As client expectations change, lawyers should be particularly aware of these evolving needs. Being able to meet these needs is essential to attract new customers and ensure positive satisfaction. But while circumstances remain largely uncertain for 2021, there`s no better time to think about designing legal services that take into account current circumstances as well as a future beyond the pandemic. Technological trends are always at the centre of concerns in all sectors, including the legal field. And in the world of law firms, and certainly at M&R, there is a continuous evolution towards even more digital engagement, whether with clients, colleagues, opposing lawyers or the courts. In recent years, law firms of all sizes have marketed their firms to offer everything to everyone. However, the data suggests that clients prefer targeted services. In addition, increasing complexity in some industries creates the need for high-quality legal expertise in certain areas. For this reason, micronials and demand for specialized legal services are expected to increase in 2021. These are just some of the findings of Clio`s latest Legal Trends Report, which is based on aggregated and anonymized data from tens of thousands of lawyers in the US – which should also be seen as important findings for legal practice in the UK.
The report was released in October this year at the Clio Cloud conference, which was held virtually for more than 4,500 attendees worldwide. In this article, I present five key findings from the report that UK law firm owners should consider when planning for 2021. From hyper-automation, to the use of collaborative tools like virtual whiteboards, to using machine learning to make the most of historical information databases, most legal technology trends rely on the cloud. This problem could worsen in 2021, and law firms will likely be asked to guide clients through appropriate procedures and policies to ensure they comply with the changes. The recruitment of non-lawyers at the executive level, which is becoming increasingly common in law firms, large and small, is also part of talent acquisition. Here, too, M&R struck early. For years, the firm has had a strong senior management, which now includes a Chief Operating Officer, a CFO, a Chief Advancement Officer (responsible for developing the firm`s lawyers and professionals) and a Senior Innovation and Products Office (responsible for developing new ways to achieve superior results for the M&R client and expanding our already considerable innovation expertise). Our management team relieves our lawyers of doing what they do best: practicing law. Similarly, workflow automation will be another major legal trend for 2022. According to a 2018 study by researchers at the McKinsey Global Institute, 23% of a lawyer`s work can be automated. Meanwhile, Deloitte predicts that 100,000 legal positions will be automated by 2036. Automation is already becoming increasingly popular in the industry, as companies identify tasks that can be automated to increase efficiency and reduce costs.
Reduced manual work and repetitive tasks, ease of registration and usage measures are among the main benefits reported by companies that have already made the switch. The year 2021 will mark the beginning of a significant change, as marketing, innovation, technology and business-oriented practices drive the growth of modern legal practices. The competitive landscape is changing and lawyers need to rethink how they deliver legal services in order to create a sustainable and profitable practice in the years to come. Another troubling trend is the rise of ransomware attacks. In the typical ransomware attack, hackers gain access to a victim`s systems via a vulnerability, encrypt their data, and then demand a ransom paid in Bitcoin or another cryptocurrency to unlock them. Law firms are not immune to this, and it`s not just a problem that great lawyers face. In fact, companies with fewer than 20 lawyers account for half of all ransomware attacks in the legal industry. Entire judicial systems have also fallen victim to ransomware over the past year. AI is gaining importance in all professional fields, with the legal sector being no exception. Law firms are increasingly recognizing the value of intelligent AI that handles specific tasks. As the volume of data continues to grow, there is an increasing need for organizations to use workforce complementary technology to accelerate and streamline data management, storage, and storage. In addition, the rise of the gig economy ushered in the era of distributed labor.
Time, contract, and freelance roles complement the existing workforce, allowing workers to work from home and employers to quickly increase or decrease. As law firms move client-centric and back-office capabilities to the cloud, virtual assistants and remote legal staff are becoming increasingly common. These market changes will redefine the company`s workforce structure in 2021 and beyond. The second objective to maximize opportunities is to identify and support the types of opportunities that can still be pursued in the current circumstances. While many people said they were postponing legal matters, the data suggests that many are still willing to pursue these cases with their lawyer. Given the current economic state of law firms and the growing demand for legal services, corporate legal leaders are beginning to reshape their tax mandates. As we approach 2021, CCs are increasingly focused on optimizing legal spending, viewing their lawyers and law firms as assets to be used. Paralegals are people who help lawyers do their jobs better. Many people choose this field for various reasons. Some are looking at whether the area of law is right for them.
Others try to earn money as part-time jobs while opting for other activities, such as caring for a loved one. As lawyers expand into new markets, they need to find the kind of support for their legal businesses that can make all the difference in succeeding in the world. If you want to choose this type of profession, you will find a welcome hand. The U.S. government estimates above-average employment growth for this occupation. This makes it a good choice for anyone considering getting a certificate to enter this part of the economy. The legal industry is an area that many people find extremely appealing. Law is also an area that affects the lives of many people in a very direct way. People need lawyers at many stages of life, from marriage to work and beyond.
