Using Technology to Quickly Dissolve Conflicts
Last week, a colleague of mine shared a story about the importance of maintaining records from past cases. In this particular story, the attorney had represented a client during her case many years ago. Recently, the client contacted the attorney looking for the settlement money that was awarded to her during that case. Almost 20 years later, this attorney was able to prove that the client had already received her settlement reward because he had all of the documentation provided by the client, third parties and certified mail receipts in an off-site storage facility.
On one hand, this attorney told a great story about how he was able to avoid a potential conflict because he had saved his files in a secure storage facility. On the other hand, it took this attorney about three to four weeks to get the file from the storage facility after he called the company to request the files. Sometimes we need answers faster than three to four weeks. Instead of relying on someone sifting through boxes in a warehouse in search of a long-forgotten case file, it might be much easier to avoid a bad situation if the story goes like this:
One day, an old client called her attorney to inquire about a settlement check she claimed she never received. The attorney logged into his virtual law office, typed the client’s name into the search bar, and pulled up the client’s file, which included scanned copies of all of documents, correspondence and postage receipts related to that file. The attorney found a document, signed by the former client, stating that she had received her settlement check, and he emailed it to his former client. This process took less than 10 minutes, and the former client never called back in search of her “missing” check.
Legal technology, such as virtual law offices, cloud-based services and paperless office systems, are making it easier for attorneys to maintain their files and communicate with clients efficiently. In what ways have you used new technology in your office to improve your old office management procedures, save time and quickly resolve issues?
