Technology has really changed everything about the way our culture learns and communicates. This is leading to some concern and speculation among job analysts in the legal sector. Will access to technology change the way individuals interact with law professionals? Will it affect the ability for new job seekers to find a career in their field of expertise? Ultimately, experts believe that the industry will be changed, but that won’t lessen the need for skilled legal employees. Here are some other considerations regarding the technology trend.
Legal interpretation services.
Harvard Law School recently digitized and released their entire library of legal scholarship on the internet. This means that anyone with access can research the law. This digitization of information has affected a number of industries, not just the legal one, but it does change the way individuals will acquire knowledge. But, not everyone with access will be trained to interpret this information, which will open doors for lawyers to provide necessary services.
More work for results.
There is a contradiction when it comes to technology. It was designed to make our lives easier, but in the end it may prove to create more work. Lawyers are concerned that they will have to work even harder for the billable hours. While technology will make it easier to access and disseminate information, clients are still paying for a service. They will still expect a certain amount of work provided for the money.
Provide automation as a benefit.
But this can be a positive thing for law professionals willing to embrace technology. Providing automation of a variety of legal services can really help a lot of clients. Charging flat fees for certain document prep or other necessities can help expand your practice. People will still need lawyers to help them navigate some of the most complicated processes. Incorporate that into your practice and find that need from your clients.
More specialization.
Finally, the biggest thing that technology will do for the industry is to create more specialization. In fact, tech law itself can be a booming field for legal professionals who are also interested in internet security, intellectual property, or data storage issues. You can either work within technology or utilize it to enhance your own performance. In any case, technology is fundamentally changing the industry, so embracing it is important.
Law firms and corporate legal departments have their own challenges, specialties and required skills. NRI can source everyone you might need for your firm, from attorneys and paralegals to administrative and support staff. Contact our great team of recruiters today to work with a top legal staffing agency in Washington DC.
