How Is Technology Helping Legal Firms Obtain A Cutting Edge?

The legal sector has come to be majorly dependent on technology over the past couple of decades, with one of the most groundbreaking events in the industry being Harvard Law School’s digitalization of case law, statutes and regulations in its possession. The current health crisis has done plenty to highlight the importance that technology is playing in keeping legal firms updated, informed and connected. Because of technology, it is ‘business as usual’ for the vast majority of firms, with clients still being able to count on crucial advice pertaining to everything from tax to contract law. If you work in the legal sphere, what technologies should your firm be familiar with if you are to continue to deliver top notch service even in trying times?

SEO Software Is Here to Stay

SEO is key for legal firms wishing to expand their client base, since search engines are the most popular means through which new clients choose lawyers when they encounter a legal issue. One single optimized item of authoritative content can rank for thousands of keywords. One single article can also rank well for considerably longer than it is posted. Top SEO tools include Moz (which helps users track the performance of all inbound marketing efforts comprehensively), BrightEdge (which includes forecasting, recommendations and backlink management), and Yoast WordPress SEO Plugins (which help content rank higher via suggestions for readability and keyword success).

Automation Saves Time

Recent research by teams at McKinsey & Co, MIT and the University of North Carolina indicate that in the legal profession, 69% of paralegals’ time and 23% of lawyers’ tine, can be automated. Just a few of the processes that can benefit from automation tools include billing, financial management solutions, and case reviews. By entrusting these tasks to automation software, legal professionals can enjoy considerably more time for building vital relationships via networking. Just a few software tools already being used by law firms include Kira (which analyzes text in contracts and other documents), RAVN Systems (an AI tool that organizes, finds and summarizes documents) and Luminance (used for due diligence, insurance and compliance, amongst other things).

Sharing by Blockchain

The blockchain has been revolutionizing a plethora of industries, and the legal sector is no exception. This technology is redefining key processes, including security and contractual agreements. Lawyers and paralegals can now store digital information on blockchain, sharing it securely with colleagues or clients in real time. All users are required to verify their identity, thus eliminating fraud and reducing the need to document contracts in legal courts. Legal professionals can ensure that not a single term is altered in contracts which can sometimes run for thousands of words, thus making alterations difficult to identify through simply manual reading. Blockchain can also be used to store information in land registries, file intellectual property rights, and streamline transactional work.

Technology is enabling lawyers to work more efficiently, thus allowing them to avail of the benefits brought by human contact at networking and other social events. From SEO to blockchain, automation and other technologies are enabling lawyers to work more efficiently. They are also putting a stop to tampering with documents, with technologies such as blockchain ensuring that only authorized persons have access to key documents.