The pandemic has proven the power of technology to the whole world. All industries were forced to shift to virtual environments to continue their operation. The law firms were not an exception to this change. Even court proceedings and trials were held online, with a judge presiding remotely over a video conference call.
Although the pandemic created momentum for the adoption of technology in law firms, it has long been the aim of many law firms to modernize their operations. Technology can help law firms reduce costs, improve productivity and reduce workload. Since the advent of Legal Aid websites, it has become even more vital for existing law firms to upscale. There are specific technologies now available that can revolutionalize the way a law firm works.
The usage of such technology is for all lawyers irrespective of their field. For instance, whether you are a Los Angeles auto defect lawyer, personal injury lawyer, employment lawyer, or anything, technology can benefit everyone equally.
Role of Legal Technology in Law firms
While a legal practitioner’s vast knowledge of the law is an asset, their ability to manage all the firm’s affairs is also vital. As you can imagine, it is difficult for one person to stay abreast of all the administrative and operational tasks, and a Legal Tech can take care of most tasks and allow you to focus on the core matters of your firm’s service.
Here are a few pointers to note:
1. Automation
The pace of operations in a law firm is often slow because of the time lawyers spend interacting with clients, experts in other fields, etc. With tools like eDiscovery software and word processors that churn out excellent templates, you can easily automate your documentation, reporting, and billing. Much of a law firm’s work is repeatable; therefore, using such tools can streamline your operation.
Furthermore, it would reduce your overhead costs. These tasks typically require more staff, increasing the cost of your operations. Subsequently, your automated billing system will help your clients trust you more with exact prices for specific services.
2. Ensures ease of research
Legal practitioners have to be highly knowledgeable about the law. Moreover, they must be aware of all the revisions, additions, and amendments made to the law. Only by being up-to-date on all the new changes will make their legal advice be reliable to clients. It is challenging for a lawyer to keep knowledge of all the developments in the laws, and some available platforms constantly send notifications of every change in the rules. This way, you can be free of the burden of research.
3. Better resource keeping
Such tools can accomplish the vast work that first-year lawyers and paralegals do as calendaring applications. As a result, your staff can focus on other tasks and no longer have to tackle odd jobs like archiving case records and maintaining senior lawyers’ schedules. Your firm can use them for different tasks and function more efficiently in the future.
4. Error reduction
The law is dependent on facts. If you overlook any detail during your research and case-building, it may impact your case drastically. Furthermore, if you misinterpret any point because of an error in documentation, you will harm your case. It is, therefore, essential that your firm has a proofreading tool. These tools can automatically review vast files that generally require hours to read. In addition to this, the burden of review will be too much on one person and can cause errors.
5. Increase transparency
Most clients approach a legal practitioner with a sense of distrust. It is because it is human nature not to trust something you do not understand. Nonetheless, this situation can improve if clients can view the profiles of the lawyers on the firm’s website and read the reviews by past clients. Furthermore, if the clients can chat with the lawyers and stay connected, it will inevitably create a relationship of trust between them.
6. More collaboration among lawyers
Technologies like Microsoft Teams can help law firms collaborate with lawyers and specialists irrespective of their geographical locations. It is no longer necessary for them to sit in the same room to draft a petition or discuss the facts of a case.
Conclusion
As you can see, technology adoption can benefit law firms and clients seeking legal aid. By leveraging these technologies, law firms can work efficiently to cater to all clients. It is never too late for those in the legal business to optimize operations using technology like any other business.
