Law firms must embrace remote working and new technology while also continuously adapting and responding to change if they are to succeed in the post-Covid world, according to research conducted by Bath consultancy Nine Feet Tall.
Staff are increasingly seeking autonomy around their working arrangements, wanting to ‘blend’ remote working with time in the office, the research reveals.
At the same time, firms will increasingly conduct virtual business with their clients, opening up opportunities for creative new online solutions.
Nine Feet Tall interviewed representatives from firms including DAC Beachcroft, Osborne Clarke and Ashurst to understand the challenges and opportunities facing the legal sector following a turbulent year.
The dramatic shake-up caused by the coronavirus pandemic means their futures will now be determined even more by their approach to technology and using it to enable staff to work remotely.
The report says following the closure of offices during lockdown, a survey from British Council for Offices suggested 46% of office workers wanted to blend remote and office working in the future.
Nine Feet Tall legal expert Tiggy Robinson said: “Firms need to accept this new flexible approach to how and where work is conducted. There is an opportunity to reimagine company culture, which will help with attracting and retaining talent.”
Law firms should also move from a passive to an active approach to designing a leading virtual client experience and applying ‘design thinking’ principles can help.
The path to technological change for law firms does not just mean introducing the latest software but considering if existing technology has been fully adopted.
Tiggy added: “In June, the use of Microsoft Teams grew by 894% compared with its base usage in February. This illustrates the importance of remote collaboration across firms.
“However, are the full benefits of these technologies being realised or are teams using a small proportion of the functionality available from collaboration tools like this?”
Osborne Clarke IT director Nathan Hayes said: “The pandemic has clearly disrupted our working practices making our people significantly more receptive to change.
“We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to take advantage of that to accelerate improvements to the way in which we work and lock in the associated benefits before the window of opportunity closes.”
The research explored the different areas being addressed by the legal sector to prepare for the future of work – people, culture, clients, technology, working environments and processes.
In each, the common theme centred on adaptability and moving towards a new era.
An industry rich in tradition, history and legacy, law now needed to overcome any resistance to innovating and try a new approach fit for a world where change is the only constant, it concludes.
Nine Feet Tall specialises in business transformation, working in close partnership with its clients to deliver widespread, positive change regardless of the organisation size and despite the cultural challenges faced.
The full research can be downloaded here
