The internet has changed the way people do business, and this is especially true for lawyers. The world of online legal services has opened up a new avenue for people to find information about their rights and responsibilities and how to get help if they need it.
Data shows that the online legal services industry in the US is currently worth $14.1 billion in 2023. While some argue that this change is positive for the law industry overall, others believe it’s led to more problems than solutions, and experts on both sides have plenty to say about it.
Changes in Legal Research
The internet has made finding legal information in various languages and formats easier. You no longer need to go through the process of locating the right library or even knowing which ones exist. With just a few clicks, you can access millions of documents from all over the world.
The internet has also made it possible for people who speak different languages to communicate with each other through chat rooms and forums where they can share their experiences as members of certain cultures or ethnicities that might be similar but not exactly alike.
This is especially useful if one party doesn’t speak English very well. They don’t have to worry about having their words translated by someone else because Google Translate will do this automatically when they type something into their browser window. It supports at least 133 languages across the globe.
How the Internet Improves Communication and Collaboration in the Law Sector
The internet has changed the way lawyers work, and it’s not just about being able to order pizza online anymore. Lawyers can now communicate and collaborate more efficiently than ever before. In fact, some law firms have even begun to allow their employees to work remotely from home offices or co-working spaces to save money on office space while maintaining high productivity.
The internet also allows lawyers with similar interests to connect, which would have been impossible pre-internet age without hours spent scouring through newspapers or magazines looking for information on niche topics like tax law or patent prosecution.
Today’s attorneys use social media platforms like Facebook groups to share information about their practice areas and find potential clients who might need legal assistance based on their location or interests.
Internet Makes it Easier for People to Collect Information
The internet has made it easier for people to collect information. It’s easier because the information is more accessible, reliable, accurate, and cheaper.
Information is more accessible because of search engines like Google and Bing that let you search for specific terms or phrases on websites with just one click of your mouse button.
The results are displayed in a list format so you can view them all simultaneously. This makes things like finding legal advice much simpler than before when you had no choice but to go directly from one site after another until you find what you need if it was even there.
For example, anyone can find information about any class action lawsuits they might be a part of. For example, veterans and their families staying at Camp Lejeune between August 1953 and December 1987 were exposed to contaminated water. This was later consolidated into one Multidistrict Litigation (MDL).
Anyone staying at Camp Lejeune during the said period can get all the required information online. For example, to honor the veterans and their efforts, the Biden government passed the Camp Lejeune Justice Act in August 2022.
You can easily find information about the Camp Lejeune Justice Act online on law firm websites. All the firms that can help you with the Camp Lejeune lawsuit will have dedicated pages and articles around the subject. For example, TorHoerman Law has a page dedicated to all the information about Camp Lejeune Justice Act.
This information includes the month when this act was passed, how it helps the veterans, what benefits the victims can get from the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, etc. It lists the diseases associated with contaminated water exposure at this North Carolina camp.
Access to Legal Services
The internet has made it much easier to find legal services. In fact, the very first thing you’ll see when you search for a lawyer online is a list of names with contact information. You can also find legal information online and even get advice from lawyers specializing in certain areas of law.
This access to legal services has had an enormous impact on the modern law industry because it allows people who wouldn’t normally have been able to afford them access to them anyway.
Online Legal Advice and Consultation Services
Online legal advice and consultation services are available to help people with their legal questions. Law firms or independent legal advisers can provide services, who may work remotely or in person at an office.
The most common type of online service is a live chat, which allows the user to communicate directly with an attorney via instant messaging (IM). In some cases, the user might be able to submit documents via email or upload them directly into the IM window so that the lawyer can review them without any additional steps being taken by either party.
Other types of online services include:
- Online document preparation tools like LegalZoom and Rocket Lawyer allow you to fill out forms yourself. Many states require these sites’ users to sign up as “do-it-yourselfers,” meaning they’ll get no face-to-face interaction with an attorney unless they choose it themselves. LegalZoom garnered $146.6 million for the last quarter of 2022, an increase of 3% from the year before.
- Webinars where lawyers give presentations about specific topics such as estate planning or bankruptcy laws through video chats where participants can ask questions during breaks between segments.
- Live video chats where attorneys answer general questions via webcam rather than IMs.
The Rise of Legal Search Engines and Databases
Legal search engines and databases are invaluable resources for people in the law industry. They can be used by lawyers, paralegals, and legal professionals to find information quickly and easily. For example, if you want to know if there have been any cases related to your client’s situation, all you need to do is type in the keywords of your case into one of these tools, and voila. The answer will pop up right before your eyes.
It’s no wonder these tools are so popular among legal professionals. They help them do their jobs more efficiently by providing access to relevant cases and legal documents related to each case.
Challenges and Concerns
While the internet has positively impacted the law industry, some concerns must be addressed.
First, there are issues with privacy and data protection. When you use websites like Google or Facebook, they have access to your personal information, which they can then use for marketing purposes.
However, new data protection laws that come into force in 2023 can overcome this challenge. One is the Virginia Consumer Data Privacy Act (VCDPA), which became effective on January 1, 2023. Then there’s also General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other data protection laws.
Second, there is an issue around online fraud. Scammers can easily create fake websites or email accounts pretending to be legitimate companies or individuals to trick people into giving up their money or personal details.
Thirdly, many lawyers don’t know how best to utilize technology. This means they may miss out on opportunities such as increasing efficiency and reducing costs through automation.
Conclusion
With the internet, lawyers have expanded their scope of practice and provided services to a wider audience. The web has also made it easier for people to collect information independently, which can help them in their legal matters. Online legal advice and consultation services are another example of how technology has impacted this industry positively.
