We’re all familiar with the words, ‘high-tech.’ There have been so many recent technological advancements and they have changed the landscape of most industries and fields. There have been overhauls and shifts in industries like media, healthcare, agriculture and even law. Yes, technology has gradually injected itself into the legal profession as well. Keep reading to find out how technology has changed the role of lawyers as we know them.
#1: Client/Lawyer Communication is More Efficient
The introduction of smart technology has enabled lawyers to work remotely on their cases. Many top legal firms like the H1 Law Group are able to streamline their client-lawyer communication this way. Lawyers can be way more productive because all the tools they need are easily accessible no matter where they are.
No time for a personal one-on-one? No worries! All you have to do is start a video call or web conference with your lawyer and your meeting will go on without issues. Even if you can’t come on video, there are multiple ways to arrange some sort of conference call so you’re in touch. This way, neither you nor your lawyer will waste any time trying to arrange a face-to-face interaction.
Technology has increased productivity for lawyers and has broken the traditional roles they were operating from earlier.
#2: Automated Records
Normally, a lawyer would have to sift manually through tons of case files and find what they’re looking for. However, technology has made it possible for these documents to be digitized and stored on servers which makes them readily accessible. What’s more, lawyers can store and collect evidence through a number of means such as mobile devices, email and more.
Analytics and the ability to search for information has changed the playing field for lawyers. All they have to do is type in some relevant keywords and they can find the file they need in an instant. Paralegals no longer have to waste precious minutes looking through physical documents – this has added efficiency and speed to their role.
#3: Making Legal Communities Online
Without technology, it would have taken lawyers a long time to come together, discuss ideas and swap stories. Nowadays, lawyers don’t have to wait on anything to get expert advice or discuss cases if they want to. There are a ton of online legal communities that exist to help lawyers with this exact problem.
What’s more, these communities help lawyers connect with law students and even clients. They give rise to discussions, debates, problem solving and many more resources that are essential to the legal practice. Lawyers can also make use of these communities by using them as places to disseminate information.
For example, they can post or share informational links and videos that will help other lawyers or the legal community in general. Online communities foster an ecosystem of collaboration, learning and best practices and this would not have been possible if technology didn’t help. These forums are only growing and as technology continues to expand, so will the various ways that lawyers can communicate with each other and people around them.
Will Technology Reinvent the Legal Profession?
As with anything, technology is what you make of it. New tech cannot reinvent the legal profession or put lawyers out of business. It can, however, provide them with useful ways to connect with each other and clients, reach out to underprivileged communities, and even get the word around about their work. There are new softwares and platforms being introduced every single day and it’s in lawyers’ best interests to stay updated with the times.
Instead of feeling threatened by new tech, lawyers should embrace it wholeheartedly.