The work of lawyers, as contained in this topic, is relative. A lawyer is supposed to know where to find the law and implement it accordingly. Such implementation however often requires numerous procedures and clearly stipulated steps to be taken in completing specific actions. To this extent, modern technologies can and cannot do the work of lawyers. On the one hand, certain legal actions and procedures are too complicated for existing technology to take care of, and on the other hand, modern technologies like AI Contract Review Software and other technologies lighten the load for lawyers in completing complex tasks.
To what extent can modern technologies do the work of lawyers? Is it considered doing the work if the process is set in motion by the lawyers themselves, or are the technologies mere tools? Some of the highlighted points below will shed more light on the subject.
Sorting, Filing, And Storage
Without mincing words, when it comes to filing and storage, modern technologies are doing the work of lawyers. This is regardless of the technology being fully automated or requiring minor human input. Although storage and filing are not necessarily “the work of lawyers”, they remain integral to legal practice and are mandatory systems that must exist in every law office. The advent of modern technology has made filing and storage effortless, in ways that could not have been predicted decades ago. Important files no longer have to be printed before they are stored, they simply get sorted by automated processes in soft copy, keeping the documents safe and accessible when necessary.
Document Creation And Editing
Legal practice becomes almost obsolete without the presence of documents, and what they signify. Corporate transactions, litigation instances, property acquisition and communication, all require the creation and sharing between relevant parties. To a very noticeable extent, the work of lawyers in these areas is still being performed by lawyers. However, completing these tasks would be agonizingly slow without the significant input of modern technologies. Documents are created by lawyers using tools like Google Docs, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, among others. These platforms also contain minor editing functions like word recognition and spelling correction. Thus, while lawyers remain responsible for the formats and quality of their documents, creating the documents at first instance remains hugely aided by modern technologies.
Communication
Like other professionals, lawyers always need to communicate with one another, due to the usual urgency that comes with legal assignments. Modern technologies have immeasurably increased the rate of communication between lawyers in performing their legal duties. From the digital transfer of written, audio, and video messages, to conducting real-time meetings via video calls, lawyers have been able to communicate faster and easier by utilizing technological tools. However, this does not in any way replace the work of lawyers, but again, aids them in completing their duties at a faster rate, thereby increasing productivity and revenue.
Conclusion
The perception that the modern technology known as Artificial Intelligence may one day replace lawyers remains to be seen in terms of feasibility, as lawyers remain important in implementing the law all around the world. However, this does not invalidate or trivialize the role of modern technology in legal practice. The development enjoyed by the profession today will clearly not be possible if modern technology never came into existence.
