Technology: How will this shape the legal workplace?

When considering the future of your workplace you’re probably envisaging how and where future generations will do their jobs. As staff progress through their careers, organisations should be considering what innovations might power future workplaces. Will the talent working in paralegal and secretarial roles need to commit to a lifetime of learning? The workplace of the future requires talent in both of these areas to start contemplating the future today.

As technology processes quickly throughout all sectors, the latest predictions are that the legal office of tomorrow will incorporate innovations such as greener and more oxygen-rich environments. While these innovations promote positive change in the workplace, we can see that few predictions are considering how our use of talent might change moving forward.

One of the biggest transformations within the legal sector is service automation, designed to streamline processes and save costs, saving time and money for firms. It’s true that there are some administrative processes which seem to be the most obvious choices, but it’s more far-reaching than just that. Machine learning can provide a research tool for lawyers, and the role of the paralegal will be reshaped to fit with this new automation. 

The future of the paralegal role in terms of automation is uncertain, but lawyers are being championed with learning how best to work alongside new technology so its potential can be utilised across all sectors of the firm. Working alongside lawyers with such knowledge will develop and grow your career as a paralegal in these technology driven times.

Data will soon be used by leaders to transform the workplace, working from a supply of high-quality data will be utilised as a priority. In an interview with PageGroup, Larysa Melnychuk, CEO and founder of the International FP&A Board, a think-tank for senior finance professionals, predicted that artificial intelligence (AI) will give leaders of tomorrow a clear, real-time understanding of the exact numbers driving company success or failure.

She says, “It’s all based on key business drivers, and about that 20% of drivers that explain 80% of the results, and, obviously, this then drives changes.” She cites a client in New York: where previously it took over a month to reforecast a balance sheet numbering in the trillions, it now takes under 36 minutes. In terms of paralegal and secretarial roles, this will be able to free up workload and speed up processes throughout the firm. This free time will give employees time to progress and develop further in their careers.

There is a clear role for businesses during any transition phase. Laurence O’Neill, EU Core Infrastructure Coordinator for PageGroup notes that staying true to your service-centered path must remain a priority: “While advancements in technology will shape the landscape of the future workplace, it will be up to people to ensure that we don’t lose focus of what makes us human and up to future leaders to ensure they facilitate this way of thinking.”

On an individual level, staying ahead in the workforce of the future will demand that those within the legal sector continuously adapt and engage with others in that process, while retaining our core identity and values. Paralegals should be looking to develop their skills to ensure they are keeping up to date with future technologies that may be introduced to their job role. All employees must be developed and progressed, in order to protect livelihoods and maintain a competitive edge, developing employees will encourage problem solving and build them into experts within their field.

If you’re looking to hire a paralegal into your team why not get in touch to discuss your hiring needs with one of our specialist consultants.