The law in general, and the legal profession in particular, are often seen as being pretty stuffy and hark to previous precedence that have arisen over many years of trial and error. While this is excellent news for those needing legal counsel as it ensures that all the Is are dotted and Ts crossed, it also means that the sector is slow to adopt the latest and greatest technology. However, as tech moves at such a breakneck speed, it's inevitable that the industry has managed to seep into almost every facet of the business, and this post will explore the impact that technology has had on the legal profession, making it better and more accessible to everyone involved.

Streamlined Case Research With Advanced Databases

Perhaps one of the most significant issues facing most law firms worldwide is the sheer amount of paperwork and data they have to store. This is due to various reasons ranging from regulations requiring they keep files for a certain amount of time before disposing of them (often decades) to the need to refer back to said cases in order to assist with current ones. Fortunately, the introduction of advanced databases that include sophisticated search functionality means that lawyers will no longer need to sift through reams of physical paperwork when they need to refer to a certain point. This is particularly useful for firms that provide advice on multiple disciplines and have an international footprint. According to the experts at PBL Law Group, such a cross-disciplinary approach requires a holistic approach, often involving understanding how previous cases played out. By scanning all documentation and storing them digitally on a secure database, these law firms can perform their jobs with a better ability to use the past to help inform the present. Moreover, because most of these databases can be accessed securely via the cloud, you are usually able to perform whatever task you need remotely, provided you have the requisite permissions to access them.

Enhanced Efficiency Through Automated Document Management Systems

Plenty of legal cases involve paperwork and the need to acquire the signatures of clients, experts, witnesses, and a plethora of other people in order to move forward with a case. With numerous digital document management systems on the market, it's now possible to interact with everyone involved with a case to give consent to proceedings via a digital platform. As long as a platform used is allowed under whatever regulation exists in your jurisdiction, then they will massively speed up proceedings, allowing you to expedite it by not having to use traditional methods such as mail.

AI-Driven Analytics For Predictive Outcomes

So, to be completely clear, AI still has a long way to go before it can do the sorts of things that humans can (especially in the case of the law). Nevertheless, while it may be unable to perform the more complex tasks bestowed upon legal professionals, it has the potential to reduce many of the more mundane jobs and increase efficiency. This is especially valuable to lawyers who often find themselves having to deal with multiple, disparate cases with only the help of perhaps one paralegal. Both attorneys and assistants can use AI to dig through archives and generate summaries of large contracts and documents. Obviously, these will need to be double-checked, but the fact that you can receive a general overview from a large document without having to spend hours parsing it manually is a massive boon to the profession.

From AI to secure cloud databases, technology is having a considerable impact on the usually traditional profession of law. By utilizing various technologies, lawyers and their assistants can expedite cases and ensure that their clients receive the best outcomes.