How Legal Tech Aligns with the Increased Demand for Remote Work under COVID-19

Seemingly overnight, law firms transformed from bustling office spaces to virtual work environments. Stay-at-home orders and social distancing guidelines forced firms to quickly implement work-from-home policies, and many lawyers found themselves less than prepared to handle these unexpected transitions.

Fortunately, the legal tech industry has spent more than a decade preparing for remote work and providing greater mobility to legal professionals. These innovative companies have created a variety of software, platforms, and tools that align with the increased demand for remote work under COVID-19.

This post will examine some of these legal tech options and how they can help law firms face the challenges of a virtual work environment.

Time Tracking & Invoicing Software

As firms fight to stay profitable during the pandemic, time tracking and invoicing have become more essential than ever before. Even prior to COVID-19, many law firms operated with inefficient and confusing billing practices. Unfortunately, These same ineffective practices are now being implemented into a remote work environment, which further complicates their efforts. Firm leaders need to identify and implement legal billing processes that solve the problems they are currently facing.

The right legal time tracking and invoicing technology greatly improves the entire billing process, making it more user-friendly, timely, and far less frustrating for firm members. Not only does legal billing software make capturing time easier, it also streamlines the invoicing process, making it easier to generate comprehensive bills and send them to clients virtually.

Another great feature of exceptional time-keeping software is offline time-syncing. Even without a reliable internet connection, some timekeepers can track tasks, allowing you to continue working even when away from your wi-fi. These software solutions automatically sync the tracked time with the main system once an internet connection becomes available.

Invoicing is also simplified with software that offers automatic abbreviation and task codes. These tools help firm members create invoices using an organized process, instead of having to repeatedly reinvent the wheel. Plus, software with integrated online payments can round out the billing process by providing clients with a quick and convenient way to pay their legal fees through the client portal.

Big Data Applications

Staying viable in the age of COVID requires a close eye on a firm’s performance, which means constant review of indicators such as collected fees, earned fees earned, matter profitability, and overdue invoices. Legal data applications provide firms with the tools they need to efficiently review, analyze, and act on potential issues and opportunities within the firm.

The best time-keeping solutions give law firm leaders the ability to quickly create the reports they need to see the whole picture. Look for solutions that offer a variety of different reporting options, covering everything from billable hours and accounts receivable to expense tracking and performance.

Digital Documentation

Remote work necessitates a paperless office where all firm members can access documents as needed. While digital documentation started gaining ground prior to the pandemic, the outbreak of COVID-19 made it absolutely essential. Even courts are moving towards digital, with more and more jurisdictions turning to e-filing and the acceptance of other digital documents.

To keep up with these changes and implement a truly remote work environment, firms need to ensure that their members have the resources to scan documents, store them virtually, and access them in a secure manner. Some of the necessary technology includes:

• Document scanners
• Document automation software
• Cloud storage technology

With cloud storage technology, attorneys can effectively transition to a paperless office by securely storing digital documents in a manner that allows credentialed individuals to remotely access them. These paperless procedures increase efficiency by streamlining workflow processes.

With the right software, all law firm staff members can securely access the documents and files they need, even from home. Firm leaders should look for platforms that offer such features as:

• Secure storage
• Credentialing for authorized access
• Organization with tags and folders
• Project attachments
• Document descriptions for quick view
• Storage for multiple document versions
• Modification descriptions

Case Management

With firm members working in various locations, organized case management is vital to the provision of quality client services. Law firms must ensure that members have access to tech tools that help them effectively maintain communication with clients, stay on top of deadlines, and work collaboratively with one another.

Legal case management software takes all of the individual tasks involved with handling a matter and organizes them into one efficient system with task delegation, deadlines, supervisory review, and budgetary limits. With the right software, law firms can manage all aspects of their matters, including contacts, calendars, and documents.

Legal Tech Aligns with Remote Work

The legal tech marketplace is filled with useful resources and tools to help law firms work remotely during COVID-19. By choosing the right software, firms can keep providing their clients with quality services, even as everyone works from different locations. Not only do these technologies allow firms to work more efficiently, they also provide lawyers with the solutions they need to address the challenges of this pandemic.

TimeSolv offers a free, no-obligation trial to help you explore all the ways their software can assist your firm. Visit TimeSolv to learn more.