Being a Lawyer in the Digital Age
The world has greatly changed since the beginning of the digital age, and every industry has been affected. Law firms now function differently, with new technology and automation affecting workflows. Read this article to discover how lawyers can adjust to the digital age.
  • legal tech
  • legal
Meredith Boe
Published on Aug 21, 2020

 

 

The digital revolution has changed the way companies operate across all industries, and law firms now function a bit differently. More than ever before, new software and technology like cloud storage and automation have changed workflows to be more streamlined. Client communication is improved and the case management process is more efficient, while lawyers can take advantage of eDiscovery and all of its benefits.

 

Here’s a look at how new technology has changed the legal profession.

 

 

Then versus now

Traditionally, law firms were driven by paper and physical resources. Attorneys depended on libraries and books for research and case references, and had to use pen and paper or typewriters to create and modify documents. All case documents and client data were saved as physical files at law firm offices, so there was a greater need for onsite storage space.

 

Since then, computers and the internet have completely changed these workflows. Digital databases and online resources can now be referenced instantly with a simple search, speeding up research time immensely and allowing for eDiscovery. Attorneys can save files digitally on their computers, in addition to using cloud storage solutions, offering virtually unlimited storage.

 

How the technology shift is changing the legal profession

With the internet and integration of computers into daily work life, attorneys now have access to more information than ever before, and just with a couple of clicks. They can reference previous cases and brush up on different areas of the law, all online from their own personal computer. Harvard Law School, for example, recently digitized U.S. court decisions in its Caselaw Access Project.

 

The ease of access to legal information helps attorneys make better decisions, ultimately giving them the power to produce the best results for their clients. Other ways technology has changed the legal profession:

  • Communication among firm staff and between attorneys and clients is faster and more convenient, using tools like video conferencing and client texting.
  • Virtual work environments are becoming more common, where attorneys and legal staff telecommute to the office and work remotely.
  • Chatbots and other automated tools help attorneys gather information about clients and leads instantly.
  • Payment options now go beyond cash and check. Legal clients can use credit cards and cash transfer services like Venmo and PayPal to pay their attorneys.
  • Court hearings are being held remotely with video conferencing tools.

 

The legal profession has already changed a lot in the last couple of decades, and it will keep on adapting and improving with the introduction of new technologies.

 

Allow NextChapter to become part of your law firm’s workflow. The cloud-based platform helps you and your team improve client communication and case management with intuitive tools and integrated features like document editing and client texting. Sign up for NextChapter today!