P2P

43 I L T A N E T . O R G A s the pandemic overtook our day-to- day lives, the global business landscape took a major hit, and the legal industry was no exception. Most lawyers and small firms had to make quick decisions to accommodate the needs of their clients and conduct business in the new remote reality. In 2020, we saw ten years' worth of transformation catalyzed into five months in the legal industry. Many other industries began integrating cutting-edge technologies and new digital workflows well ahead of the pandemic, while many law firms maintained their traditional and manual way of conducting business. This was until COVID forced them to undergo massive digital, cultural, and structural transformations. With social distancing norms bleeding well into 2021, we recognize that the future of law firms is cloud-based. Given consumers' shifting preferences toward engaging with businesses digitally, the importance of reexamining the packaging and delivery of legal services to best cater to new customer expectations is paramount to surviving the post-pandemic world. Building a better normal for the future of legal As the legal industry weathered the effects of the pandemic, law firms had to transition to a hybrid model of cloud-first practices in order to remain operational. This allowed lawyers to examine new ways of doing business that lined up with evolving customer needs - ultimately positioning the industry to build a better normal rather than reverting to the status quo. While lawyers are adopting tech at a faster rate than consumers believe they are - not all of the legal industry has committed to digital transformation. In fact, 38 percent of law firms have not budgeted for technology - putting them at a major disadvantage to competitors that have embraced a digital-first mentality. Online interactions have become a baseline requirement for any business operating in the new normal. This is evidenced by the findings of Clio's 2020 Legal Trends Report, where we analyzed data from over 2,000 respondents that included legal professionals and consumers. According to the research, a growing number of consumers prefer to deal with legal matters remotely: • 37 percent of consumers prefer to meet virtually with a lawyer for an initial consultation, and half would rather conduct follow-up meetings through video conference • 52 percent believe that most legal matters could easily be handled remotely without having to meet in person • One out of four (26 percent) say that lawyers who aren't able to represent their clients remotely are not good lawyers • More than two thirds of consumers (69 percent) prefer working with a lawyer who can share documents electronically through a web page, app, or online portal As law firms continue to learn to navigate the challenges of the pandemic, technology adoption will be key to creating a more efficient legal practice that cultivates customer loyalty by prioritizing the needs of today's consumers. Fully embracing cloud technology will bridge the access to justice gap As law firms continue to adopt new technologies in this digital age, the transition from on-prem to fully cloud-

• Cover