Technology skills have never been more critical to the day-to-day workings of the legal profession. From the growth of virtual communication to the evolving role of AI, modern lawyers need to stay on top of how technological advances continually introduce solutions, challenges, and possibilities to the profession. 

Below, we examine fundamental technology skills every lawyer should master, advanced skills that offer a competitive edge, and how to develop them—plus future trends to anticipate.

The Importance of Technology Skills for Lawyers

How information is stored, accessed, and shared is very different in today’s legal world than in past decades. Toward the start of this century, it was still possible to depend on support members to act as an interface to many platforms, software, and devices—but law associates today need a hands-on mastery of critical technology skills and tools. 

Much of the legal tech that’s emerging (more quickly than ever) isn’t an attempt to replace administrative or support roles. Instead, it aims to open up new possibilities in workflow, problem-solving, billing models, and practice reach. 

Technology enrichment for firms is essential, and it isn’t a process that flows in a single direction across seniority levels or specialties. Tech skills for lawyers are a must-have across the board because:

• Upfront and continuing resource investments require understanding the benefits.
• Tech advancement requires leadership buy-in and championing.
• Effective technology use can’t be siloed, requiring firmwide adoption instead.
• Tech know-how can be an invitation to the table for low-seniority staff.

If the benefits aren’t enough, consider that the flip side is potential liability. 

In 2012, the American Bar Association (ABA) amended Comment 8 to Model Rule 1.1, which now states that lawyers “should keep abreast of changes in the law and its practice, including the benefits and risks associated with relevant technology.”¹ Since then, 40 states have either adopted the technology mandate as written or a similar version into their rules of professional conduct.²

Core Technology Skills for Lawyers

When it comes to fundamental technological skills, connectivity remains a key driver. While there are many tools that help you boost solo work progress, achieving optimal accuracy and efficiency requires connections to crucial data, team-based information, and interconnected platforms that reduce duplication of effort.

Every lawyer needs to master the full power of: 

• Online legal research:some text
  • Legal database research engines
  • Judicial and legislative websites
  • Legal dictionaries

• Digital document management and automation:some text
  • Cloud storage
  • Automated document review and organization
  • Document management systems that log activity when users handle, annotate, or make other changes to files

• E-discovery and data analysis:some text
  • Gathering, reviewing, sorting, and analyzing digital discovery materials
  • Monitoring accurate representation, preservation, project management, and document review

• Digital communication and collaboration in law firms:some text
  • Email, messaging, and chat protocols while incorporating safety and security best practices
  • Use of proprietary internal and legal industry platforms
  • Video conferencing including e-rooms, file-sharing, evidentiary display
  • Social media integration

Advanced Technology Skills for Legal Professionals

Once you have the basics down, consider investing in advanced skills that offer a competitive edge. Whether you’re just starting out or in a senior position, these specialties can put you in a position to stand out and benefit your organization: 

Cybersecurity and Data Protection

Another ABA model rule (Rule 1.6: Confidentiality of Information) proves particularly relevant to data protection. While it doesn’t specifically document security protocols, 1.6(c) has been widely interpreted to require remaining current with technology and best practices related to security: “A lawyer shall make reasonable efforts to prevent the inadvertent or unauthorized disclosure of, or unauthorized access to, information relating to the representation of a client.”³

This includes data security:  

• Across all points of internal and external access, while matters are active
• In transit between users, clients, outside counsel, and other parties
• While held by witnesses, courts, service and administrative providers, and other parties.
• In any digital or analog format
• At rest with a firm’s server or cloud storage system once matters are inactive

Understanding cybersecurity protocols helps maintain the ongoing effort to stay ahead of data breaches that may arise from outdated software, dereliction of best practices, and misunderstood workflow steps. 

Legal Technology Software

While you don’t want your working hours to start resembling a help-desk resource, rising to an expert’s level on specific software can help raise your profile as a forward-thinking and collaborative legal professional. 

Consider learning the ins and outs of research, case management, CRM, contract review, document analysis, or other legal tech software that: 

• Your firm currently uses 
• You might recommend to leadership as a better alternative to your current platforms
• Provides profit-driving services or solutions new to your firm
• Represents the latest in emerging tech

AI and Machine Learning

AI isn’t new to the legal profession. After about a decade of integrating machine learning and early AI, we’ve entered a boom. Vendors now design more and more tools and software for attorney use rather than for specialty eDiscovery firms or tech consultants and administrators.⁴

Familiarizing yourself with AI and machine learning for the legal industry will allow you to utilize tools that improve accuracy, reduce time (by up to 40% for review time), and enhance output.⁵

Currently, AI tools can^4,6,7:

• Collect, analyze, summarize, score, and categorize textual and visual data. 
• Identify and present patterns and connections and refine search patterns and results. 
• Respond to inquiries and input, learn and adapt to legal matters and practice levels.
• Provide predictive analytics and identify risks, conflicts, and concerns.
• Research and provide insights and predictions on judges, experts, and opposing counsel.
• Write outlines, drafts, witness questions, and potential opponent questions.

Blockchain and Smart Contracts

Smart contracts are digitally stored on a blockchain and, once specified “if/then” conditions are met, are triggered to automatically execute.⁸ These legal transactions have the potential to: 

• Automate actions and workflows
• Reduce intermediaries 
• Increase transparency and security
• Lower transaction costs
• Ensure compliance

Essential Legal Tech Tools and Software

Once you’re familiar with one-word processing program, such as Microsoft Word, it’s fairly simple to jump to another, like Google Docs. This isn’t always the case with legal tech, but there are similarities that will allow you to move between specific programs once you’re familiar with one brand. 

Technology tools and software you’ll want to consider include: 

• Legal research databases 
• Case management software
• Contract analysis tools
• Virtual meeting platforms
• Customer relationship management (CRM) systems 

How to Develop and Improve Your Technology Skills

Improving your technology skills often ends up relegated to the bottom of a task list, patched together through trial and error and how-to videos. Instead, here are five ways to hone your tech skills with more deliberation:

• Online courses or webinars – As you earn your continuing legal education (CLE) credits required by your state bar, select topics that build your tech skills and exposure. 

• Certifications – Pursue a dedicated syllabus that will enhance your resume through a technology professional certificate, a law and AI certificate, a privacy law and cybersecurity certificate, or another option. These tend to be available online.

• Legal tech conferences and workshops – Attend a legal tech workshop or conference to build your skills, network, and earn CLE credits. Consider the following:some text
  • ILTACON by the International Legal Technology Association
  • ABA TECHSHOW by the American Bar Association
  • CLOC Global Institute by the Corporate Legal Operations Consortium.

• Legal tech forums – It takes a village to track and learn evolving technology. Join or follow legal tech forums, communities, blogs, news sites, podcasts, LinkedIn groups—whatever format and platform is easiest for you to regularly connect with. 

• Seek peer knowledge – There’s no way to increase the 24 hours in a given day, which means there’ll always be a limit to your ability to level up tech skills. Identify who in your firm or peer network possesses expertise and interest in specific areas, software, platforms, or practices. Rather than aiming to master everything, collaborate with tech-savvy colleagues to share information and best practices. 

Future Trends in Legal Technology

Building your legal technology skills is an ongoing concern. Once you’re caught up on the skills, tools, and tips above, keep an eye out for: 

• Specialized AI tools designed for practice types, domains, and use cases
• Realtime AI insights and suggestions during depositions and trials⁹
• Generative AI used to create audio and video exhibits
• Increasing hybrid and virtual law practices
• More importance on tech in legal education
• The AI automation of up to 44% of legal support staff tasks¹⁰

What It Takes to Advance Your Career

No matter what career stage you’re entering, staying on top of technology changes critical to the legal profession will help you advance your legal career. 

Partnering with E.P. Dine to explore and further your career is another path toward long-term success. We work with legal professionals from first-year law associates to senior partners, exploring options and providing resources that help you meet your law career goals. 

At E.P. Dine, we focus on building long-term relationships. Whether you’re considering future possibilities or ready to make a change, connect with us today. 

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Sources: 

1. American Bar Association. Rule 1.1 Competence - Comment. https://www.americanbar.org/groups/professional_responsibility/publications/model_rules_of_professional_conduct/rule_1_1_competence/comment_on_rule_1_1/‍
2. LawSites. Tech Competence. https://www.lawnext.com/tech-competence‍
3. American Bar Association. Rule 1.6: Confidentiality of Information. https://www.americanbar.org/groups/professional_responsibility/publications/model_rules_of_professional_conduct/rule_1_6_confidentiality_of_information/‍
4. Law.com by ALM Global, LLC. How Agencies, Legal Teams and Corporations Are Safely Using AI for E-Discovery to Reduce Costs and Accelerate Time to Resolution. https://www.law.com/legaltechnews/2023/12/14/how-agencies-legal-teams-and-corporations-are-safely-using-ai-for-e-discovery-to-reduce-costs-and-accelerate-time-to-resolution/‍
5. Deloitte. Artificial intelligence and machine learning in e-discovery and beyond. https://www2.deloitte.com/ch/en/pages/forensics/articles/AI-and-machine-learning-in-E-discovery.html‍
6. Cacti Global on LinkedIn. Legal Decision-Making with Predictive Analytics. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/legal-decision-making-predictive-analytics-cactiglobal/‍
7. Casetext Inc. 4 steps to acing your next deposition, using AI. https://casetext.com/blog/4-steps-to-acing-your-next-deposition-using-ai/‍
8. IBM. What are smart contracts on blockchain? https://www.ibm.com/topics/smart-contracts‍
9. Multiplatform.ai. Artificial Intelligence Revolutionizing Deposition Preparation in Legal Practice. https://multiplatform.ai/artificial-intelligence-revolutionizing-deposition-preparation-in-legal-practice/‍
10. Thomson Reuters. How will leveraging AI change the future of legal services? https://www.reuters.com/legal/legalindustry/how-will-leveraging-ai-change-future-legal-services-2023-08-23/