Technology for Professionals: 5 Uses for Attorneys

Technology has made things easier and more productive, but newer technology is often seen as belonging to the realm of techies with toys. However, a number of law professionals have taken advantage of recent technology trends by integrating them into their workflow. Here are five ways attorney’s have adopted the use of technology to attract clients and quickly and conveniently deal with their day to day job.

Websites and Blogging

Serious and reliable professionals are now expected to have a website, blog or both to promote their services and provide information. Attorneys have not fallen behind in this trend. Sites for attorneys and law firms focus on being both useful and visually engaging. Most importantly, they employ the use of search engine optimization (SEO) practices so that simple search queries like ‘injury lawyer’ will bring visitors to their site. Blogs are used to release legal tips, guides and Q&As for potential clients.

Google Glass

For anyone who wondered how such a seemingly extraneous gadget could fit into the life of a non-tech professional, trial lawyer Mitch Jackson is an example. He uses Google Glass throughout his day to do client research, dictate notes, record witness statements and share real-time images. He even planned to get court approval to use Google Glass during jury selection for continuous connection with his jury consultant. Google Glass can also access people databases from LexisNexis and Westlaw. It”s a hands-off and private device that doesn”t draw unwanted attention.

Smartwatches

Smartwatches give attorneys a hands-free and unobtrusive communication device that keeps them updated in court, in between hearings and while conversing with clients. That’s just the most basic use for one of these watches. Different smartwatches come with different capabilities. A high end smartwatch can be used for notes, dictation, appointment scheduling and voice commands.

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Smartphones

Smartphones have made their usefulness clear in personal lives, but their non-phone capabilities can be just as useful at work. A smartphone is another device that can be used for access to LexisNexis and Westlaw people databases. They can be used to create transcripts. There are now case management apps for file and client updates. Mobile connections to the Internet

Tablets

Tablet abilities and specifications have advanced far enough that some are willing to replace their laptops with a tablet and keyboard combo. Tablets come with benefit of being lighter and quicker to access. Being able to disconnect them from the keyboard means you can read files on the go. Attorneys are specifically using them to store sentencing charts, jury instructions, manuals and commonly used forms. Forms can then be emailed between hearings using their WiFi or mobile data plans.

New and sometimes baffling technology isn’t just for fun-love technology enthusiasts. It’s worth it for attorneys and other professionals. Refusing to acknowledge advancing technology can lead to falling behind the curve while others locate clients and do their job in efficient and creative ways.