Technology and the Legal Community
Technology and the Legal Field I. ... “Litigation Support” is a rising technology that changes from day to day. ... Software drives the hardware decisions, and law firms are continually fighting a budget battle to stay competitive in the legal services industry. ... The rise of information technology within the legal profession will have unanticipated consequences as the technology shifts from being the servant of our wishes to the master of our destiny. The legal profession will also become slaves to computers. Technology may soon escape the legal professions control, change the routine, and challenge the inefficiencies law firms enjoy as well as create opportunities for new forms of law firms and law practice. Legal technology stretches back to the 1970’s when technology was first introduced in support of litigation by the giant IBM Corporation, who was at the time embroiled in litigation involving an avalanche of paper, which necessitated computerized cataloguing and management. Technology consistently affects everyone and every business. I plan to show you, the audience how technology has changed and shaped the legal profession and how it will continue to change the way law firms do business. ... When to use Technology in Litigation A. Choosing when computerized litigation support is desirable is a skill that has more to with the circumstances of the matter, the client and the information management than technology per se. Factors which need to be considered when determining the application of technology to the process of litigation include: 1. ... This will determine the mix of technology. ... Involvement of any technology in litigation needs to be factored in early, and be part of the overall litigation management process from day one. ... Is the other side going to apply technology to the case, and is the court amenable to technology being applied to the litigation including within the court. ... , And what is the likelihood of the client defraying the cost of litigation technology.