KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT
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While some practices with traditional mindsets are challenged by
disruptive technology, many others are leveraging existing knowledge,
learning the pros and cons of the new technologies, and landing on a
balance point. For knowledge management (KM) professionals working
in law, the age of innovation presents immense challenges: new tools
are being developed and replaced more rapidly than ever before, and
expectations of how KM can help are on the rise.
Competition is heating up in all industries, including law. The
current generation's familiarity with innovation and technology means
that staying competitive will involve far more than practicing law.
Clients today expect technology utilization and literacy from both
law firms and individual lawyers. This is where KM's new phase of
challenge –– and opportunity –– emerges. KM must focus on ensuring
that firms do not miss out on promising innovations and keeping
lawyers up to date on the latest innovative tools and trends.
Innovation's Impact on KM
Sometimes technology is portrayed as the evil figure stealing jobs
from humans. This depiction is not true, of course, but in legal
practice we need to keep up with the new tools or risk losing
business and profit. Legal knowledge remains the foundation for
lawyers, but technology is an underlying requirement for all working
professionals to do their work well.
Some still argue that lawyers should not invest significant time
developing technology skills because this detracts from billable legal
work. Billable hours remain lawyers' highest priority in our current
system, but we must recognize that technology is no longer separate
from our work; it is a part of every job and nearly every task we do.
by Shengshi Zhao of MinterEllison
KM in a Time of Innovation
KM in a Time of Innovation
