New York, NY – In its sixth annual Future Ready Lawyer report, Wolters Kluwer has offered deep insights into the technological evolution within the legal sector, highlighting a sharp turn in attitudes and preparedness over recent years. The latest survey delves into trends and the readiness of the industry to adopt modern technologies, building on data gathered from 700 legal professionals across the U.S. and Europe since its inaugural report in 2019.
Originally, when the survey started, only a fraction of respondents, 69%, recognized the importance of selecting appropriate technologies for their practice. This could be interpreted as a significant portion of the legal field underestimating the impact of tech advancements. Challenges listed in the survey’s early years, such as dealing with an increased complexity and volume of information, have shown that many professionals felt ill-prepared to manage these evolving demands.
Despite the legal profession traditionally moving at a methodical pace when adopting new technologies, several legal entities over time have pioneered in adopting online full-text research, utilizing advanced word processing tools, and implementing e-discovery methods that incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) and semantic processing.
The year 2020 became a watershed for the industry due to the COVID-19 pandemic, accelerating tech adoption as lockdowns demanded a rapid shift to remote work. Tools like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and digital signature platforms such as DocuSign suddenly became essential, ensuring continuity in communication and document handling.
The influence of technology continued to grow and was underscored when ChatGPT3.5 Turbo became available in late 2022, drawing significant attention from law firm managing partners. According to the 2023 Future Ready Lawyer Survey, 87% of respondents believed that technology had improved their work efficiency, and 91% saw the importance of accessing cutting-edge tools.
Artificial intelligence, particularly generative AI, has gained traction with 76% of law department attorneys and 68% of law firm attorneys now using such technology weekly. This reflects a growing experimentation and integration of AI in everyday legal tasks, moving beyond tentative use towards an established routine.
However, as legal tech startups and products proliferate, AI governance poses a new challenge. Law firms and departments need to ensure that their teams are well-trained to handle AI tools responsibly and ethically, considering potential biases and maintaining transparency, especially when AI is involved in client work.
Looking forward, organizations within the legal industry are encouraged to focus on the returns technology investments deliver while aligning their workforce to maximize these technologies. Necessary steps include enhancing talent training and hiring practices aimed at building a workforce that is proficient and comfortable with AI technologies.
The year 2025 is anticipated to be pivotal, calling for a balanced approach to technological adoption to maintain accuracy and integrity in legal practice amidst rapid changes.
The annual Wolters Kluwer Future Ready Lawyer Survey continually sheds light on how evolving client expectations, technological advancements, and market dynamics are shaping the legal profession. It underscores a pressing need for legal firms and departments globally to adapt swiftly to remain competitive and effective.
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