20 March 2017

Over the Horizon – what’s trending in law?

Last week a group of our ALLA NSW members and friends attended Over the Horizon, a seminar by Wolter Kluwer’s Chris Taylor. This event provided an opportunity for Wolters Kluwer to share with us some of the key trends they’ve observed while mapping workflow techniques in law firms.

Their intention is to use this data to find ways of incorporating CCH content into the everyday search practices of lawyers and legal professionals. Information was gathered through contextual design – drawing on a mix of workplace observation, testing and interviews.

It was interesting to hear about the issues concerning our clients, and the trends developing in response. Some of these are outlined below:
  • The market is driving change. There has been a move towards efficiency driven innovation, integration and niche disrupters. New methods are being sought to simplify workflow and match legal advisors with those seeking advice.
  • There is already an interest in integration and specialisation. We are seeing the emergence of a range of digital technologies/niche disruptors. Examples include:
o   Data visualisation – e.g. Jade Premium, Ravel
o   AI technologies – e.g. Alira
o   Firms developing their own efficiency innovators - e.g. Minter Ellison’s Taskflow
  • Legal practitioners tend to be highly specialised. Their research practices vary depending on seniority and practice area. Often these areas overlap, and practitioners will benefit from sharing their knowledge with one another.
  • Business Development teams are focused on improving connection and content marketing, forging a battleground for publishers and distributors. With better understanding of social media platforms, firms can enhance the way they promote their services to potential clients. 
Wolters Kluwer provided a valuable insight into the processes our clients use to gather information. For many that attended the session, it also confirmed some trends we have ourselves begun to notice.

ALLA NSW would like to offer a very special thanks to Chris Taylor and Wolters Kluwer for sharing their research, and Herbert Smith Freehills for hosting the event.