Ten Legal Technology Trends For 2021 – Part Two
Here is the second part of our blog on ten technology trends for 2021.
- Greater thought as to how remote work is performed
2020 saw the implementation of a new workplace model encompassing virtual meetings, mobility, collaboration, and the completion and performance of work remotely away from the office. As a result, law firms must embrace technology to make this new workplace model as seamless and practical as possible. The changes caused by the pandemic are not temporary and have pushed attorneys to create a remote experience for clients that is equal to, if not better than, the traditional office experience.
- The prioritization of human empathy in technology
2020 was a year that compromised human interaction while proving its importance, until then, often taken for granted. While consumers and potential clients have become warier, they have more anxiety than ever before to have their needs serviced and met quickly. Clients want expedient responses that are also compassionate and empathetic. For the modern lawyer to stay competitive, he or she must always be available to answer client questions and concerns to address and counteract these client anxieties. Many firms have websites and contact phone numbers available 24 hours a day to provide an empathetic voice to potential clients around the clock.
- Improved document automation
Perhaps the most important and significant trend will be document automation. While lawyers are already moving beyond the execution of in-person signatures, the next step is to move beyond in-person or wet-ink document preparation.
- Modernized methods of communication
Law firms continue to modernize their offices with the implementation of state-of-the-art phone systems to facilitate maximum communication between employees, as well as between employees and clients – from anywhere. The trend right now is the use of cloud-based systems with feature-laden softphones that directly integrate into practice management systems.
- Increased emphasis on data for performance tracking and profitability
After the experiences of 2020, many lawyers have undertaken great interest in capturing data and building reports that identify what work is getting done, by whom, and how efficiently. This technology not only focuses on capturing this data but building straightforward, informative reports that help measure those areas that drive decision-making and result in more profits for the firm.
The implementation of an effective online distance learning platform was one of the California Desert Trial Academy’s primary goals from the first day it opened its doors to the residents of the Coachella Valley. CDTA students are provided with vast online resources that facilitate and enhance their learning experiences at their convenience. This was especially seen in the fall of 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic raged through the United States. The CDTA College of Law continues to train, educate, and develop students to be exceptional attorneys and trial advocates in 2021 despite the continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Call us today at (760) 342-0900 or find out more online here.