Overview of popular tools for lawyers

Nearly 9 in 10 lawyers say technology is helping them better serve clients, according to a 2022 Bloomberg survey. At the same time, experts note that such tools make it possible to better meet customers’ needs.

The further we develop IT technologies, the higher the stakes in the professional environment become. Therefore, to better meet the new requirements, lawyers must implement technological solutions in every part of the work. The legal industry is very multifaceted and diverse. It includes a large number of processes. They all work with each other from a single system, with the primary goal of successfully solving customer requests. 

Tools used by lawyers — from the simplest to the most complex

Lawyers have many tasks, and they are all different. Therefore, different sets of tools are used to solve them. Some are required to automate work, and some are useful for using cloud storage, managing practices, or creating documentation. They can be very simple or technically complex, but they are all needed to improve the efficiency of lawyers. Let’s consider the main ones. 

Tools of Microsoft Office

Indeed, despite its apparent simplicity, Microsoft Office tools are a simple and reliable tool that allows law firms worldwide to succeed. The use of an office suite has significantly contributed to the automation of many of the day-to-day functions that lawyers face daily. Using these tools in all their diversity, lawyers have learned to deal with creating documents, various calculations, and processing information much faster. 

Cloud services

Storage, systematization, and data processing are essential elements in a law firm’s work. Using cloud-based tools like Google Drive and Dropbox, professionals can make many things easier for themselves. In addition, they can avoid that unpleasant situation when damage to one document brings disorder to the whole documentation link.

During storage on online platforms, files are protected from loss, and the history of changes is available to users. Also, the law firm avoids some problems associated with storing data on local computers — hacking, accidental deletion, virus damage, difficulty finding the correct file, and so on.

Applications for smart search of text and documents

Research for lawyers is an integral part of the work that needs smart automation. With its help, searching for the necessary information is accelerated tenfold. Examples are Casetext and Ravel Law. Both solutions have a simple user interface and allow you to download legal documents for AI to search for relevant legal information. 

Billing tools

Simplification of interaction with clients is another trend among lawyers. Issuing invoices is much more convenient and easier for the specialist and the client if this process is automated. According to a Bloomberg poll, billing solutions are at the top of the list of «what lawyers use.» They are used in their practice by 79% of respondents. In practice, these technologies increase the speed of receiving payment and the profit of a law firm. It is unsurprising because the client gains experience quickly in solving their problems. 

Assistance from external IT specialists

Along with IT solutions, lawyers can also use the help of external experts. Specialists of such a plan strongly influence a law firm’s practice because they are experts in their field. Often, lawyers do not have the necessary knowledge and skills in the IT field to solve some of the tasks on their own. For example, in cybersecurity, setting up automatic systems, working on a website, or developing a strategy for promoting their services. 

Conclusion

Technological solutions are everywhere in the work of lawyers — from the preparation of documents to the execution of a transaction. Their role cannot be overestimated because IT significantly affects the speed and quality of services provided by lawyers.

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Also, using technology helps prevent costly mistakes in legal practice. At the same time, lawyers get space to perform more significant professional tasks. They invest their efforts in the development of the company.