How technology is changing law firms in the US

Over the last 3 decades, technology has had a huge impact on business. Every industry has changed the way it communicates, organizes, processes and manages day-to-day tasks. The legal sector is in no way exempt from the dramatic changes seen with developments including the internet, the data revolution and the onset of artificial intelligence (AI).

Let’s look at some of the big changes the legal sector has experienced in recent years and look at the potential benefits to law firms across the US.

Litigation Analytics

Among all of the technological advances seen within the legal sector, the development of Litigation Analytics may be both the most impressive and the scariest.  These analytics software programs can predict the likelihood of a result, based on client, court, opposition and judge-related data.

The software can also estimate costs and set client expectations. They can even retrieve potentially important quotes and rulings from the judge concerning previous cases. A lawyer can also learn about the opposing counsel and identify possible weaknesses to exploit and create a case accordingly.

Artificial Intelligence: While Litigation Analytics software represents one form of artificial intelligence, with its ability to take data and predict results and behavior, the role of AI in the future could be huge and far-reaching within the legal sector.

AI can be employed to do a range of tasks that would take humans hours, weeks, months or even years. For example, AI software was used by the UK’s Serious Fraud Office to sift through 30 million potentially important documents related to an investigation into a major car manufacturer.

E-disclosure predictive coding has since become a huge asset to lawyers in both the UK and the US. With the ability to search through millions of documents, the software can save both time and money on this otherwise expensive and tedious process.

E-disclosure is just the tip of a significant iceberg, however, with document assembly (putting together legal documents with a few clicks of a mouse) and legal research enjoying a new phase of efficiency thanks to artificial intelligence.

Practice Management Software: Technology can now, almost literally, manage your law firm for you. Able to do everything from invoicing to contract management all in one place, practice management software is available at a relatively affordable price of just a few hundred dollars per year.

Most practice management software will also come with the ability to create legal documents from templates with easily customizable fields, it’s no longer a long, tiresome process. Software such as Bill4Time also allows you to track time spent on each client, allowing you to easily create invoices.

Cell Phone Apps: Cell phone apps are a great option for any lawyer looking to improve efficiency. By no means, a shortcut or a lazy way to do things, apps such as NotaryCam have all the legal authority required to get things done – just a bit quicker than using traditional methods.

NotaryCam: NotaryCam allows you to get your documents notarized in minutes, online. Simply upload your documents, request a live eNotary, confirm your ID, e-sign the documents and eNotary will do the rest.

Moneypenny Phone Answering Service: A virtual receptionist, AKA a call answering service, provides all the benefits of an in-house receptionist for a fraction of the cost. Great for start-ups not wanting to invest in a full-time receptionist. There is also a 24/7 service available, allowing you to completely switch off safe in the knowledge that all your business calls are being taken care of.

Their app has numerous benefits. It lets you focus on your work with fewer interruptions and can also make small businesses appear bigger and more professional. Arguably the greatest benefit, however, is that you won’t miss any business calls. With some statistics suggesting that 70% of callers won’t leave a voicemail, having a virtual receptionist answer all of your calls can be a great way to impress and capture all potential sales leads.

Technology in the 2020s is only set to have a bigger impact: Who knows what will happen in the next 10 years. One thing is for sure, however, whatever industry you work in, it’s a good thing to embrace change. With artificial intelligence set to have a huge impact on everyday life, it will be fascinating to see how it will influence the legal sector.