Lawyers and business owners are always looking for ways to find new clients, improve their service, or just stay on top of the latest trends. The law firm technology industry is constantly evolving with the introduction of new technologies that can increase productivity, reduce costs, and efficiently manage client information. If you’re a lawyer or business owner looking for some innovative IT solutions, then you’ve come to the right place!
Before we dive further into legal tech trends, we must first look into the kind of legal tech predictions we’ll see going into the rest of 2021 and beyond:
Shifting Towards Digitization of Services
With the rise of new regulations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, law firms have been forced to digitize their legal services or risk losing potential clients. For practice or firm’s digital presence to remain competitive in this changing landscape, they must take inventory and make any necessary updates with outdated systems before time runs out on current clients who might want something different from what you can provide them now.
The use of video conferencing tools has become commonplace because it allows meeting clients without face-to-face interaction opportunities (such as meetings), and to participate remotely rather than having those discussions at one location which means there’s no need anymore to just stand behind desks all day long waiting around while someone else does your work.
The Age of Information
Digital transformation is constantly leaving a direct impact in today’s business world. As such, legal tech companies are starting to recognize a new business approach in which certain tasks can be automated in order for them to lower their expenditure on labor and increase productivity – something which appeals greatly towards progressive mindsets who want efficiency without sacrificing quality or customer satisfaction!
One area where this becomes especially beneficial is through email automation systems. Not only would you save yourself time by eliminating repetitive tasks like mailing out paper correspondence (or even just printing labels), but reports generated from these types of programs provide valuable insight into how clients use your service while also providing statistics about themselves so decision-makers might make better decisions based off real-world data instead obtains anecdotes alone.
How Tech Affects Firms and Their Clients
When law firms automate their billing, they increase revenue and reach key goals. By automating processes in the legal industry, companies can save time on day-to-day tasks while also identifying any operational weaknesses or inefficient practices within their internal systems.
That being said, to avoid being a victim of cybersecurity attacks, it is the company’s responsibility to keep its clients informed on implementing best security practices.
As the lawyer-client relationship is based on trust, it is important that any and all automation software and technology being implemented by your company is from a reputable vendor, and is set up securely to protect client confidentiality, to avoid the possibility of losing prospective clients.
Law Firm Technology Trends To Help You Stay Ahead
Now that you know some of the predictions leading into the future, here are some legal technology trends you should know about if you’re a lawyer or business owner looking for ways to get ahead of your competition:
Applications
As law firms need to choose the types of software to create a band-aid solution on the wellness and life balance of not only themselves but also their clients, here are some that we have found been deemed most important:
- Productivity apps, such as Microsoft Office.
- PDF applications.
- Client-Relationship Management programs (such as GoHighLevel)
- Current practice management software
- Document automation tools.
- Document management programs.
- Document assembly tools
- Time and billing applications.
- Case management software.
- Data back-up apps.
- Project management programs.
- Internal instant messaging tools and enterprise social networks (such as Slack, and ClickUp)
- Collaboration tools (such as Zoom, Slack, Monday.com, & Asana)
Fortunately, most of these types of software have both desktop and mobile applications for your convenience, though keep in mind that some of the mobile versions of said software might not be as richly robust if you used them on the desktop.
Artificial Intelligence
For those that worry that AI will replace human lawyers in the foreseeable future, they can put that thought to rest. While that is not going to happen, AI will exponentially change how lawyers and legal departments conduct business. The advancements in AI have allowed firms to speed up the research process instead of manually searching through many documents, and even predict litigation outcomes. Though we don’t know how exactly AI will help evolve the industry over time, we do know that it has enabled firms to provide efficient and cost-effective legal services without sacrificing quality in their work.
Cloud-Based Services
In the past few years, law firms have been moving more and more of their operations onto a cloud-based solutions computing platform. They were initially skeptical about this change but as time went on it became clear to them that cloud-based and client-centered technology can meaningfully impact your bottom line. And now with more services gradually winning out through convenience as well as airtight security features – making them an attractive alternative solution in recent times! With cloud solutions, lawyers are not only able to access their work from anywhere with a wifi or hot spots, but they also allow lawyers to respond to their client and company needs in a more time-sensitive manner.
Cybersecurity
Data breaches and cybersecurity threats are happening to all kinds of people and organizations every day. There is a big difference between them, but they have one thing in common: data gets encrypted with malicious programs like ransomware that hold your information hostage until you pay the ransom or lose it forever! This can be avoided if you back up regularly—backups will give your files an extra layer of protection so even if something goes wrong during restoration there’s always another chance at saving what was lost before things went south. That’s why it’s extremely important to think about your work and reputation management when it comes to data breaches.
On top of having your technology and automation systems in place, it’s also important for you and everyone else in your company to recognize and prevent cybersecurity intrusions. If needed, invest for your employees to take cybersecurity classes, or invest in creating a cybersecurity training program within your company. That way when they walk out, should they get IT-related audits from their clients, they’ll at least have the basic cybersecurity principles to combat and resolve said audits.
Enhanced Client Experience
With the increasing rise of technology, consumers are looking for solutions that are convenient, seamless, and transparent, thus leading to increased customer expectations. And it is no exception for the legal consumer. If a client-centered firm recognizes this and adapts, it’ll lead to increased quantity and quality in their cases. With companies like Doordash, Instacart, and Handy making life simpler for consumers, it leaves the question of whether law firms will adapt or falter.
In terms of communication, law firms need to find new ways to communicate with current and prospective clients – from sales to invoicing to audits from clients-if they haven’t done so already; keeping with the same level of seamlessness and collaboration as the other tools a firm will use to enhance the client experience.
Moving Towards Digitalization
In a world where consumers are turning to digital media for information on products and services, it is more important than ever before that businesses be easily accessible to stay afloat. To do so requires an embracing of technology, which means ensuring your listings show up when potential clients want them with Google my Business and social media, making sure you have accurate information about what kind of business exists at its given location will ensure success as well!
Technical Competency
In our increasingly tech-savvy society, many attorneys are expected to be able to understand and use technology in their practice. And companies want lawyers who know what tools they have at disposal for maximizing the value of legal services offered them by law firms or governments.
Even for the recent graduate who graduated top of their class, they have more opportunities available to them than most. However, if they don’t broaden their horizons and learn how to leverage technology in order to find solutions for clients it could be difficult. In today’s market attorneys must know the latest trends so that they can provide holistic guidance beyond just giving legal advice – one which includes leveraging new technologies when appropriate.
The world of technology is always changing, and lawyers and business owners alike need to stay on the curve. While many professionals might not know where to start when it comes to their own IT needs, we at GroupOne IT are here for you! We can assist with your company’s tech needs from a strategic standpoint as well as provide hands-on support at all stages of implementation and support. Having served small- to mid-sized businesses with IT since 2006, our team knows what works best for businesses like yours. Contact us today if you want more information about how we can help your business be successful!