Today, clients expect speedy and convenient digital legal services. The newer generation of clients especially, struggle with slow-moving ‘paper based and manual’ models, but the legal industry has traditionally been a late adopter of technology innovations. Many legal firms struggle with low investment in technology solutions that no longer meet the business need, and end-of-life architecture. They have limited skills in-house to tackle these issues head-on, added to which, these technology constraints negatively affect hybrid working flexibility, limiting potential recruitment and the retention of talented technology staff

Challenges

Getting your firm ready for a digital transformation

For legal firms, the hardest part of a digital transformation journey is getting started.  Justifying the transformation is challenging and all too often falls at the business case stage as identifying the right way forward involves critical decisions. Deliver incremental change or implement a radical overhaul? Upgrade legacy systems or move entirely to the Cloud? Whichever path you decide on, the transformation must align with a rethink of your business and technology strategy, and delivery model, to be successful – starting with a robust business case.

Meeting your clients’ expectations for digital services 

The next generation of legal clients is demanding a move to digital services, which challenges traditional ‘paper based’ models alongside ‘per hour’ based fee structures. They now expect alternative arrangements such as fixed priced solutions at a lower price point as digital services are cheaper to operate.

LegalTech skills and talent retention

Many legal firms lack the internal capabilities to implement a digital transformation. It is difficult to attract technical skills, as potential candidates often perceive the sector as old-fashioned. A fresh approach is overdue therefore, to source the right strategies and technology partners – and offer flexible working practices to gain and retain staff.

Delivering value for money, controlling costs managing compliance, security and risk

Many legal firms operate a federated IT model with countries, regions, and individual offices managing their own technology. This causes integration issues, problems with accreditations such as ISO, indemnity insurances, inconsistencies, poor management information and a high Total Cost of Ownership. Centralising core and common technology services is key to improving security and compliance and improving quality and operational efficiency.

Enabling Hybrid working and reducing environmental impact

Historically, legal firms have been paper-based with all case files managed manually. The transition to digital solutions has often been slow – or has not happened at all. In the move to digital solutions, resolving the paper based manual challenge is something all legal firms need to address.  Automating processes and providing tooling such as document collaboration is key to allowing staff to work remotely while reducing both paper waste, and the overall carbon footprint of the firm.

If you would like to speak to one of our industry experts, email contact@masonadvisory.com to discuss further. Find out more about our services.