Law firm jobs increasingly require the use of computers.
Law firms of all sizes use computer technology for accounting, case management, discovery, document preparation, communication and marketing. The many professionals who work in law -- administrative staff, paralegals and legal assistants, attorneys and law firm administrators -- should understand the importance of computer skills in their legal careers.
Administrative Staff
Administrative staff often use computers to complete their assigned duties. For example, an administrative assistant may use calendar software to organize an attorney's appointments with clients and professional contacts. Administrative staff may also use docketing software to track court dates and filing deadlines for court documents. Staff who help lawyers prepare legal documents must be able to use legal software to assemble documents, as well as software for word processing and transcription. Furthermore, administrative staff may need to access information databases or case management software, if the law firm uses them to organize its operations and client information.
Legal Assistants and Paralegals
According to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, legal assistants and paralegals increasingly are using computer technology. Though paralegals may have administrative duties, they also perform specific legal tasks. Legal assistants who communicate with clients must be able to track client information through case management software. Paralegals also use computer-based research sources, such as search engines and online libraries, to complete research assignments. Additionally, legal assistants often prepare or write legal documents as directed by attorneys; software used in document preparation or discovery can facilitate those tasks. Some attorneys also ask their legal assistants to generate tax or accounting information using computer software.
Attorneys
As with paralegals and legal assistants, the Bureau of Labor Statistics says attorneys increasingly use technology in their law practices. Lawyers can develop litigation strategies or track transactional information with case management software. They may also use Internet resources to conduct legal research. Furthermore, lawyers who travel for business, as well as lawyers who work remotely, can benefit from Internet technologies to access information, stay in touch with professional contacts, attend meetings through video conferencing and store documents electronically.
Law Firm Administrators
Large law firms often employ administrators to oversee their management of financial records and accounting, billing, human resources and information systems. Computer software often helps administrators to oversee the firm's operations. For example, an administrator may use conflict management software to help attorneys identify the firm's conflicts of interest and determine whether the firm should decline to take on a new client or case because of ethical obligations. An administrator might also use billing software to track lawyers' billable hours and to generate billing statements.
Tags: case management, management software, case management software, legal assistants, access information, Administrative staff, administrative staff