Most in-house legal teams lack a comprehensive technology roadmap, often due to struggles in defining strategy or prioritizing new solution needs. The divide between legal teams and IT departments exacerbates this challenge, resulting in fragmented technology purchases both within departments and across organizations.
As the demand for artificial intelligence grows, organizations rush to adopt the latest technology without addressing core digital transformation needs. To overcome these challenges, general counsel and legal operations professionals must collaborate closely with IT, adopting a holistic, platform-centric approach to technology solutions.
Challenges of Technology Initiatives in Legal Departments
Legal department technology initiatives frequently face false starts, stalled adoption, and strategy shifts amid leadership changes. High turnover rates in personnel, vision, and technology hinder the realization of a longstanding vision and technology strategy. Furthermore, poor relations between IT and legal departments reduce oversight and guidance from technology experts. This leads to budget approval issues and a collection of unused or disliked tools.
The Importance of Technology Alignment
While digital transformation in enterprises often focuses on areas outside of legal, it’s crucial for legal departments to align with organizational technology investments. In-house counsel must understand what digital transformation means for them to ensure they speak the same language as the rest of the organization.
Technology as an Enabler
Legal departments should view technology as an enabler that speeds up and enhances the quality of legal services. If a technology project doesn’t support these objectives in a measurable and practical way, it should not be pursued.
Shifting to a Platform-Centric Approach
Legal leaders must transition from a point solution focus to a platform focus. Mature departments implement holistic platforms rather than relying solely on AI or point solutions. Examples include matter management, e-billing, document management, intellectual property systems, and contract lifecycle management. These platforms are selected in partnership with IT and expert advisers, rather than being built in-house.
Once platforms are established, additional point solutions can be developed around them. Legal teams can then collaborate with IT to decide whether to purchase or develop tools in-house.
The Role of Workflow Automation
Workflow automation is essential for many legal departments, yet often lacking. While AI can play a role, significant value can be achieved through basic robotic automations for low-risk, high-volume activities. By layering foundational workflow automation onto core platforms, legal teams can meet basic needs and build towards incorporating AI.
Leveraging Organizational Expertise
IT or shared services departments within organizations often have experience in developing automations for other teams. They can efficiently launch solutions while ensuring security, privacy, trust, and safety, aiding legal departments in achieving digital transformation without the need for new software tools.
Benefits of a Strategic Roadmap
Adopting a strategic roadmap rooted in platform needs benefits all parties involved. Legal departments see improved efficiency and productivity, while IT and shared services gain greater involvement and oversight over technology investments. Software vendors are better positioned for success with informed customers who have clear expectations and processes.
The Evolving Role of AI in Legal
Previously, digital transformation in legal meant digitizing paper documents. Today, general counsel face the challenge of integrating AI while still mastering digital transformation fundamentals. Successful progress requires evaluating whether transformation is necessary and aligning it with business objectives, ensuring new technology investments provide lasting value and adaptability.
Note: This article is inspired by content from https://news.bloomberglaw.com/legal-exchange-insights-and-commentary/in-house-teams-can-bridge-it-legal-divide-to-shape-digital-needs. It has been rephrased for originality. Images are credited to the original source.