2021 is likely to be a make-or-break year for thousands of law firms. While it sounds dramatic, there are a host of reasons why. Firstly, and perhaps obviously, Covid-19 has irreparably damaged the economy leaving many practices struggling. Secondly, under the surface of 2020s despair, dramatic digital transformations have taken place.
With so many virtual offices, increasing digital innovations give competitive advantages to those that can afford them. Everybody — from project management platforms to legal document software — is creating disruption and opportunity in the legal profession.
With that in mind, these are the best legal software to invest in for 2021:
1. Loio
A significant imbalance between the workload required to create legal documents and the tools available to those responsible has existed for decades. It is this imbalance that inspired the development of Loio, an AI support tool for those involved in contract and document creation.
Loio enhances contract and document analysis, proofreading, formatting, standardization, and editing with a host of one-click solutions. It can be used as either a Microsoft extension so if contracts or documents are part of your every day, Loio’s legal document software is the solution for you.
2. DocuSign
One of the real frustrations from the lawyer’s perspective is the time it takes to complete trivial tasks. Chief amongst ridiculously time-consuming chores is getting paperwork signed. Previously this required you to draft the document, post them to the client, have them sign it and either collect or send back.
2021 technology aims to remove all redundant and repetitive tasks where possible and, thankfully, DocuSign is helping. They allow you to directly email client documents and have them sign using a legally binding e-signature. Fortunately, this deletes a chunk of time from the inefficient process.
3. Clio
Clio is widely regarded as the best AI support on the market for those who can afford it. It is a full spec practice management software that allows you to organize your projects in one common space. With an easy-to-use dashboard that adds bird’s eye level views, leadership teams can easily check progress, delegate, and catch up on individual or team caseloads.
If your team currently operates in silos without much collaboration, you are missing out. Clio brings everyone on the same page using the same language. With the full team and even clients on board, accessibility or cohesion is never an issue.
4. Feedly
How many cases have you read about where social media played a part? It is one of the worst kept secrets but how are legal teams harnessing social media? Feedly! If there is even half a chance that you can find case winning information, it is worth the shot.
Feedly streamlines social media monitoring by highlighting the trends, channels, and topics you select. It also enables you to create content where appropriate making your social media use much more sophisticated and informed.
5) PC Law
The legal profession draws the ire of many clients over billable hours and cumbersome payment methods. It is even awkward from an internal perspective when it comes to collecting fees. PC Law circumvents these difficulties by offering a full-scale accounts management system complete with hourly tracking, centralized filing, online payments, and verifiable billing. Make it easy to get paid and build trust with clients with a transparent billing system.
6) ROSS Intelligence
Research is a vital part of being a lawyer, but it does not need to take so much time. Streamlining the research process is the upgrade every law firm needs in 2021. ROSS Intelligence uses the most advanced AI to speed up your efforts without needing the legalese for every question you want to be answered. The ROSS system, recognized by the ABA, locates information using every day, layperson language whilst not sacrificing on depth.
Conclusion
As we enter 2021, we are faced with a raft of new challenges – some known, some unknown. For law firms to be fully prepared, we must understand the advancements in AI, automation and legal document software. Choose the software that eradicates redundant, outdated procedures, and makes you a more competitive choice for potential clients!