July 3rd: Optimizing legal work in uncertain times

Welcome to your Law Tech briefing for July 3rd, 2023, covering what happened in legal tech recently.

TLDR; Listen instead:

Have less than a 1 min? Three takeaways from yesterday

1. Integrating technology into legal operations is crucial for businesses to adapt and thrive during economic downturns. This includes utilizing law practice management software and streamlining onboarding processes for new lawyers through case management software.
2. The U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on trademark infringement raises concerns about potential loopholes for foreign companies. Additional clarifications in trademark law are needed to protect the interests of domestic businesses and prevent the exploitation of U.S. trademarks outside the country.
3. While there is growing support for the use of generative AI in legal work, concerns surrounding privacy, data security, and accuracy hinder its widespread adoption. Addressing these concerns through robust safeguards and transparency is crucial to increase adoption rates and benefit from the efficiency improvements generative AI offers.

Briefing

Over the weekend, developments in the legal technology industry focused on the potential impact of a recession on businesses and the need for technology adoption in optimizing legal work. An article highlighted how clients are already taking precautionary measures and integrating technology into their operations to recession-proof their businesses. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on the liability of foreign companies under the Lanham Act for trademark infringement in the United States.

Additionally, a recent report from Thomson Reuters Institute explored the support and concerns surrounding the utilization of generative AI in legal work. Other topics covered included the significance of visual matter management systems and the challenges faced by the legal sector in the UK regarding salaries for newly qualified lawyers.

Trends

The role of technology in navigating potential economic downturns is becoming increasingly crucial for businesses. The article pointed out various steps that clients are taking to integrate technology, such as integrating payment processing into platforms and utilizing law practice management software to optimize billable time and enhance client service. Streamlining onboarding processes for new lawyers through case management software is also gaining traction. Leveraging technology effectively can help businesses adapt and thrive in uncertain economic times.

The report from Thomson Reuters Institute revealed the growing support for generative AI in legal work. More than 50% of corporate legal professionals believe that the use of generative AI should be implemented in their practices. However, adoption rates remain low, with only 10% of corporate legal departments planning to utilize such technology. Concerns around privacy, confidentiality, data security, and accuracy are holding back widespread adoption.

Analysis

The legal technology industry is witnessing a paradigm shift in how businesses prepare for potential economic downturns. Clients are investing in technology to enhance their operations, streamline processes, and ensure efficient client service. By integrating payment processing into platforms and utilizing law practice management software, businesses can better track their finances and maximize billable time. Streamlining the onboarding process for new lawyers through case management software facilitates seamless integration and improves overall productivity.

The report on generative AI in legal work indicates growing optimism for its adoption, particularly among in-house legal professionals. However, concerns regarding privacy, confidentiality, data security, and accuracy pose obstacles to its widespread implementation. Addressing these concerns through robust safeguards and transparency will be essential for increasing adoption rates. The use of generative AI has the potential to significantly improve efficiency in legal work, automate repetitive tasks, and enhance decision-making processes. The significance of matter management systems in the legal sector cannot be overlooked. These systems have the potential to transform how lawyers handle their workload, leading to greater productivity and profitability. In the UK, the legal sector faces challenges regarding salaries for newly qualified lawyers. The existing high salaries for newly qualified (NQ) lawyers do not accurately reflect the entire industry, causing disparities among associate attorneys, partners, and smaller firms. The media's focus on NQ salaries distorts public perception, leading clients to question the fees associated with legal services. While top law firms argue that high NQ salaries are necessary to attract and retain exceptional talent, it remains essential to address the salary gap and consider broader factors like location, specialization, and law firm reputation.

All stories

You, Too, Can ‘Recession Proof’ Your Firm. Here’s How. (Technology Archives - Above the Law)

This article explores the uncertainty surrounding a potential recession and how some clients are already taking precautionary measures. It emphasizes the role of technology in recession-proofing businesses, presenting various steps that can be taken. These steps include integrating payment processing into platforms, utilizing law practice management software to maximize billable time, prioritizing efficient client service, and streamlining the onboarding process for new lawyers through case management software. The article stresses the significance of leveraging technology to adapt to potential economic downturns.

SCOTUS Abitron decision will force companies to step-up foreign trademark rights (Legal Dive - Latest News)

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that foreign companies can be held liable for trademark infringement under the Lanham Act if their activities involve "use in commerce" in the United States. However, if the infringement does not involve "use in commerce" but still impacts the U.S., the law does not apply. This decision could potentially allow foreign companies to use U.S. trademarks without penalty if the use is outside the U.S. but causes confusion in the U.S. market. The court was divided 5-4 on whether the law should be limited to foreign companies' use of trademarks in U.S. commerce.

54% of in-house legal professionals support generative AI usage (Legal Dive - Latest News)

A recent report from Thomson Reuters Institute reveals that more than 50% of corporate legal professionals believe that generative AI should be utilized in legal work. In-house legal workers expressed slightly higher support for this emerging technology compared to those in corporate tax departments, law firms, and tax firms. However, the report also highlights that only 10% of corporate legal departments have currently adopted or planned to adopt generative AI technology. Concerns surrounding its adoption include privacy, confidentiality, data security, and accuracy.

Three Reasons You Should Use Visual Matter Management to Run Your Law Practice (Attorney at Work)

This article emphasizes the significance of visual matter management systems in the legal sector. It addresses the difficulties lawyers encounter while handling their workload and explains how visual systems can enhance productivity and profitability. The authors, Karen Dunn Skinner and David Skinner, who are experienced lawyers and co-founders of Gimbal Lean Practice Management Advisors, offer a five-step approach for developing and utilizing visual matter management systems.

Highest NQ Lawyer Salaries in the UK – A Fair Deal for Clients? (Ward Blawg)

The legal sector in the UK is facing challenges as the high salaries for newly qualified (NQ) lawyers do not accurately represent the entire industry. Some associate attorneys and partners earn less than NQ lawyers, and smaller firms struggle to compete for talent due to inflated NQ salaries. Factors like location, specialization, and law firm reputation influence salaries. The media's focus on NQ salaries distorts public perception, and clients are questioning the high fees associated with NQ salaries. However, top law firms argue that these salaries are necessary to attract and retain exceptional legal talent.