Ten Legal Technology Trends For 2021 – Part One
As 2021 begins and lawyers scramble to adapt to the changes wrought from the COVID-19 pandemic, the development and use of technology in a legal context continues to evolve. The following is a look at ten legal technology trends in 2021.
- Accelerated movement to digital domains
Consumers and clients are increasingly moving to the digital realm as evidenced by their behavior. Those law practices that choose to fully embrace the digital domain to interact with and attract clients are more apt to thrive than those who do not. Lawyers must ensure that new clients have the ability to discover their firms through Google and other search engines. Therefore, ensuring that information is up to date and accurate is crucial to future success and profits.
- Increased focus on the client experience
The evolution of technology, as well as the pandemic, has caused consumers to seek a client experience based on convenience. Consumers desire a more seamless and transparent experience similar to what they receive when they use Uber, Door Dash, Shopify, and other services based on ease and expedience. Law firms must evolve accordingly to ensure they can compete with other law firms.
- Increased expectations for client communication
The pandemic, in tandem with technology and the internet, has necessitated an increased level of communication with clients. Clients have increased expectations in how attorneys plan and facilitate meeting and communicating with them. The bar of attorney-client interaction has been raised. The experience of 2020 and the lessons learned therefrom should have inspired lawyers to find new ways to engage with current and prospective clients. Lawyers must focus on implementing these fresh, seamless communication and collaboration channels for every part of the client experience and engagement.
- Automation of administrative functions
In 2021 technology exists that can revolutionize and transform how basic administrative functions may be automated in the workplace. Many legal experts believe that the legal industry remains impeded by the necessity for people to perform work better suited for technology.
- increased reliance on digital interfaces with courts and government agencies
While some courts and administrative agencies have already embraced the use of digital interfaces to provide online services such as filing and data searches, the COVID-19 pandemic has provided the impetus for other courts to enter the online realm.
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