5 Office Tasks Law Firms Should Automate

The age old saying, if you can't beat'em, join'em, may be especially true for lawyers facing the competition of other lawyers that are embracing the emerging digital revolution. An attorney can no longer avoid technology as many courts require the use of email, and clients increasingly demand a certain minimal level of technological competence.

While the jury is still out on whether lawyers should let AI programs compose their emails to opposing counsel, there are countless simple office tasks that can, and probably should, be automated now to get ahead of the digital curve. Below you can read about five of the simpler office task that can be automated.

1. Scheduling

Scheduling client meetings can often require quite a bit of time. Using self-scheduling tools can help decrease the amount of time spent making and confirming appointments.

2. Client Intake

While using a chatbot or webform to gather client information may seem impersonal, doing so can save quite a bit of time and streamline conversations over the phone or in person.

3. Data Backups

Your data is important, and it's vulnerable. The best way to ensure your data is truly safe is by ensuring you have good backup protocols. Fortunately, there are now plenty of options for automating your backups which means you can celebrate "World Backup Day" everyday.

4. Telephone Reception

While having a robot answer your firm's main phone line will likely look bad to potential clients, allowing current clients to reach you directly through an automated phone service could be preferable to many clients, and could save your firm money on live reception.

5. Security Updates

When it comes to cybersecurity, updates are critical and could be what saves your firm from getting targeted by hackers. If your firm's cybersecurity updates are not set to update automatically as soon as one become available, ask your IT professional who set it up why. If you don't have an IT professional, get one to set up automatic security updates for every computer in the office.

Related Resources:

• Automation Replaces About 23 Percent of Lawyer's Work (FindLaw's Technologist)
• How Can Lawyers Survive in an Automated World? (FindLaw's Technologist)
• Mind-Reading Tech Coming to a Law Firm Near You? (FindLaw's Technologist)