When a legacy law firm realized their systems couldn’t keep up, they called in Affinity to lead a full-scale technology transformation—and gained security, agility, and peace of mind in the process.
A Legacy Firm at a Crossroads
Sessums Black Family Law has been a trusted name in Tampa Bay family law since 1982. With six attorneys and a high-touch approach to sensitive cases, they’ve built a strong reputation. But by 2018, the technology supporting their practice was holding them back.
Paul Kanjorski joined as firm administrator just as the next generation of leaders was stepping up. What he found was a firm poised for change—but dependent on outdated, vulnerable systems.
Outdated Systems. Physical Risk. No Remote Access.
Sessums Black’s infrastructure lived entirely onsite in hurricane-prone Tampa. Their software was near obsolescence. Remote access didn’t exist. And despite a decade of going paperless, their tech stack was cracking under pressure.
“The technology had stagnated, and the partners knew it,” said Kanjorski. “The infrastructure was brittle, and we had no remote access or disaster resilience.”
The mission was clear:
- Protect the firm from natural disasters
- Modernize the tech stack
- Enable secure, flexible remote work
Why Affinity? Because Paul Needed a Partner—Not a Vendor
As Kanjorski researched options, his involvement in the Association of Legal Administrators (ALA) proved invaluable. Through ALA, he met Affinity Managing Partner Debbie Foster and heard from other administrators who’d partnered with Affinity.
“I knew where I wanted to go. Affinity helped me figure out how to get there.”
Affinity brought expertise, strategic planning, and the ability to lead the change—not just recommend software.
A Clear Plan: Move to the Cloud in Two Phases
With Affinity as a guide, Sessums Black built a two-part modernization plan:
- Step 1: Implement NetDocuments for secure, cloud-based document management
- Step 2: Roll out Centerbase for integrated timekeeping, billing, and accounting
Affinity led product evaluations, built pilot teams, trained staff, and handled the full NetDocuments rollout onsite.
Then, the pandemic hit.
Thanks to that early investment, Sessums Black was already set up to go remote when lockdowns began. The Centerbase rollout continued virtually—with Affinity managing the process seamlessly.
Real Results: Resilience, Access, and Efficiency
Today, Sessums Black’s infrastructure is secure, cloud-based, and built for agility.
- 100% remote work capability
- Zero infrastructure downtime from weather events
- Integrated front- and back-office systems
- Full team training within 90 days
- Ongoing adoption support through Affinity Complete Care
“NetDocuments gave us immediate flexibility. The timing couldn’t have been better.”
Ongoing Support for a Lasting Culture Shift
New hires adapted quickly. Long-tenured staff needed time—and help. That’s why Sessums Black enrolled in Affinity Complete Care, which provides:
- Ongoing system training
- On-demand access to experts
- Personalized configuration and support
“Some folks have been here 20 years—they needed more than one training. Affinity helped us bridge that gap.”
Final Word: “Cloud Isn’t Optional Anymore”
“Be patient and set realistic expectations. No tech is perfect, but you will see the benefits. Moving to the cloud isn’t optional—it’s urgent.”
Ready to Protect and Modernize Your Firm?
If your systems are vulnerable, outdated, or office-bound, the time to act is now. Affinity can help you modernize with less risk, more control, and the right plan for your team.
Book a call today and take the first step toward a more agile, secure firm.
