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Case Study
New Hampshire Board of Tax and Land Appeals Streamlines Case Management and Public Transparency with Onit
Challenge
The New Hampshire Board of Tax and Land Appeals (BTLA) serves as an alternative forum to the superior court for appeals involving state and local taxes, as well as eminent domain compensation cases. The Board handles approximately 600–700 appeals each year, with a small staff and a growing need for modern, efficient case management.
Prior to implementing Legal Files, the Board used a legacy DOS-based system built in the early 1990s. “Support for our old system was nearly nonexistent,” said Board Chair Michele LeBrun. “We needed a new platform that could manage complex case data, support our document workflows, and enhance public access to hearing schedules.”
Solution
BTLA selected Legal Files, part of the Onit ecosystem, through a state-led procurement process. The software was installed in March 2003 and has since become central to how the Board manages its caseload and operations. Legal Files enabled the Board to:
- Centralize case data and hearing schedules for all tax and land appeals.
- Automate document generation, reducing manual workloads and improving consistency.
- Provide internal reporting and real-time insights into case progression.
- Publish hearing calendars directly to the BTLA public website to support open-government goals.
- Customize workflows and templates in-house—without needing programming expertise.
Results and ROI
Onit’s Legal Files has empowered the BTLA team to do more with less, delivering significant improvements in efficiency, transparency, and staff productivity:
Enhanced case visibility and tracking
Enhanced case visibility and tracking across the Board’s appeals docket.
Automated document production
Automated document production, reducing manual work and enabling faster response times.
Integrated public calendar
Integrated public calendar, allowing constituents to view hearing dates in real time via the Board’s website.
Operational scalability
Operational scalability, supporting hundreds of cases annually with just three staff members.
User-driven customization
User-driven customization for templates, windows, and reports—without IT dependence.
“Without Legal Files, we simply couldn’t manage our caseload with our current team,” said Clerk Anne Stelmach. “The software has become essential to how we operate and serve the public.”
Innovative Usage
BTLA’s integration of Legal Files with its public website has been especially impactful. “When we schedule a hearing in Legal Files, it automatically updates our website calendar,” Stelmach explained. “It’s been a gamechanger for transparency and public access.”
Support and Flexibility
Beyond the software, the Legal Files team has made a lasting impression. “Their support and training staff are first-rate,” said LeBrun. “What really sets Legal Files apart is not just the product—it’s the people behind it.”
About the New Hampshire Board of Tax and Land Appeals
The New Hampshire BTLA provides a timely, fair, and accessible forum for appeals of tax assessments and eminent domain cases. With quasi-judicial authority, the Board issues rulings that may be further appealed in superior court. Onit’s Legal Files supports the Board’s mission by enabling scalable case management, increased operational efficiency, and enhanced public transparency.