The IT Landscape For Law Firms Has Changed
Few industries have been impacted more by the coronavirus than the legal profession. When the pandemic began, most firms rapidly dispersed their workforce to keep their business running. The result was a patchwork of tech tools that worked (sort of), allowing operations to continue (sort of) while we all figured out how to deal with the new reality.
It’s clear that the remote/hybrid work model is here to stay, so it’s important to make the transition from the makeshift toolkit that was created in the moment to a platform that meets all the interests of the firm.
What Has Changed, And Why It Matters.
There are three important changes to the legal landscape that impact how a law firm needs to think about its relationship with technology:
- Cybersecurity Recommendations Becoming Requirements: The initial shift to video conferencing and other online tools exposed many firms to data theft and ransomware attacks by cybercriminals. In early 2021, the ABA Committee on Ethics & Professional Responsibility published Formal Opinion 498 which reminded lawyers of their obligations in the new virtual world, but did little to provide guidance on how to secure their virtual operations. Local Bar Associations have also begun to issue cybersecurity recommendations and requirements, although the details of how to achieve compliance are largely being left to the individual firms.
- Client Expectations Around Data Protection Increasing: More and more clients are becoming aware of the risks involved with having their confidential information reside on an attorney’s unprotected computer. Creating protection policies that keep client data secure is easy to do with the right tools, but practically impossible if things aren’t set up correctly.
- Top Attorney Talent Expect A Robust Hybrid/Remote Model: The ability to work from anywhere is powerful, and it is also seen as something of a perq by attorneys. Recruiters need to have a story ready to sell potential new hires on how efficiently and effectively the firm’s IT infrastructure supports their ability to work remotely.
What It Takes To Get Remote/Hybrid Right
The first step in creating a secure IT system that meets the needs of your clients and and your team is taking a realistic look at the mixture of systems, platforms, applications, networks, and staff training that make up your current system. If the system has been cobbled together over the years, it may make sense to have someone like us come in and give you a professional assessment of the system’s security and usability. You can schedule a free consultation with me and I’ll be happy to work with you to make sure your IT solution is secure and efficient.