How Remote-Ready Legal Tech Helps Attorneys Stay Productive from Anywhere

By David Morgan, Head of Product at LEAP

One of the most fundamental recent shifts in technology has been the transition from on-premises solutions to cloud-based platforms. Now, there is a myriad of solutions for the lawyer on the go. But not all tools are created equal. My ballpoint pen and notebook is technically remote-ready, but I wouldn’t consider them to be a cornerstone of my tech stack.

It’s also vital to remember the practical considerations when using these tools; technology itself can only ever be the start of the journey. Building a truly remote-ready law firm depends just as much on your team’s culture and values as it does on the products you choose. Even the most sophisticated tech will be ineffective if there aren't clear expectations around responsiveness, communication, flexibility, and work-life balance.

Implemented effectively, remote technology can provide an increase in productivity.[1] This can translate into additional billable hours, increased flexibility in a busy schedule, or simply the ability to remain connected when taking an extended break from the laptop.

Let’s explore four ways that the right approach to legal tech can support true mobility for your firm, even in ways that can seem counterintuitive at first.

1. Remote Software Enhances Collaboration

The ability to communicate effectively is fundamental to the practice of law. Sometimes, remote work can seem like a challenge to this, creating distance between colleagues and clients that makes clarity even more important.

Still, it is entirely possible to establish secure and effective methods of teamwork and real-time communication for your firm, clients, and other parties while working remotely. This can include the use of reliable tools that offer:

• Video conferencing, like Zoom and Microsoft Teams

• Document collaboration, like Microsoft 365

• Client portals, like LawConnect

• Instant messaging, like Slack and Microsoft Teams

• eSignature services, like DocuSign and InfoSign

These tools can help law firms communicate clearly and work together more seamlessly. In many cases, this can lead to collaboration that is just as strong as traditional in-person interactions.

From an operational perspective, it’s crucial to maintain a centralized location to act as your single source of truth. The more pieces of software you use, the easier it is for information to become fragmented or siloed. Consider cloud-based legal practice management solutions that have bespoke integrations or use connector tools like Zapier to help maintain a consistent approach across platforms.

2. Remote Software Improves Accessibility

Improvement does not mean perfection, making this next point slightly controversial. Some assume that any reliable cloud-based software will be accessible 24/7. Cloud-based or not, the reality is that no platform is completely immune to downtime.

This is especially topical with recent outages with AWS, Azure, and Cloudflare. These incidents had ramifications across the entire internet, with sites as diverse as ChatGPT, McDonalds, Snapchat, and Fortnite impacted (a veritable modern day Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse).

Some might cite these outages as reasons to avoid cloud-based software altogether. However, this ignores the fact that on-premises systems also experience their own issues, and often with far greater impact on law firms and slower recovery times (for example, hardware failure). The very reason that these cloud-based incidents are newsworthy is precisely because of their rarity.

When evaluating platforms, thoroughly examine how the provider responds to potential accessibility issues. Do they have strong disaster recovery processes, a commitment to system maintenance, and a transparent approach to service availability? (Hint: if a provider claims 100% uptime, consider it a major red flag regarding the reliability of their monitoring tools.)

3. Remote Software Is More Than Working Out of a Web Browser

Cloud-based technology is often viewed as synonymous with working from a browser window. It’s an understandable misconception, as almost every one of us carries a smart phone with a built-in web browser (not to mention the tablets, TVs, cars, and even refrigerators giving us internet access).

Think of remote readiness as less about how you access a platform, and more about where your data is stored and how it can be used.

Mobile access is a critical component of any remote-ready strategy. While many of us are exceedingly familiar with managing emails through our phones, more specialized legal tech tools can help attorneys and legal professionals reduce lost time and minimize administrative catch-up at day’s end, even when on the go. It can also help your firm stay informed about cases in real-time.

The nuances of mobile devices, including their smaller screen sizes, touch screen interfaces, and (near) constant internet connection, make them a key consideration when evaluating any legal tech software. When assessing a product, ask questions like:

• Is there a dedicated mobile app?

• Was the interface thoughtfully designed for use on mobile devices?

• Could there be device compatibility issues (for example, iOS vs. Android)?

Mobile technology can help you remain productive when away from your desk, allowing you to review matters, manage your calendar, connect with your team, and accurately capture billable time. However, remember that tools like these must be paired with a common-sense approach to work-life balance. Increased access to work can blur the lines between personal and professional time. It’s important to set clear expectations around availability to alleviate stress and protect against burnout.

4. Remote Software Is More Secure

Security versus accessibility is often treated as a dichotomy, but modern cloud platforms typically offer stronger protection than most firms can achieve on their own.

While there are certainly outliers (years ago, I worked with a firm who refused to connect their bookkeeper’s machine to the internet which made for a challenging time when installing product updates), the investment in backups, encryption, and monitoring of a cloud system will likely go far beyond what can be achieved with an on-premises solution.

Technical security specifications can (and often do) descend into lengthy amounts of jargon that can be hard to parse and even harder to compare. To try and cut through the noise, look for industry-recognized certifications, such as AICPA’s SOC 2 or ISO 27001 when assessing cloud-based platforms. Certification by these independent benchmarks provides confidence that an organization has robust procedures in place and practices what they preach.

Tips for Building a More Secure Law Firm

When using any system, remember that the most common weakness is usually the human element. No amount of encryption will protect your data if your phone’s password is 1234. There are many easily implemented practices that can help you enhance the security of your digital tools.

• Use secure and unique passwords. A passphrase is generally more secure when it’s longer in length. A selection of random words (I love using song lyrics) are tougher to crack than any amount of substituting zeros for Os. They can also be more memorable.

• Ensure your team updates their passwords on a regular basis.

• Enable multi-factor authentication on all platforms that support it.

• Keep devices locked when not in use. Win+L is a great keyboard shortcut for PCs.

• Log out of all systems when you aren’t using them.

Ultimately, remote readiness is about more than devices and apps. It’s about gaining access to secure, connected software that can help you draft legal documents, review matters, communicate with clients and colleagues, and capture billable time wherever you are.

And by adopting remote-ready legal technology and using it thoughtfully, you can maintain, and even enhance, your productivity whether you’re in court, at home, or traveling for the holidays.

Discover how LEAP’s cloud-based legal practice management software can help your law firm work with more flexibility, efficiency, and security. Download our e-book, Productivity & Profitability: How the Cloud is Revolutionizing the Legal Industry to learn how LEAP can help support your law firm’s success anywhere, at any time.

About the Writer

David Morgan is the Head of Product for LEAP US. David has 15 years of experience working in legal tech. Starting his career in a company that went by the name of Perfect Software, he now fervently believes that there is no such thing. Instead, product development is a constantly iterating cycle of improvement, testing, and client feedback. He is passionate about innovation and developing new solutions to help attorneys to be more productive, profitable, and to help them achieve the best outcomes for their clients.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/productivity/notices/2024/productivity-and-remote-work.htm