Clarra vs. Legacy Tools and Approaches: Why cloud-based solutions are the future for growing multi-practice plaintiffs’ law firms

The legal industry has traditionally been slow to embrace change. But criminal justice law firms and other specialized practices are being forced to adapt due to the rapid advancement of technology and increasing demands from clients. Legal Mosaic CEO and Founder Mark Cohen wrote that “a growing list of clients demand transformed legal services.”

This blog explores the pivotal trends reshaping the legal landscape and highlights the compelling reasons for growing law firms to harness the power of cloud-based solutions, such as Clarra legal practice management software.

Key Trends Transforming the Legal Industry and Shaping the Future of Law Firms

The following trends are driving a significant shift in the legal industry:

• Increasing technology adoptionLaw firms are now adopting technology solutions to streamline case handling and improve efficiency.Jerry Levine, Chief Evangelist and General Counsel at ContractPodAi, says that the emergence of “screen-first” generations will lead to greater adoption of legal software and a decreased dependence on conventional systems. Statista projects that revenues generated by the legal tech market will reach 35.6 billion U.S. dollars by 2027.

• Remote workAlso, as remote work becomes more common across industries, law firms will adapt to this trend.Lori Lorenzo, Research and Insights Leader at Deloitte’s Chief Legal Officer Program, highlights the expectation for legal leaders to create customized learning, collaboration, and connection structures that cater to the hybrid workplace.

• Cybersecurity concernsFirms must invest in robust cybersecurity measures, adopt secure cloud-based solutions, and ensure compliance with data protection regulations to protect the sensitive data they handle.

• ALSPsThe rise of alternative legal service providers (ALSPs) will prompt traditional law firms to differentiate themselves by expanding their service offerings, embracing technology, and focusing on niche areas of expertise.

• Professional growthTo stay abreast of emerging technologies and legal trends, law firms must allocate resources toward continuous professional development for their employees. This will also contribute to fostering a robust firm culture and nurturing more proficient lawyers.

Law firms that proactively adapt to these changes and stay ahead of the curve will be well-positioned for success in the years to come. One of the most effective ways to embrace these evolving trends is by harnessing the power of cloud-based solutions, which offer numerous benefits in terms of efficiency, flexibility, and security.

The Limits of Legacy Tools and Approaches

Legacy methods like spreadsheets and paper-based systems are less effective in meeting the modern requirements of law firms.

Legal professionals utilize spreadsheets as versatile tools for organizing and managing data. However, spreadsheets can be inefficient due to their susceptibility to errors and limited capabilities for sharing and collaboration.

In contrast, while certain legal purposes still require paper documents, reliance on them can incur costs, generate waste, and pose environmental concerns. Moreover, paper-based records can present risks in terms of security, reliability, and potential for delays, errors, or miscommunication among legal professionals, clients, and other involved parties.

On-premise case management solutions, and non-legal or “jack-of-all-trades” software solutions, are prone to inflexible features, limited accessibility, and clunky interfaces that fail to keep up with the constantly evolving needs of law firms. Numerous software reviews have highlighted these issues.

As firms expand, these legacy systems grapple with scaling issues and fail to provide the adaptability required for handling multi-practice and high-volume litigation. Furthermore, their client-centric focus falls short of addressing the distinct needs of plaintiffs’ law firms.

A better future with Clarra

Cloud-based solutions like Clarra legal practice management software are emerging as the preferred choice for multi-practice plaintiffs’ law firms looking to adapt and future-proof their operations.

• Enhanced collaboration
  Clarra’s cloud-based infrastructure and communication features allow for smooth cooperation between lawyers and support personnel,no matter where they are working.. The automated notifications system of Clarra keeps team members informed about new correspondence by matter, with tailored notifications for attorneys, paralegals, and docketers to ensure efficient communication.

• Greater scalability
  Traditional, client-centric case management systems often lack the necessary features to scale plaintiffs’ firms effectively, while Clarra excels in this area. As the firm grows, Clarra’s cloud-based infrastructure effortlessly adjusts to accommodate more users and practice areas, eliminating the requirement for costly hardware upgrades.

• Adaptable work setup
  Being cloud-based, Clarra allows users to access the platform from anywhere, enabling increased collaboration among team members and reducing delays.

• Increased efficiency
  Clarra streamlines case management for legal professionals, optimizing their work routines and creating opportunities for ongoing learning and growth. By eliminating manual and intricate processes like scheduling, timekeeping, and report creation, Clarra empowers legal professionals to dedicate their efforts as they serve an expanding number of clients.

• Robust security
  Clarra employs robust security measures to protect sensitive client information while ensuring automatic software updates to maintain a secure environment.

Traditional case management tools and approaches may not adequately address the evolving demands of a fast-paced, technology-driven environment.

As growing law firms prepare for the future, they must adopt cutting-edge, cloud-based legal software like Clarra. These solutions offer enhanced scalability, accessibility, security, collaboration, communication, efficiency, and productivity tailored to the unique requirements of law firms. Embracing such technology empowers these firms to stay competitive and effectively serve clients in an ever-evolving legal landscape.

To experience Clarra first-hand, request a free demo now or start with our free plan.