Export Guide
Export contacts and open matters from the PCLaw desktop application as two separate CSV files, then use the CaseClock CSV Normalizer to prepare them for import.
← All export guidesWhat to export
Contacts (from Contact Manager) and Open Matters (from File > Matter > Export)
Estimated time
~15 minutes
Difficulty
ModeratePart 1
Open PCLaw.
Go to File > Contact Manager.
Click Export.
Set Layout Name to All.
Click Change.
In the Common tab, select the fields you want to include (client name, contact type, phone, email).
In the Other tab, select any additional fields.
Set File Format to CSV.
Choose an output file location and export.
Optionally repeat the export as Word for Windows — this gives you readable column headers that help identify what each CSV column contains.
During cleanup, keep client rows and remove vendor or unrelated contact rows.
Part 2
Go to File > Matter > Export.
Set Layout Name to Open Matt or OpenMatt.
Click Change.
In the Main tab, select all useful matter fields (matter number, matter description, responsible lawyer, type of law).
In the Address tab, select applicable address fields.
In the Selections tab, select useful court and file fields.
Set File Format to CSV.
Choose an output file location.
Leave the export name as Open Matt or OpenMatt.
Click Export.
When prompted, select Active Cases only.
Optionally repeat as Word for Windows to see the field labels clearly.
Header cleanup tip
PCLaw CSV exports may not include readable column headers. Use the Word for Windows export (same settings, different format) to identify what each CSV column contains — then rename the CSV headers before uploading to the Normalizer.
Column reference
| CaseClock field | PCLaw column |
|---|---|
| client_id | Client Number, client code, or client identifier from Contact Manager export |
| client_name | Client name, contact name, or Last Name/Company Name |
| matter_id | Matter Number |
| matter_name | Matter description, matter nickname, or matter name |
| practice_area | Type of Law |
| billing_lawyer | Responsible Lawyer |
| jurisdiction | Not confirmed in the standard export |
| billing_rate | Not confirmed in the standard export |
Confirm whether your firm uses client number plus matter number as a combined identifier. Start with Active Cases only for the CaseClock import.
Software interfaces change over time
If these steps don't match what you see in PCLaw, the vendor may have updated their interface since this guide was written. Our support team is happy to walk you through it.
Contact support →Next step
Run your exported CSV through the free CaseClock CSV Normalizer to map your columns to CaseClock format. It runs entirely in your browser — nothing is uploaded or stored.
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