How legal teams should begin to integrate data analytics into their practice

Justine Rowe believes that one of the biggest opportunities in transforming the delivery of legal services lies in harnessing the power of data and data analytics.

“In the new technology-enabled digital world, legal departments and law firms will be able to generate more and more quantitative data,” Rowe says. “Perhaps the most interesting application of this data is its use in predicative analytics: that is, based on what has happened, what is most likely to happen?”

The Telstra Enterprise legal business partner says that harnessing this data can improve scoping of legal work, thereby providing cost certainty for both the provider and the client.

But how do legal teams begin to integrate data analytics into their practice? Rowe offers a good first step for any firm about to embark on the endeavour.

“Understanding the story you want to tell with your data is the most important thing to start with. Ideally, you want to look at what you do, how you do it, how long it takes and how much it costs,” she says. “Once you understand the stories you want to communicate with your data, you need to understand the information systems to that will give it to you – this could be your matter management system, your e-billing system or even your document management system.”

Rowe, in a panel that includes four other legaltech experts, will discuss challenges and opportunities encountered in transforming the delivery of legal services in the upcoming Legal Tech Summit in Melbourne on 29 October. That’s just one in the packed schedule of the one-day event, which will also feature discussions on cybersecurity, design thinking, roadmap development, automated legal services, and much more. Register for the event now and grab savings for early registrants and groups.

“[The Summit] allows legal professionals at all stages of their technology journey to share ideas, learn from each other, and gain insights on how relevant problems to the legal profession are being solved using technology,” Rowe says.

Justine Rowe