Client Stories | Michael Stephenson

When Michael Stephenson found himself drowning in administrative tasks and inefficient systems, CloudLex emerged as the lifeline that transformed his practice and propelled his firm, Bay Area Bicycle Law, to new heights.

Michael Stephenson, founder of Bay Area Bicycle Law, didn’t always have his sights set on the courtroom. Although he had no legal influence growing up and was studying music theory in college, Michael decided to take a pre-law course and discovered his passion for law. His interest and natural talent for law helped him excel in law school and eventually fueled his desire to work in the courtroom. This led him to apply to law school, where he realized that this was his true calling. Excelling in his studies, he graduated at the top of his class from the University of Oregon Law School, marking the beginning of his career.

Initially drawn to environmental law, largely due to his volunteer work with an anti-climate change organization in India, Stephenson’s path took several interesting turns. “I wanted to save the world or slow its destruction,” he says. However, it was the hands-on experience in the criminal defense clinic at his law school that truly ignited his passion for courtroom work. On top of that, his success in mock trial competitions further solidified his desire to be a trial lawyer. “Winning an award for most outstanding trial advocate really inspired me,” Stephenson recalls.

One notable experience involved defending misdemeanor cases as a public defender. His first trial victory was a DUI case where his client faced dire consequences if convicted. “My client’s wife had a medical emergency, and he had to get some medication for her. When he was pulled over, we argued a justification defense since he had no other choice but to drive. It was a lot of pressure on me. I was like 22 or 23 years old. I felt like this whole family was depending on me for their survival. It was a very inspiring experience.”

These early courtroom battles laid the groundwork for Stephenson’s later success. After law school, he gained experience working at a top-tier law firm, but he soon realized his true calling was in representing plaintiffs. His transition to personal injury law led him to specialize in bicycle accident cases, founding Bay Area Bicycle Law — Northern California’s only law firm exclusively representing cyclists.

“In the beginning, I was managing everything manually, which was not sustainable as we grew. CloudLex has revolutionized how we handle cases, manage client information, and ensure nothing falls through the cracks,” Stephenson emphasizes.

Task management and automated reminders for critical deadlines have played a pivotal role in the firm’s impressive record of never missing a statute of limitations. “We’ve never been sued for malpractice, and I believe our use of CloudLex plays a big part in that,” Stephenson says. The platform’s personal injury-centric features also attracted his interest. “Other systems we tried were more generic and geared towards hourly billing, which was irrelevant to us. CloudLex tailored its features to personal injury law, which was a game-changer.”

As the firm grew, so did their reliance on CloudLex’s comprehensive system. From managing client intake through the Intake Manager to overseeing ongoing cases with Matter Manager, the software has become an integral part of their daily operations. “The overview it provides is invaluable. I can quickly check on a case’s status, confirm we have all necessary documents, and spend less time asking my assistants,” Stephenson notes. “My staff trained me well to check CloudLex first, saving us all a few steps.”

Pushing the Boundaries

Michael’s journey from a music theory major to a renowned personal injury lawyer reflects adaptability both with his career and with technology. The adoption of CloudLex has enabled his firm to scale efficiently, maintaining a high standard of client care and advocacy for justice.

“The good civil litigation does is often disguised in popular culture. We see corporations taking advantage of individuals, and the only way to stand up against them is through the courtroom. You can speak to twelve people in a jury and make a difference. It’s one of the most powerful ways to enact change and enforce rights.”