Top Trends in the Legal Industry You Should Keep an Eye on in 2020

There are very rare industries in the world whose popularity never wanes. For example, Health care industry — people always need medical assistance, no matter the economic climates, yes? The same basic principle holds for the legal industry as well. But combine its worldwide demand with the fast-paced evolution of technology, and what you have is a uniquely booming industry. In fact, with the advancements of technology, the legal world has also managed to widen the scope of services. Further,  with the assistance it has to offer, thus drives demand for such services even further. And it is due to this evolution that the legal industry and market in the United States alone are expected to cross the $68 million mark in 2020.

So, it is established that the industry is moving forward at a rapid pace. While it is undoubtedly terrific news, it also has specific ramifications for all the companies that operate in this space. You see now that so many different factors have come to play a crucial role in not only how they serve their customers but also forge the path towards growth and increased business, it has become vital that they keep up with the plethora of such factors. And don’t get us wrong — these trends are not merely about technology; no, Sir. As a matter of fact, all-encompassing because it isn’t the only technology that is changing — people, their perceptions, their requirements, the laws, and so much more have also come a long way over all these years.

So it only makes sense that any law firm that hopes to achieve great success must be acquainted with and understand these trends that are bound to affect their business, including emerging technologies, evolving client needs, and shifting regulatory landscapes. Staying updated with the latest legal industry trends is crucial for adapting to changes, identifying opportunities, and staying ahead of the competition.

So, to make sure that you and your law firm can stay on top of things year as well, we have collated a list of the legal trends that will matter the most in 2020.

1. Technology is priority #1: We understand it may sound a bit repetitive, maybe even redundant, but it still figures on this list because that’s how important it is in the bigger scheme of things. We have already established that technology is fundamental, but that means so are people with the skills that can leverage and implement legal technology. Another noticeable shift in this regard is the rise in popularity of cloud solutions, automation, and several other tools that are driving the digital revolution in the legal ecosystem.
2. The emergence of modern offerings: Law firms will now start to see that once they have optimized to the best possible extent, they will need to focus their attention on the business’ earnings. That, in turn, will drive the introduction of new products and services. 
3. Newer laws and regulations: Today, the terms law firm, legal services, and more are not confined to the old idea of a lawyer merely fighting cases in courts or advising clients in routine matters. Instead, the industry has grown to accommodate a variety of other scenarios and service providers, including digital legal advisors, and more. And as more and more ‘alternate’ service providers emerge on the scene, governments and authorities will seek to regulate them, while conventional law firms and others will have to think about how much novelty can be integrated into their business strategies.
4. Soft skills as USPs: Another factor that will now come to play a pivotal role in the industry is soft skills — of the C-level executives and legal professionals, in particular. Long story short, these folks will now have to brush up on their people skills to be able to communicate productively with both clients and employees.

It is clear to see that the legal industry is in for quite a ride in 2020 as novel technologies, such as DMS for managing litigation documents, alternative legal service providers, and several other factors, impact and mold the industry across the globe.