Tech innovations have transformed the legal profession, and there’s no end in sight. It’s little wonder that a majority (57 percent) of lawyers polled by Robert Half Legal for its Future Law Office research report, Technology’s Transformation of the Legal Field, said that their firm plans to spend more money on legal technology over the next two years. Here’s our list of the top tech trends changing the legal field:
- “Smart” hardware.Smartphones and tablets have made remote work easier and more convenient than ever. According to the 2014 American Bar Association Technology Survey, lawyers are using legal apps like Fastcase, TrialPad and TranscriptPad on their mobile devices, as well as apps to access LexisNexis and WestlawNext.
- Electronic libraries.Online legal libraries and legal research sites like LexisNexis and WestlawNext have made it faster, easier and cheaper to access the most up-to-date information. This rapid evolution is redefining the roles of legal librarians and information specialists, who may need to become publishers, market analysts, trainers, members of client teams and more, writes Robert Ambrogi on his LawSites blog.
- eDiscovery.This field is growing due to the volume and complexity of electronic data. Large litigation cases involve acquiring, organizing, storing and retrieving millions of documents, and corporate legal departments and law firms are increasingly using third-party services to manage the task. Predictive coding is a powerful tool within eDiscovery that identifies similar or identical electronically stored information, but it does have drawbacks, such as blind spots.
- Cloud computing.With SaaS (software as a service), legal professionals can access files from any connected device and easily share files with colleagues and clients. A 2014 LexisNexis study showed that lawyers use the cloud mainly for document management and backup. Cloud-based legal technology has also enabled the rise of virtual law practices, which are able to offer services at a lower cost.
- Social media.Sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter have become important tools for networking, advertising and acquiring clients. Legal blogs and online marketing allow solo practitioners and smaller firms to gain visibility and better compete with larger firms. To grow their businesses, some firms are hiring social media strategists to develop and manage their online communication and presence.
- Security protocols. Security breaches — like malware, hacking and data theft — cost organizations money and client confidence. Assessing cyber risks now to avoid problems later has become a priority for many legal management teams. With more information being stored in the cloud and BYOD (bring your own device) a growing trends within the workplace, firms and corporations must teach employees about security risks and compliance issues and establish and enforce privacy protocols surrounding personal devices.
From online databases to predictive, technology has transformed the way legal professionals operate. And the evolution continues: Innovations and new platforms unimaginable today will keep changing the field and the day-to-day work of legal professionals in the years to come.
Charles A. Volkert is executive director of Robert Half Legal, a leading staffing service specializing in the placement of attorneys, paralegals, legal administrators and other legal professionals with law firms and corporate legal departments. Based in Menlo Park, Calif., Robert Half Legal has offices in major cities throughout the United States and Canada.