Conduct a New Year’s Technology Audit for Your Law Firm

Conduct a New Year’s Technology Audit for Your Law Firm

It’s a new year, which means there’s no better time than now to conduct a legal technology audit. The tools you currently have in place in your law firm may not be sufficient in today’s fast-paced world. Technology is moving faster than ever, and artificial intelligence is changing how legal work gets done. If your firm doesn’t have the right tools in place, it could quickly fall behind.

If you’re not sure where to start, rest assured, conducting an audit isn’t as difficult as it sounds. If you approach the process methodically, you’ll be able to identify the technology gaps that are impacting your firm’s efficiency. 

The first step is to determine your firm’s current processes. Talk to your employees about their daily work so that you understand what is working for them—and what isn’t. Map out their workflows and identify the tools they use to accomplish them. Finally, find out where they’re encountering problems that new software could potentially solve.

Next, review your firm’s technology stack. Where could you add software to reduce roadblocks? There are many types of software available that could bridge the gap, including tools to address: 1) client intake, 2) document management and automation, 3) time-tracking, legal billing, and payment processing, 4) e-signature, 5) client communication portals, 6) video conferencing, 7) law practice management, 8) AI assistants, 9) legal research, and 10) VOIP software. 

Before you start researching legal software, determine your goals. Are you planning to replace any software systems? Will you seek out integrations with existing software to reduce costs and ensure seamless operation between systems? Do you need standalone tools or would you prefer all-in-one platforms like law practice management or legal billing software?

Once you’ve gained a better understanding of current needs, keep your employees in the loop as you research your software options. Employee buy-in will ensure a smooth employee training and implementation process. Allow key employees to take part in demos and free software trials. Get their feedback and include their input in the decision-making process.

The next step is to conduct careful research. Consult online buyer’s guides and technology directories. Ask your peers about the software tools that they use and recommend. Consider if there are any bar association discounts available. 

Once you’ve narrowed down your options, carefully vet the products and the providers. Ensure that you fully understand the features, integrations, and pricing structures. Ask questions about security and how they will handle and store your firm’s data. Take advantage of any demos or free trials. 

Consider whether the software will address the workflow challenges you identified. Is the interface intuitive and user-friendly? Does it include the necessary integration capabilities, and do the integrations function as needed? How difficult is it to migrate your firm’s data into the software? How long will that process take? Will implementation be simple or complex? Will you need to hire a consultant to assist with that process?

Finally, once you’ve made your decision, the next step is to onboard your team. Training your employees is an important part of the successful transition to new software. Answer all their questions and provide them with the necessary resources to support the implementation process.

Once you’ve rolled out the software to the firm, it’s time to reap the benefits of all that hard work. Your firm will run more smoothly and efficiently, allowing you to focus on what truly matters: your clients and the practice of law.

Nicole Black is a Rochester, New York attorney, author, journalist, and Principal Legal Insight Strategist at 8am, the team behind MyCase, LawPay, CasePeer, and DocketWise.She is the nationally-recognized author of "Cloud Computing for Lawyers" (2012) and co-authors "Social Media for Lawyers: The Next Frontier" (2010), both published by the American Bar Association. She also co-authors "Criminal Law in New York," a Thomson Reuters treatise. She writes regular columns for Above the Law, ABA Journal, and The Daily Record, has authored hundreds of articles for other publications, and regularly speaks at conferences regarding the intersection of law and emerging technologies. She is an ABA Legal Rebel, and is listed on the Fastcase 50 and ABA LTRC Women in Legal Tech. She can be contacted at niki.black@mycase.com.