YC-backed Hona looks to reduce the communication friction between law firms and their consumer clients
How does Hona integrate with existing law firm case management software, and what is its primary function?
Hona integrates with existing law firm case management software by plugging into the software and sending automated updates to clients. Its primary function is to fill the communication gap between law firms and their clients, allowing clients to track their cases with ease, similar to tracking an Amazon package. This eliminates the need for clients to call their lawyers just for an update or with a question about legal jargon. Clients can also message their lawyers through Hona and access educational materials about legal terms and the stage of their case in the legal process.
Can you detail the growth metrics Hona has achieved since its launch, particularly in 2023?
Hona, a communication portal for law firms, has experienced significant growth since its launch. In 2023, the company reported a 400% increase in revenue. Hona currently works with over 500 law firms and has been used by more than 308,000 clients. Additionally, the company recently closed a $9.5 million Series A round led by Costanoa Ventures, with participation from Ludlow Ventures, Soma Capital, and Y Combinator. This funding will likely support further growth and expansion of Hona's offerings, such as their recent launch of an esignature tool for documents and plans to add services like billing and payments in the future.
How much time do lawyers reportedly spend on communication daily, and what challenges do they face in maintaining effective communication with clients?
Lawyers reportedly spend 37% of their day on communication, according to a Hona survey of 41 lawyers. However, clients often feel they can't get in touch with their lawyers, leading to a breakdown in communication. This is supported by the fact that nearly half (44%) of negative Google reviews for law firms working with individuals, not businesses, are due to clients being dissatisfied because of a lack of communication.
The challenges lawyers face in maintaining effective communication with clients include being interrupted on average every three minutes during the day and being so busy that they don't have time to communicate properly with their clients. This information was shared by Manny Griffiths, who experienced this issue firsthand when working with a personal injury lawyer and subsequently founded Hona, a communication portal that aims to fill this communication gap with technology.