How legal tech can differentiate your firm during a crisis

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When clients are facing difficult situations, their primary concern is securing the best possible outcome. This is especially true when the situation develops unexpectedly.

At times like these, they want a legal partner that gives them the best shot at success. In some instances, however, the first challenge is finding that right legal partner. Who is best qualified? Who can take my case right now? Who can I trust to get the job done? These are all questions that clients want to have answered quickly.

Firms that are prepared to provide the type of counsel these prospects need during difficult times can position themselves to win new business and establish strong relationships. But, make no mistake, client expectations go beyond a firm’s ability to say “yes” and its ability to take on a matter. These firms must also be able to deliver. In many instances, it is legal technology that gives them that ability — potentially making legal tech the ultimate differentiator.

So, what types of tech make the strongest differentiators for clients?

There are a number of characteristics that make a law firm stand out to a prospective client, but those that allow the firm to provide superior service tend to make the most substantial impact. In this article we’ve taken a closer look at two types of solutions that could move any firm closer to the top of a prospect’s shortlist.

Tools that allow you to provide fast, accurate answers: When clients have questions about unfamiliar and sometimes unnerving issues, they want answers that they can act upon immediately. Having a research solution that gives lawyers the right answer in the least amount of time can put them in an extremely favorable position.

Tools that help you take on new types of matters: In many cases, clients may come to their firms with a type of matter the firm doesn’t normally handle. Some firms will take on these unfamiliar matters in an effort to accommodate the needs of a key client in order to avoid creating competition by referring the matter out. On the other hand, if a new prospect comes to the firm with a similar request, there may be an opportunity to get a foot in the door and position the firm for additional business down the road.

The broader benefits of tech differentiation

Beyond the potential business development benefits of embracing the most current tech are the benefits associated with strengthening the firm’s reputation, including:

Being recognized as an industry leader: Industry leaders are those organizations that their competitors strive to emulate. In the legal industry, they are the firms that are the most respected and the ones that serve the most prominent clientele. These firms use cutting-edge legal technology to provide the highest level of service and secure the best results for their clients.

Being seen as an innovator: Firms that proactively adopt legal tech are seen as innovators who think beyond standard methods and find non-traditional solutions to complex legal problems. Clients are drawn to these types of firms and see them as the forward-thinking types of organizations they want on their teams.

Making your firm an attractive business partner: Corporate legal departments invest in technology to help complete their work on behalf of the company, and they expect the law firms they partner with to have tools that are at least as good as their own. By adopting the most current technology, firms can position themselves as business partners who are able to work seamlessly on their clients’ most important matters.

Get started

Now is the time for lawyers to get started on building a comprehensive set of solutions. Conduct a complete audit of the firm’s current legal tech and identify the gaps that are keeping it from accommodating new requests that might come the firm’s way. Develop a plan to fill the gaps and start vetting solutions to fill them. The better a firm’s ability to effectively handle any matter that comes their way, the better their chances of winning new business and loyal clients.

To learn more about the difference tech can make for your firm in an uncertain market, request a free consultation.