5 Major Technology Trends For Law Offices in 2022
/We think that everyone can agree, that the law industry has always been a bit behind when it comes to technology and digital evolution. From process management to communication and marketing, legal firms do somewhat battle with keeping up with the times. Technology, however, is evolving quicker than most companies can keep up with, and that is why it is important to know what will work for your company and what won’t.
So, we took a look at what some of the most successful legal offices in the world are doing and what is working for them. We thought we would break down what kind of technology you can look out for and how you can effectively use it in your company. Let’s get stuck straight in.
1. Overhaul Your Finance Department
One of the first places to start in your company when it comes to modernizing your technology is your finance department. If you haven’t already gotten a finance manager or a specialized and experienced accountant, we recommend that you do. There are also tons of tools and platforms that you can pick out to suit your business’ needs. Whether you are needing tax services, payroll, or income and expenditure management, there are a variety of tools, or you can get an all-in-one.
One of the finance functions that most law firms battle with the most is payroll. Luckily, there are some really great payroll software solutions out there for you. Not only can you pick one that suits your budget, but you can opt for something that suits the size of your team. Some include tax solutions, direct deposits and even include time tracking and attendance integrations. You can also manage worker compensation insurance, so do your research before choosing the first solution.
2. Automate Your Contract and Document Management
Documentation has really been the last thing to be updated in many law firms. Thousands across the world are still working on an antiquated system and haven’t stepped into the digital space. The fact is that contract and document automation significantly decrease the time it generally takes to create various documents and contracts. Everyday document writing can be streamlined, and the time spent on each task reduced.
With this latest software, any documentation process can be done more efficiently. If you are an immigration attorney, for example, you can find some great immigration case management software solutions for your business. From forms and intakes to case management, time tracking and invoicing, you can manage all documentation in a central hub. You can also create a client portal for all questions and client-related tasks to be managed.
3. Shift Your Operations to the Cloud
If the last two years have taught us anything, it is that your company's data and information should not be kept in a physical server. It should, rather, be shifted to the cloud. Not only will this make it more accessible to various members of your team, and external teams but it will also be more protected on the cloud.
With millions of companies worldwide being impacted by the various lockdowns and restrictions, remote working has become the norm in 2022. So, if many members of your team now work remotely, or need access to the relevant documents from a remote location, this can be streamlined with the cloud. Physical servers and documents also pose more of a risk to the company. Cloud software is highly secure and ensures that access to vital data and information is restricted.
4. Choose Collaboration Tools to Manage Projects
One thing that a lot of law firms are falling behind on is collaboration and communication platforms. There are some great solutions out there that allow you to create projects, allocate teams and individuals and break the projects down into tasks. From there, you can monitor and track the tasks. You can set deadlines, monitor progress and share documents and files directly to the platforms.
These tools are great as you can also integrate them with other platforms. Tools like real-time communication solutions, such as Slack, are a great option to connect with them. Not only can you have instant, direct communication with teams, individuals, or the whole company, but you can also get alerts. If projects are added, changed or completed, you will get a direct alert to your device of the change. You are also able to track time and attendance with these tools and other tools that you can integrate.
5. Digitize Your Marketing Department
Digital marketing is not only more affordable but is more effective than traditional marketing these days. With a range of tools at your fingertips, you are able to use social channels, email platforms and your website to reach out to new audiences. The key to digital marketing is content creation. It is imperative to get a copywriter to help you create content that is informative as well as eye-catching for potential clients.
With digital marketing, the budget allocation is up to you. So, you can choose how much goes toward marketing and how far your reach is.
The Bottom Line
There are always tons of technology options on the market. You simply need to know what problem you are solving and what your requirements and budget are. From there, simply do your homework and choose the option that best suits your needs.
