Things to be thankful for in 2014: 21st century legal technology

25
Nov
2014

Nicole Black

It’s almost that time of year for Americans: Thanksgiving. It’s a day when we reflect on all that’s going well . Now I realize that not all of you reading this post reside in the States. But even so, it’s never a bad idea to take stock of all the positive aspects of your life. 

For lawyers practicing law in 2014, there are many things to be thankful for, not the least of which are advances in legal technology that have simplified and streamlined our daily lives. In 2014, there are so many different tools that are both affordable and innovative and have the potential to change the ways that we communicate, collaborate, and represent clients.

First, let’s talk about mobile tools. Where would we be without smartphones and tablets? According to the results of the American Bar Association’s 2014 Legal Technology Survey, lawyers love mobile devices, with 91% of lawyers using smartphones as part of their practice and 48% using tablets in their law firms. Mobile computing has made it easier than ever for lawyers to practice law from just about anywhere. Whether it’s conducting legal research, communicating with clients via email or a secure client portal, or reviewing and revising documents—mobile devices make it possible. Mobile tools offer 21st century lawyers flexibility and convenient access to important information no matter where they happen to be—something that was virtually impossible at the turn of the century.

Of course, mobility would have little value in the absence of paperless law offices—which is something else to be thankful for this year. That’s because digital documents give lawyers more flexibility and 24/7 accessibility. By moving most or all of your law firm’s documents and files to the cloud, you have the convenience accessing your firm’s data wherever you happen to be using any Internet-enabled device. And, once a digital system is in place, instead of wasting time looking for an errant file or a misplaced document, every important piece of data can be retrieved by a digital search. Paperless law offices are the future of law firms and as anyone who currently uses digital documents can attest—are a tool that all 21st century law firms shouldn’t be without.

Another thing to be thankful for in 2014 is the ability to collaborate online with clients and others involved in a case. Online collaborations platforms, whether accessed via a firm’s intranet or web-based practice management software, makes it possible for lawyers to offer improved, streamlined  client service. Online collaboration platforms provide easy, secure access to case-related documents and improve client communication by reducing the amount of back and forth, whether via email or phone. Because of the increased efficiency, lawyers provide their clients with better, more streamlined representation, making it a win-win for both law firms and their clients.

Finally, there’s wearable technology—specifically smartwatches. Smartwatches offer an easy and unobtrusive way to filter only the most important information from your smartphone, such as messages or notifications. This comes in handy when in court or in an important meeting. So instead of causing a disruption in the proceedings, you can leave the room quietly and tend to the matter in the hallway with no one else the wiser. While not yet mainstream, lawyers who already use smartwatches will tell you that they are the next stage of the mobile law firm.

So this Thanksgiving, whether you celebrate the holiday or not, why not consider all the things for which you have to be grateful, including 21st century legal technologies? These tools allow you to streamline your law practice and provide your clients with the best, most efficient representation possible, leaving you with more time with the people for whom you are most thankful: your friends and family.