Technology has greatly impacted the legal profession in recent years, making it easier for lawyers to access information, communicate with clients, and manage their practice.
One of the biggest ways technology has helped lawyers is by providing access to vast amounts of legal information. Legal research databases such as Trellis, LexisNexis, and PACER have made it much easier for lawyers to locate the latest filings and most recent court decisions, quickly finding the information they need to make a case. This has greatly increased the efficiency of the legal research process and has made it possible for lawyers to take on more cases.
Technology has also helped lawyers communicate more effectively. Email and video conferencing tools have made it possible for lawyers to communicate at a distance with clients and other legal professionals in a secure and reliable manner. The provision of legal services is less constrained by geography than ever before, with lawyers providing legal services to their clients by collaborating with colleagues, witnesses, and experts who are located in different parts of the country. This saves time and reduces the travel expenses for everyone involved.
Another way technology has helped lawyers is by making it easier to manage their practice. Law firm management software (e.g., Clio, PracticePanther, and CosmoLex) helps lawyers keep track of their cases, manage their finances, and communicate with their staff. This has made it possible for lawyers to run their practice more efficiently and has helped them stay attentive to the unique needs of their clients.
Finally, technology has also helped lawyers to present their cases in court. TrialPad, ExhibitView Solutions, onCue, and other trial presentation technologies make it possible for lawyers to present evidence and make their case in front of a jury. Trial presentation software can also be used to create timelines, diagrams, and other visual aids that can help jurors understand complex legal concepts and evidence. This has greatly increased the effectiveness of the legal process and has helped lawyers to win more cases.
In conclusion, technology has played a vital role in the legal profession by providing lawyers with access to information, communication tools, practice management software, and presentation tools. These tools have greatly increased the efficiency and effectiveness of the legal process and have helped lawyers to provide better services to their clients. As technology continues to advance, it is likely that lawyers will continue to find new ways to use technology to improve their practice.
Nicole Clark
Prior to founding Trellis, Nicole Clark was a business litigation and labor and employment attorney who handled litigation in both state and federal courts. She regularly represented multinational corporations in claims ranging from high-profile trade secret disputes to complex class-action litigation. Frustrated by sending internal emails and collecting anecdotes on judges in order to make strategic case recommendations, she built Trellis to solve her own need for access to data, information, and analytics at the state trial court level. Prior to law school, Nicole attended Bard College, beginning her college coursework at the age of sixteen. She graduated with honors from University of Massachusetts Amherst with a BA in Journalism, and received her Juris Doctorate from Rutgers School of Law in Newark, NJ. Nicole sat for the Bar Exam in California, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, and remains licensed to practice law in all three states.