Editor’s be aware: That is an installment within the “Reference Handbook of Authorized Tech Lists,” an eBook set for launch this spring. Read the prior installments here, and be happy to pre-register to your copy of the entire eBook utilizing the shape beneath.
There are many tropes associated to legal professionals and regulation corporations that ceaselessly present up in works of fiction.
The factor is, these tropes are tropes as a result of they’re type of previous; they’ve been round for a very long time.
Now, nonetheless, trendy expertise can clear up a heck of numerous these points.
So, for this version of the “Reference Handbook of Lists,” we’re going to relay a trope, provide an instance, and discuss how authorized tech truly fixes the issue as we speak.
Let’s hope we don’t jump the shark.
Trope 1: Piling On
In each lawyer film ever, there’s that scene the place the large regulation agency dumps a metric ton of documentation on the smaller regulation agency/solo legal professional.
And (oh my God), it’s inconceivable for us to get by all of this info — we’re so screwed! (After all, the “David” agency inevitably overcomes the “Goliath” agency’s try and sink its case — although it’s wholly unrealistic that they’d have, in actuality.)
Exemplary Scene: In Season 2, Episode 9 of “Silicon Valley” on HBO, there’s a “classic document dump” throughout a binding arbitration that precise people should rifle by and assessment, pitting perseverance in opposition to manpower.
The Fashionable, LegalTech Resolution: eDiscovery instruments will help regulation corporations to assessment large reams of digital paperwork utilizing machine studying and AI instruments.
Trope 2: Search Celebration
Then there’s the traditional “Uh oh, we truly can’t discover the doc/info we want in our recordsdata!”
There’s a scramble, and any person will get fortunate, finding the topic doc . . . simply within the nick of time. That’s, except nefarious events intervene, to additional the plot.
Exemplary Scene: This isn’t actually associated to regulation observe, or paperwork, however, I all the time loved the scene the place a drunken Uncle Billy misplaces the cash supposed for deposit in “It’s a Wonderful Life.“
Regardless of all these strings being tied round his fingers, he by no means even realizes that he left it on Mr. Potter’s lap. And, George Bailey absolutely browbeats him, on his solution to the breaking level.
The Fashionable, LegalTech Resolution: In a regulation agency, you possibly can hold observe of your paperwork, utilizing doc administration instruments and cloud repositories, which will also be linked, through the cloud, to regulation observe administration software program and case administration software program.
Plus, case administration softwares and accounting softwares enable regulation corporations to successfully handle their funds (together with belief accounting reviews) through reporting and dashboard instruments.
Trope 3: Signing Off
On the earth of leisure, signatures have to happen, apparently, insanely quick, in each attainable state of affairs. (And but, right here I’m, simply chillin’ – waitin’ for individuals to signal contracts and NDAs for God is aware of how lengthy.)
However, within the films, and on TV, if that contract doesn’t get signed, like – “Earlier than you eat lunch, Wilma! Don’t you DARE take a chew of that grilled cheese sandwich!” — the deal is misplaced, ceaselessly.
Exemplary Scene: This recent Adobe Acrobat commercial (for Adobe Sign) exhibits an athlete getting impatient with a standard signature course of and signing a *billion* greenback contract with one other group.
For positive, sports activities franchises are deciding to spend a BILLION {dollars} on a whim — however, I suppose that’s simply as life like as the moment signature trope.
The Fashionable, LegalTech Resolution: After all, you can get your shoppers and associated events to signal paperwork electronically, shortly and simply.
There are standalone eSignature options, and many different softwares, like regulation observe administration and buyer relationship administration instruments, that embody proprietary eSignature instruments, or can combine with these standalone instruments, together with as a part of automated workflows.
Trope 4: The Courtroom Shock
Maybe probably the most well-known authorized trope in fashionable tradition is the shocking courtroom twist, wherein one legal professional catches one other lawyer off-guard, with a sleight-of-hand maneuver that turns the entire case round.
Exemplary Scene: In “Reversal of Fortune” (the Claus von Bulow film), there’s a courtroom scene where there’s a lot going on, throughout which, apparently, nobody is doing analysis in any respect, aside from the Alan Dershowitz character. The choose apparently hasn’t learn his personal caselaw, and the prosecutor is completely suckered into making the improper argument, like a complete dope. Nice film stuff, completely divorced from actual life.
The Fashionable, LegalTech Resolution: Authorized analysis instruments are fairly darned superior, at this stage. You may even plug opposing counsel’s temporary right into a analysis engine, and it’ll spot errors within the temporary, in addition to recommend counterarguments.
You don’t even have to assume, anymore! Plus, digital trial notebooks and apps will help you higher set up your presentation.
Trope 5: Courting Catastrophe
There’s additionally the widespread trope, the place the legal professional is late (oftentimes to courtroom), and may’t get there for a complete host of causes — simply plenty of obstacles being positioned in her method.
Exemplary Scene: This scene from the iconic Jim Carrey movie, “Liar, Liar” (the place Carrey performs a lawyer — a shady one, in fact), contains police involvement, thus carrying on a advantageous custom of Jim Carrey-related interactions with the fuzz.
The Fashionable, LegalTech Resolution: Just about each pre-internet/pre-smartphone film arrival timing concern could be resolved through smartphone. Automobile hassle? Simply name an Uber, bro.
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Jared Correia, a advisor and authorized expertise knowledgeable, is the host of the Non-Eventcast, the featured podcast of the Above the Legislation Non-Occasion for Tech-Perplexed Attorneys.