In large law firms, quickly locating relevant case files, internal legal memos, or attorneys with subject matter expertise is crucial for productivity. Microsoft Delve, integrated into Microsoft 365, helps attorneys discover content and people across the firm based on their work and collaboration patterns.
This tutorial will walk you through using Delve to identify key documents, locate internal experts, and surface recent work across litigation, corporate, tax, and other legal practice groups.
Step-by-Step Guide: Navigating Microsoft Delve for Legal Insights
Step 1: Access Delve from Microsoft 365
- Go to office.com and sign in with your firm credentials.
- Click the app launcher (waffle icon) and select Delve.
- You’ll land on the Me page, showing documents you’ve recently worked on.
📂 Legal Use Case: View your recent pleadings, research memos, or filings without searching through folders.
Step 2: Search for Attorneys by Practice Area or Client Work
- Use the search bar at the top to type an attorney’s name or area (e.g., “real estate”, “mergers”).
- Click on their profile to view:
- Recent documents they authored
- People they collaborate with
- Organizational chart position
- Use this to identify attorneys with experience in similar matters.
⚖️ Research Tip: Ideal for conflict checks or internal referrals.
Step 3: Discover Shared Legal Documents Across the Firm
- Scroll down your Delve home page to view shared documents.
- These documents may include:
- Shared templates
- Draft contracts
- Recent filings from your team
- Click to open, edit, or comment in Word Online or Excel Online.
📜 Security Note: You’ll only see documents you have permission to access.
Step 4: Customize Your Delve Profile with Legal Skills
- Click Me > Update Profile.
- Add your areas of practice, notable cases, and certifications under “Projects” or “Skills.”
- This helps colleagues find you when they search for specialists in your field.
💼 Internal Branding Tip: Helps others in the firm discover your legal experience.
Step 5: Use Boards to Group Legal Content by Matter or Topic
- On any Delve card, click Add to Board.
- Create a board for a specific topic (e.g., “2025 M&A Cases” or “Litigation Templates”).
- Access boards later to quickly retrieve grouped content.
🗂️ Efficiency Tip: Boards are like bookmark folders for internal legal documents.
Conclusion
By using Microsoft Delve, legal professionals can save time, locate documents, and connect with colleagues based on real-time collaboration. It enhances legal research, knowledge sharing, and internal networking across practice groups.