Posted 21 May 2020

The arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic has made one thing very clear: traditional ways of working will forever be changed. As law firms across the globe partake in the world’s biggest work-from-home experiment, many are quickly realising the importance of digital transformation. 

In a recent article for The Times titled Technology is the Key to Stopping Coronavirus Wiping out Law Firms, legal-industry expert Richard Susskind argues that if “law firms cannot find a way to work remotely in the coming weeks, COVID-19 will rapidly run them into the ground.”

Prior to the pandemic, law firms were already in a state of technological evolution driven by evolving client demands. However, the rapid transition to remote work has propelled the need for legal innovation to the forefront, especially since it’s a trend with staying power. On the other side of the pandemic is a new legal landscape that prioritises flexibility, collaboration, security and innovation. 

Moving forward, law firms that embrace digital innovation and prepare now for the “new normal” are the ones that will come out ahead. Here, we offer some tips to thrive in the post-pandemic legal landscape. 

Move to the cloud

In the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, many firms face a real scenario where the ability to quickly scale up at a moment’s notice has true advantage. One of the key benefits of a cloud-based infrastructure is the mobility it provides. With cloud-based applications, lawyers and staff can access programmes and information through their browser, wherever they may be working, without having to download applications on a physical computer. Ultimately, this enables your firm and workforce to be more nimble, agile, and efficient - no matter where they are. 

Prioritise self-service

Social distancing measures have accelerated the need for self-service platforms across almost all industries, whether it be online banking alternatives or self-service legal portals. As clients and lawyers alike embrace working from home, now’s the ideal time to consider how your firm can continue to help clients get the documents and advice they need with less hands-on support. Legal self-service portals offer firms an always-on model of service that empowers clients to create their own firm-managed legal documents on-demand. 

Digitise client onboarding

While new clients may not be won with a handshake these days, there are still clients to onboard and new matters to accept. The concept of self-service can also be applied to new clients and matters by creating a digital client intake solution. Not only do digital intake solutions enable the client to provide their own information via a web interface, they can also be integrated into the firm’s internal systems and automatically assess risk based on a defined set of requirements. Digital onboarding solutions enable firms to automate client onboarding, streamline risk analysis and speed up business acceptance - all from the cloud. 

Automate the contract lifecycle

As remote work becomes the new normal for law firms and businesses, the ability to quickly generate, negotiate and execute contracts online will be a key focus for firms. By employing workflow automation, law firms can move from traditional ways of negotiating to modern solutions powered by online questionnaires and e-signing capabilities.  

Focus on security and compliance

The onset of COVID-19 has already brought with it a bevy of new cyberattacks aimed at exploiting the pandemic to spread malware and steal sensitive information. Many firms now find themselves struggling to navigate the new cybersecurity implications of remote working, while also ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. 

Fortunately, secure online automation tools like Sysero can help keep remote teams productive, whilst also ensuring compliance and protecting sensitive data. Cloud-based automation tools can be used to guide users through firm-approved processes, which limits the risk of human error and ensures compliance at every stage. When assessing new tools, be sure to consider the ability to customise compliance and data security policies. 

While COVID-19 may have rushed digital transformation for law firms, those that want to stay relevant post-pandemic will make it a long-term priority. Whether you’re looking to automate internal processes, expand into self-service portals, or digitise your contract process, we can help you architect a solution to meet your requirements and help effectively navigate a new way of working.