Where may lawyers find the most useful tools for developing their practices in the coming year? After a year of turmoil and difficulties, many lawyers now operate virtually, either as part-time remote workers or by adopting a fully virtual law office in response to the global pandemic.
Technology use among organizations and consumers has skyrocketed during the past year. An estimated 58% of consumers place a higher value on technology now than they did before the coronavirus outbreak, said the 2020 Legal Trends Report.
The study concludes that the trend toward remote work will continue even after the pandemic ends. What implications does this have for legal practices? Now more than ever, it is essential for lawyers to embrace tools and methods that allow them to operate remotely.
In this article, we’ll use data from research and our own observations of developments in the legal sector to talk about the greatest resources for lawyers. By observing the resources and technologies employed by other legal professionals in our new, more digital setting, you will be able to make an informed decision about what your business needs to implement to function at peak efficiency.
What Technology Do Lawyers Use?
Successful legal businesses in today’s increasingly dispersed workplace rely on digital resources to increase efficiency and safeguard client data. What works best for your firm depends on factors like its size and practice area, so not every business requires the same technology stack.
Nonetheless, it is prudent to begin with the basics before introducing technological solutions to fill in the gaps, increase efficiency, and give greater service to customers. Legal practice management software is where most up-to-date law firms begin (more on that below).
Let’s take a look at the most common types of legal machinery used by successful organizations today.
1. E-signature ToolÂ
Electronic signature software for lawyers streamlines collaboration. Because of the growing trend toward paperless offices, they also aid attorneys and their clients in saving time and money. Electronic signatures are not always valid, but under the right circumstances, they can be held to the same legal weight as a handwritten signature. Still, in certain jurisdictions, wills and other legal documents require all witnesses to sign them. While practicing law, you can take of the many benefits of electronic signatures, such as those of a convicted defendant, an opposing party, a family member consenting to a legal action, etc.
2. Video Conferencing Software
It is essential for a lawyer to be able to communicate and work with their clients and colleagues, but this face-to-face interaction isn’t always possible or preferred. One in three people are now opting to have their first consultation or meeting with a lawyer online, as reported by the 2020 Legal Trends Report. Half as many people favor video conferences for follow-up meetings.
Our research indicates that lawyers prefer video solutions that are safe, user-friendly, and crystal clear (in both audio and video quality). When it comes to simple and secure online meeting solutions, Legaler is a great choice.
3. Online File Storage
When working remotely or just need simple, rapid access to papers from anyplace, online file storage facilities for lawyers are indispensable. According to the 2020 Legal Trends Report, nearly eighty-nine percent of lawyers surveyed said their businesses stored data in the cloud. Try to find an online file storage option that operates in the cloud, is secure, and is easy to use.
For online file storage, you need look no further than Dropbox, one of the most popular document storage apps in the world. According to the results of the 2020 ABA Legal Technology Survey Report, 67% of respondents reported utilizing Dropbox as their primary cloud provider.
4. Time Tracking and Billing Solutions
Accurate timekeeping and billing are crucial to the success of any legal practice. Keeping track of time and managing billing by hand, however, may be a major time sink. If you aren’t currently using lawyer tools to help with time and billing, you should first check your practice management software, which may include features to do this. Tools, for instance, include features for monitoring and invoicing legal fees.
5. Practice Management Software
The use of legal practice management software will be mandatory for businesses, even those of a modest size, by the year 2021. The American Bar Association’s (ABA) 2020 Legal Technology Survey Report found that the use of practice management software was on the rise among solo practitioners and smaller firms (from 1% in 2019 to 29% in 2020). Personally using practice management software has climbed by 2% in the past year among law firms with 2-9 professionals.
While the pandemic may have prompted some legal practices to switch to cloud-based software, it appears that trend will continue. After the pandemic, nearly all lawyers (96%) plan to keep utilizing practice management software, per the 2020 Legal Trends Report.
