Clio
- Update a contact in Clio
- Update a task in Clio
- Update a matter in Clio
- Create a matter folder in Clio
- Assign a task template list in Clio
- Find a matter by client ID or display number
- Find a person in Clio
- Find a company in Clio
These actions let you log call details, assign follow-ups, and keep your case files organized—all without lifting a finger.
How to connect Clio to Upfirst
Ready to set up your Clio answering service integration? Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Sign up for Zapier
If you don’t have a Zapier account, sign up here. - Connect Upfirst and Clio to Zapier
- In Zapier, click “Create Zap.”
- For the trigger, search for and select “Upfirst.”
- Choose the “Call Completed” trigger. This will run every time your AI receptionist finishes a call.
- Connect your Upfirst account by following the prompts.
- Set up your Clio action
- For the action step, search for and select “Clio.”
- Choose the action you want (for example, “Create or Update Person Contact”).
- Connect your Clio account by logging in and authorizing Zapier.
- Map your data
- In the action setup, map the fields from Upfirst to the appropriate Clio fields (e.g., caller name, phone, custom questions).
- If you want to add call summaries or transcripts, map those to notes or description fields.
- Add filters or conditions (optional)
- Use Zapier’s “Filter” feature to only process calls that meet certain criteria (like urgent matters or new clients).
- You can add more steps (like creating a task or sending an email) depending on your workflow.
- Test your Zap
- Run a test to make sure your integration works as expected.
- Review the data in Clio to confirm everything is showing up correctly.
- Turn on your Zap
- Once everything looks good, turn on your Zap. Your Clio answering service integration is now live!
By connecting Clio to Upfirst, you eliminate manual data entry, speed up your response times, and deliver a more professional experience for your clients—giving you more time to focus on what matters most. If you’re ready to automate your intake and follow-up, try the Clio virtual receptionist integration with Upfirst and see the difference for yourself.