Tech skills are now essential for the best legal support staff. Technology has changed the practice of law in many ways, from expanding the number of practice areas in which law is disputed to changing the day- to-day tasks required for a firm or department to operate efficiently. Legal support staff with strong tech skills helps the entire organization operate more efficiently and effectively.
Here are a few areas on which to focus when boosting your tech skills in the service of your legal support career:
Communications
Typewriters are a thing of the past in many law firms, and extensive paper-based filing and organization systems are heading in the same direction. Even when a law firm still relies on paper, the clients, witnesses, and experts the firm deal with in any given case may be operating on a digital-only system.
In order to stay on top of their field, legal support staff will have to be wholly comfortable with word processing, spreadsheet, and other office software tools. They’ll also have to be able to manage and convert documents and other files to and from various formats, so that work can be transported and shared more easily among attorneys.
Virtual meetings, project management, and workflow
The Internet has made it possible for lawyers to work independently anywhere at any time – even in the courtroom. This means that many lawyers work on documents, do research, or consult with clients or witnesses while they are out of the office, or they bring distant parties into the conference room via virtual meeting or audio-visual software and tools like Skype. Project management software to manage case workflow and keep everyone “on the same page” is also gaining ground in a number of legal offices. Legal support staff who can keep these tools running seamlessly quickly become invaluable whenever a “glitch” appears.
Data security
Confidentiality has always been among the highest priorities for law firms and legal departments. Technological tools have added a new dimension to security concerns. Legal support staff that specializes in understanding data security concerns, and the options for confronting them, is in high demand among law firms that would like to take full advantage of tech platforms, but are struggling to implement the best processes without compromising client confidentiality.
At Kent Legal, our experienced Toronto-area recruiters can help you find a legal support position that makes the most of your existing skills while helping you expand your abilities. Contact us today to learn more.