Legal service providers are turning to processdriven Software as a Service (SaaS) and other emerging legal technologies as a means of increasing productivity and improving profit margins in a competitive marketplace. Here, we’ll delve into the specific benefits of process-driven SaaS for legal professionals hoping to increase both workflow and cost efficiencies.
The legal industry is changing
The legal industry’s incredible resistance to technological disruption can be attributed to it being the sole guardi- an of legal knowledge. But a move to make the law and lawyers more accessible to the public has opened the floodgates. Today, alternative law services and free legal templates can be found online for anyone who feels in- clined to look. Innovation is finally having its day in the legal industry. And while some legal professionals are concerned that technology will do away with legal jobs, the more likely outcome is that automation via legal tech will simplify legal processes, giving lawyers more time to focus on legal issues.
Automation of processes in the legal industry
At this juncture, contemplation of the difference between automated processes and the auto-filling of templates is merited. Templates that can be auto-filled have made headway with legal firms. However, auto-filling requires information to be manually inputted into your systems by lawyers or support staff. This creates potential for erroneous or missing data to negatively impact the quality of the final document.
Automation of the client intake process, however, means that the information provided firsthand by your client is available immediately to be pulled into approved templates for sharing. Thereby reducing duplication of effort and minimising the risk of error in the back-office processes.
Process-driven software drives focus on legal issues over legal admin
The automation of repetitive processes, like court forms, contracts, agreements, and intake processes, allows lawyers to spend time focusing on the legal issues at hand. Predicted outcomes from this shift in focus include:
Increased lawyer engagement
Lawyers will be spending more time on the challenging aspects of their role, instead of the tedious and repetitive components. This promotes increased engagement with the work.
Reduction in mental health issues
Burnout, depression and anxiety are serious issues within the legal industry. While automated processes can’t claim to cure them, increased engagement is thought to ward off the effects of burnout. By creating lawyers who are happier with the work they’re undertaking, you’re helping to create happier lawyers.
Increased speed and accuracy through automation
Reduce customer lead time
Process-driven software focusing on client intake significantly reduces customer lead time. Legal professionals will be made aware of the nuances of clients’ legal issues from the outset, facilitating faster file allocation and clearance, flexibility, scalability, and the ability to outpace your competitors. All of these factors drive increased revenue.
Add value for your clients with faster file progression
The potential for faster turnaround coupled with the value-add clients get from their lawyers focusing on legal strategy (and tasks that can’t be automated), instead of drawing up yet another similar document from a template, means increased client satisfaction. A definite perk for legal service providers looking to retain clients in today’s legal ecosystem.
Moreover, you will benefit from increased
productivity and engagement, and better profit
margins. It’s little wonder that process-driven SaaS
solutions, like AdaptingLegal, are being touted
as the investment that may make or break legal
service providers in the future.