Top Tech Tools for Lawyers in 2024

In today’s rapidly-evolving legal technology landscape, there is an abundance of tech tools available to help set law firms up for success.

From the rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools to cloud-based options that allow lawyers to operate more efficiently while working remotely, many firms are adopting more technology right now.

However, it can be challenging to keep up with the latest options to find the tools that best fit your firm’s needs.

In this post, I’ll cover the top tools for lawyers based on data from industry reports and trends I’ve observed in the legal profession.

What tools do lawyers use?

The most successful law firms today use an array of technology tools to work more efficiently and securely in an increasingly remote workplace. While each law firm’s optimal tech stack depends on factors like firm size and practice area, it’s a good bet to start with the basics, then add in tech tools to fill gaps, enhance productivity, and better serve your specific client base.

For example, legal practice management software is an essential starting point for most modern law firms (more on that below).

• Online File Storage- DROPBOX

Dropbox—one of the world’s most popular document storage apps—is likely your first option for online file storage. In fact, according to the American Bar Association’s 2022 Legal Technology Survey Report, Dropbox was the most popular cloud service—with 66% of survey respondents indicating that they were Dropbox users.?

• Word Processors

Microsoft 365 (formerly known as Office 365) is a popular business tool for lawyers that offers word processing via Word, as well as numerous other productivity tools.

Microsoft 365 came in second place for being the most-used cloud-based service for lawyers (at 59%) in the American Bar Association’s 2022 Legal Technology Survey Report.

• Scanners

From legal documents to expense receipts, lawyers deal daily with papers that they need to easily access on demand, from anywhere—making the ability to digitize documents essential for lawyers in 2024. This is why a scanner (or scanner app functionality on your phone) is key.?

For a physical scanner, this guide for choosing a scanner for your law firm can help you pick the right model.?

• VOIP phone provider

No matter where you’re working, you need to be reachable at your business phone number. A Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) phone service (options like Vonage, Corvum, and GoTo are good choices) lets you answer phone calls remotely by forwarding calls made to your business line to wherever you are.

• Document Management

Paperwork is an inextricable part of practicing law, but dealing with documents doesn’t have to be as tedious or time-consuming as it has been in the past. Document automation tools for lawyers streamline document creation (like letters and motions) by using the information you’ve already collected (like key dates or contact information) to populate forms for you. Document management tools then help you safely store and access those documents.

End Note

Using the right tools for lawyers can make all the difference for law firm growth. Adopting some (or all) of these tools can help your law firm be more efficient, profitable, and client-centered.?

While there are plenty of tools for lawyers to choose from in 2024, that doesn’t mean that you can, or should, adopt them all at once.

Instead, vet each tool carefully and start with the essentials.

Then, you can add in more legal technology tools strategically to create a tech stack that helps your firm run more efficiently. And, you can always reach out to a consultant if you need help setting up a tech stack for your firm.?