Digital White Papers

I L T A W H I T E P A P E R | K N O W L E D G E M A N A G E M E N T & M A R K E T I N G T E C H N O L O G I E S 15 allows NLS to connect a searcher with the desired results, even if the query is imperfect. Context is vital in searching for firm precedent. A firm's deal history and gold standard language are the accumulated value of its client's work over time. With a search system that intuitively navigates the knowledge systems that hold this value, firms can equip lawyers with language to best meet client needs. Contract drafting relies on the ability to surface and apply language and standards stored in the knowledge set. A successful contract process is a quick, exact, and strategic language application. When applied to a firm's deal history, NLS's ability of contextual awareness allows lawyers to intuitively search and find the language they need to make strategic decisions. For example, a lawyer reviewing a limitation of liability clause can inquire, "How should I mark up the limitation of liability clause based on our template or knowledge materials?" NLS can help lawyers quickly navigate the breadth of their knowledge to identify templates and agreements that are highly relevant, using markers such as client, time limit, counterparty, and more. The benefits of NLS extend beyond speed and accuracy. With other search methods, lawyers may worry whether they included the correct keywords to produce correct knowledge results. However, NLS's ability to apply synonyms and interpret meaning shortens the search-to-result time and offers the immeasurable benefit of peace of mind. A successful search experience that lawyers are likely to adopt in their standard of work is not just contingent on search results — it's also about user experience. Search processes today can result in time loss and frustration. We often hear that lawyers know the information they need exists within the knowledge system but can't find it due to a missing keyword or improper search syntax. By aligning search queries with lawyers' thinking, NLS lowers the cognitive load required to surface language. It simplifies the input process, removes frustration, and produces more relevant results, allowing lawyers to find and apply language quickly and confidently. In the typical workflow, lawyers think in words, directives, and logical commands. Adapting technology to account for how lawyers work can reduce the risk of errors in the search process. Here is a user experience-level example of NLS's ability to apply context and transform workflow: In the typical workflow without an NLS system, lawyers may apply knowledge insights in Microsoft Word while drafting and reviewing a contract. While finding relevant knowledge in the DMS or reference documents, lawyers may flip back and forth between multiple tabs and windows to copy, paste, and edit the language they have surfaced in their search. This process adds more time on top of an already time-intensive process. With an integrated NLS system, the actions that a user is taking in Word create context to improve search results accordingly. If a merger agreement is open in Word, the search engine can apply this context to rank merger agreement results higher. An integrated NLS search system surfaces relevant language where and when lawyers need it. Knowledge management tools built with an understanding of how lawyers work today, adapting to expect friction in existing workflows, allow lawyers to extract value best and apply knowledge.

• Cover