8 Types of Legal Tech Software Every Law Firm Needs

The legal tech space transforms law firms’ operations by simplifying tasks, maximizing productivity, and improving client service.

Ten years have seen incredible innovation in legal tech, And the results are undeniable⎯greater efficiency and better outcomes.

So, how far have we come?

Let’s talk about the different types of law firm software that have become more than necessary in the legal sector.

What is Legal Tech?

The rise of legal tech has transformed how lawyers work by providing innovative solutions that simplify their workload and free up more time for what matters most.

For law firms and legal professionals, getting bogged down in paperwork and tedious administrative tasks is a thing of the past.

These powerful tools free up more hours in the day, allowing them to concentrate on delivering top-quality results to their clients.

From intuitive document automation tools to robust CRM systems, there’s a whole slew of tech waiting to optimize your legal workflows⎯think advanced legal research platforms, eagle-eyed contract review software, and seamless billing and accounting solutions, to name a few.

In the past decade, law firms have been pushed to adapt at an unprecedented pace, and it’s leading to a client-centric culture where meeting expectations is just the starting point.

Imagine having more hours in the day to focus on high-stakes cases, settle disputes, or simply run your practice smoothly. These cutting-edge software solutions promise to bring attorneys a new era of productivity and clarity.

So, what does the current tech landscape look like in the legal industry?

8 Types of Legal Technology

Legal software is an umbrella term for tech solutions that aim to make life easier in law firms and legal departments.

In 2024, there are far too many to dissect one by one, but we’re going to focus on the essential tools every law firm needs in their tech stack:

1. Document Automation

Document automation is a type of technology that simplifies the process of creating and managing legal documents. Imagine cutting out the repetitive, mundane tasks of drafting contracts, filling out forms, and making sure everything is formatted correctly.

With document automation, all these tasks are handled by software, which allows you to generate documents quickly and accurately with just a few clicks.

Legal professionals know that tiny clerical errors can snowball into crippling problems. But if we put this technology to work, these potential landmines will be painstakingly dissected, leaving only error-free documents in their wake.

Plus, it pulls in relevant information from your client management system or legal databases so that all necessary details are included without you having to manually input them.

Briefpoint.ai

Briefpoint is one of the easiest solutions available for handling discovery requests and cutting the time needed from hours to just minutes.

To use it, simply upload a discovery request, select your objections and responses, and download the Word document. After that, all that’s left is to sign and serve.

There’s also Briefpoint Bridge, which eliminates the hassle of acquiring, receiving, and inputting client responses into discovery documents.

With this feature, you can have Briefpoint translate the requests into plain English and send them to your clients to collect their responses. and Once your client has added their responses, Briefpoint adds them to your response document and you’re done.

All without the hassle of back-and-forth or manually written emails.

Currently, Briefpoint lets you automate the preparation of responses to and propounding sets off:

2. Client Relationship Management

Effective client relationships rely on one crucial element: keeping track of interactions and managing expectations⎯a feat made effortlessly possible by CRM.

A CRM system is central to law firms. It keeps all client interactions and data in one place, making it easy to log conversations, schedule meetings, and optimize daily tasks.

A CRM that delivers gives you a single, seamless view of each client’s history so you can spot patterns, remember important details, and respond with a personal touch. Scheduling tools help manage appointments and deadlines efficiently, while task management features ensure nothing is overlooked.

Take client satisfaction to new heights with automated reminders and follow-ups that are as thorough as they are timely.

More importantly, clients trust you with their most valuable data – that’s why modern CRMs take that responsibility seriously and integrate robust security features that cover every base and surpass regulatory standards.

Additionally, analytics and reporting tools provide insights into client behavior and firm performance, which can help you make informed decisions and improve your client relationship strategies.

Clio

What sets law firms up for success? A robust CRM like Clio empowers lawyers to prioritize their work, foster strong relationships, and drive business results.

For one, it keeps all your client info in one place, so it’s easy to stay on top of things. Managing your contacts was much easier – you can now book appointments, monitor your conversations, and stash away crucial documents.

Clio is built to integrate with other legal tech tools, so you can stop juggling tasks and focus on core ones.

Whether you’re following up with a new lead or maintaining contact with a long-time client, Clio helps make sure that nothing slips through the cracks and every interaction is recorded.

3. Law Firm Management

Picture this: lawyers juggling phone calls with clients, court dates, and account ledgers, all while trying to keep their firm financially fit and running smoothly.

Law firm or practice management software simplifies and organizes these tasks, which, in turn, makes it easier to run your practice efficiently.

Fortifying your daily operations with the right tools and strategies can help you stay one step ahead of the competition. This is the key to unlocking peak productivity and improving client satisfaction.

MyCase

MyCase simplifies the complexities of running a legal practice. Imagine having all your case details, documents, and communications in one place. MyCase puts case information right at your command so you can update and access it on a whim and stay organized.

Aside from communication and document management, time and expense tracking is also a breeze with MyCase. You can log billable hours and expenses directly into the system so your billing is always accurate and timely.

Speaking of billing, MyCase makes generating invoices quick and easy. Create detailed invoices, send them to clients, and track payments all in one platform.

Thanks to MyCase’s secure messaging and client portal, communication with clients is seamless. Keep your clients informed and engaged to improve their overall experience with your firm.

Document management is another highlight of MyCase. You can store, organize, and share documents securely, making sure all your important files are easily accessible and protected.

4. Legal Research

At the core of every law practice lies a crucial activity: legal research.

Effective legal services start with thorough investigations. To decide with confidence, you need to dig up and dissect laws, regulations, and past court decisions that back up your argument.

Building a strong legal case requires more than piecing together a few facts—it demands a comprehensive understanding of the law, and that’s where diligent research comes in. With modern research tools, the grind is replaced by a powerful workflow that produces comprehensive results in record time.

Westlaw

Westlaw is a leading legal research tool that has become indispensable for many law firms. It provides access to an extensive database of legal information, including case law, statutes, regulations, and legal journals.

With Westlaw by their side, law firms can slice through the noise and find the legal insights they need. Suddenly, the insights you need are just a click away.

With an enormous collection of case law, statutes, regulations, and prominent legal journals at your command, you’ll be better equipped to tackle complex cases.

One of the standout features of Westlaw is its KeyCite tool, which helps you verify the validity of case law. With KeyCite, you can see how a case has been treated by subsequent courts, so you can rely on solid legal precedents.

5. Contract Review and Management

Law firms must balance impeccable contract review with effective management to avoid careless oversights and guarantee comprehensive agreements.

Traditionally, this process could be labor-intensive and time-consuming, involving meticulous manual work to spot potential issues and ensure compliance with laws and regulations.

However, modern tools have revolutionized this process, making it far more efficient and less prone to errors.

In today’s legal world, contracts are being revamped with the power of artificial intelligence and machine learning, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in contract management.

Ironclad

With Ironclad, contract management becomes a whole lot easier – we’re talking automation of drafting, approvals, and everything in between. For fast and easy contract creation, set up templates for your standard agreements.

Plus, this tool seriously boosts collaboration, as multiple team members can tackle a contract together, and all changes are tracked live.

Ironclad’s review capabilities are particularly powerful. With AI doing the heavy lifting, this solution identifies essential keywords and provisions, making it virtually impossible to miss anything.

This feature acts as a safety net to catch potential problems and align contracts with your firm’s regulations and standards.

Once contracts are finalized, Ironclad makes it easy to manage them throughout their lifecycle. You can track important dates, such as renewal or termination deadlines, and set up automated reminders to ensure that no critical tasks are missed.

6. Billing and Accounting

Managing billing and accounting is crucial for any law firm. It involves tracking billable hours, managing expenses, generating invoices, and keeping financial records accurate and up-to-date. These tasks, while essential, can be time-consuming and prone to errors if done manually.

Imagine tackling financial tasks with ease, minus the worry of costly errors–that’s exactly what modern billing and accounting software can do for you.

QuickBooks

QuickBooks is a popular tool for law firms to manage billing and accounting efficiently. Stay on top of your time and money with a system that effortlessly tracks hours, expense management, and speedy invoice generation.

With QuickBooks, you can send invoices directly to clients to ensure accurate billing and faster payments. Its excellent expense tracking also simplifies monitoring spending and preparing for tax season.

QuickBooks also provides valuable financial insights through its reporting tools to help you track profitability and make informed decisions.

Integrating seamlessly with other tools, QuickBooks creates a smooth workflow, and its user-friendly interface makes it easy for everyone in the firm to use.

7. Client Intake

Law firms know that attracting new clients is just the first step—the real challenge is making them feel welcome and supported.

Client intake includes gathering essential information, managing forms and documents, and ensuring the client feels welcomed and well-informed.

A reliable intake process is like a strong foundation—it sets the stage for a successful client-lawyer partnership and helps simplify and clarify things later.

Lawmatics

Lawmatics takes the hassle out of onboarding new clients by automating everything from gathering essential information to managing forms and documents.

With Lawmatics, you can create customized intake forms that capture all the details you need so you don’t miss anything. Plus, its user-friendly interface makes the whole process smooth and efficient.

One of the standout features of Lawmatics is its ability to track leads and follow up automatically, which means you never miss a potential client. It also integrates seamlessly with other legal tech tools and CRM systems, which helps keep everything organized and accessible.

8. Electronic Signatures

Law firms are no longer bogged down by paper clutter, thanks to electronic signatures that allow documents to be signed quickly and securely without physical storage.

Digital signatures simplify legal document handling, safeguard sensitive information, and bring paperwork into the digital age.

DocuSign

With DocuSign, you can send, sign, and manage documents electronically so signatures are collected quickly and securely.

No matter what type of legal document you’re working with—contract, agreement, or something else entirely—this platform has the versatility to handle it with ease.

One of the key benefits of DocuSign is its ease of use. Both lawyers and clients can sign documents from any device, whether they’re in the office or on the go. With this flexibility, delayed signatures become a thing of the past, and important documents get signed promptly.

DocuSign also offers robust security features, including encryption and authentication, to protect the integrity of your documents and the confidentiality of your clients.

Focus on Strategy, Not Paperwork

With how advanced legal tech has become, you might be losing thousands of dollars if you’re still on the fence. Think about the time you can save by simply automating legal processes. How about the billable hours you can put towards meaningful work instead of routine stuff?

You’ve got better things to do than push paper around – invest your time and energy in offering premium legal expertise.

With Briefpoint.ai, you can draft, format, and complete discovery documents in minutes. Yup, no more copy-pasting from your old documents, spending hours double-checking each line, and going back and forth with client responses.

It’s a huge burden off your shoulders, and you can try it free for your first document.

Take Advantage of Automated Document Generation Today

Discovery responses cost firms $23,240, per year, per attorney. $23,240 estimate assumes an associate attorney salary of $150,000 (including benefits – or $83 an hour), 20 cases per year/per associate, 4 discovery sets per case, 30 questions per set, 3.5 hours spent responding to each set, and 1800 hours of billable hours per year.

Under these assumptions, you save $20,477 using Briefpoint, per year, per attorney.

Test Briefpoint yourself by scheduling a demo here.

FAQs About Legal Technology

Why is legal tech software important for law firms?

Legal tech software effectively hands law firms a boon: enhanced productivity. Fewer hours spent resolving mistakes, tracking inconsistencies, or manually updating records means more hours dedicated to the high-leverage work that propelled these firms to success in the first place.

Can small law firms benefit from legal tech software?

Yes! Legal tech software is beneficial for firms of all sizes, providing tools that improve efficiency and productivity.

Is it expensive to implement legal tech software?

Pricing flexibility is the best part – it means smaller companies can squeeze these solutions into their budget without breaking the bank.

How do I choose the right legal tech software for my firm?

Map your company’s needs to the software’s features and pricing to make an informed decision. It’s often helpful to try demos or trials before committing.

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Document Automation Software (Top Features and Benefits)

Imagine a workday where you no longer have to deal with the tedium of drafting the same contracts over and over or manually filling in client details. Sounds like a dream, right? With document automation software, this can become your reality.

This powerful tool takes on those repetitive tasks to make sure your documents are consistent, accurate, and free of errors.

Not only does it save you time, but it also allows you to focus on the more strategic aspects of your job, whether you’re a lawyer, paralegal, or legal assistant.

But with so many options out there, how do you choose the perfect document automation software for your needs? The right solution should boost efficiency, optimize workflows, and upgrade your document management strategy to new heights.

In this guide, we’ll reveal the fundamental features of document automation tools that reimagine the way you manage legal documents, contracts, and administrative tasks.

Get ready to discover how the right software can revolutionize your workday and bring ease to your document processes.

What is Document Automation Software?

Ever feel bogged down by repetitive tasks like filling in client details or drafting the same contracts over and over?

That’s where document automation software comes in. It takes care of these mundane tasks for you so your documents are consistent and error-free.

This not only saves you a ton of time but also makes your workday a lot smoother, whether you’re a lawyer or a paralegal.

Be it handling legal documents, contracts, or any other paperwork, this software simplifies the process so you can focus on the more important aspects of your job.

Standalone Document Automation Software vs. Built-In Document Automation Features

Choosing between standalone document automation software and built-in document automation features can be a bit of a puzzle.

Standalone software is dedicated solely to automating your document processes, offering robust, specialized tools that handle everything from template creation to advanced data merging.

It’s a powerful option for firms that need comprehensive automation capabilities and want to make sure every document is spot-on.

On the other hand, built-in document automation features are part of larger software suites that include various other functionalities.

These features might not be as powerful or customizable as standalone options, but they can be incredibly convenient if you’re already using the parent software. Plus, they integrate seamlessly into your existing workflow so it’s easier to manage all your tasks from a single platform.

In a nutshell, if you need extensive, specialized automation, standalone software is the way to go. If convenience and integration with your current tools are your top priorities, built-in features could be the perfect fit.

The Benefits of Document Automation for Law Firms

A document automation tool has become the ultimate necessity for any modern law firm. Here’s why:

Increased Time Efficiency

Automating repetitive tasks like drafting contracts or filling in client details frees up a lot of time. And in the law industry, time literally translates into money.

Automated document generation lets legal professionals focus on more complex, value-added tasks instead of getting bogged down by routine paperwork.

In other words, speeding up document creation helps legal teams use their time more efficiently.

Improved Consistency and Accuracy

Document automation makes sure every document follows the same format and contains accurate information.

Cleaning up errors and giving your documents a sharp, put-together look is a piece of cake with this approach.

Think of consistent formatting and language as the unsung heroes of document creation – they’re the details that set a company apart from its competitors and establish a sense of credibility.

Better Cost-Efficiency

Imagine the cost benefits of offloading document creation duties from staff members. Law firms can do just that by going digital. Fewer errors mean less time and money spent on corrections.

By switching to automated document processes, companies can free up valuable resources and potentially trim their staffing needs.

Improved Client Satisfaction

Faster turnaround times for documents make clients happier. When clients receive accurate documents on time, their trust in your firm’s capabilities grows exponentially.

For any business, there’s no better calling card than a satisfied client; they’ll come back for more and sing your praises to others.

Better Security and Compliance

Document automation software often comes with built-in security features that protect sensitive information. Safeguarding your clients’ data is essential for building loyal partnerships; confidentiality is paramount in this process.

Cutting-edge defenses, including rock-solid encryption and precision access controls, fend off cyber threats and data smugglers to safeguard your documents from prying eyes.

Automation helps make sure all documents adhere to the latest legal standards and regulations. One wrongly checked box can lead to a world of legal woes, but this preventative measure clears the path.

Document Automation Features to Look For

When selecting document automation software, you need to prioritize features that will seriously optimize your productivity and precision.

Here’s a comprehensive guide to the must-have features in document automation tools:

Template Management

Document automation software gets a whole lot more efficient when you have template management on your side to let you generate documents with ease. Good document management software will have:

Pre-built templates: Save time with a library of ready-to-use document templates for various document types, all customizable to fit your needs.
Template creation: User-friendly, drag-and-drop tools let you design your own templates from scratch. Build custom details by adding placeholders, dynamic fields, and conditional logic to craft documents that truly speak to each individual.

Template management also offers collaboration and version control:

Collaborative editing: Multiple users can work on templates at the same time, which keeps everything up-to-date and in line with company standards.
Version control: Track changes and go back to previous versions if needed so your templates are always accurate and reliable.

Good template management cuts down the time and effort needed to produce professional documents.

When everything is beautifully in sync, document processes hum along smoothly and foster a significant jump in efficiency and productivity.

Data Integration

Imagine having all your critical data neatly organized and easily accessible – that’s what document automation software achieves by integrating disparate systems and applications. This helps make sure data flows smoothly, which cuts down on manual entry and minimizes errors.

For instance, integrating with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems like Salesforce or HubSpot lets you pull customer data directly into your documents.

By generating personalized contracts, proposals, and reports on the fly, you can say goodbye to tedious data entry and enjoy workflows that hum along with precision.

Beyond CRMs, connecting with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems allows for automatically including financial data, inventory details, and other essential business info into relevant documents.

This makes sure your documents always reflect the latest business data, helping you make more informed decisions.

Plus, having robust API support means you can set up custom connections with various software applications. This flexibility lets you tailor your document workflows to fit your specific needs and make sure everything runs more smoothly and efficiently.

Workflow Automation

Automating your workflow with document automation software is a total game-changer—it makes your processes smoother, faster, and hassle-free.

More specifically, It helps automate repetitive tasks and sees to it that documents move smoothly through various stages of creation, review, and approval.

Key components of workflow automation include:

Conditional Logic: You can set up custom rules that trigger document creation based on your specific requirements. For example:
- Populate certain fields or sections of a document when specific conditions are met.
- Automatically select templates or content based on user input or data changes.
Approval Workflows: This feature lets you set up multi-step approval processes, which makes sure that each document is reviewed and approved by the necessary parties before it’s finalized. Benefits include:
- Double-checking every detail to make sure everything meets the highest standards
- Streamlining the approval process with automated alerts and notifications.
Notifications and Alerts: Keep everyone in the loop with reminders of pending approvals or actions needed so everything runs smoothly. This enhances accountability and ensures timely processing.

Automating workflows spares you the tedium of manual document handling and erases hours of repetitive tasks from your schedule. What’s left is a clutter-free work environment and more of your most valuable resource: time.

Plus, automating routine tasks gives you more time to focus on strategic work, which helps increase productivity and improve the overall quality of your document management.

Collaboration Tools

Collaboration tools in document automation software are game-changers for teams working together. They make it incredibly easy for everyone to stay on the same page and get things done efficiently. One of the best features is real-time editing.

This means multiple people can work on the same document simultaneously and see changes instantly. There are no more endless email chains or waiting for someone to finish their part.

Another handy feature is the ability to leave comments and annotations right on the document. Clear guidance means everyone’s on the same page, and it’s obvious what needs a refresh or a boost.

Plus, version control is a must-have. With this feature, you’ve got a safety net—you can track changes and bounce back to earlier versions if necessary, so your document stays flawless and current.

eSignature Integration

Faster document turnaround times rely on seamless eSignature integration. With built-in eSignature capabilities, you can add legally binding electronic signatures to your documents without leaving the platform. You’ll save time, slash paperwork, and breeze through the signing process.

Popular eSignature tools like DocuSign and Adobe Sign are often supported by the software, which makes it easy to integrate your favorite signing tools.

You get to stick with the eSignature service you love, plus enjoy a smooth ride with your document workflows.

eSignature integration significantly reduces security risks, shielding documents from tampering and cyber threats. Electronic signatures are often more secure than traditional paper ones because they come with encryption and authentication features.

These features ensure that the signatures are genuine and that the documents can’t be tampered with.

Document Security

Safeguarding sensitive information is a top priority in document automation software—after all, your data needs to be locked down tight.

When it comes to keeping confidential files confidential, encryption is the fortified wall that stands between them and would-be hackers. With end-to-end encryption, your documents are secure both in transit and at rest, meaning they’re protected whether they’re being sent over the internet or stored in the cloud.

Access controls are another important feature. Role-based access allows you to specify who can view, edit, or share documents, greatly minimizing the risk of data breaches and unintended exposure.

You can set permissions based on user roles so that each team member only has access to the information they need.

Audit trails provide an added layer of security and accountability. Everything that happens to a document is tracked in these detailed logs – the editing, the creating, and the sharing.

Compliance and monitoring got a lot easier, thanks to this transparent system that lays out who did what and when in plain sight. If any unauthorized activity occurs, it can be quickly identified and addressed.

How to Choose the Perfect Document Automation Solution for Your Law Firm

To eliminate inefficiencies and catapult your law firm to the next level, you need a document automation solution specifically tailored to your needs.

By doing so, you’ll be able to clock faster turnaround times, diminish errors, and consistently impress clients with top-tier service. Here’s a guide to help you make the best choice:

1. Identify Your Needs

Start by figuring out what your law firm really needs. Then, take a hard look at your current workflows—can automation help with pesky tasks like document creation, review, and management?

Identify the types of documents you deal with most often, such as contracts, pleadings, or correspondence, to ensure the solution can handle them.

Also, consider which existing systems, like case management or CRM software, the document automation tool needs to integrate with for smooth data flow and efficiency.

2. Key Features to Look For

When selecting a document automation solution, ask yourself: which features will tangibly improve our firm’s workflow and free up more time for high-leverage activities?

Look for solid template management with pre-built templates and easy customization options. Make sure the solution supports data integration with your existing systems to streamline data transfer and cut down on manual entry.

Automating tasks is a top priority, so make sure to look for features that can handle document creation, get approvals, and send out notifications – all without you having to lift a finger.

3. Evaluate Usability

Usability is crucial when choosing a document automation solution. The software should have a user-friendly interface that’s easy for everyone on your team to use.

Check the availability of training resources and customer support to ensure a smooth transition and ongoing assistance.

Life’s unpredictable, and your work style should be, too. To give your team the flexibility they need, ensure that your solution can keep up by being accessible on mobile devices.

4. Consider Scalability

When selecting a document automation solution, consider your firm’s future growth. Choose software that can scale with your firm and handle increasing document volumes and additional users as needed.

Find software that’s adaptable and can be upgraded with new features as your needs shift. This way, you can rest assured it’ll stay relevant and meet your changing requirements.

5. Cost-Benefit Analysis

Conduct a cost-benefit analysis to determine the best solution for your budget. Compare the costs of different solutions and consider the potential return on investment through improved efficiency, reduced errors, and improved client satisfaction.

Make sure the benefits outweigh the costs to get the most value from your document automation software.

6. Trial and Feedback

Take advantage of free trials and demos to test out different document automation solutions. Put the software to the test in your setting, and you’ll see exactly how it can be applied to solve real problems and streamline processes.

During the trial, gather honest insights from your team—it’s the best way to determine if the solution has everyone’s best interests at heart. You’ll be empowered to make smart calls that resonate throughout your organization.

Why Choose Briefpoint.ai

Choosing the right document automation solution is a must for maximizing your law firm’s efficiency and productivity. Briefpoint.ai offers legal pros a personalized toolkit, specifically crafted to help firms like yours excel.

Here are the key reasons why Briefpoint.ai is the best document automation software:

User-friendly interface: Briefpoint.ai features an intuitive and easy-to-use design that requires minimal training. This allows your staff to focus more on their legal work rather than struggling with complex software.
Advanced document automation: The platform excels in streamlining the creation, review, and management of legal documents. With an exhaustive collection of templates at your fingertips, manual data entry becomes a thing of the past, replaced by accuracy and professionalism.
Robust security measures: Security is a top priority with Briefpoint.ai, which is why we offer end-to-end encryption to protect your documents, automatic backups, payment security, and other tight measures.
Scalability and support: Briefpoint.ai is designed to grow with your law firm, handling increasing document volumes and additional users seamlessly. Exceptional customer support, including training resources and a dedicated support team, makes sure that you always have the help you need.

How to Use Briefpoint

Using Briefpoint.ai is straightforward and efficient, thanks to its advanced machine learning and AI capabilities. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

Step 1: Upload Your Discovery Request

Begin by uploading your discovery request document to Briefpoint.ai. The platform’s machine-learning AI system will immediately start scanning and extracting information from your document. This includes:

Court Name: Automatically applies local formatting rules.
Case Number: Extracts and inputs the case number.
Parties: Identifies and records the involved parties.
Request Type: Recognizes whether it’s an RFA, RFP, Interrogatory, or Form Interrogatory.
Set Number: Extracts the set number and much more.

Step 2: Briefpoint’s AI Suggests and Writes Objections

Once the AI system has created a caption and filled out some of the routine data within your brief, including the requests or interrogatories, you can let Briefpoint handle the objections.

Simply click “Suggest” and Briefpoint’s patented AI-system chooses and writes the appropriate objections to each of your opposing counsels’ requests. This streamlined process helps you efficiently complete your responses with minimal manual effort.

Step 3: Open in Word

At any point during the process, you can download your document and open it in Word. This allows you to finish any remaining details on your computer. You’ll receive a properly formatted, mostly-completed brief that’s ready for final touches or even for filing.

Unlimited Savings With the Right Document Automation System

Under these assumptions, you save $20,477 using Briefpoint, per year, per attorney.

Test Briefpoint yourself by scheduling a demo here.

FAQs About Document Automation Tools

What is legal document automation software?

With document automation software, the heavy lifting is taken care of⎯you simply review, revise, and repeat, minus the manual hassle. Client information and legal forms are a thing of the past⎯now you’ve got more time to tackle the more important stuff.

What key features should I look for in document automation software?

Look for template management, integration capabilities, document assembly collaboration tools, version control, e-signatures, data merge, a smooth document creation process, and conditional logic.

These features help ensure your documents are accurate, up-to-date, and easy to access. They also make it easier to collaborate, reduce manual data entry, and minimize the chance of errors in document creation.

How does document automation improve client satisfaction?

It speeds up document creation, reduces errors, and provides timely, accurate documents, which boosts client trust and satisfaction.

Clients love getting well-prepared documents quickly, reflecting well on your firm’s efficiency. Sweeping away annoying delays and mistakes, document automation paves the way for stronger, more authentic client bonds.

What is a document management software?

A Document Management System (DMS) is software that helps organizations store, manage, and track electronic documents. It provides features for organizing, retrieving, and securing documents, facilitating efficient document handling, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

How Can Law Firms Increase Efficiency With Tech?

Most legal tech solutions are designed with one central goal in mind: to make legal firms more efficient.

However, optimized efficiency doesn’t always happen instantly. While more and more law firms are leveraging legal tech today, some are still struggling to use these solutions properly.

If you’re in the same boat, don’t throw in the towel just yet. What if you could maximize your workflow with the right tech tools? Here’s how to make that possible.

Types of Legal Technology

Before we go into using legal tech properly, let’s list the most common tech solutions law firms use to improve their efficiency, productivity, and client experience.

From automating tedious tasks to enhancing collaboration, law firms can significantly benefit from the array of technologies emerging in the tech sector. Take a task, any task–like dealing with paperwork or tracking hours–and you’ll likely find a tool waiting in the wings to make it easier.

To optimize their operations, law firms can turn to various legal technologies that help streamline tasks and increase productivity.

Document Automation Tools

For law firms, the right tools can spell the difference between wasting hours and free time to focus on high-priority cases. Rather than drafting documents from scratch every time, some document automation tools use AI to draft legal documents like discovery responses quickly.

This means fewer mistakes, consistent quality, and more time for lawyers to focus on important work. Plus, clients get their documents faster, which makes everyone happy.

Case Management Software

Law firms rely heavily on case management software. It’s an indispensable ally for legal professionals aiming to stay on top of their caseload.

All your case information, neatly organized in one spot, frees you up to tackle your workload without the stressful juggling act of separate systems and mounds of paperwork.

With this software, you can track important dates, deadlines, and tasks, which helps make sure you don’t miss anything important. It keeps all your case documents, emails, and notes together, so you can easily find and share information with your team.

It also assists with time tracking and billing for simpler billing and invoicing.

Document Management Software

Any law firm that’s serious about staying organized and efficient needs a solid document management system in place. File organization is their boon, keeping every sheet of paper in its rightful place and simple to track down.

It also stores all your files digitally, so you can quickly search and retrieve what you need without digging through piles of paper or scattered digital folders.

With everything in one central spot, managing documents becomes a breeze. You can categorize and tag files for quick access, and features like version control ensure you’re always working with the latest document version.

Working together just got a lot simpler, thanks to this handy feature. Sharing and accessing files is straightforward, cutting down on time-wasting email exchanges. Plus, secure access controls keep sensitive information protected and only accessible to the right people.

Billing and Time Tracking Tools

Billing and time-tracking tools are must-haves for law firms to keep track of billable hours and manage invoices efficiently. These tools help lawyers log their time accurately so that every minute of work is accounted for.

Automation makes short work of hour recording, banishing the irritation of errors and liberating the time you need to focus on more pressing matters. You can easily track how much time you spend on different tasks and cases, which helps you bill clients correctly.

Invoicing becomes much simpler, too. Tracked hours convert effortlessly into accurate invoices, which simplifies the billing process and reduces administrative headaches.

Online Payments Software

Online payment software is a convenient tool for law firms, making it easier to handle client payments. Instead of relying on traditional methods like checks or bank transfers, clients can pay their bills online quickly and securely.

This software allows clients to pay using various methods, such as credit cards or electronic transfers, which gives them flexibility and convenience. For the law firm, it means faster payments and less time spent chasing down unpaid invoices.

Security is the key feature, with encryption and other measures to make sure that payment information is protected.

Electronic Signature Solutions

Ever wondered how to speed up the document signing process at your law firm? Electronic signature solutions are the answer. By giving clients the ability to digitally sign documents, annoying lag times and physical correspondence become a thing of the past.

With electronic signatures, you can send documents to clients with just a few clicks. Clients can then sign them from anywhere using their computer or mobile device. Streamlining equals speed and simplicity–a double blessing that benefits each and every person involved.

These solutions are secure and ensure that signatures are legally binding and documents are protected. Plus, they keep a digital record of all signed documents, so it’s easy to track and retrieve them when needed.

Automated Client Intake Forms

Automated client intake forms allow new clients to provide their information online, which simplifies the intake process and saves valuable time.

Instead of dealing with paper forms or back-and-forth emails, clients can fill out their details at their convenience. Client data is then automatically organized and stored in your system, which makes it easily accessible for your team.

Automated client intake forms not only speed up the process but also reduce error and legal risks. With digital forms, there’s less chance of missing or incorrect information, so you have everything you need from the start.

Legal Research Tools

Legal research is a whole lot easier with the right tools. With instant access to a massive library of information, you can track down relevant cases, statutes, and precedents in no time.

Imagine being able to search for a specific topic, keyword, or case and getting instant results. Instead of drowning in outdated information, you’ll have the power to zip through updates and refresh your perspective in no time.

But what really sets these tools apart are the extras, like annotations, highlights, and bookmarks, that keep your research tidy and easily accessible whenever you need to reference it.

Why Are Some Law Firms Inefficient With Tech?

Many law firms grasp the benefits of embracing technology, but for some, the gap between that understanding and tangible results remains stubbornly wide, leaving them in a cloud of inefficiency. More often than not, a few specific pain points are to blame.

For one, some lawyers often shy away from change for the sake of tradition, even if it means improving their productivity.

Plus, without the right know-how, even the flashiest tools can quickly become more hindrance than help and leave staff to wrestle with integration.

Cost is another concern—many firms worry about the initial investment required for new technology, even though it can save money in the long run.

Integration issues also play a role. If different systems don’t work well together, it can lead to a disjointed workflow where information is siloed, and tasks become more cumbersome.

Lastly, a nagging concern about security can stalemate a firm’s growth. As keepers of confidential information, law firms must be cautious when it comes to embracing digital innovation. With confidentiality at stake, concerns about data security are unavoidable.

Addressing these issues with an open mind, proper training, thoughtful cost analysis, ensuring system compatibility, and prioritizing security can help law firms overcome these challenges and significantly improve their efficiency with tech.

How to Make Your Law Firm More Efficient With Tech

Making your law firm more efficient with technology doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Here are some practical steps to help you get started and make the most out of tech tools:

1. Start Small

Begin with one or two tech tools that address your most pressing needs. This way, you can gradually get used to new systems without overwhelming your team. Starting small allows you to manage the transition better and build confidence in using technology.

Here are some repetitive and often time-consuming tasks you can automate with new legal tech:

Document creation
Email management
Appointment scheduling
Billing and invoicing
Time tracking
Data entry
Client intake forms
Legal research
Task reminders
File organization
Follow-up emails
Case updates
Expense tracking
Report generation
Workflow management

2. Provide Training

Getting everyone in your firm comfortable with new technology is key to making it work.

First things first: get your team familiar with the new tools by organizing some live training sessions that zero in on each one. These could be workshops, webinars, or hands-on sessions where your team can learn and practice in a relaxed setting.

Whether you’re a newbie or a pro, make the learning process smoother with a diverse range of resources featuring user-friendly guides, online tutorials, and instructional manuals that get straight to the point.

These will help your staff get familiar with the new tools at their own pace. It’s also a good idea to have a go-to person or team who can answer questions and help troubleshoot any issues that come up.

Resistance to change is natural, but with proper training, that friction begins to fade, and people start to adapt and thrive. You can almost see a boost in confidence when someone masters a new technology. Suddenly, they’re less apt to second-guess themselves and make costly mistakes.

3. Seek Feedback

Regularly ask your team for their input on the tools you’re using. Can you truly count on them to get the job done? What challenges are standing in their way? In order to revise and perfect, this feedback is the perfect guiding light shining a spotlight on what needs fixing.

Involving your team in the decision-making process can also increase their buy-in and commitment to using the new tools.

4. Focus on Integration

Integrated systems simplify processes and make it a breeze to manage all aspects of your practice from one central platform. Imagine having your case management, document automation, billing, and communication tools all working together in harmony.

Errors and duplications simply disappear when you unify your system, leaving you with a leaner, more efficient operation. When your tools are synced, information flows seamlessly and everyone has access to the most up-to-date data.

When your team collaborates smoothly, you’ll get work done faster and with more precision—and that means delighted clients.

5. Stay Updated

Technology for the legal sector is always evolving, so stay updated with the latest advancements and trends. Regularly review and update your tech tools to ensure that your firm is benefiting from the most current and effective solutions.

An edge over the competition doesn’t happen overnight (especially in the legal industry); it’s the result of clever strategic planning that pinpoints opportunities for improved efficiency.

Invest in Tech Solutions Today

Legal tech solutions are designed to optimize your law firm’s operations, but it doesn’t happen instantly. Even with the best tech tools in your stack, efficiency can wane if you don’t know how to use them correctly.

It’s time to turn your tech investments into tangible results, so use these strategies to make it happen. While it can take some time and maybe even a bit of a learning curve, leveraging technology will ultimately make your firm more consistent, productive, and efficient.

If you’re new to legal tech, start with a tool that will bring you the most ROI yet is very easy to implement: Briefpoint.ai. Here’s a quick look at what you can do with it:

Upload your discovery request: Briefpoint’s machine-learning system will automatically start extracting information from your document.
Add objections and responses: Briefpoint will create a caption with most of the routine details already filled out. You can then add your objections to each request or interrogatory using the checklist.
Collect and add client responses: With Briefpoint Bridge, you can easily gather and input client responses. Select your questions, send them to your client, and then insert their replies into your document without manual effort.
Finish up: Once you have a draft, download the document in MS Word and make your final touches. It’s that simple!

Maximize Your Tech ROI With Briefpoint

Under these assumptions, you save $20,477 using Briefpoint, per year, per attorney.

Test Briefpoint yourself by scheduling a demo here.

FAQs About Legal Tech

How can document automation help my law firm?

Document automation can save time and reduce errors by using templates to create standard documents quickly and accurately.

What is practice management software?

For law firms and legal departments, keeping track of cases, deadlines, and client information can be a monumental task. However, practice management software makes it a breeze, centralizing everything in one easy-to-use platform.

Why should my firm use online payment software?

Picture this: no more wasted hours chasing down clients for payment. Online payment software streamlines the process, allowing clients to pay quickly and efficiently so you can refocus on driving growth.

How do electronic signatures benefit law firms?

Electronic signatures speed up the process of getting documents signed and returned, which eliminates the need for physical copies and in-person meetings, as well as increases cost savings.

What are automated client intake forms?

Automated client intake forms allow new clients to provide their information online, streamlining the onboarding process and saving time.

How Does Legal Tech Help With Compliance (+10 Common Risks)

Law firms are getting a taste of the future courtesy of legal technology. No more hours spent on repetitive tasks, no more regulatory surprises, and no more sleepless nights worrying about data breaches.

What if you could outlaw mistakes and stay current with the latest rules and regulations? These tools make it happen and free you up to tackle more substantial legal work.

In this guide, we talk about the role of tech in legal compliance, how to modernize your own compliance strategy, and the best tool to start with.

What is Legal Compliance?

Legal compliance is all about following the rules and regulations that apply to your business. This involves mapping their operations to laws that dictate client confidentiality, financial prudence, and good old-fashioned common sense.

Key Elements of Legal Compliance

All law firms and legal departments need a solid compliance management strategy in place. To do that, they need to understand the most important elements of legal compliance obligations:

Understanding regulations: Law firms need to know the ins and outs of the laws and regulations that apply to their work. This includes everything from professional ethics to data protection laws.
Setting up policies: Law firms need clear policies and procedures to stay compliant. Building trust requires more than good intentions—it demands tangible safeguards like data protection policies, confidentiality agreements that client teams can rely on, and effective anti-money laundering measures that kick in automatically.
Training and awareness: Everyone in the firm needs to be aware of compliance requirements and trained on how to follow the firm’s policies. Regular training sessions help keep everyone up-to-date with the latest rules.
Monitoring and reporting: Law firms should constantly check their compliance status and report any issues. This involves regular audits and checks to make sure everything is running smoothly and by the book.

10 Common Compliance Risks Law Firms Face

Law firms have their hands full when it comes to staying compliant. There are several common risks they need to be aware of and manage properly. Here are some of the key ones:

1. Data Breaches

Law firms deal with a lot of sensitive information, from client details to case documents.

Picture this: a sophisticated cyber attack exposes your client database, putting sensitive information at risk. The financial fallout is immediate⎯hefty fines and lawyers’ fees start adding up. But the real damage is to your company’s reputation, which may never fully recover.

Unauthorized access is like an unwanted houseguest, you never want it to happen, and strong cybersecurity measures are the only way to keep it from showing up uninvited.

2. Client Confidentiality

Keeping client information confidential is a must. If client data gets leaked or mishandled, it can cause legal troubles and harm the client-lawyer relationship. Law firms should have strict policies to protect client confidentiality all the time.

3. Anti-Money Laundering (AML)

Law firms must make sure they’re not inadvertently helping clients launder money. Having a procedure in place for flagging and reporting fishy behavior is crucial⎯it’s the first line of defense against suspicious activities.

Skipping AML regulations can bring the hammer down on your business. Penalties can be harsh, and the consequences can be very serious.

4. Regulatory Changes

Laws and regulations are always changing. Keeping up with these changes can be tough, but it is necessary to stay compliant. Law firms can’t afford to get caught off guard by new rules—they need to stay vigilant and adjust their strategies on the fly.

5. Document Management

Managing a ton of documents can be a nightmare. Imagine the sinking feeling when you realize that crucial paperwork has vanished and it’s a compliance nightmare waiting to happen.

A document management system guarantees that kind of crisis never happens, freeing up law firms to concentrate on the law, not paperwork.

6. Conflict of Interest

Law firms must avoid situations where there might be a conflict of interest. To prevent divided loyalties, they draw a hard line: no clients with competing agendas are allowed under their roof. Proper screening processes are needed to spot and manage potential conflicts.

7. Ethical Violations

Following professional ethics is key to maintaining a law firm’s integrity. Ethical violations, like mishandling client funds or misrepresenting facts, can lead to disciplinary actions and losing the license to practice.

8. Billing and Fee Disputes

Clear and accurate billing practices are essential to avoid disputes with clients. Overbilling or failing to properly document billable hours can result in compliance issues and damage client relationships.

9. Employment Law Compliance

Law firms, like any other business, must comply with employment laws. At the core of it all are fair hiring practices, accurate employee classification, and a deep understanding of labor laws.

By nailing these fundamentals, you’ll set your organization up for success. Miss the mark on compliance, and you might as well write a check to your legal adversaries, or the government, for that matter.

10. Client Intake and Screening

Properly vetting clients before taking on new cases is important to make sure they’re legitimate and not involved in illegal activities.

Why do high-risk clients keep you up at night? It’s because one misstep can trigger a domino effect of financial and reputational damage. That’s why a rigorous client intake process is very important.

How Legal Technology Can Help With Compliance

Legal tech can be a real lifesaver for law firms trying to stay compliant. It’s like having a second pair of eyes on your project, tackling monotonous tasks, keeping your workspace organized, and flagging anything that needs attention.

Here’s how legal tech can help law firms with compliance:

Automated Document Management

Legal tech tools do the heavy lifting so you can focus on locating that one crucial document amidst the stacks. With automated document management systems, you can make sure all important documents are safe, secure, and easy to locate.

Think of the countless hours you’ll save by having a well-organized document management system. No more searching high and low for misplaced files or wading through a sea of paperwork during audits.

Keeping Up with Regulatory Changes

Staying up-to-date with the latest regulations can be a hassle, but legal tech can handle it for you. These tools monitor regulatory changes and alert you when something new comes up. This way, you’re always on top of the latest rules without having to manually track them.

Maximizing Data Security

Legal tech solutions often come with top-notch security features to protect sensitive information.

To keep client information private, we’ve got a trio of protective measures in place: encryption to scramble data, access controls to limit who sees what, and regular security checks to identify potential vulnerabilities. This is incredibly important given the sensitive nature of the data legal professionals handle.

Making Reporting Easier

Reporting can be a real pain, but legal tech simplifies it. These tools can automate the reporting process and make sure all necessary information is included and submitted on time. With fewer errors to worry about, the whole reporting process becomes far less of a headache.

Helping with Anti-Money Laundering

Legal tech can assist with anti-money laundering efforts by automating client due diligence checks and monitoring transactions for suspicious activity. Monitoring for suspicious activity becomes a whole lot easier, and that’s a big deal when it comes to staying compliant with AML regulations.

Smoother Client Intake and Screening

Legal tech tools simplify the client intake process by automating background checks and risk assessments. This can help you make sure new clients are legitimate and not involved in illegal activities, which reduces the risk of compliance issues later on.

Automated Document Generation

Legal tech can be a real game-changer when it comes to creating documents. By automating this process, it saves a ton of time and cuts down on errors.

For instance, automated discovery document drafting is a lifesaver. It helps law firms quickly whip up accurate and comprehensive documents needed for the discovery phase of litigation. This means all the necessary info is included, and everything sticks to compliance requirements.

Increasing Efficiency

For lawyers, time is money. By offloading administrative duties and making data readily available, legal tech amplifies productivity and empowers you to take on more billable hours or simply enjoy a better work-life balance.

Handing off tedious tasks to automation frees up staff to tackle the more important work, and that’s not all. It also reduces the likelihood of human error, a major compliance headache.

Ensuring Consistency

Consistency is important for compliance, and legal tech helps ensure that all procedures are followed the same way every time. With standards nailed down, you’ll worry less about flying under the compliance radar.

Types of Tech Designed For the Legal Profession

Legal technology includes a variety of tools designed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of legal services. Here are some key types:

Document management systems: Organize, store, and retrieve legal documents to make it easy to manage large volumes of paperwork and ensure compliance with legal standards.
Case management software: Helps law firms manage their cases, track deadlines, and organize client information, which can improve overall efficiency and client service.
Contract management software: Automates the creation, tracking, and management of contracts to manage compliance and reduce manual errors.
Legal research tools: Provide quick access to legal databases, case law, statutes, and other legal resources, which makes research faster and more comprehensive.
Time tracking and billing software: Tracks billable hours and automates invoicing for accurate billing and better financial management.
Client Relationship Management (CRM) systems: Manage client interactions, track communication, and improve client service through organized client data.
Litigation support software: Assists with trial preparation, including managing exhibits, witness information, and case timelines.
Legal analytics tools: Analyze legal data to identify trends, predict case outcomes, and provide insights that inform legal strategy.

Are Legal Tech Solutions Foolproof?

While tech solutions offer many benefits for the legal industry, they’re not completely foolproof. No technology is perfect, and there can be occasional glitches or bugs that disrupt workflows.

The good news is that they’re usually just a temporary setback. While tools can free up our time, they can’t think for us, that’s why we need to stay involved. Relying solely on technology without regular checks can lead to complacency, and critical errors might go unnoticed.

Additionally, not all legal tech solutions are created equal; some may lack the robustness needed for complex legal tasks, and firms must carefully choose the right tools for their specific needs.

Moreover, legal tech often involves a learning curve. The people behind legal teams need training that’s both thorough and sustained. Only then can they wield these tools with confidence and precision.

There’s also the risk of cyber threats; despite advanced security features like encryption, no system is entirely immune to breaches. Law firms can’t afford to let their guard down – they need to regularly bolster their defenses to stay safe from rapidly evolving security risks.

How to Use Legal Technology Solutions Responsibly

Using legal tech solutions the right way ensures your law firm gets the most out of these tools while keeping risks in check. Here are some practical tips for making the most of legal technology:

Regular Training

Keeping your team well-trained is key, so stay on top of your tools with regular training sessions. This way, everyone’s on the same page when it comes to getting the most out of them.

This includes understanding new features, knowing how to fix common issues, and being aware of best practices for security and compliance.

Backup Plans

Even the best tech can fail, so having backup plans is crucial. This could mean regular data backups, alternative ways to complete tasks if the tech fails, and manual processes to fall back on during system outages.

Stay Updated

Keeping your tech tools updated is important for maintaining security and functionality. Software updates often include important security patches and new features that can improve performance.

An outdated toolkit is like an open door to cyber threats. Close that door by updating regularly, and you’ll not only be protected but also be able to seize new opportunities as they arise.

Monitor and Review

Regularly monitoring and reviewing your legal tech tools can help catch issues early. System troubleshooting, feedback analysis, and regular check-ins are just a few ways you can guarantee your tools are working as they should.

By tracking your tools’ performance, you’ll be able to spot what’s working and what needs an overhaul and make the necessary tweaks.

Combine with Best Practices

Legal tech should complement, not replace, established best practices. To avoid any compliance issues, revisit the basics. Regularly scheduled team syncs and spot-checks by hand will help you stay on track.

Remember: Combining legal tech with human oversight ensures you have a strong system in place.

Data Security

Prioritize data security by implementing strong encryption, access controls, and regular security audits.

Make sure your legal tech solutions follow the highest standards of data protection to safeguard sensitive client information. Take the time to educate your legal team on the dos and don’ts of data security. They’ll be the first line of defense against potential breaches.

Ethical Use

Make sure your use of legal tech aligns with your firm’s ethical standards. Clients need to know when technology is involved, and it’s your job to guarantee that automation doesn’t come at the cost of top-notch service. Regular ethical check-ins are a must, too.

A Faster Discovery Phase Without Putting Compliance at Risk

Discovery documents need to follow specific rules to stay compliant, but that doesn’t mean you should spend hours on each document to guarantee its accuracy and consistency.

What if you could finish this tedious task in minutes without putting your compliance at risk?

Enter Briefpoint.ai, a generative artificial intelligence tool that can help you draft discovery documents in just a few clicks. That’s not all. Briefpoint keeps your data secure through several key measures.

We use top-notch encryption for data both in transit and at rest. Regular automatic backups and redundant servers make sure your data is always protected, and our development practices include strict code quality standards and security reviews.

Here’s a sneak peek at what you can do with Briefpoint:

Upload your discovery request. Briefpoint’s machine learning system will automatically start extracting as much information as it can from your document.
Add objections and responses. At this point, Briefpoint has created a caption with most of the routine stuff already filled out for you. From here, you can add your objections to each request or interrogatory using the checklist.
Collect and add client responses: If you need to do so, Briefpoint Bridge can help you collect and input client responses into your documents without doing it all manually. Select your questions, send them to your client, and then plug in what they send back.
Finish up. Once you have a draft, you can download the document on MS Word and finish up there. It’s that easy.

Upgrade Your Legal Practice With Document Automation

Discovery responses cost firms $23,240, per year, per attorney. $23,240 estimate assumes an associate attorney salary of $150,000 (including benefits–or $83 an hour), 20 cases per year/per associate, 4 discovery sets per case, 30 questions per set, 3.5 hours spent responding to each set, and 1800 hours of billable hours per year.

Under these assumptions, you save $20,477 using Briefpoint, per year, per attorney.

Test Briefpoint yourself by scheduling a demo here

FAQs About Legal Tech and Compliance Management

What is legal tech?

Legal tech refers to technology tools and software designed to help law firms manage their operations, including compliance, document management, and data security.

How does legal tech improve compliance?

Legal tech improves compliance by automating routine tasks, monitoring regulatory changes, improving data security, and streamlining reporting processes.

Can legal tech replace human oversight?

No, legal tech is not a replacement for human oversight. It should be used as a helpful tool to support compliance efforts, but regular checks and balances are still necessary.

What are the risks of relying solely on legal tech?

Relying solely on legal tech can lead to new problems, such as tech glitches and a lack of human oversight. It’s important to use legal tech responsibly and have backup plans in place.

What are legal technology professionals?

Legal technology professionals are experts who implement and manage tech solutions for legal practices. They help law firms provide convenient legal service delivery and manage compliance using various legal tech tools, combining knowledge of law and IT.

How can law firms stay updated with regulatory changes using legal tech?

Legal tech tools can monitor regulatory changes and alert firms when they need to take action. This helps firms stay on top of the latest rules and regulations.

5 Best Legal AI Applications to Simplify Litigation

Law firms are always in a never-ending race to the top, and the means to stay competitive change over time.

In recent years, the boon has become artificial intelligence. While still relatively new for this particular industry, AI has proven to be a much better investment for efficiency and profitability than, say, hiring more people or spending more time in the office.

But how exactly does AI make life easier for law firms and in-house legal departments?

What is Artificial Intelligence?

Artificial intelligence isn’t a brand-new technology, but law firms are only recently coming to learn to adopt it. So, before we talk about AI tools for lawyers, let’s take a closer look at what AI is and what it can do.

AI refers to the capability of a machine to imitate intelligent human behavior. Essentially, it’s about creating systems that can perform tasks that would normally require human operation, such as recognizing speech, making decisions, translating languages, and identifying patterns.

AI can range from basic automation (like sorting emails) to more complex functions (like driving cars). However, for the legal industry, the central goal of AI is to make traditionally tedious tasks much faster, easier, and more consistent.

Machine Learning (ML)

Machine Learning (ML) is a core part of AI that involves algorithms and statistical models that allow computers to perform specific tasks without using explicit instructions. Instead, these systems learn and improve their performance based on the data they process.

This learning process can be supervised, unsupervised, or semi-supervised, and it’s widely used in applications ranging from email filtering and recommendation systems to more advanced predictive analytics in industries like law and finance.

Natural Language Processing (NLP)

Natural Language Processing, or NLP, sits at the crossroads of tech and language. It revolves around teaching computers how to understand and speak human language.

NLP makes it possible for machines to translate languages, follow voice commands, summarize big chunks of text, and even write up text that sounds human. This technology is behind why your digital assistant can understand you and respond in a way that actually makes sense.

Large Language Model (LLM)

A large language model (LLM) is an advanced AI tool designed to mimic human language in a useful manner. It learns from a massive pile of data—like books, articles, and websites—to grasp grammar, context, and the ways we communicate.

This data, when combined with human feedback, allows the model to understand and respond to text inputs, which makes it incredibly useful for things like chatbots, helping with translations, or generating content.

The Use of AI in the Legal Industry

As we’ve said before, the use of AI is still fairly new for legal professionals for several reasons. For one, the legal field is steeped in tradition and often prefers tried-and-tested methods over new, unproven technologies.

Plus, many law professionals argue that legal reasoning involves a lot of nuances that AI, as of now, might not fully grasp. The interpretation of law often requires a deep understanding of context, precedent, and subtext—all areas where human judgment currently has the upper hand over machines.

Hesitations surrounding using AI in legal practice are all valid. However, let’s go back to what AI aims to accomplish: make tedious tasks more manageable. AI certainly has its limitations, but there are plenty of areas where it can surpass human capacity:

Document Generation and Review

AI is transforming the way lawyers create and review legal documents through document automation. More specifically, it’s making the process both faster and more accurate.

Here’s how document automation works: AI-powered tools use pre-designed templates that lawyers can quickly fill with specific details relevant to their cases. This can include everything from personal information to specific clauses tailored to the needs of the client.

Once the document is drafted, AI goes through each line to check for compliance with current legal standards and regulations. It also scans for inconsistencies, errors, or omissions that could potentially lead to legal issues down the line.

Here are a few examples of documents that generative AI tools like Briefpoint.ai can draft:

Discovery response documents
Legal contracts
Lease agreements
Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs)
Purchase agreements
Loan agreements
Terms of service and privacy policies
Employment offer letters
Wills and trusts
Power of attorney
Litigation documents
Corporate bylaws and shareholder agreements
Demand letters
Legal briefs and memorandums
Bankruptcy forms
Patent and trademark applications

Legal Research

You can’t use AI to conduct legal research for you, but legal research tools can make this usually tedious task quicker and more efficient.

With automated search features, legal professionals can simply type in their queries and instantly pull up relevant case law, statutes, and detailed articles. This technology saves a ton of time that used to be spent digging through legal databases and piles of books.

Document Management

Modern legal teams rarely use paper documents nowadays, but even with an electronic database, managing and organizing files can still be a challenge.

AI-driven document management systems help keep all those important legal documents well-organized and easy to find. You can quickly search for what you need using keywords, case names, or other specific details, which saves you from the hassle of sifting through endless digital folders and other legal documents.

Plus, AI steps up security. It sets up strict access controls and keeps detailed records of who accessed what and when, so sensitive information stays safe but accessible to those who need it.

Due Diligence

Due diligence is another incredibly time-consuming task in the legal profession, which is why it’s one of the targets of AI solutions.

Due diligence requires professionals to review all documents and facts before making decisions, especially in matters like mergers, acquisitions, or investments. It’s a critical step because overlooking even a tiny detail can lead to major legal and financial headaches later on.

AI is making this process more manageable by speeding it up. Using sophisticated algorithms, AI tools can quickly sift through mountains of data, spot compliance issues, assess risks, and flag anything that looks off for a closer look. What used to take legal teams weeks can now be done in just a few days, and more accurately too.

These AI systems also get smarter over time, learning from the data they analyze. This means they can offer sharper insights and better predictions with each project.

Contract Review and Drafting

Contract review and drafting are key parts of legal work, where the goal is to create clear, precise agreements that legally bind all involved parties. Today, AI tools help draft contracts by using smart templates and customized clauses that fit the specific needs of each deal.

AI plays a big role in contract review as well. It automatically checks lengthy documents for errors, inconsistencies, and any vague terms that could cause trouble. It can even compare the contract with legal standards and past agreements to make sure you don’t miss anything important.

Litigation Analysis

Lawyers can use legal AI software to quickly sift through tons of past court decisions, spot relevant legal precedents, and see how they stack up against the details of the current case. This litigation tech gives lawyers insights that would usually take a lot more time and effort to gather.

Such insights can provide a huge advantage when preparing for a case, as they help lawyers anticipate possible challenges and craft more effective legal strategies.

Client Communications

There’s no denying that customers and clients expect prompt responses, no matter the industry. In law, however, quick replies can be even more important, since clients (both existing and prospective) are typically dealing with issues they want quick resolutions to.

Luckily, lawyers or even paralegals don’t have to spend a lot of time on client communications anymore. AI-driven tools like chatbots can automatically respond to routine client inquiries about case status or legal procedures. This automation makes sure clients receive immediate answers to their questions, which improves their overall experience.

AI also has the ability to understand, process, and incorporate client communications in things like legal documents. For example, Briefpoint Bridge lets attorneys collect and incorporate client responses directly into discovery requests without the constant back-and-forth.

The Benefits of Legal AI Tools

How can AI improve the legal workflows in your law firm? What are the indirect but equally important advantages of more efficient tasks? If you’re on the fence about integrating AI into your practice, here are several reasons that might convince you to take the leap:

Increased Efficiency

AI cranks up the speed on a lot of the time-consuming legal tasks like reviewing documents, digging through legal research, and analyzing contracts. This means lawyers and paralegals can get through more cases faster, which improves their productivity, reduces burnout, and leads to better law firm profitability.

Improved Accuracy

AI follows rules to the letter and can sift through huge piles of information with spot-on accuracy. This cuts down on human mistakes, which helps make sure that every document is correct and every piece of relevant case law is considered.

Cost Reduction

If you let an AI tool take over the routine tasks, you can cut down on the need for so much hands-on time from legal teams, which can translate to significant savings. Law firms can then make their prices more competitive, making legal help more accessible to more people.

Better Data Insights

AI isn’t just fast; it’s also smart. It can handle and analyze data in ways we simply can’t match, spotting trends and patterns in case law, predicting case outcomes based on past data, and giving lawyers solid insights to help them shape their case strategies.

Improved Legal Services

All these advantages lead to our main goal: making legal services more effective and accessible.

By automating routine tasks like document analysis and legal research, AI allows lawyers to focus on the more complex aspects of their cases. This leads to a higher quality of service, as legal professionals can dedicate more time to strategy and client interaction.

Additionally, AI-driven tools provide more accurate and faster results, which reduces the likelihood of errors and speeding up case resolution. This overall efficiency and precision ensure that clients receive top-notch legal support tailored to their specific circumstances.

Best Legal AI Tools to Complete Your Litigation Stack

There are dozens of AI-centered tools designed specifically for legal firms, but we’re going to focus on software tailored for litigation.

Litigation is undoubtedly one of the most tedious legal practices. So, how can AI technology make this area faster, easier, and more accurate?

Here are the 5 of the best tools for litigation:

1. Briefpoint.ai: Discovery Document Generation

Briefpoint.ai is an innovative legal document automation tool designed to create discovery documents in legal cases. It simplifies the often time-consuming process of preparing these essential documents, which helps legal teams get everything ready more efficiently and accurately for the discovery phase.

Briefpoint is also incredibly easy to use. First, users upload their discovery requests into the system, and the tool automatically fills in these templates using data from integrated legal databases. From here, users can add objections and responses, both from lawyers and clients.

Although the AI handles the heavy lifting, there’s still an opportunity for manual review and edits to fine-tune the documents. However, it won’t take as much time as manual processes.

The documents you can generate with Briefpoint include but are not limited to:

Key Features

Automated document creation: Quickly generates discovery documents based on specific case details, reducing manual input and speeding up the prep work.
Template customization: Offers customizable templates to make sure that documents meet the specific needs and standards of different legal proceedings.
Data integration: Seamlessly integrates with existing legal databases to pull relevant information to guarantee comprehensive and accurate document preparation.

Pros

Increased efficiency: Reduces the time legal teams spend on document generation and allows them to focus on more strategic tasks.
Accuracy and compliance: Minimizes human error and ensures that all documents comply with current legal standards and requirements.
Scalability: Easily handles large volumes of documents, which makes it suitable for both small cases and large-scale litigation.

2. Casetext: Legal Research

Casetext is an AI-powered legal research tool designed to assist lawyers and legal professionals in finding relevant case law, statutes, and legal precedents.

With advanced machine learning algorithms, Casetext optimizes the traditional research process and allows users to uncover important legal insights with better efficiency.

Key Features

CARA A.I. technology: This lets users upload a legal brief and immediately get back relevant case laws and statutes that match the issues in the brief.
SmartCite citation tool: It checks how strong your cited cases are and gives you the context of how they’ve been treated in other legal arguments.
Search autocomplete: This feature predicts your search queries to save you time and make your search process smoother.

Pros

Speed and accuracy: Casetext cuts down the time it takes to do thorough legal research and increases the accuracy of what you find.
Ease of use: The platform is user-friendly, even for those who aren’t tech-savvy.
Contextual insights: Provides a deeper understanding of how different laws and cases are interconnected, giving you a bigger picture.

Cons

Subscription cost: It’s a useful tool, but it comes at a price, which might be something to think about for smaller firms or solo practitioners.
Dependence on document quality: The quality of the results from CARA A.I. really depends on the quality of the document you upload; a poorly drafted document might lead to less than optimal results.
Learning curve: It’s pretty user-friendly, but new users might still need a bit of time to get the hang of all its features.

3. Lex Machina: Legal Analytics

Lex Machina is hands down one of the best platforms for legal analytics. It dives deep into litigation data to pull out insights and trends from past court cases.

Essentially, it’s built to help lawyers and legal teams make smarter decisions by analyzing the behavior of judges, opposing counsel, and overall case outcomes.

Key Features

Litigation data and trends: Lex Machina sifts through heaps of litigation data to offer detailed analytics on case aspects like judge rulings, case timelines, and likely outcomes.
Judge and attorney analysis: This feature provides insights into the decision-making patterns of judges and strategies of opposing attorneys.
Outcome predictions: By studying historical data, Lex Machina can forecast the potential outcomes of cases, which assists lawyers in preparing their cases and advising their clients.

Pros

Strategic advantage: The insights from Lex Machina can provide a serious edge in court, which helps legal teams foresee challenges and tweak strategies accordingly.
Upgraded preparation: Knowing how judges and opposing lawyers have acted in the past helps lawyers tailor their approach and come to court better prepared.
Data-driven decisions: Armed with solid data, lawyers can make more informed decisions, cut down on uncertainties, and improve how they manage their cases.

Cons

Complexity of data: The amount of data Lex Machina offers can be overwhelming and might take some time to fully understand and use effectively.
Cost: The price tag for Lex Machina can be steep, especially for smaller law firms or solo practitioners who might find it hard to justify the expense.

4. Smith.ai: Client Intake

Smith.ai is an AI legal assistant tool that simplifies the client intake process for law firms. It automates the initial interactions with potential clients, which captures and organizes their details efficiently.

This helps law firms respond faster and maximize client satisfaction right from the start.

Key Features

Automated client interactions: Smith.ai uses AI to manage early communications with clients, gathering important information through chatbots or virtual receptionists.
Integration capabilities: The platform integrates smoothly with a firm’s existing customer relationship management (CRM) systems for efficient data collection and storage.
Customizable workflows: Law firms can customize the client intake process to suit their specific needs, setting up tailored responses and follow-up actions based on the incoming information.

Pros

Improved efficiency: Automating the client intake saves time for both the clients and the law firm’s staff
Better client experience: Fast and professional initial responses help make a great first impression and set the tone for a good client relationship.
Accurate data capture: AI makes sure the information from clients is captured accurately and consistently to minimize errors and incomplete legal data.

Cons

Dependence on technology: Heavy reliance on automated systems can be tricky if there are technical glitches or if the system misses some nuanced client needs.
Initial setup and training: Getting Smith.ai up and running can involve some initial investment in terms of setup and training to make sure it blends well with existing processes.
Potential for impersonal service: While AI increases efficiency, some clients might miss the personal touch during their first interaction with a law firm, which could feel a bit impersonal when handled by AI.

5. EvenUp: Demand Drafting

Finally, we have EvenUp, a specialized AI tool designed to redefine the drafting of demand letters.

It automates and fine-tunes the creation of these letters, which helps make sure they hit all the right notes—accurate, compliant, and perfectly suited to the specifics of each case.

Key Features

Automated drafting: EvenUp leverages AI to whip up demand letters swiftly so they include all necessary legal jargon and details without missing a beat.
Customization options: The tool offers customization features that let you tailor each letter to fit the unique demands of different cases.
Integration with case data: It seamlessly syncs with your existing case management systems, pulling in relevant details to beef up the letters with all the needed info.

Pros

Consistency and accuracy: The AI sees to it that every letter is consistent with legal standards and free from errors, which helps maintain professionalism and effectiveness.
Personalized touch: Despite being automated, EvenUp’s customization options allow for a personal touch in every letter, which makes them more effective in conveying the specific demands of the client.

Cons

Learning curve: Getting the hang of all the features and integration capabilities might take some time for new users.
Reliance on accurate data: The effectiveness of the drafted letters heavily depends on the accuracy of the data input into the system.

Make Discovery Faster & Easier With Briefpoint.ai

Under these assumptions, you save $20,477 using Briefpoint, per year, per attorney.

Test Briefpoint yourself by scheduling a demo here.

FAQs About Legal AI Applications

Can AI replace lawyers?

AI isn’t here to take over the jobs of lawyers but to expand their capabilities. It excels at handling routine and repetitive tasks, which can allow lawyers to devote more time to the analytical and strategic elements of their cases.

Is AI reliable for legal tasks?

Absolutely, AI has proven itself to be a dependable tool in the legal sector, especially when it comes to data-heavy tasks like document review and legal research. However, it’s important to select tools that are reputable and to stay aware of their capabilities and limitations. Remember, AI is a tool to aid decision-making, not to make decisions itself.

How do I start integrating AI into my practice?

Starting small is the key. Identify areas in your practice where AI can have an immediate impact, such as automating document management or simplifying client communications. From there, gradually expand your use of AI as you become more comfortable with its functions and benefits.

What Software Do Litigation Lawyers Use?

Litigation is complex, time-consuming, and often very challenging, even for the best of litigators. There’s little we can do about that. But what you can do is make it more efficient.

AI and automation have significantly changed legal technology, affecting every part of how law firms work. It’s time to cut through the hype and find out which legal tools are really making a difference and which ones can truly help.

Types of Software Designed for Legal Professionals

In the legal profession, having the right tools at your disposal isn’t just helpful—it’s crucial. Lawyers can now deploy an arsenal of software solutions to simplify their daily grind. Whether it’s case management, billing, or client communication, the right tool is just a click away.

Let’s break down the main types of software that are making the lives of lawyers a lot easier.

Legal Practice Management Software

Lawyers no longer have to juggle multiple systems to run their practice. With legal practice management tools, they can efficiently manage tasks, schedule appointments, and handle accounting and document management all in one place.

For one, it keeps all client information, case details, documents, and deadlines organized and easy to access. This helps lawyers avoid wasting time looking for files or dealing with scattered data.

Additionally, practice management software comes with scheduling tools. By consolidating all your appointments, meetings, and court dates in one spot, it sends reminders that help you stay prepared and on schedule.

Financial tasks are also made simpler with this software. It allows you to efficiently manage your project’s financials by providing an easy way to log hours and create professional-looking invoices. Lawyers can log their hours directly into the system and then quickly generate accurate invoices to send to clients.

Legal Document Generation Software

Legal document generation software simplifies the whole process of creating legal documents, including discovery documents.

For example, Briefpoint.ai uses data extracted from court documents and a pre-trained AI to generate discovery document drafts that are pretty much complete. Instead of starting each document from scratch, lawyers can upload their discovery requests, let the AI extract information and fill out the routine sections, and then finish up with their own objections or responses.

Time Tracking and Billing Tools

For law firms, time is literally money. That’s why they need to get time tracking and billing right. With the right tools, firms can focus on what matters most, providing excellent service to clients while confidently collecting every dollar earned.

Lawyers can now track their time as they go, eliminating the need for tedious recaps at the end of the day. This could be on a desktop at the office or via an app if they’re out and about. The best part? It eliminates the guesswork and potential errors of trying to recall hours and days after the work’s done.

They’re capable of so much more than just logging hours like payroll, benefits, and performance tracking too. Expenses tied to cases can add up quickly, but they provide a way to keep them in check. This also makes it easy to total them up and add them to client invoices.

When it’s time to bill clients, these tools can generate detailed invoices with just a few clicks. They pull in all the logged hours and expenses, lay everything out clearly, and make sure that the invoice looks professional, which can help speed up the payment process.

Legal Research Tools

A comprehensive legal research platform provides a vast library of legal resources right at your fingertips. These platforms gather the essential resources⎯case law, legal journals, you name it⎯and make them effortlessly searchable, saving you time and headache.

Instead of digging through physical law books or bouncing between different websites, lawyers can use one comprehensive platform to find everything they need.

Another big plus is the depth of resources available. Whether you’re looking for a rare case precedent or the newest articles on a legal topic, these platforms have it all. Plus, they also often include tools for analyzing and organizing your research, so you can keep track of important findings and easily retrieve them when needed.

Client Relationship Management Software

Client Relationship Management (CRM) software helps simplify client interactions and keeps all client-related information in one neat package. At your fingertips, you’ll find a centralized platform housing a wealth of info, including client contact info, case backgrounds, conversation records, and meeting recaps, all in one convenient spot.

CRM software shines in improving communication. It automates follow-ups and reminders and can even handle marketing emails based on past client interactions, which helps make sure that the firm maintains a steady and professional connection with clients.

Incoming queries can overwhelm even the most organized teams. But with this system, you can gather calls, emails, and web form submissions into one neat pipeline, guaranteeing every client question gets a response.

The Benefits of Legal Software Solutions

Managing a law firm is like juggling many tasks at once. But what if you could offload some of that weight? Legal software can help take care of administrative tasks and let attorneys focus on what they do best: serving their clients. Here are some of the key advantages:

Increased Efficiency

Legal software really kicks efficiency up a notch. By shouldering the burden of paperwork, case management, and billing, lawyers are left with more time and energy to really dig into the legal nitty-gritty.

Paperwork used to be a necessary evil, but now it’s finally taken a backseat. With more time on their hands, firms can seamlessly scale up their operations and keep their competitive edge.

Improved Accuracy

When it comes to the law, accuracy is non-negotiable. That’s where legal software comes in—it cuts down on human errors through automated calculations and standardized templates for documents.

Savvy businesses focus on accuracy to prevent mistakes and avoid dealing with the consequences. Errors can be costly, and having reliable information is the best way to prevent them.

Better Organization

Legal software keeps everything in one place and makes sure all case-related info is easy to access and up to date.

Whether it’s quickly pulling up documents or checking a client’s history, everything is well-organized and easily available, so you don’t miss anything important.

Enhanced Client Service

With tools like CRM systems and practice management software, staying connected with clients is smoother than ever. With automated follow-ups and schedule updates, your clients will never feel left in the dark. This approach has a profound impact on their satisfaction levels, leading to greater loyalty and referrals.

Cost Savings

Investing in legal software might seem like a large upfront investment, but it can save a lot of money over time. It reduces the need for administrative staff by making operations more efficient, which lowers costs and increases profits.

Security and Compliance

Most legal software includes top-notch security and compliance. However, managing sensitive client information and regulatory standards can be a heavy burden, which is why peace of mind is crucial.

5 Tech Tools Your Law Firm Needs

Modern law firms take advantage of technology tools to maximize their legal workflows in terms of efficiency, accuracy, consistency, and profitability. But if you’re new to legal software, it can be challenging to figure out which ones will work best for your practice.

That said, we’ve compiled some of the best legal tools you can start your tech stack with:

1. Briefpoint.ai: Discovery Document Generation

Perhaps one of the most tedious tasks of discovery is preparing the documents, such as discovery requests and responses. But what if you could automate that process and spend no more than a few minutes on each document?

Litigation attorneys know the drill: hours spent drafting discovery documents, only to end up with a stack of repetitive papers. Briefpoint.ai is here to change that, taking the tedium out of the process with automated document creation.

Best Features:

Automation: Briefpoint.ai cuts down on manual effort by automating the entire document generation process. With just a few clicks, you can generate comprehensive discovery documents, saving hours of work and reducing the chance of errors.
Accuracy: This software helps make sure all your documents meet current legal standards and requirements. Precision is crucial in legal proceedings, and with predefined templates and standardized fields, Briefpoint.ai keeps everything accurate and reliable.
Efficiency: By streamlining document creation, Briefpoint.ai allows your legal team to focus more on case strategy and less on administrative tasks. As your case workflow becomes more agile, your team’s productivity surges. You’ll start resolving cases in record time, and suddenly, you’ll have the bandwidth to tackle new challenges head-on.
Client responses: Briefpoint Bridge automates the process of collecting client responses and plugging them into discovery documents. With this feature, you no longer have to go through the tedious back-and-forth trying to collect and process your clients’ responses.

2. Clio: Practice Management

What if you could manage most,⎯if not all⎯aspects of your practice using only one platform?

Clio is an all-in-one case management software designed to help law firms stay organized and efficient. It’s packed with features that simplify the daily operations of legal practice, from managing cases and clients to handling billing and scheduling.

Best Features:

All-in-one solution: Clio covers everything from case management and document storage to billing and invoicing. It centralizes all your important information and tasks in one place so it’s easy to stay organized.
Cloud-based: Accessible from anywhere, Clio allows you to manage your practice whether you’re in the office, at home, or on the go. This flexibility is great for remote work and accessing files from multiple locations.
User-friendly interface: Clio is designed with a clean, intuitive interface that’s easy to navigate. Even if you’re not tech-savvy, you’ll find it simple to use, which can save time and reduce frustration.
Client portal: Clio offers a secure client portal where clients can access their documents, communicate with you, and stay updated on their case status.
Time tracking and billing: Track billable hours effortlessly and generate detailed invoices with just a few clicks. Clio’s billing features help make sure you get paid accurately and on time.

Limitations:

Cost: Clio can be a significant investment, especially for smaller firms. The pricing may be a bit steep for solo practitioners or small practices with limited budgets.
Feature overload: For smaller firms or solo practitioners, Clio’s extensive features might feel overwhelming. It has a lot of capabilities, which might be more than what a small practice needs.
Learning curve: While Clio is user-friendly, getting the hang of all its features and functionalities can take some time. Initial training or a period of adjustment might be necessary to fully utilize the software.

3. FastCase: Legal Research

One of the most tedious parts of litigation is due diligence or, more specifically, legal research.

Imagine having a hyper-powered legal research partner that cranks out results in seconds. That’s what FastCase delivers⎯fast, reliable access to a massive cache of legal knowledge.

Picture this: you’re wading through stacks of legal texts, searching for that one key precedent. This research process serves as your guide, leading you straight to the relevant case law, statutes, and legal building blocks you need.

Best Features:

Comprehensive database: FastCase offers access to a wide array of legal documents, including case law, statutes, regulations, court rules, and legal journals. This extensive database makes sure that you have all the information you need at your fingertips.
Advanced search functionality: The platform includes robust search tools that help you find relevant legal information quickly. You can use keywords, citations, or natural language to conduct your searches, making it easy to locate the documents you need.
Visualization tools: FastCase includes unique visualization features, such as interactive timelines and citation analysis tools, which help you better understand the relationships between cases and the development of legal doctrines.

Limitations:

Subscription costs: While FastCase offers a range of pricing plans, accessing the full suite of features can be expensive. This might be a consideration for smaller firms or solo practitioners with tight budgets.
Interface complexity: Some users might find the interface less intuitive compared to other legal research platforms. While it offers powerful tools, there can be a learning curve to fully use its capabilities.
Limited annotations: FastCase might not have as extensive annotations and editorial content as some other legal research platforms. This could require users to supplement their research with additional sources for deeper insights.

4. DocuSign: Signatures

DocuSign is a popular electronic signature platform that allows lawyers to get documents signed quickly and securely. Modern law firms can’t imagine life without this tool, which effortlessly streamlines document signing and abolishes the need for a paperwork pileup.

Best Features:

Legally binding: DocuSign ensures that electronic signatures meet legal standards and are legally binding. This means you can trust that all signatures obtained through DocuSign will hold up in court.
Ease of use: The platform is user-friendly, making it easy for both lawyers and clients to sign documents electronically. With just a few clicks, documents can be signed and returned, saving time and reducing hassle.
Secure: DocuSign uses advanced security measures, including encryption and secure storage, to protect sensitive information.
Mobile access: With DocuSign, you can sign documents from any device, including smartphones and tablets. This flexibility allows for signing on the go, which is particularly useful for busy lawyers and clients.

Limitations:

Internet dependency: DocuSign requires a stable internet connection to function. This can be a limitation in areas with poor connectivity or during internet outages.
Cost: The pricing for DocuSign can be a consideration, especially for smaller firms or solo practitioners. The cost may add up if the platform is used frequently.

5. LeanLaw: Accounting

For law firms, managing finances can be a minefield, but LeanLaw is here to guide them through it, accuracy being its top priority. Legal accounting just got a whole lot easier. This platform simplifies the process with features that cater specifically to the demands of legal professionals.

Best Features:

Legal-specific features: LeanLaw includes features designed specifically for law firms, such as trust accounting, which is crucial for managing client funds separately from the firm’s operational funds.
Integration with QuickBooks: LeanLaw integrates seamlessly with QuickBooks, one of the most popular accounting software platforms. This integration ensures that financial data is synced between the two systems, reducing manual data entry and the potential for errors.
Time and expense tracking: The software allows for easy tracking of billable hours and expenses. Lawyers can log their time and associated costs directly into LeanLaw, which then integrates this data into invoices.

Limitations:

Cost: For smaller firms or solo practitioners, the cost of LeanLaw might be a consideration. While it offers valuable features, the pricing could be a barrier for those with limited budgets.
Dependence on QuickBooks: LeanLaw is most effective when used in conjunction with QuickBooks. Firms that don’t use QuickBooks might find it less useful or may need to invest in additional software.
Learning curve: Although it’s user-friendly, there can still be a learning curve for new users, especially those unfamiliar with accounting practices. Some initial training may be necessary to fully utilize all the features.

Make Discovery Less Tedious Today

Every litigator knows that discovery is one of the most time-consuming phases of a case. And within that process lies a huge bottleneck: discovery document drafting.

Manual drafting can take hours out of your or your paralegal’s day–hours that you could otherwise spend on more substantial work.

Where’s the way forward?

Briefpoint.ai, is a document automation software that lets you create discovery documents within minutes. Schedule a demo today and see the magic for yourself.

Maximize Your Profitability With Briefpoint

Under these assumptions, you save $20,477 using Briefpoint, per year, per attorney.

Test Briefpoint yourself by scheduling a demo here.

FAQs About Litigation Tech Tools

What is the most important software for litigation lawyers?

It depends on the lawyer’s needs, but practice management software is often considered essential as it helps with task management, scheduling, and client communications.

How does Briefpoint.ai help with discovery documents?

Briefpoint.ai automates the creation of discovery documents, ensuring accuracy and saving lawyers a lot of time.

How can legal software improve client communication?

Staying on top of client communications can be a Herculean task, but legal software and similar CRM solutions simplify the process by organizing interactions, automating updates, and streamlining follow-ups so you can maintain quality legal services.

Are legal software solutions secure?

Yes, most legal software solutions are designed with robust security features to protect sensitive client information. They often include encryption, secure cloud storage, and compliance with legal industry standards to ensure data privacy and security.

What Are the Top HotDocs Alternatives in 2024?

HotDocs has been around since the 1990s and has successfully established itself as one of the earliest document automation tools. However, seniority doesn’t always mean it’s the best.

In 2024, law firms need a document management solution that lets them collaborate while checking all the boxes: accuracy, consistency, and compliance.

Does HotDocs meet all these requirements? What are its main features, anyway?

Let’s get to know HotDocs from the inside out, why you might need an alternative, and some of the best swaps that could give you the efficiency, affordability, and user-friendliness you’re looking for.

What is HotDocs?

HotDocs is a powerful document automation tool that helps businesses create complex documents quickly and accurately. Imagine being able to generate contracts, forms, and agreements with just a few clicks instead of spending hours drafting each one by hand.

That’s what HotDocs does—it turns your repetitive document creation tasks into a more efficient process.

Here’s how it works: You start with templates, which are pre-designed documents that you can customize. You input your data once, and HotDocs takes care of the rest, filling in the details and making sure everything is correct.

This process saves a ton of time and reduces the risk of errors, which is especially important in fields like law, finance, and real estate where precision is non-negotiable.

Why Should You Consider a HotDocs Alternative?

While HotDocs is a powerful tool for document automation, it might not be the perfect fit for everyone. Here’s why you might want to explore some alternative tools to create documents, especially legal documents:

Cost Considerations

Let’s face it: HotDocs can be pricey, especially for small businesses or startups that are watching their budgets. The high cost can be a big barrier. Many alternatives offer more flexible and affordable pricing plans or even free versions, which can help you save money without sacrificing functionality.

User Interface and Ease of Use

HotDocs packs a lot of power, but its interface can feel like a maze. If you’re spending too much time figuring out how to use it, that’s a problem.

Many alternatives have simpler, more intuitive interfaces that make it easier to get started and train your team. Imagine reducing the time you spend trying to learn the software!

Integration with Other Tools

Good document automation should work seamlessly with the tools you already use. While HotDocs integrates with many systems, it might miss some key ones you rely on.

Some alternatives offer better compatibility and more extensive integration options for a smoother legal workflow. Think of it as finding a tool that fits perfectly into your existing setup without any hassle.

Scalability for Different Business Sizes

HotDocs is great for handling complex needs, but it might be too much if you’re a smaller operation. Alternatively, it might not be flexible enough if you’re a larger business needing extensive customization.

Alternatives often provide scalable solutions that grow with your business, which gives you just the right amount of power and flexibility.

Better Collaboration Features

In today’s collaborative work environment, having the right features to work together effectively is a must. While HotDocs is good, some alternatives shine brighter with real-time editing, team workflows, and sharing options that increase productivity and teamwork.

Customization and Flexibility

Every business is unique, and your document automation tool should be too. Some HotDocs alternatives offer greater customization options, allowing you to tailor the software to fit your needs. This means you can mold the tool to your workflow, rather than the other way around.

Plus, you need a tool with legal document templates that fits your area of expertise. For example, if you want a tool to speed up your discovery process, something like Briefpoint.ai is designed specifically for discovery requests and response documents.

7 Best HotdDocs Alternatives You Need to Try

What if Hotdocs isn’t serving your needs as well as it should? Well, it might be time to find a document generation solution that fits perfectly in your tool stack.

We’ve compiled some of the best document automation tools that could deliver a significantly better experience for your law firm:

1. Briefpoint.ai

Briefpoint.ai is an AI-powered document automation tool designed to simplify the process of creating legal documents, particularly discovery requests and response documents. These include but are not limited to:

Briefpoint.ai uses a combination of computer vision, natural language processing, and large language models to understand and generate documents based on user uploads, which makes it a perfect fit for lawyers and legal professionals who need to create complex documents at a rapid-fire pace.

Most importantly, the process is quite simple. You upload your discovery request, and Briefpoint’s machine-learning AI system will instantly scan and extract as much information as it can. Then, the AI will fill out the routine data in your response document, automatically suggest objections to the requests, and collect responses from your client.

Finally, you can export your document to Word and put the finishing touches there. The whole process can take as little as a few minutes, compared to hours if you were to create a whole document manually.

Key Features

AI-driven document generation
Template management
Integration with legal databases
Customizable clauses and terms
Supports Word documents

Pros

Easy to use: The intuitive interface makes it simple for users to get started without extensive training.
AI-driven: Automates complex legal document creation and minimizes errors from manual data entry.
Affordable: Offers competitive pricing plans that are accessible for small to large firms.

2. Legito

Legito is a versatile document automation platform that streamlines the management of different document types. It features automated workflows, customizable templates, legally binding e-signatures, and seamless integration with CRM and ERP systems.

For legal professionals, Legito automates creating contracts, agreements, and other traditional documents, cutting down on manual work and errors. The interactive templates help ensure compliance and easy customization.

Plus, its document lifecycle management tracks status, manages revisions and maintains compliance, which helps save time and increase accuracy.

Key Features

No-code automation platform
Interactive templates
Document lifecycle management
Integration with CRM and ERP systems
Legally binding e-signatures

Pros:

Versatile: Supports a wide range of document types and industries.
Feature-rich: Includes powerful automation, templates, and e-signatures.
Collaboration: Excellent tools for team collaboration and real-time editing.

Cons:

Overkill for small businesses: Might offer more features than small businesses need.
Learning curve: Takes time to learn all the features and fully take advantage of them.

3. Knackly

Knackly lets you simplify document creation with user-friendly templates, easy data importing/exporting, and smart conditional logic. It also integrates well with practice management software, a primary reason why it’s a complete solution for legal document needs.

This tool automates legal document generation to help you save time and increase the consistency among your documents. Users create templates with placeholders for variable data, which can be manually entered or imported.

The tool uses conditional logic to tailor document content based on specific criteria for accuracy and customization. Once data is input, Knackly merges it with the templates to generate complete documents.

Additionally, its intuitive user interface means anyone can use it, while features like conditional logic ensure documents are accurate and compliant.

Key Features

Template-based document automation
Integration with practice management software
Data importing and exporting
Conditional logic

Pros:

User-friendly: Designed to be easy to use, even for those who aren’t tech-savvy.
Efficient template management: Simplifies the creation and management of document templates.
Affordable: Competitively priced, it’s accessible for small to medium-sized businesses.

Cons:

Primarily for legal use: Best suited for legal documents, which might limit its appeal to other industries with very different business processes.
Limited integrations: It may not integrate with all the software tools a business uses.

4. DocuGenerate

DocuGenerate is an intuitive document automation tool that makes creating and managing documents straightforward and efficient. It offers features like data merging, conditional logic, and support for various file formats.

With seamless integration into cloud storage, it also provides flexibility and ease of access no matter where your team members are.

How does it work? DocuGenerate automates document creation by allowing users to create templates with fields for data merging. Then, users input data, and the tool fills in the templates accordingly, using conditional logic to ensure accuracy and customization.

Key Features

Data merging
Conditional logic
Multiple file format support
Integration with cloud storage

Pros:

Flexible pricing: Offers a range of pricing options, including a free tier.
Easy integration: Works well with various cloud storage and other business tools.
User-friendly: Simple interface that makes document automation accessible to everyone.

Cons:

Advanced features need configuration: Some of the more advanced features might require additional setup.
Limited advanced functions: Might not have all the advanced capabilities that larger businesses need.

5. PandaDoc

Next up is PandaDoc, a document assembly tool that allows users to create documents using customizable templates, which can be easily edited and personalized. You can add sign documents electronically and collaborate with team members in real-time.

At the same time, the platform tracks document progress and provides analytics on document interactions so that you stay informed about how documents are being used.

Key Features

E-signatures
Document templates
Real-time collaboration
Analytics and tracking

Pros:

Lots of features: From e-signatures to analytics, PandaDoc covers a lot of ground.
Excellent collaboration tools: Great for teams needing to work together on documents.
Free plan available: Offers a free tier for businesses to try before committing.

Cons:

Can be pricey: The more advanced features come with higher costs.
Occasional bugs: Some users report occasional issues and bugs.

6. Juro

Juro is a contract automation platform designed to simplify the management of legal agreements. It allows users to create and manage contracts using easy-to-customize templates. To further simplify the contract lifecycle, you can add e-signatures and automate workflows.

Juro is perfect for legal professionals who handle a high volume of contracts. It reduces manual work, minimizes errors, and speeds up the contract management process—all making it an invaluable tool for improving efficiency and productivity.

Key Features

Contract automation
E-signatures
Customizable contract templates
Workflow management

Pros:

Specialized for contracts: Perfect for businesses that need to manage contracts efficiently.
Intuitive interface: Easy to use, with a clean and simple design.
Good customer support: Responsive support to help with any issues.

Cons:

Limited to contracts: Best suited for contract-related documents, which might not cover all needs.
Higher pricing for advanced plans: The more advanced features can get expensive.

7. Proposify

Proposify is a document generation and management solution specifically for business proposals. It allows users to create professional proposals using customizable templates that can be tailored to specific needs, perfect for sales teams looking to speed up their proposal process.

Key Features

Proposal templates
E-signatures
Detailed analytics
Team collaboration

Pros:

Excellent for sales proposals: Tailored for creating and managing proposals, focusing on the sales process.
Detailed analytics: Provides insights into how proposals are viewed and interacted with.
Collaborative features: Great for teams, with real-time collaboration tools.

Cons:

Limited to proposals: Primarily designed for proposals, which might not meet all document needs.
Can be too focused: Some users might find it too specialized and lacking in broader document automation features.

Briefpoint.ai is the Best HotDocs Alternative: Here’s Why

Looking for the best alternative to HotDocs? You’re just in the right place.

Briefpoint.ai will transform your discovery process with its AI-driven tech, which speeds up and simplifies document creation—less fuss, and fewer mistakes. It’s incredibly user-friendly, so you can hit the ground running without navigating through complicated setups.

Plus, it’s tailored for legal professionals so that all your documents meet compliance standards without extra hassle. And if you ever get stuck, their customer support is just a quick call or click away. Sign up for Briefpoint today and see the difference.

Why Choose Briefpoint.ai?

Under these assumptions, you save $20,477 using Briefpoint, per year, per attorney.

Test Briefpoint yourself by scheduling a demo here.

FAQs About HotDocs Alternatives

What features should I look for in a HotDocs alternative?

When choosing a HotDocs alternative, focus on customization options to create templates that fit your needs, integration capabilities with your current tools, and ease of use to minimize the learning curve. Also, consider the pricing and scalability to ensure it suits your budget and can grow with your business.

How do HotDocs alternatives compare in terms of pricing?

HotDocs alternatives generally offer more flexible and clear pricing options. Many provide free trials or basic plans, which are great for small businesses or startups. Subscription models with different feature levels let you pick a plan that fits your needs. In contrast, HotDocs might have a more complex and expensive pricing structure, which may not be as budget-friendly for smaller organizations.

How easy is it to switch from HotDocs to another tool?

Switching from HotDocs to an alternative can be pretty straightforward with the right help. Many alternatives offer migration assistance and detailed setup guides to make the transition smooth. They often have data import features to transfer your existing documents and templates seamlessly, along with customer support to assist with any issues during the process.

How to Organize Discovery Documents

Ever spent an embarrassing amount of time looking for specific legal case files? Been late to an appointment because of how long it took you to find all the documents you need? Or worse—did you miss a crucial piece of evidence because of a disorganized file system?

Situations like these are few in between if you know how to organize legal files correctly. When you’re dealing with critical documents, it makes perfect sense to have a proven system to manage all of them so your data is:

Easily accessible
Secure
Logically organized

In this guide, we’ll go over paper vs. electronic legal filing systems, the best practices for each type, and how you can set up a digital system for all your important documents.

Why Do You Need a Legal Filing System?

A legal filing system is a structured method for organizing and managing legal documents and records. It makes sure that documents are easily accessible, properly categorized, and securely stored. But why is this so important for your legal practice?

Efficiency

Time is money, especially in law where billable hours are the primary way law firms remain profitable. With a well-organized filing system, you can quickly find and retrieve documents and save precious time that can be better spent on casework and client interactions.

Instead of wasting hours hunting for files, you can get straight to the most important parts of the discovery process.

Compliance

Staying on the right side of legal regulations requires precise documentation and record-keeping. A solid filing system helps you meet these requirements, which minimizes the risk of fines or legal trouble.

You’ll have everything you need at your fingertips during audits or legal proceedings, making compliance a breeze.

Accuracy

Mistakes can be costly in the legal world, especially in the discovery phase where errors can make or break a case.

Organized files reduce the chance of errors by making sure all documents are up-to-date and accurate. Whether you’re filing court documents or tracking client correspondence, a good system decreases the risk of costly oversights.

Client Trust

Clients trust you with their most sensitive information, and you are responsible for protecting their data from entities that might take advantage of it.

So, an efficient filing system shows clients that their documents are handled with care and precision. When they see your practice is organized and meticulous, it helps build trust and reinforces your reputation as a reliable legal professional.

What Happens When You Don’t Have One?

After seeing the benefits of an effective filing system, you can probably already tell why all law firms need one. However, it’s worth going over what can happen when you don’t have a good way to keep files organized:

Lost Documents

Without a structured system, documents can easily get lost in the shuffle. Misplaced files can lead to missed deadlines, incomplete records, and even lost cases—and this is just the tip of the iceberg. The frustration and time wasted searching for missing documents can disrupt your legal workflows and stress everyone out.

Wasted Time

Imagine spending hours digging through piles of paper or sifting through unorganized digital files. This wasted time could be better spent on casework, client meetings, or strategic planning.

Needless to say, an inefficient filing system drains your productivity and takes you away from more important tasks.

Non-Compliance

Legal practices must comply with strict documentation and record-keeping standards. Without a proper filing system, you risk falling out of compliance with these regulations. This can lead to fines, penalties, and damage to your reputation.

In worst-case scenarios, it could even result in losing your license to practice. It’s rare, but it can happen!

Errors and Inaccuracies

Disorganized files increase the likelihood of errors. Whether it’s filing the wrong document, missing an important deadline, or relying on outdated information, these mistakes can be costly and damaging to your cases. Clients expect accuracy and reliability, and frequent errors can erode their trust.

On that note, clients rely on you to carefully manage their sensitive information. Disorganization sends the wrong message and can make clients question your professionalism.

If clients see you struggling to keep track of their documents, they might lose trust in your ability to handle their cases effectively.

Are You Still Using Paper Files?

Although cloud-based software is commonplace in most law firms, many legal professionals still rely on paper files. There’s nothing wrong with that, but let’s admit that paper files are more prone to disorganization, getting lost, and general chaos.

Luckily, you can avoid these issues with a solid filing system. Consider these tips:

File alphabetically or numerically: Choose a filing method that works for you and stick with it. Alphabetical filing by client name and numerical filing by case number are both effective methods. Consistency is key to quickly finding what you need.
Create clear labels: Clearly label all your folders and files. Use large, easy-to-read labels that include the case name or number and a brief description of the contents to save you time and frustration when searching for specific documents.
Use subfolders: Within each main folder, use subfolders to categorize documents by type, such as pleadings, motions, correspondence, and evidence. This extra level of organization makes it easier to locate specific documents quickly.
Color-coding: Consider using color-coded folders to differentiate between types of documents or stages of a case. For example, you could use red folders for active cases, blue for closed cases, and green for correspondence.
Keep an index: Maintain an index or a master list of all your files and their locations. This can be a simple spreadsheet or a written list you update regularly. An index serves as a quick reference guide, especially for large volumes of documents.
Regular audits: Periodically review and purge your files to keep things manageable. Shred or archive documents that are no longer needed to free up space and maintain an organized system.
Store securely: Make sure that your filing cabinet is secure to protect sensitive information. Use locks or keep the cabinet in a secure office area to prevent unauthorized access.
Back-up important documents: For crucial documents, consider making digital copies as a backup. Scan important papers and store them electronically to ensure you have a copy in case the original is lost or damaged.

Should You Shift to a Cloud-Based Document Management System?

As you can see, it takes a lot of effort to organize paper files, let alone maintain your firm’s productivity with a physical file system. With that in mind, is it time to switch to an electronic system for managing documents?

Here are some of the most pressing reasons why you should:

Better Accessibility

With a cloud-based DMS, you can access your files from anywhere, anytime. Whether you’re at the office, at home, or on the go, all your documents are just a few clicks away.

This flexibility means you can work efficiently and respond to clients quickly, no matter where you are.

Enhanced Security

Cloud-based systems offer top-notch security features to protect your sensitive information. They typically include encryption, secure access controls, and regular backups to protect your data from unauthorized access and loss.

By moving to the cloud, you improve the security of your documents and reduce the risk of data breaches. In contrast, paper files are inherently more prone to unauthorized access, destruction, or simply getting lost in the fray.

Improved Collaboration

A cloud-based DMS allows multiple team members to access and work on documents at the same time. Improved collaboration means your team can work together more smoothly, share updates in real-time, and avoid the version control issues that often come with paper files or locally stored documents.

Cost-Effective

Switching to a cloud-based system can save you money in the long run. You won’t need as much physical storage space, you’ll reduce paper use, and you’ll cut costs associated with maintaining and securing physical files.

Plus, many cloud services offer flexible pricing models, so you only pay for what you use.

Disaster Recovery

Cloud-based systems offer strong disaster recovery options. In case of a natural disaster, fire, or other emergency, your documents remain safe and accessible from the cloud.

Environmentally Friendly

Moving to a cloud-based system is also better for the environment, which is necessary for a greener law firm. It helps reduce your carbon footprint and supports a more sustainable way of working by cutting down on paper use.

Best Practices When Organizing Legal Discovery Documents

We’ve talked about organizing paper files, but what about electronic documents? We’ve come up with a comprehensive guide to keep your filing system safe, orderly, and efficient:

1. Consistent Naming Conventions

Use clear, consistent naming conventions for all your files. This means naming your documents in a way that makes them easy to identify and locate. For example, include the case name, document type, and date in the file name.

Consistency is key to avoiding confusion and making searches quicker which, in turn, leads to less stress when looking for important files.

2. Use Folders and Subfolders

Create a well-structured folder system. Start with broad categories like client names or case numbers and then use subfolders for specific document types, such as pleadings, motions, correspondence, and evidence. A hierarchy helps you navigate your files more easily.

3. Regular Backups

Schedule regular backups of your electronic documents to prevent data loss, and use both local and cloud-based storage solutions for redundancy.

Regular backups ensure that you have copies of your files in case of accidental deletion or system failures. Luckily, you can set up backups to run automatically in the background so it doesn’t interfere with your legal workflows.

4. Access Controls and File Sharing

Implement strict access controls to protect sensitive information. Only authorized personnel should have access to specific documents. Passwords, encryption, and user permissions are the best ways to safeguard your files from unauthorized access.

When sharing documents, use secure methods to protect the information. Avoid sending sensitive documents via unsecured email. Instead, use encrypted file-sharing services or secure portals to exchange documents with clients and colleagues.

5. Use Document Management Software

Invest in good document management software (DMS) designed specifically for law firms. These systems often come with features like advanced search capabilities, secure storage, and collaboration tools that make managing electronic documents much easier.

Discovery Doesn’t Have to Be Tedious

Managing discovery documents is one thing, but creating them with the level of precision and consistency required is a whole other story. If you want a faster way to generate discovery requests and response documents, let Briefpoint’s generative artificial intelligence do most of the work for you.

With Briefpoint, you can create the following discovery responses and requests in minutes instead of hours, saving you time, money, and brain power:

Requests for Production
Requests for Admission
Interrogatories
And more

Save Time and Money in the Discovery Phase With Briefpoint.ai

Discovery responses cost firms $23,240, per year, per attorney. $23,240 estimate assumes an associate attorney salary of $150,000 (including benefits–or $83 an hour), 20 cases per year/per associate, 4 discovery sets per case, 30 questions per set, 3.5 hours spent responding to each set, and 1800 hours of billable hours per year.

Under these assumptions, you save $20,477 using Briefpoint, per year, per attorney.

Test Briefpoint yourself by scheduling a demo here.

FAQs About Legal Filing Systems

What’s the best way to organize legal discovery documents?

Start by sorting your documents by case. Once you’ve done that, categorize them by type, like pleadings, motions, or correspondence. Use clear, consistent labels for everything, so you can easily find what you need without any hassle.

Why is a legal filing system important?

A solid filing system boosts efficiency, keeps you compliant with legal requirements, and provides peace of mind by keeping everything organized and easy to access.

Should we switch to a cloud-based document management system?

Yes, switching to a cloud-based system improves accessibility, improves security, and makes collaboration with your team much easier. You’ll no longer have to deal with paper clutter or outdated systems.

How can we manage the switch to electronic documents?

To smoothly transition to electronic documents, start by choosing a suitable document management system. Next, digitize your existing paper files. Ensure your team is well-trained on the new system, and implement the change gradually to avoid overwhelming everyone.

Legal AI: Applications & Benefits in 2024

Artificial intelligence has become a huge part of standard legal technology—and for a lot of good reasons.

AI lets law firms move away from rigid and often tedious legal workflows that tradition dictates. And as legal professionals learn to work in tandem with AI technology, the benefits become clearer and clearer: Less time spent on repetitive tasks and more time for high-value work that directly translates to billable hours.

Of course, no reputable professional will take anyone’s word for it without doing their due diligence. So, let’s talk about legal AI, its applications, and its benefits for legal services.

How Do Law Firms Use Artificial Intelligence?

AI technology is taking over numerous professional sectors, including business, finance, real estate, healthcare, and so much more. The legal industry was quite slower to adopt this type of tech in comparison, but there’s no denying that AI has become a must-have tool for legal professionals.

In an industry known to abide by tradition, how did AI make its way into legal departments? Here’s a look at some important areas where AI is making a big difference:

1. Document Drafting

Traditionally, creating standard legal documents like contracts, agreements, and wills was a meticulous and time-consuming task that required a lot of attention to detail to make sure everything was accurate and compliant. But now, AI has made this process much more efficient.

AI tools can automate the creation of these standard documents by analyzing large datasets and identifying relevant clauses. A specific type of AI common in document drafting is generative AI.

Generative AI tools draft complex legal documents by generating text that meets necessary requirements. For example, if a lawyer needs a discovery response document with particular objections, generative AI can produce a draft that includes all the necessary legal language and clauses.

2. Data Synthesis and Document Analysis

In legal work, sorting through piles of documents and data is a given, but it’s also one of the more time-consuming parts of the job. AI is stepping in to simplify this hefty task. By using AI tools, lawyers can automate the process of organizing and analyzing vast amounts of legal data, from client communications to detailed case histories.

These tools quickly sift through information, extract the necessary details, and present them in a way that’s easy to understand. This not only speeds up the entire process but also reduces the chance of human error—no more overlooked details or misinterpreted data points.

The result? Legal teams get the insights they need faster, which, in turn, makes it simpler to build cases or advise clients.

3. Legal Research

Legal research is essential for any law practice, as lawyers need to sift through vast amounts of statutes, case law, and legal writings to support their arguments or provide advice. Traditionally, this task has been incredibly time-consuming and sometimes error-prone.

However, large language models (LLMs) and other AI tools are changing the game by speeding up the process and increasing efficiency.

These tools use advanced algorithms, machine learning, and other large language models to comb through extensive legal databases quickly. They can accurately identify relevant cases, laws, and articles much faster than manual methods (way faster than a human can).

This efficiency not only saves time but also helps lawyers build stronger cases by reducing the risk of missing crucial information. With AI, even smaller law firms or solo practitioners can access comprehensive research quickly, which can help them gain a competitive advantage over larger firms that have more resources.

4. Predictive Analysis

Predictive analysis in the legal world means using AI to predict the outcomes of legal cases before they wrap up. This tech dives into heaps of data—from past court decisions to detailed legal precedents—to give lawyers a heads-up on how things might pan out.

This kind of insight can make or break a court victory. For example, it helps lawyers figure out the best strategies for their cases, like whether to settle early or push through to trial based on the predicted outcomes.

But it’s not just about strategizing. Predictive analysis is also great for risk assessment. Law firms use this legal tech to check out the risks of taking on new cases. They can spot potential problems before they blow up, which can save everyone a lot of time and money by avoiding drawn-out legal battles.

Clients get a lot from this, too. They receive advice that’s backed by solid data, which can help them make well-informed decisions about their legal issues.

5. Client Communications

Good communication with clients is an absolute must in the legal profession, but keeping up can be quite a task, especially for busy lawyers. AI is changing how law firms manage this by automating routine interactions and helping maintain consistent, timely communication.

AI tools, such as chatbots and virtual assistants, can handle common inquiries from clients, schedule appointments, and send updates about case progress. These tools work around the clock to make sure that clients receive quick responses, which boosts their satisfaction and trust in the service provided.

Plus, these AI systems can personalize communications based on client data to make interactions feel more tailored and attentive. For a law firm, this means less time spent on routine tasks and more time available for the complex aspects of their cases.

6. Contract Management

AI models can quickly scan through contracts to pinpoint any unusual clauses or potential risks. As a result, they speed up the review process and help make sure that everything is up to par legally and aligned with business goals.

When drafting contracts, AI can offer the right language and clauses based on a huge database of existing contracts. AI also helps keep track of active contracts, sending alerts about compliance issues, renewals, or any deviations from the terms.

Such oversight helps prevent problems down the line and makes sure contracts are managed properly.

Stop Spending Hours on Discovery Documents and Let Briefpoint Help

Drafting discovery response and request documents is by far one of the most tedious parts of the discovery process. What about your legal strategy? The client meetings you have to attend? The other piles of paperwork on your desk?

Sure, you can pile this task on your legal assistant, but that doesn’t solve the overarching problem. Drafting legal documents simply takes up too much time.

Briefpoint.ai gives you an easy solution. With our generative AI, you can draft sets of and responses to:

Requests for Production
Requests for Admission
Interrogatories
And more

And all it takes is just a few minutes. No more spending hours preparing this tedious (yet necessary) paperwork. Get the Briefpoint advantage today!

Invest in a Generative AI Tool That Can Save You Thousands

Under these assumptions, you save $20,477 using Briefpoint, per year, per attorney.

Test Briefpoint yourself by scheduling a demo here.

FAQs About Legal AI

How does legal AI make things more efficient?

Legal AI tools make things more efficient by automating time-consuming tasks like drafting standard legal documents, analyzing large amounts of data, and conducting legal research. Instead of manually going through thousands of documents, an AI tool can quickly find the relevant information, saving lawyers a lot of time.

Are there any risks with legal AI?

Yes, there are some risks with using legal AI. One big concern is data privacy since AI systems handle sensitive client information. Keeping this data secure is crucial. There’s also the issue of bias; AI can unintentionally carry over biases from the data it was trained on, leading to unfair outcomes. While AI is generally reliable, it’s not perfect and can make mistakes, especially in complex situations.

Can AI take over the role of human lawyers?

While AI can automate many tasks that lawyers do, it’s unlikely to replace human lawyers entirely. AI is great at handling routine and data-heavy tasks, but complex legal reasoning, strategy development, and ethical decision-making need human insight and experience.

7 Legal AI Applications You Shouldn't Miss Out On

Still on the fence about using artificial intelligence (AI) for your legal processes? You might be falling behind by now, and here’s why.

The specific uses of AI in the legal world are endless. So, here’s a nutshell observation: AI can take over the things that consume most of your time, budget, and brain power, to let you focus on more valuable work. Ultimately, this results in better legal services, improved workflows, and law firm profitability.

But how does AI lead to these advantages, exactly?

What Can Legal AI Tools Do For Law Firms?

Legal AI tools are transforming the landscape of law firm operations by offering a host of advantages that improve efficiency, accuracy, and client satisfaction. Here’s a breakdown of how these powerful tools are reshaping the way law firms work:

1. Faster Document Generation

Every minute counts in the legal industry, and that’s where AI steps in to speed things up. Document automation tools are reshaping how documents are created in law firms. They use smart templates that automatically adjust and fill in details specific to each case or client, which means no more manual data entry, saving loads of time.

Plus, these AI tools are sticklers for details, so they drastically cut down on errors that would be otherwise difficult to avoid via manual work. With a high-quality tool, you no longer have to worry about double-checking every word for regulatory compliance or formatting—AI has that covered.

AI doesn’t just make documents fast; it makes them consistent too. Whether it’s contracts, letters, or discovery response documents, everything comes out looking uniform. And for law firms that deal across borders, AI can generate documents in multiple jurisdictions to make life easier for everyone involved.

2. Easier Data Synthesis and Analysis

One of AI’s biggest advantages is its speed. Legal firms often deal with enormous volumes of information that need to be processed quickly. AI tools can rapidly sift through legal data to identify relevant case law, precedents, and documents in a fraction of the time it would take a human. This allows lawyers to quickly gather the information they need and move forward with their cases more efficiently.

For example, you might be preparing for a high-stakes corporate litigation case with thousands of documents to review, including emails, contracts, and financial records. Instead of manually sifting through this mountain of data, you use an AI tool that rapidly processes and categorizes all the information.

The AI quickly identifies relevant case laws and crucial documents to save you countless hours. It also analyzes the data to uncover hidden patterns and correlations that might not be immediately obvious, which can provide deeper insights that guide your legal strategy.

3. Better Legal Research

Legal research is no doubt a time-consuming and labor-intensive process. With AI legal research tools, however, due diligence becomes faster, far more efficient, and insightful.

As mentioned above, AI-driven tools can sift through massive amounts of legal documents almost instantly. When talking about legal research, these tools can pull up the most relevant cases, statutes, and opinions with pinpoint accuracy—a feature that allows lawyers to get to the heart of their cases without getting bogged down by endless reading and searching.

One of the most useful things about AI in legal research is its ability to stay updated. Laws and legal precedents change frequently, but AI tools keep up with these shifts in real-time. So, you’re always working with the most current and accurate information available.

But it’s not just about speed and accuracy. AI adds depth to your research by understanding the context of your queries. It goes beyond simple keyword matching to bring back results that truly matter—it helps you identify relevant precedents and legal arguments that might otherwise go unnoticed.

4. Consistent Contract Review and Management

AI tools are refining contract review and management by making these processes faster, more accurate, and more efficient. For example, instead of manually reviewing each contract line by line, you can use an AI legal assistant tool to scan and review documents in a fraction of the time.

AI tools can flag potential issues, ensure compliance with relevant laws, and check for inconsistencies across all contracts. Precision reduces the risk of errors and oversights, which are too common in manual reviews.

Better yet, AI can manage the entire contract lifecycle. From creation and negotiation to execution and renewal, AI tools track every contract stage while sending reminders for key dates and deadlines. This automation helps ensure you never miss a milestone and can handle renewals and renegotiations proactively.

5. Less Resources Spent on Routine Tasks

Handling routine tasks like billing, scheduling, and tracking deadlines can eat up a lot of time and energy in a law firm. In yesteryears, this kind of work would usually fall on legal assistants, if not paralegals on occasion. But with today’s legal landscape, even assistants need to focus on more valuable work instead of simple yet time-consuming tasks.

AI can take care of these tasks for you and make sure everything runs smoothly without you needing to check in constantly. Here’s a list of legal workflows you can easily automate:

Scheduling
Billing and invoicing
Client communication
Document filing
Task management
Client data entry
Report generation

When you let AI handle these manual processes, you can free up more time to focus on what really matters—like meeting with clients, developing case strategies, and doing in-depth legal research.

6. Improved Client Communications

Legal professionals are busy people, and it’s not uncommon to not have enough time to respond to clients. However, legal clients expect prompt responses, especially if they have a pressing matter at hand.

This is one of the reasons why more and more legal teams are adopting AI-powered tools to maintain fast and consistent client communications. Chatbots, for instance, can respond to client queries any time of the day so that clients always receive prompt support, even after hours.

This immediate responsiveness helps clients feel continuously supported, which helps increase the overall quality of your legal services.

AI also sends personalized updates about case progress to keep clients informed without them having to reach out for updates. Plus, scheduling becomes hassle-free with AI managing appointments. It sends reminders and confirmations, which makes sure meetings are set up without any conflicts.

7. Upgraded Fraud Detection

AI can also be particularly helpful in fraud detection, especially in areas like insurance and finance.

AI can scan years of transactions and communications to spot unusual patterns that might suggest fraud. For example, AI can pick up on oddities in insurance claims, like ones that are unusually high or just don’t fit the usual patterns.

These AI tools also work in real-time, integrating with current systems to send immediate alerts about suspicious activities. This is significantly important in fields where catching fraud early can save a lot of money.

AI isn’t just about catching fraud as it happens. It can also predict future risks by looking at past data. This means legal teams can be ready for potential fraud before it even happens.

All in all, using AI for fraud detection helps the legal sector protect itself against financial misconduct and stay compliant with regulations. It makes the whole process more efficient and reliable, which gives professionals more confidence in their legal practices.

Embrace the Future of Legal Work with Briefpoint.ai

Despite the qualms about using AI in the legal profession, this modern technology is here to stay. As you’ve just learned, legal AI tools are helping maximize the potential of legal teams in more ways than one—document automation included.

Does it take hours to manually create a single discovery response or request? Let Briefpoint take over your Requests for Production, Requests for Admission, Interrogatories, and responses to the same.

With Briefpoint’s generative AI and machine learning, you can draft request and response documents in mere minutes, allowing you to focus on more critical tasks.

Invest in Legal Document Automation Today

Under these assumptions, you save $20,477 using Briefpoint, per year, per attorney.

Test Briefpoint yourself by scheduling a demo here.

FAQs on Legal AI Tools

How does AI influence the accuracy of legal tasks?

AI reduces human errors by automating data processing and document review. This results in more reliable legal documents and research, ensuring better outcomes for clients.

Can AI replace lawyers?

No, AI is designed to support lawyers, not replace them. It handles repetitive tasks and provides valuable insights, but the expertise and judgment of a human lawyer are irreplaceable.

Is implementing AI in legal practice expensive?

While the initial investment in AI technology can be high, the long-term benefits often outweigh the costs. AI can save time and resources, leading to significant cost reductions and efficiency improvements over time.

What kind of legal tasks can AI automate?

AI can automate a variety of tasks such as document generation, contract review, data analysis, legal research, billing, scheduling, and deadline tracking. This allows legal professionals to focus on more strategic and analytical tasks.