Evolving Legal Work to Cloud-Based Models
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, law firms and corporations around the world implemented remote work arrangements for attorneys, paralegals, and other legal staff as part of their efforts to protect employees and the public. Thanks in large part to legal technology solutions, firms were largely able to continue providing services and complete legal work for clients without extended interruptions. Now, a full year into the pandemic, many firms have adapted to the “new normal.”
Pre-pandemic, the legal industry as a whole lagged behind other industries in remote work arrangements. Issues surrounding client confidentiality and data sensitivity can be difficult to address, but there are solutions that resolve these critical concerns for legal work. And firms and corporate legal departments, faced with “stay home” mandates in many jurisdictions, had to implement and adapt to cloud-based technology models in order to continue serving clients’ needs.
There are differing opinions when it comes to whether cloud-based models and remote work arrangements will become permanent in a post-pandemic world, or attorneys will return to the office for day-to-day work. Some law firm partners are adamant that legal professionals work on-site, while others see potential benefits of allowing attorneys and legal staff to work from home on a regular basis, even when it is no longer necessary to do so for public health reasons.
Cloud-based technology allows legal professionals to securely access client records and case files, collaborate with other attorneys or support professionals, and hold remote client meetings from virtually anywhere. Firms considering making remote work arrangements permanent cite the cost savings from a reduction in corporate real estate, improved job satisfaction, and even greater productivity in some cases.
While the future of legal work is not yet clear, it is likely that cloud-computing legal technology solutions will continue to evolve, providing additional benefits for law firms and corporate legal departments, and opening up opportunities for creating the right team regardless of location.
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- On July 20, 2021
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