Why Earn a Legal Technology Certificate?
Innovations in technology are changing the face of many industries. Within the field of law, technological innovation is at the heart of one of the most significant shifts the industry has seen in decades, changing the ways in which law firms structure their business models, invest in technological strategies, and prioritize their clients.
For future leaders in the legal profession, investing in legal training by pursuing a legal technology certificate can be a key step in setting themselves apart from other candidates and reaching their personal and professional goals. By keeping up with the latest technological programs and standards, skilled law professionals can not only better serve their firm and clients, but act as a pioneering force toward a more efficient, transparent, and progressive industry.
What Is a Legal Technology Certificate?
The advent of technology has forced significant changes in the way many people access legal services. With a rise in competition and service standards, law firms are prioritizing both efficiency and client satisfaction to build and maintain success moving forward. Many firms have started implementing new technology to automate and add transparency to many aspects of the industry, including hourly billing, research, calendars, and the collection and organization of legal documents.
Learning how to use these programs is becoming an essential skill for legal professionals. New graduates and experienced professionals looking to reskill alike can earn a legal technology certificate to not only advance within their firm but show employers that they are capable of meeting the demands of an evolving field. As a continuing education program, a legal technology certificate focuses on the industry’s latest technology-driven project management, finance, and human resource solutions.
Legal Technology Curriculum
Pursuing additional legal training is a great way for candidates to set themselves apart when competing for legal career opportunities. By updating their skills and ensuring they have the knowledge required to provide efficient and client-focused services, law graduates can better pursue their professional goals and help steer their firms toward a successful future.
Some of the courses that are likely to be included in a legal technology certificate include:
- Legal Project Management: Programs that focus on delivering legal services efficiently and effectively.
- Design Thinking: Teaching legal professionals how to reshape the way in which they approach legal problems or operations. Emphasizing a client-focused approach and leading with creative solutions.
- Legal Operations: A functional look at the management tasks and processes required to provide effective legal services.
- 21st Century Legal Services: Legal training for the future. Educating graduates on the current and evolving standards for legal practice including critical market insights and tactical recommendations.
- Business of Legal Services: As technology increases competition within the industry, graduates must learn to handle the business side of providing legal services, including basic financial practices and how to strategize based on key performance indicators.
- Legal Technology Program Training: Courses that provide graduates with a basic overview of technology, best practices and ethics, the influence of technology, and client expectations for modern legal services.
The Role of Legal Technology
The role of legal technology involves innovations in law firm technologies and programs, advancements in client satisfaction, and methods to improve access to legal services. From a technical standpoint, legal technology can help firms streamline services and increase productivity through automation. This can involve improving workflow using databases, task tracking, research software improvements, and centralized calendaring or billing methods.
When considering the greater social impact of legal technology, implementing legal training and technological innovations also benefit legal outreach and break down barriers to services. Every day, people sign contracts and make agreements that could benefit from legal oversight, but many do not seek out counsel for fear of the additional cost. Legal technology and automation help to connect individuals with the appropriate law services and cut down on costs by improving efficiency and public resources.
Benefits of a Legal Training
The field of law is competitive for both law firms and the legal professionals working within them. Building and maintaining success requires legal professionals to recognize that the industry is changing and stay abreast of trends through innovation and focused legal training.
By pursuing a legal technology certificate, graduates can benefit in multiple ways, including:
- Building their career by advancing their skill set
- Competing for specialized roles or helping their law firm build a department focused on legal technology
- Serving their clients better by implementing the latest technology and improving access to legal services
- Encouraging client retention by ensuring each individual receives the dedicated assistance they need
Investing in legal training can be a great way for legal professionals to take control of their careers, giving themselves more workplace autonomy through an advanced skill set and showing employers that they are dedicated to becoming leaders in their firms.
Prepare for the Future with Legal Technology Training
Legal training and innovation are an opportunity for law firms and legal professionals to initiate a positive shift in the ways in which people access legal services. From prioritizing client satisfaction and communication to improving a firm’s bottom line through technological innovations, technology is changing the legal landscape.
Continuing one’s education and earning a certificate such as the Legal Innovation and Technology Certificate from Suffolk University’s Center for Continuing & Professional Education can be a great first step for individuals looking to take the next step in their legal career. A fully online program taught by well-regarded legal professionals that incorporates a modern curriculum designed to meet the demands of an evolving legal landscape, Suffolk University’s legal technology certificate was designed to prepare you with real-world skills to succeed.
Discover what you can do by investing in legal technology training.
Sources:
American Bar Association, “Q&A Roundtable: The Future of Legal Technology”
Financial Times, “Why Are Investors Pouring Money into Legal Technology?”
IT Chronicles, Legal Technology
Lawyer Monthly, “5 Reasons Why Legal Tech Matters”
Thomson Reuters, “Technology in Law is the New Norm”