Getting Started with Communicate as a client

If you're reading this article, your lawyer may have invited you to use Communicate by Smokeball to securely interact and share documents with them. 

Communicate is a secure portal where you can talk to your lawyer directly and share files easily and securely. Your personal details and data on Communicate will be kept securely and not shared. 

Access Communicate on your web browser or via the Communicate mobile app.

Entering Communicate for the first time

Once your lawyer has sends you a message on Communicate, you'll receive an email requesting to share files and messages.

1. From within the email, select Get Started.
   
2. You'll be taken to the Communicate login page. Depending on how long ago you received the Get Started email, you may have to enter your email address and select Send secure link to receive an email to log you into Communicate. 
   
   • You may also be asked to set up multi-factor authentication if your lawyer requires it.
3. Once you have successfully logged into Communicate, you'll see the open conversation your lawyer has started and you can start sending messages or files. 

How to send messages and files

1. To send a message, enter your text in the Message box at the bottom of the Communicate page, then select Send.
2. You can also attach a file to that message. Select Attach, then select the file you want to upload from your device before selecting Send.
   
3. If your lawyer has communicated important information that you may want to reference later, you can pin their message by selecting the three dots icon next to the message, then selecting Pin.

How to view a list of files sent and received in a conversation

To view all files sent and received between you and your lawyer, select the Files tab. 

Returning to Communicate

Whenever your lawyer sends new messages on Communicate, you'll receive an email requesting you to view the message. 

1. From within the email, select View Message.
2. Complete any multi-factor authentication steps if needed, then you'll be taken directly to the conversation.

You can also view Communicate conversations at any time by directly accessing the Communicate login page.

1. Enter your email address, then select Sign in to Communicate.
2. Check your emails for an email from Communicate, then select View Conversations.
   
3. Complete any multi-factor authentication steps if needed, then you'll be taken directly to the conversation.

Download and set up the Communicate mobile app 

To simplify the sign-in process and access your Communicate messages with your mobile device on the go, we highly recommend downloading the Communicate Mobile App.

Select the links below to download the Communicate mobile app for your device:

To set up the mobile app for the first time:

1. Open the app on your device, then select Sign in. 
2. Enter your email address in the login page, then select Sign in to Communicate.
3. Open the email sent to your email address, then select View Conversations. Navigate back to the mobile app.

The mobile app will keep you logged in until you sign out of the app.

You can also set up extra security on the mobile app, including turning on the Lock with Passcode feature or enabling Face ID. To access security settings, select the three dots on the top-right corner of the mobile app, then select Security.