Every now and then, I publish guest posts. I’m especially thrilled to offer the following posts for a couple of reasons. First, it is written by the esteemed and well-known plaintiffs’ lawyer, Jeffery Kimmel. His bio is at the end of the post but suffice it to say he’s a talented plaintiffs’ lawyer and author who frequently appears as an expert legal source for national media. The second reason I’m happy to offer this is that the post looks at the use of technology from a plaintiffs’ lawyer perspective. I come from a defense, bill by the hour, perspective so it’s refreshing to see another viewpoint. I hope you find the post as interesting as I do.

Innovative Advancements: How Plaintiff Attorneys Use Technology and Work Processes Differently

The use of technology in the legal industry has become increasingly important. This is especially true for plaintiff attorneys who represent individuals or groups of individuals wronged by another party. In the Bloomberg Law 2022 Legal Ops and Tech Survey, 86% of the survey participants agreed that legal tech significantly impacts their firm’s ability to meet client demands. With continual advancements in technology, this blog post aims to delve into the diverse ways plaintiff attorneys utilize these tools to effectively navigate the intricacies of their legal practice, adapt, and stay ahead.

Leveraging Legal Research Tools

The adoption of legal research tools is imperative for attorneys to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of their legal practice. These tools offer unparalleled access to extensive databases of legal information, precedents, and case law. By leveraging keyword searches and advanced filters, attorneys can swiftly identify pertinent cases, statutes, and regulations, thereby conserving valuable time and resources. Furthermore, real-time updates provided by these tools ensure that attorneys are constantly informed about the latest developments in the legal field. Below are some current popular legal research tools:

• LexisNexis: LexisNexis is another prominent legal research platform known for its comprehensive legal content, case law, and legal research tools. It also provides access to news and business information.
• Bloomberg Law: Bloomberg Law is a comprehensive legal research platform that includes a wide range of legal content, practice tools, and news sources, making it a popular choice for legal professionals.
• Casemaker: Casemaker is used by many bar associations and legal professionals, offering access to case law, statutes, and regulations. It provides user-friendly search options and integration with legal practice management software.
• Google Scholar: Google Scholar is a free resource that provides access to legal opinions, legal journals, and scholarly articles. While not as comprehensive as paid platforms, it’s a valuable tool for legal research.
• Justia: Justia provides free access to legal research, case law, and legal forms. It’s a valuable resource for attorneys, especially those working on pro bono or public interest cases.
• AI-powered legal research tools: Several AI-driven platforms assist attorneys in legal research by analyzing case law and providing insights. These include ROSS and Lex Machina, which focus on data-driven insights for litigation.

The ability to access and analyze legal information digitally is advantageous for crafting persuasive legal arguments, drafting precise legal documents, and constructing compelling cases. Additionally, these tools often provide citation suggestions, assisting attorneys in maintaining accuracy and reliability in their work. In summary, incorporating legal research tools not only streamlines the research process but also empowers attorneys to deliver well-informed, top-notch legal services while efficiently managing their caseloads.

Utilization of Digital Evidence

Plaintiff attorneys are now leveraging technology in the courtroom to present digital evidence, enhancing the persuasiveness of their arguments. By effectively displaying photos, videos, and other visual evidence, they can make a stronger impact on the judge and jury. Access to advanced presentation software such as Canva, Adobe Spark, and Apple Keynote allows plaintiff attorneys to present evidence with clarity and organization, compelling the audience to understand and connect with their case on a profound level.

Collaboration with Clients

Attorneys can effectively enhance collaboration with clients by leveraging technology. This includes improving communication, facilitating document sharing, and boosting overall client engagement. Here are some urgent ways attorneys can leverage technology for client collaboration:

• Video Conferencing: Conduct virtual meetings and consultations with clients using video conferencing tools like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Skype. Video calls enable face-to-face communication even when in-person meetings are not possible.
• Client Portals: Implement client portals where clients can securely access case-related documents, messages, and updates. Portals provide a centralized and organized hub for information sharing.
• Document Collaboration: Utilize cloud-based document collaboration tools like Google Docs, Microsoft 365, or Dropbox to share and edit documents in real time. Clients and attorneys can collaborate on drafts and revisions.
• Client Surveys and Feedback Forms: Implement online surveys or feedback forms to gather client input and assess their satisfaction with legal services. Use platforms like SurveyMonkey or Google Forms for this purpose.

Increased Efficiency and Cost Savings

Technology offers attorneys numerous opportunities to increase efficiency and achieve cost savings in their legal practice. Attorneys can significantly enhance the creation and organization of legal documents through the utilization of cutting-edge document management and automation software. By leveraging templates, e-signature capabilities, and version control, legal professionals can expedite document generation while ensuring utmost accuracy. This not only saves valuable time but also mitigates the risk of costly rework stemming from potential errors. Act now to streamline your legal document processes and optimize efficiency.

Secure messaging, video conferencing, and cloud-based tools empower attorneys to enhance collaboration, communication, and efficiency. By leveraging these technologies, lawyers can swiftly connect with clients, colleagues, and courts while trimming travel expenses and commute time. This yields prompt and secure client communication, fueling greater satisfaction. Furthermore, cloud-based case and project management tools equip attorneys with the organization needed to mitigate missed deadlines and prevent costly legal malpractice claims. Act now to optimize performance and stay ahead in the legal field.

Billing and invoicing software streamline the process of tracking billable hours and expenses, generating invoices, and receiving payments. This reduces the administrative burden and guarantees accurate capture of all billable work, enhancing efficiency and ensuring timely payments.

Technology empowers attorneys to work more efficiently and cost-effectively. It reduces manual work, improves collaboration, and enhances client service. Although there is an initial investment, the long-term benefits – including time savings and reduced overhead – lead to significant cost savings for attorneys and their clients. Act now to capitalize on these advantages.

Make Sure You’re Using the Right Tech 

Plaintiff attorneys are leveraging technology in multiple ways to optimize their work processes and maximize their likelihood of winning cases. As technology advances, further legal industry innovations are on the horizon, reshaping attorneys’ representation of their clients. Staying abreast of these advancements is crucial for all lawyers, including plaintiff attorneys, to ensure they deliver the utmost representation for their clients.

Author Bio:Jeffrey M. Kimmel is the Managing Partner and CEO of Salenger, Sack, Kimmel, and Bavaro LLP, one of the most progressive personal injury law firms in the state of New York. Mr. Kimmel is a renowned business leader and a true agent of change in the legal field. Jeffrey has used his business background to cultivate a dynamic law firm known for being a client-oriented business that supports and promotes lawyer development, firm efficiency processes, case value maximization protocols, staffing diversity, and community outreach programs. Along with running a successful law firm, Mr. Kimmel is also the author of the top-rated book What Lawyers Don’t Know: How to Run a Business and Start Loving Life, and an expert legal source for top media outlets such as CNN, ABC, NBC, and CBS.