A crisis toilet bag to the evolution of the occupation.
Or digitization, as you prefer. The term doesn't change the substance of this article. With the erosion of the legal advisor's monopoly, competition from accountants, strikes, and Covid-19, lawyers are currently facing the most difficult crisis the profession has ever known. The situation may seem dramatic, especially considering that 28% of lawyers are considering leaving the profession in the coming months. But...
But as with any crisis, a defense mechanism kicks in: innovation . Wars and their inherent technological advancements are prime examples. It is essential to evolve , to reinvent oneself, to avoid suffering the same consequences.
While lawyers aren't exactly lagging behind in legal innovation, they're not the driving force either. Notaries , with their modern and effective communication, are (somewhat) demystifying this austere world. Chartered accountants , well-organized by their professional body , have managed to chip away at lawyers' market share. Finally, legaltech companies, newcomers to this gigantic market in France (€31,1 billion), are disrupting a profession deeply rooted in human relationships through digitalization . But human interaction doesn't necessarily mean physical . And that's the challenge for the future.
No and fortunately. Technologies are now accessible and cash flow remains essential, particularly to survive in times of crisis.
Le website: 1st lever to activate
A basic website: Between €15 (with Wix) and €2500 for a truly polished site. Don't spend €4 or €5000 unless you have very specific needs.
“Yes, but that’s not going to be enough to develop my clientele or take the plunge into innovation”
That's true. But it's an essential prerequisite. This is where your future clients will come in, this is the site where you'll offer innovative new services, this is the site where you'll build the relationship of trust that will set you apart from other lawyers.
Then come the notions of natural referencing, rating, acquisition, traffic etc. We will address these points in a future file.
The evangelism online legal services
If companies like Captain Contrat, LegalPlace, and Call a Lawyer seem light-years behind in terms of technological innovation, you're right. You won't be able to catch up with them unless you have several hundred thousand euros to spend on development and marketing. But all is not lost; quite the contrary. They are the ones making the financial and marketing efforts to convince people that lawyers are no longer just physical and that the same level of service can be delivered online.
Innovate without inventing
Innovation isn't necessarily synonymous with invention. Just because you're not tech-savvy or your idea doesn't seem revolutionary doesn't mean you can't innovate. We're talking about user-centered innovation . COVID-19 has disrupted the lives of all French people. Habits have changed , and now we need to respond. How? By adapting your services to your customers' new expectations.
Use what exists, free yourself from tasks time-consuming with lawyer software and maximize its added value.
40 hours/month is an average, but it's the time you spend on recurring, low value-added tasks: formatting an invoice, writing an assignment, retrieving information from your client.
30% . That's the amount of your fees that are currently unpaid. Whether due to negligence or lack of time. Following up and debt collection are thankless and, again, time-consuming tasks.
This is where existing business and legaltech software comes into play.
Free yourself from time-consuming tasks: A lawyer software
Jarvis Legal : From automated document drafting and invoicing to time tracking, cloud storage, video conferencing, activity reporting, and payment reminders, we offer a constantly evolving suite of tools to help you accelerate your practice without significant hardware or development investments.
So if you want to start by digitalizing your customer relations, this is a very good start. We offer you :
- a secure customer portal, on which you will be able to communicate and exchange parts easily.
- A 100% encrypted, secure and hosted videoconferencing solution in France
- Our entire pool of external service providers, to help you with your digitalization.
We support lawyers in their digitalization projects and listen to all your ideas. Our API's can be connected to your projects, so don't hesitate to contact us.
Develop your clientele
Call a Lawyer : Founded by lawyers, the first legal tech company to raise funds, Call a Lawyer offers you the opportunity to answer questions from clients over the phone. The call is paid, but it's primarily about establishing initial contact with the client. If the question warrants opening a case, the next step is yours.
monpostulant.fr : A simple tool created by lawyers, for lawyers, and winner of the Paris Bar Association's Innovation Award . The tool allows you to find a temporary lawyer/assignment specialist anywhere in France in just 3 clicks, or conversely, to be listed for free to carry out assignments for colleagues.
La Fabrique Juridique / Votreruptureconventionnelle.com : Also created by female lawyers (the feminine form is important), it's the first platform to digitize employment law. You get paid for the documents ordered on the site that you draft. The platform primarily develops subcontracting services for firms that want to expand into new areas of practice without hiring.