What Stops Lawyers from Adopting Legal Tech | Insights from 13 Experts
In our latest blog post, we've talked to 13 industry experts to get a deeper understanding of the challenges law firms face when adopting legal tech and transitioning from a traditional to a digital environment. Below is what we discovered.
Expectations vs. Reality
?? "Legal tech isn't a magic button that solves every issue. It streamlines processes, but still requires human expertise and input" — Stephanie Clerkin.?
As stated by Cat Casey, views on legal tech vary. Some see it as a solution to all problems faced by law professionals, while others worry that AI-powered legal tech may replace lawyers. But who is correct, and is legal tech truly a cure-all for the issues that have burdened lawyers for years??
Cost vs. needs
?? Nobody wants to invest in costly technology, dedicate time to its integration, and adapt all processes to the new system only to discover that nobody in the company actually needs it.
AI can manage basic, non-specialized tasks, yet it's not a replacement for complex work. As Colin S. Levy states, "Legal tech can result in cost savings, but the return on investment might be gradual. Some of it may be immediate, some may come later, and the rest when the solution is completely implemented."
Old vs. new
?? Law firms frequently encounter adoption issues because they attempt to replicate their previous processes with the new technology.?
According to Khrhysna McKinney, this approach is flawed. For law firms to reap the full benefits of their implementation efforts, they must have a comprehensive understanding of their processes and business goals.
Lack of time & incentives
?? Law firms should train their staff well. However, reports say that only 22% of law workers feel they've had enough tech training at work.?
Peter Duffy explains that the lack of time is one of the main legal tech barriers. Learning new tech takes time and without the right support, lawyers can become frustrated and revert to the old methods.
?? Another significant challenge in legal tech adoption is that lawyers are not motivated to make changes. This isn't because lawyers want to increase their billable hours, but rather, there's typically no incentive for them to try new ways of working, as Jack Shepherd shares.
Cybersecurity & privacy
?? Law firms handling vast, sensitive information are prime targets for cyber attacks, with 25% experiencing data breaches.
Privacy concerns are key legal tech barriers. However, Henna Tolvanen suggests that risk aversion shouldn't hinder tech implementation. The solution is due diligence, ensuring the legal tech vendor's data protection matches yours.
Fear vs. progress
?? Job loss fears, doubts about new technology accuracy, and the associated learning curve are the primary legal tech obstacles, according to Sarah Rodriguez-Williams. Indeed, when you see that 44% of lawyer tasks can be automated by current technology, it only intensifies the feeling of threat.
Actually, AI is not replacing lawyers but supplementing them. Legal tech enhances lawyer's abilities and works alongside human professionals, as stated by Dana Kempler.
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How to overcome these barriers?
Our 13 experts not only highlighted the challenges but also discussed the intricacies of being part of a team on the verge of embracing legal tech.?
?? For our blog readers, we've outlined clear and concise steps to overcome barriers to legal tech adoption and reap the benefits everyone in the legal tech community is discussing. Read the full article on the blog for advice from Michael Thompson, Mads Viborg J?rgensen, Somita Basu, Hellen Mukasa, and other experts.
We are thankful to our expert contributors who have shed light on the less glamorous side of legal tech beyond the optimistic vision we often associate with new technologies.
With their help, we uncovered a story about how and why it can be difficult for businesses and lawyers to use new technologies and how these problems can be solved.
Thanks to our experts:
?? Peter Duffy
?? and Michael Thompson.
Director of Litigation Support at Korein Tillery | Relativity Expert | Excel nerd
1 年Love how this turned out and thanks for including me among these powerhouses!!
Chief Growth Officer at Reveal | AI Baddie | follow #technocat | NYSBA AI Taskforce |AI Fangirl | 28,000+| TECHNOCAT Podcast | AI, Esq. Linkedin Group | Board member of Law Rocks | YouTube: @The_TechnoCat
1 年a great read, thanks for sharing my 2 cents!
Attorney at the Convergence of AI & Entertainment ? Strategic Advisor ? Deal Negotiator ? Helping Companies Innovate & Solve Complex Legal Issues
1 年Here's hoping we can help lawyers responsibly implement and adopt #legaltech, Lawrina!
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1 年Thanks to our amazing experts for all the insights we with Veronika Pshenychnykova got for this article!