A discussion around running a law firm on free software highlights debate over whether avoiding Microsoft Word is practical, with one commenter relaying a claim that not using Word amounts to malpractice and another seeking gentle automation options for a solo lawyer. Commenters also warn about law firms ceding leverage to AI platforms like Harvey, while a small free-software stack raises concerns about single-person DevOps coverage, client security requirements, and missing ERP/accounting integration; tools mentioned include espanso, InvoicePlane, and Kimai.