Industries across the board have become advocates and embracers of remote working over the past three years, as the coronavirus pandemic ignited an international digital fire. The legal field is one such industry. Historically stagnant, law seemed to be a field that was incapable of dialing into virtualization, but that has changed in recent times.
Despite the challenges that exist in the legal remote working world, Kerwin Burl Stephens of Texas explains that the advanced technologies available in today’s environment has ensured the sector can reap the plentiful rewards that come from virtual workspaces.
Law Firms Embracing Remote Work Practices See Numerous Benefits
Working remotely, according to the Law 2.0 Conference, has its fair share of obstacles in the legal industry. Yet, the benefits reportedly remain innumerable, including but not limited to the following:
Cost Savings
Law firms and legal professionals alike save money through remote employment. Those in the field note the significant travel costs they have saved since working from home, and law firm owners mention the reduced overhead costs of running an in-person office.
Boosted Efficiency
Thanks to the non-existent commute time, remote work boosts legal professionals’ productivity and reduces the time spent on non-essential happenings. They have the space and time to devote to work-related tasks and fulfill more duties in fewer hours due to the decreased distractions.
Improved Flexibility
Virtual workspaces have given legal practitioners a more flexible work schedule, allowing lawyers to gain a better work-life balance.
Naturally, this doesn’t always have the desired effect, but on average, professionals are able to work from anywhere at any time, letting them take care of familial matters when necessary.
Widened Talent Pool
The best talent isn’t always residing in the immediate vicinity or willing to come into the office on a set number of days per week — an across-the-board struggle for law firms before the WFH age.
Nowadays, the talent pool is worldwide, letting firms hire the best talent for their needs and expand into new areas, regardless of where the professionals may live. The world is quite literally their oyster.
Minimized Environmental Impact
Eliminating the need for regular commutes and the carbon footprint associated with physical offices has become the new norm for remote-work-embracing firms. Virtual workspaces have decreased the environmental impact of the entire profession.
However, The Legal Profession Isn’t Ignoring the Challenges Virtual Workspaces Bring
Even though the highs are extremely high, the legal profession isn’t exempt from the various challenges that remote environments bring.
Mental Health Concerns
The COVID-19 pandemic brought the true effects of social isolation to the forefront, and it’s well-documented that working from home only can increase the risks of developing long-term mental health concerns.
With this in mind, it’s no wonder that many professions see hybrid working as the optimal “new normal.” However, there are other measures that can be put in place to help lawyers combat feelings of loneliness while working on a strictly remote schedule.
Less Stringent Cybersecurity Measures
Homes aren’t set up with security protocols akin to law firms. Not to mention that people who aren’t legal professionals could gain access to work phones or laptops, heightening security risks.
Increased Miscommunication Risk
Less face-to-face conversations can increase the likelihood of miscommunication or zero communication from staff, causing confusion and perpetuating uncertainty. Couple that with the risk of technological failure and the entire operation grinds to a halt.
Remote work necessitates well-oiled communication protocols — even more so than in an office.
Time Tracking Difficulties
Firms depending on billable hours reportedly find it harder to track time worked and remain profitable with remote environments. Keeping track of paid tasks gets lost amid homely distractions.
Technology is Helping Law Firms to Continue Working Remotely
While the challenges are still at the forefront, technology is easing remote-working stressors, aiding a seamless work life for lawyers and other legal professionals.
Time trackers help practitioners manage their billable tasks, while virtual receptionist services eliminate the likelihood of missed business. Likewise, eDiscovery and eSignature tools are automating traditionally manual tasks, freeing professionals’ time for more intensive, meaningful tasks, letting them access documents faster than before, and sign forms without meeting face-to-face.