Digitally Augmented Workflows in Legal

Published 06/02/25 under:

As law firms continue their journeys towards digital transformation, leveraging digitally augmented workflows is quickly becoming a game-changer.

Through workflow automation and data integration, firms are improving efficiency, streamlining remote work, and enhancing client service, all while increasing billable hours and boosting productivity.

In this post, we’ll explore how digitally augmented workflows can provide a strategic advantage for law firms, creating seamless operations that support both staff and clients.

What Are Digitally Augmented Workflows?

A digitally augmented workflow uses technology – such as automation, cloud solutions, and data analytics – to optimise and streamline tasks traditionally handled manually. The result is a smoother, more efficient workflow that saves time and enhances performance.

Key Benefits of Digitally Augmented Workflows for Legal Firms

1. Streamlining Time-Consuming Tasks

One of the biggest advantages of digitally augmented workflows is the ability to automate repetitive, time-consuming tasks that take up valuable billable hours. Tasks like document creation, contract review, and client onboarding can be automated through the use of AI-powered tools and workflow software.

• Document Automation: Law firms often deal with vast amounts of legal paperwork, including contracts, briefs, and discovery documents. By using document automation software, firms can create templates and set up workflows that automatically fill in relevant information, reducing the time spent on manual document preparation.
• Task Automation: Many legal professionals spend significant time on administrative tasks such as scheduling, follow-ups, and reminders. Task management platforms like Microsoft Power Automate can streamline these activities by automating workflows, ensuring that tasks are assigned and deadlines are met without manual intervention.
• AI-Driven Legal Research: Traditional legal research can be incredibly time-consuming. By using AI-powered research tools, law firms can speed up the process, enabling lawyers to quickly gather the most relevant case law, statutes, and regulations. This automation allows them to focus more on analysis and strategy.

2. Data Integration: Breaking Down Information Silos

In many law firms, data is spread across multiple platforms, from case management software to email systems, legal research tools, and accounting software. Data integration allows these systems to communicate with one another, providing a unified view of critical information and helping firms make smarter, more informed decisions.

• Unified Data Access: Integrated systems provide lawyers and support staff with real-time access to client data, case files, and billing information, regardless of where they are working from. This integration ensures that everyone is on the same page, whether they are in the office, at home, or working remotely.
• Improved Client Service: With data integration, firms can offer more personalised and efficient client service. Lawyers can quickly access all relevant case information, allowing them to provide clients with faster, more accurate updates. Client portals and secure messaging platforms can also be integrated into the system, enabling real-time communication and document sharing.
• Better Insights for Decision Making: With integrated data, law firms can leverage data analytics to monitor performance, track billable hours, and gain insights into trends or bottlenecks. These insights can help identify opportunities for operational improvements and better resource allocation.

3. Supporting Remote Work: Flexibility Without Compromise

As remote working has become the norm for many law firms, ensuring that lawyers and support staff can work from anywhere without compromising security or performance has become critical. Digitally augmented workflows facilitate hybrid and remote working by ensuring seamless collaboration and access to essential tools and data.

• Cloud Solutions: Cloud-based platforms like Microsoft 365 provide lawyers with secure access to documents and case files, enabling them to work from any device, anywhere. Whether in the office, at home, or in court, these tools allow staff to remain productive and stay connected.
• Secure Collaboration Tools: Collaboration platforms like Microsoft Teams enable seamless communication between team members and clients. Through secure messaging, video calls, and file-sharing, remote teams can collaborate efficiently without missing a beat.

4. Empowering Employees to boost engagement and productivity

Attracting and retaining top talent is a key challenge for many law firms. One of the key drivers of employee satisfaction is the ability to work in a streamlined, efficient environment. When staff members can focus on meaningful, high-value work rather than administrative tasks, their morale improves, making them more likely to stay with the firm long-term.

• More focus, less burnout: By automating administrative tasks and simplifying workflows, employees can focus more on their core responsibilities – serving clients and working on cases. This helps reduce burnout and increases job satisfaction.
• Flexible Work Arrangements: With the rise of hybrid working, offering staff the ability to work remotely and access firm resources securely from anywhere is a huge draw. Flexible working arrangements are increasingly seen as an important perk in retaining high-performing employees.
• Professional Development: When lawyers can spend more time on billable work, they have more opportunities to develop their expertise, build client relationships, and grow in their careers. This growth is a key factor in job satisfaction and long-term retention.

5. Maximising Billable Hours: Efficiency Equals Profitability

One of the biggest challenges for law firms is ensuring that their time is used efficiently, especially when it comes to maximising billable hours. Digitally augmented workflows help improve profitability by minimising downtime, reducing inefficiencies, and ensuring that lawyers and paralegals are focused on high-value activities.

• Reduced Time on Administrative Work: Workflow automation eliminates much of the time spent on administrative tasks, allowing staff to allocate more time to client work, which directly impacts billable hours.
• Enhanced Resource Allocation: Integrated data and analytics enable firms to optimise their resources, ensuring that lawyers are working on the right cases and focusing on the most valuable tasks.

Streamlined legal workflows

Workflow automation and data integration are not just nice-to-have technologies – they are fundamental to maintaining a competitive edge in the modern legal sector.

At Kerv Transform, we have extensive experience of implementing advanced IT solutions for law firms, supporting them to reduce time spent on admin and maximise their billable hours.

For more insights into leveraging technology in the legal sector, download our free ebook: Digital Foundations for the Modern Law Firm.