Technology Evolution of Law Firms

In order to allow technology to fully enhance the practice of law, law firms must follow a well-defined evolutionary path that includes the gradual deployment of various technology tools. To get started down that path, Rafte & Company encourages your law firm to assess where your firm is today in terms of its use of technology tools to achieve your objectives and strategies, decide where you need to be tomorrow in order to satisfy the future needs of your firm and your clients, establish a step-by-step plan to get there and select a strong legal information consultant to assist in the process.

Partners in Technology
The technology evolution has four building blocks starting from the bottom:

• Expected Technology - These are functions geared to supporting the needs of the individual attorney. These technology applications help the law firm establish basic standards, policies and procedures for managing data. They also ensure predictable performance and access to the firm's data networks, and provide rapid IT response when problems occur. We call this the "Infrastructure Management" layer of technology.
  
  
• Managed Technology - These are functions geared to the needs of the law firm that encourage firm wide collaboration. Working together with one-time data entry, applications such as document management, case management, firm wide docketing systems, standardized form generation, detailed discussion threads, extensive relationship cross-referencing and potential conflict of interest searches can reduce workflow redundancies and improve the overall operations of a firm. We call this the "Firm Management" layer of technology.
  
  
• Enhanced Technology - These are functions geared to the needs of the client through integration with client systems and processes. With clients demanding greater collaboration and control, enhanced technology applications provide safe and secure environments, such as Extranets, to provide password-protected, private web sites through which clients can access and modify documents while enabling law firms to maintain control. We call this the "Client Management" layer of technology.
  
  
• Optimized Technology - A growing number of law firms led by visionary managing partners have adopted the functions geared to the needs of the practice. They are realizing the true value of their technology investment through applications that fuel their business strategies by providing forward-looking marketing, budgeting, forecasting and risk management tools. Ultimately, optimized technology supports the law firm's positioning as an industry leader. We call this the "Practice Management" layer of technology.

Focus on Technology

This evolution coincides with a law firm's adoption of the following:

• A commitment from top management that the firm's technology investments are an accepted standard cost of doing business;
• A clear plan and budget to guide all technology decisions;
• The alignment of the firm's technology plan with its objectives and strategy;
• Documented standards, policies and procedures;
• Ongoing training for employees on existing and new applications;
• Methods to eliminate redundancy in the work flow process;
• A defined mechanism to support end users; and
• Continual updates and upgrades of the IT infrastructure.