Law firms look to legal software and AI to streamline and automate administrative tasks, but how far can firms automate with legal software? We take a look at the solutions firms can utilise to maximise their time and generate growth.
Fee-earners in law firms are often bogged down with non-billable, repetitive tasks—managing documents, tracking billable hours, and maintaining compliance, to name a few. While these tasks are essential, they detract from the time fee-earners could spend on higher-value client work.
Automation has emerged as a solution to this challenge. By streamlining workflows and automating routine processes, firms can free up time, improve efficiency, and enhance their profitability. Let’s explore the range of tasks that can now be automated and the technology making it possible.
Automating the fundamentals of legal work
1. Document management and workflow automation
Document creation and management are at the core of legal practice, yet they are often time-consuming. Legal software with document automation capabilities enables firms to create standardised templates, automatically populate key details, and even review contracts for compliance or errors.
Workflow automation ensures that tasks like approvals, reminders, and matter tracking are seamlessly handled without manual intervention. These systems reduce errors, ensure deadlines are met, and improve team collaboration, creating a more efficient working environment.
2. Client and matter management
Keeping track of client information and case progress can become overwhelming, especially in larger firms. Legal software offers centralised client and matter management tools that store and organise client data, case files, and correspondence in one place.
Automation simplifies the client onboarding process by streamlining forms, compliance checks, and file creation. With these tools, firms can enhance the client experience while reducing administrative overhead.
3. Time recording and billing
Tracking billable time is essential for profitability, yet manual processes can lead to lost hours and inaccuracies. Time recording tools integrated into legal software can automatically track activities across platforms, ensuring every billable task is captured.
Billing systems automate invoice generation, applying predefined rates and creating detailed, professional invoices in moments. This ensures that fee-earners spend less time on administrative tasks and more time focused on revenue-generating work.
4. Regulatory compliance and legal accounting
Compliance with industry regulations is non-negotiable for law firms. Legal software simplifies compliance by automating tasks such as client due diligence, audit trails, and reporting. Integrated accounting tools manage trust accounts, reconcile ledgers, and ensure compliance with SRA rules and other regulations.
By eliminating manual processes, automation reduces the risk of non-compliance while improving transparency and accuracy.
5. Data insights and reporting
Understanding performance metrics is key to optimising operations and identifying growth opportunities. Modern legal software provides robust reporting and analytics tools that offer insights into billable hours, fee-earner productivity, client trends, and financial performance.
With access to real-time data, firms can make informed, strategic decisions to improve efficiency and profitability.
The deeper potential of automation
While much of the focus is on reducing administrative burdens, the potential of automation goes far deeper. AI-powered tools are now capable of analysing large datasets, researching legal matters, identifying trends, and even predicting case outcomes based on historical data. These insights can guide strategy, improve resource allocation, and deliver better results for clients.
Additionally, client-facing tools such as chatbots powered by legal software can handle routine queries, provide updates, and even guide clients through simple legal processes, offering 24/7 support without human intervention.
Empowering fee-earners with automation
Automation isn’t about replacing legal professionals; it’s about empowering them. By automating repetitive tasks, legal software allows fee-earners to dedicate more time to complex legal work and client interactions—the areas where their expertise has the most value.
From document drafting to compliance, OneAdvanced Legal demonstrates how technology can be a strategic enabler. By adopting automation, firms not only streamline operations but also position themselves for sustainable growth in an increasingly competitive market.
The power of a unified platform
Legal software platforms designed to integrate multiple functions offer even greater advantages. For example, tools from OneAdvanced Legal combine document management, time recording, compliance, and financial reporting into a single system. This integration eliminates silos, reduces duplication of work, and ensures all processes work in harmony.
The cloud-based deployment further enhance flexibility, enabling remote access and secure collaboration from anywhere. Such systems are scalable, accommodating the needs of growing firms without disrupting existing workflows.
The legal industry is at a turning point. Automation and advanced legal software are no longer optional—they are essential tools for firms that want to thrive in the modern landscape. By leveraging these technologies, law firms can unlock significant time savings, reduce costs, and deliver better outcomes for their clients.
The possibilities are vast, and the time to act is now. Firms that embrace automation today will lead the profession tomorrow.
