When 2020 began, experts shared their thoughts on the trends that attorneys and law firms would face. Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted every aspect of our lives in some way, and caused many new challenges that no one could have foreseen. But as people have returned to work and we are returning to some semblance of operational normalcy, these trends which were itemized prior to the virus are still viable for law firms across Florida – and in some cases, have been accelerated and become more relevant than previously thought in the legal industry.
Here are some of the trends affecting the legal profession in 2020.
Online Communities: Attorneys have always sought networking opportunities and established communities to share information, mentor one another, and refer clients throughout the legal industry. The first online communities to emerge utilized popular social media platforms such as LinkedIn, but more recently, industry specific professional forums have formed, allowing for topical channels, private chat capability, and a more powerfully concentrated network.
Millennials as Clients: There are approximately 73 million Americans who are considered to be part of the Millennial Generation. While they have been the target of jokes and in some cases, caused confusion among older Americans, they are now one of the most influential demographics in America. Based on population and purchasing power, millennials have overtaken baby boomers as the richest target audience in need of legal assistance. Therefore law firms and personal injury attorneys need to concentrate on new ways of reaching the community, by expanding their digital footprint and web presence. Attorneys may also need to revise the way they have traditionally done business, as millennials grew up in a different world – old standbys like billable hours may go by the wayside in favor of more flexible payment options, while new technologies such as Zoom and other video calling apps are likely to replace in-person consults.
Virtual Reality: This is where the future of technology really begins to make a vast difference in the status quo. Gamers have long reveled in the capabilities of virtual reality, but the possibility of entire trials being held virtually is becoming more real every day. Attorneys and clients can feel as if they are actually in the courtroom listening to a witness, when in fact they are a hundred miles away at a remote location. Although there are problems to be worked out, a post-COVID world is likely ready to come up with new and innovative ways to keep from traveling while still achieving their job goals.
Outsourcing of Talent: While attorneys and law firms traditionally had a full bench of talent working for them full-time, the idea of outsourcing the resources needed is becoming more mainstream. From legal assistants to researchers, more flexible hiring techniques are being tested and utilize to expand in-house capabilities, provide faster response times, and give possible new talent a “trial run.”
E-Discovery: Electronic discovery, or “e-discovery” refers to the process of firms hiring outside experts utilizing digital technologies to efficiently locate, manage and store legal data. These services are replacing traditional “paper-shuffling” between litigants, and permits attorneys to manage thousands of paper files, organizing them into electronic “point-and-click” accessibility.
Overall, it is important that you choose a Sarasota law firm that has the expertise and experience to effectively represent you in your personal injury or workman’s compensation case. But those who are also open to embracing new technologies and new standards moving forward will be able to efficiently and cost-effectively operate in the legal industry, in 2020 and beyond.
If you are looking for a qualified Sarasota or Bradenton personal injury lawyer, call Probinsky & Cole today.
