Technology

Current reality

Many legal teams often rely on manually intensive processes and time-consuming activities using office tools to run their daily operations. While this may be adequate for small and new departments with limited budgets, it is not scalable and often causes staff to work longer or harder to complete tasks. With the rapid advancement of technology, including developments with artificial intelligence, implementing new technology solutions, and automating legal processes are high priorities for most organizations. In particular, eSignature and matter, contract, and document management solutions are gaining wide-spread attention across the legal industry. Successful organizations are mindful of how quickly technology evolves and avoid solutions designed only for current state business needs.

Desired state

The legal team has a well-defined technology vision that addresses the operating needs of the entire organization. This includes a clear understanding of all processes, practices, platforms, and partnerships that the organization depends upon in its performance of daily business activities. An active modernization program exists that includes automating processes that drive efficiency, connecting practices and digital systems that improve user adoption, upgrading platforms for improved speed and data utilization, and expanding partnerships that promote economies of scale.

• Create and implement a multi-year technology roadmap that illustrates implementation priorities
• Connect platforms and special-purpose tools designed to address unique legal functions, such as matter management, legal bill review, contract and document management, intellectual property, compliance and other technologies that deliver value to the organization
• Automate high-volume, low-value, time-consuming manual processes to improve work efficiency and product (output) quality
• Continuously evaluate emerging trends and evolving legal technologies and build relationships with technology vendors and solution suppliers
• Determine where to build (internal development) technology and when to buy it (external solution)
• Assess emerging technology capabilities and incorporate them into your long-term strategic planning 
• Structure an effective partnership with your internal IT team.