The current pandemic has made various businesses realize just how much technology is the backbone of modern-day businesses. Those who didn’t have internet platforms to showcase their services are now likely to have at least one page or two; without it, they would be lost.
And some service providers, such as lawyers, enjoyed the benefits of technology even before the pandemic.
Ages ago, many attorneys may have believed that technology would negatively affect the scholarly aspects of the legal profession. Over time such a notion had to be left in the past. Today’s lawyers and their law firms are all about creating an interdisciplinary profession, using new tech to grow their businesses. Here are some of the ways that technology is changing law firms.
Telecommuting
Before the rise of technology, lawyers had to come into their office every day, get briefed by their secretary, and spend most of the day in the office. With the availability of email, instant messaging, and web-conferencing apps, lawyers can now operate their firms without being in the office. Subsequently, the convenience technology has on telecommuting has been so evident in the current pandemic.
Simplified discovery of documents
Part of the due diligence conducted by any lawyer before heading out to court or appearing before any dispute resolution body is ensuring that every single document relevant in a case is available. Electronic discovery has changed the face of many law firms and made the handling of cases much more manageable. Most law firms used to store thousands of client files manually. Whenever a lawyer needed to access information urgently before heading out to the court, the preparation to locate such information had to start several days or even weeks earlier. Electronic discovery has made access to documents to be just a click away. With the right electronic discovery automation software, all a lawyer needs is to type in the required keyword for the necessary documentation. It will automatically be located.
Most law firms can now use time previously spent in locating information on a client’s significant issues. Additionally, due to the simplified method of finding documents, most law firms are now eco-friendly. They have opted for electronic storage of client information departing from the widely used physical files quite identifiable with the legal fraternity.
Case management
Nothing is as crucial to a lawyer as keeping track of important dates, having organized contact lists, and data entry. There is various digital case management software available to lawyers, and the same can be customized to fit a law firm’s operations. Also, lawyers working remotely and those in the law firm can share information with ease through web platforms, all thanks to technology.
Online study availability
Of the many technological advances that have changed the industry, this one focuses on aspiring lawyers still in school. Students can take LSAT prep courses online; this is vastly more convenient. A good LSAT prep course will guarantee that its students will increase their last test score. Students can have access to study materials from anywhere in the world.
Online networking
Professional social media platforms such as LinkedIn–as well as non-professional-specific platforms such as Facebook and Instagram–are the new virtual meeting points for law firms to interact with each other and their potential clients. Most modern-day law firms utilize at least one social media platform. Likewise, The American Bar Association has begun to use social media platforms, bringing together lawyers and law students from across the Federal Republic on a single virtual platform.
Through posting videos and other informative documents on social media, lawyers are not only able to generate leads to their websites. They are also able to achieve professional growth.
In general, technology has opened more doors to most law firms. Any lawyer that is still running their law firm in the analog way definitely can’t compare their success to that of the modern-day law firm.