Why law firms should embrace hybrid working

Craig Matthews, CEO at Osprey Approach, says law firms should embrace hybrid working to remain competitive and relevant, supported by innovative technological solutions, and offers a three-point plan for sourcing the right infrastructure.

Although the legal sector has been edging towards hybrid working practices for decades, the global pandemic has seen many law firms accelerate their plans to accommodate a blend of home and office working.

Over the past 12 months, law firms’ infrastructure has been exposed like never before, with practices adapting to accommodate fee earner home-working during multiple national lockdowns. While some firms have thrived and adapted well, others have struggled, particularly those with woefully inadequate case management and software solutions, which are incapable of facilitating fee earners’ need to work flexibly, from multiple locations.

Fee earners in favour of hybrid working
A recent survey among legal professionals found 77% of senior lawyers want to retain elements of remote working, while 22% said they were likely to leave if they couldn’t change their current working patterns to hybrid working.

The message is clear: many fee earners want to continue with a flexible working model after the pandemic, meaning hybrid working needs to form part of your firm’s strategy. Many firms are already adopting this model – a reluctance to do so creates a culture that no longer meets the needs of today’s lawyers.

The right infrastructure
For a hybrid approach to succeed, as well as implementing innovative software solutions, firms should also focus on three areas: change management, communication, and security.

• Change management

For any legal technology solution to be successful, fee earners need to feel confident in the system and know how to use it to their advantage to enhance their work lives. Managing the change of new software is often the biggest hurdle so, to achieve buy-in from users, full training and support should be available to alleviate any unnecessary frustration, productivity dips and negative effects. Don’t overlook the importance of comprehensive and accessible support when choosing your software partner.

• Communication

Communication is key for both internal teams and clients. It’s important that employees feel part of the firm collective, even when working from home – and this is especially key for new or junior lawyers in the team. Without the physical location of your office for client interactions, there need to be digital communication and collaboration tools, which make attracting new clients and building lasting relationships even easier and more effective. Implementing the right software solutions will enable firms to offer digital platforms and portals that provide quick and cost-effective services, from initial client enquiry and instruction through validation and compliance checks, up to the provision of legal services.

• Security

Client files, IT hardware and communication tools need to be re-thought and adapted for optimal performance and security. When looking to implement a new IT strategy, it’s important to consider data, cybersecurity and compliance rules, to ensure staff and client data is secure.

The workplace of the future
The future of the workplace is hybrid. For legal practices to remain competitive, attract the best talent and win new business, firms should seek out case management software solutions that provide flexibility. Investment in the digital tools needed to manage client matters from anywhere, at any time, without the reliance on physical files and office space, is key.