Technology has transformed virtually every industry, and the legal profession is no exception. Lawyers now rely on a variety of tech tools to run their practices more efficiently and provide better service to their clients.
Having the right tech can save lawyers time and effort while also keeping sensitive client information secure. This allows attorneys to focus their energy on legal strategy and advising clients rather than administrative tasks.
That is why, here we will tell you about some of the top tech tools that a lawyer should have. Using these tools will not only automate the process for lawyers but will also save a lot of time for them.
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List Of Top 10 Tech Tools For Lawyers
There are a number of tools that available in the market that a lawyer should have. Out of them, we have handpicked the 10 best tools for lawyers for you:
Laptop Computer
A reliable laptop is arguably the most important tech tool for lawyers today. Lawyers need computing power to view legal documents, conduct research, communicate with clients, prepare filings and contracts, manage their cases, and run their practices.
Laptops allow attorneys to work productively from the office, home, courtrooms, and other locations. When shopping for a new laptop, lawyers should look for a balance of portability, computing power, battery life, and data security features. Also, to make a better choice they can hear from experts like LaptopsPedia or TechRadar to find best laptop according to the needs of a lawyers.
Tablet Device
Tablets like iPads have become popular tech accessories for lawyers. Tablets integrate many useful apps while also providing portability and flexibility.
Attorneys can use tablets to conveniently access files, take notes in meetings or depositions, organize case information, communicate with clients and staff, review documents during travel, and more.
Advanced tablets also allow using a stylus for annotations and signatures. The best legal apps sync across a lawyer’s tablet and laptop to keep all information up to date.
Password Manager
Client confidentiality is critical for lawyers, making cybersecurity essential. Using strong, unique passwords provides a first line of defense for sensitive data. But tracking multiple complex passwords is difficult. That’s where a password manager app comes in handy.
Password managers generate and save strong passwords for all of a lawyer’s online accounts. Top options like LastPass and Dashlane have premium plans specifically designed for digital security in the legal industry. Password managers improve cyber hygiene while also saving lawyers time logging into many accounts.
Online Data Backup
Just as crucial as security is backing up critical data. Local backups to external hard drives provide protection against device failures and theft. However, lawyers need to supplement local backups with encrypted cloud backups as well.
Leading services like Carbonite and Acronis provide specialized backup plans that meet legal data compliance requirements. Automated cloud backup gives lawyers an extra layer of protection in case anything happens to local data stores.
Fireproof Safe
Physical data security is still important in the digital age too. Fire and water hazards pose huge risks for sensitive client documents and legal records at a law office. A fireproof document safe provides reliable onsite protection that external hard drives and cloud platforms can’t offer alone.
Look for Underwriter Laboratories rated fireproof safes when selecting options to secure physical files, hard copy records, client originals, and backup external drives. Top manufacturers like First Alert and Honeywell make high-quality waterproof and fireproof safes for this purpose.
Electronic Document Shredder
Proper destruction of confidential physical documents is mandatory for lawyers once the material is no longer needed. This requires shredding hard copy files to particles that cannot be reassembled and read.
Particularly, there are many free paper shredding events organized in many locations. But shredding the documents of your clients at public place is not an ideal choice that is why the need of shredder urges.
An electronic shredder machine allows lawyers to shred high volumes of documents efficiently compared to manual options. Leading brand Fellowes makes reliable shredders ideal for law firms, including machines with extra capacity and security features to handle large volumes of legal documents containing sensitive client information.
Scanners
Digitizing paper records helps lawyers store and access information more efficiently while also securing sensitive data. Top-rated scanners from reputed brands like Fujitsu and Canon allow converting paper documents into encrypted digital files. This protects originals from physical risks at the firm while making the information accessible from various devices.
Scanners with automatic document feeders can quickly digitize large volumes of legal records all at once. This saves paralegals and clerks time over individually scanning each page by hand. Lawyers should invest in a robust scanner suitable for their needs based on factors like security, file formats, integration features, speed, and volume capacities.
External Monitors
Working with multiple documents, large stacks of evidence, and complex legal briefs often requires expanded screen real estate. Adding one or more external monitors to a lawyer’s desktop workstation allows displaying more applications at once. This makes reviewing case details and drafting contracts easier and more efficient.
Look for adjustable monitors that offer options like pivoting from landscape to portrait orientation as the task requires. Top picks like the Dell UltraSharp line provide excellent visual quality, ergonomics, and connectivity for legal work. A properly set up dual monitor desk can significantly boost productivity.
Online Data Storage
Cloud-based online data storage has also become essential for lawyers to securely access and collaborate on case files from any location. Top platforms like Clio and OneDrive offer plans tailored specifically for legal professionals to store client data safely while working with teams on and offsite.
Lawyers should implement access controls, encryption, and usage auditing when selecting an online data storage provider for client information. Enabling 2-factor authentication adds an extra security check before users connect to the account. Leading services allow customizing permissions so staff only access necessary data.
Laptop Locks
A stolen laptop represents a hugely significant data breach and financial loss for a law practice. Beyond just password-protecting devices, lawyers also need to physically secure equipment, especially when working remotely.
A laptop lock cable provides affordable protection against grab-and-run thefts in public places. Models like the Kensington laptop lock anchor to desks, tables, and other fixed objects in areas like courtrooms and conference centres. This allows lawyers to step away briefly without risking complete loss of their device and the sensitive data inside.
The Bottom Line
Legal tech spans a wide range of solutions that lawyers now leverage for everything from digital security to cloud storage collaboration, thereby increasing productivity and capabilities.
When evaluating new technologies for a law practice, attorneys should assess factors like security, integration, mobility, and specific legal industry compliance. Leveraging the right legal tech tools ultimately allows lawyers to focus fully on client cases while running an efficient, secure firm.
Speak to IT consultants specializing in the legal sector to determine the best tech stack for specific practice needs and workstyles.
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What are the most important tech tools for a lawyer?
The most important tech tools for lawyers are laptops, password managers, online backups, fireproof safes, electronic shredders, scanners, external monitors, online data storage, and laptop locks.
Together, these allow securely accessing, storing, sharing, and protecting sensitive client information while also boosting productivity.
How can technology help lawyers perform better?
Technology tools help lawyers perform better by automating administrative tasks, speeding up document management, keeping client data safer, enabling more flexible working arrangements, allowing quicker access to information, and generally streamlining legal workflows for greater efficiency.
What tech skills should every lawyer have today?
Lawyers today should be proficient with basic software and tools like MS Office suites, data encryption/security features, e-signatures, document management systems, case management systems, online legal research tools, and email.
Being tech-savvy improves productivity, efficiency, compliance, and client service.