The quarterly publication of the International Legal Technology Association
Issue link: https://epubs.iltanet.org/i/448505
PEER TO PEER: THE QUARTERLY MAGA ZINE OF ILTA 12 These digital tools can seem intimidating to some attorneys, but simpler interfaces can help them seem less daunting. Imagine a custom interface for LinkedIn that showed an attorney news stories related to her area of expertise that she could share with a single click. This kind of system would help the attorney maintain relationships, build her perceived expertise and provide value to her contacts. 2. Build Your Reputation: Lawyers' perceived expertise is important in terms of business development. If prospective clients have a specific legal issue, they want to find the expert in that area. Digital tools allow lawyers to prove their expertise and be visible enough for people to find them. Attorneys should blog, tweet, give online presentations and record videos. They should share their expertise online to build a following. This is not far from what they already do. Many attorneys speak at conferences or write papers for legal publications. Why do these things for a few hundred people when you can reach so many more online? By embracing digital tools, attorneys can build their reputation and increase their reach. 3. Improve Customer Experience: Digital resources can allow attorneys to offer superior customer service. By allowing better communications and creating streamlined systems, a digital environment can take the hassle out of working with a legal firm. Removing hassle is a great way to ensure customer loyalty. Imagine a system that put all communications and documents between a client and attorney in one place. It would show current billable hours and other key data about the project. No more hunting through email threads or fighting with antiquated case files! 4. Save Time: Working on business development and providing customer service might sound time-consuming, but it does not have to be. Digital tools should save attorneys time. Social media and other digital tools allow attorneys to network with clients remotely, reducing the need for face-to-face meetings. Internal digital systems can also be great time-savers if implemented correctly. Many organizations roll out intranets and other software systems without configuring them, so they never reach their full potential. If set up well, internal digital systems can make a huge difference in lawyer productivity. CHANGE IS COMING As Charles Darwin put it: "It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change." For the legal sector, adaptation means challenging existing cultural norms and embracing new digital tools. This will allow your organization to win big in the new marketplace. 3. A Fear of a Digital Environment: There is a fear of digital tools in the culture of many law firms. Attorneys often mask this fear with excuses such as being too busy or believing the firm's target audience does not use digital resources. Some even cite regulatory concerns — anything to carry on business as usual. While many lawyers (especially senior partners) do not understand the benefits of a broad digital toolbox, the new generation does. Younger attorneys are cultivating their networks on LinkedIn and expanding their reputations online, while those in authority might be missing the boat. All lawyers need to embrace digital tools for the future of their practices. BENEFITS OF DIGITAL RESOURCES For a firm willing to ride the digital wave, there is a chance to differentiate itself and thereby gain market share. Here are four benefits of digital tools: 1. Nurture Personal Networks: Digital tools allow attorneys to nurture their network of contacts faster, cheaper and with more reach. Services like LinkedIn and email marketing can communicate with larger numbers of contacts with minimal investments in time or money. By keeping in contact with their networks, attorneys ensure they are the ones contacted when opportunities arise. BEST PRACTICES