We tend to think of the law as one of the most traditional industries, fundamentally framed by precedents and a “this is how it’s always been done” mentality. Yet. it’s no secret that massive changes are already underway in the legal profession, mainly driven by technological advances. What is the career outlook for a lawyer in light of these emerging trends?

Part-time lawyers? Practicing from an RV on the road? Meetings with clients and opposing counsel in a virtual world? All of this is possible for today’s attorneys. In fact, it’s already happening. 

What is the occupational outlook for a lawyer? Just a few short years ago, things looked uncertain as law firms began closing offices in response to a global pandemic. For an industry steeped in tradition, there was no other choice. 

Although the internet has been around for nearly half a century, and law firms have used it to market their services and conduct business, what’s taking shape today is much different. 

Personal injury lawyers were never able to run their entire offices from anywhere in the world. They have never been able to conduct depositions from a laptop or serve documents electronically. They could never attend court virtually. 

Now, those actions are so commonplace that attorneys don’t want to give them up — nor do they have to. However, the trends in the legal space also require a certain skill set and arsenal of tools to ensure success as this profession continues to evolve. 

Professional outlook for lawyers: The future is bright

If you’re an attorney or considering becoming one, you obviously want to avoid investing resources in a dying field. Good news! The future of the legal profession remains bright despite some fast-moving changes on the horizon. 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for lawyers in May 2023 was $145,760. Employment for lawyers is projected to grow 8% annually through 2032, which is faster than the average for all occupations. This equates to roughly 39,100 job openings each year over the next decade. 

4 trends that will shape the legal profession in the next decade

The future of the legal profession is a mix of opportunity and uncertainty as the following law firm trends continue to take shape.

1. Boosting productivity with generative AI

While generative artificial intelligence (AI) is only in its infancy, many law firms are already taking advantage of AI-driven tools for various productivity functions. Despite some misconceptions, AI is not meant to replace lawyers but rather enhance their roles as legal advocates. 

GenAI can relieve personal injury lawyers of time-consuming tasks like text editing, document summarization or scheduling. For example, one of CloudLex’s latest AI-powered features is called Voice-Activated Module (VAM), which enables users to upload or record conversations and assign them as tasks to selected firm members with transcripts, key point highlights and more.

2. Increasing efficiency with digital client management

When a potential personal injury client contacts your law firm, how long does it take you to respond? If your answer is more than a few minutes, you’re well behind the curve and likely to get beaten by your peers. Many personal injury firms now use automated intake management systems and digital client management solutions to make their processes more efficient.

When a prospective client fills out an intake form, they should receive an automated confirmation from your firm. Using an AI-empowered system, you can instantly determine the viability of a case and spring into action. If you sign a new client, a robust digital client management system will automatically create a new matter and begin tracking activity. 

3. Focusing on the client experience

Modern technology allows personal injury lawyers to be much more proactive than in the past. Instead of being overwhelmed with administrative tasks and having to extinguish legal fires, attorneys can be more customer-centric. 

As attorneys embrace more automation and data-driven systems, they will have more time to focus on their clients’ needs and goals. Offering a better client experience through things like e-signatures on documents will boost the firm’s reputation and overall results. 

4. Making better decisions with Big Data

“Big Data” refers to the existence of large, complex and rapidly growing datasets. Taken alone, the existence of this large volume of data isn’t useful for your personal injury law firm. A growing trend, however, is being able to collect, manipulate and analyze big data so it benefits your practice. Some examples include: 

• Document review automation: Algorithms can now automate the tedious task of reviewing mountains of documents to save time and reduce human error. For example, CloudLex’s legal Document Management and Workflow Automation Management features can automate the organization and operation of your PI firm. 
• Data-driven litigation strategy: Personal injury law firms can leverage big data to analyze patterns in similar historical cases to anticipate defenses or tactics and create better case strategies.
• Contract analysis and management: Applications relying on big data can help analyze intricate legal contracts by flagging potential issues and reducing the chances of future legal conflicts. 

What’s next for your law firm?

As you see from the recent statistics and trends, the future of the law profession is brighter than ever. It does require a more resilient approach to the practice of law. Specifically, legal professionals in the future will need a combination of hard and soft skills to succeed in the evolving legal landscape. These include:

• Technological proficiency: Understanding and making optimal use of legal cloud technology solutions will be a requirement. Skills in AI, cybersecurity and data analytics will only grow in value. 
• Adaptability: As the legal field continues to evolve, the ability to adapt to new processes and technology solutions will prove essential. 
• Data analysis: As data-driven decision-making becomes more common in the legal profession, Legal professionals should understand how to collect, use and interpret data in legal contexts. 
• Emotional intelligence: Understanding and responding to clients’ needs will remain a critical skill, particularly in an increasingly digital marketplace.
• Collaborative skills: As work becomes more remote and interdisciplinary, attorneys who can collaborate across various platforms will stand out. 

Embrace the future with CloudLex

There is a clear trend toward technology-enabled law firms that support remote work, AI-driven automation and a more customized client experience. Navigating the future using the right legal technology solutions can make your firm not only more efficient but an innovator in its market. Learn about how CloudLex’s legal operations dashboard can revolutionize your personal injury practice.