With smartphones and tablets being incorporated into all aspects of our lives, how can lawyers make better use of this technology within the workplace?
Around eight out of ten lawyers in Australia and New Zealand already use mobile devices to do their job with more than half using work-issued devices, according to the LexisNexis Mobility Survey.
The poll – which surveyed 440 respondents from Australia and New Zealand – found that the mobile is seen as one of the most vital pieces of equipment within today’s legal space. In fact, nine out of ten lawyers rank it as the most important object they take to the office.
In light of this tremendous push towards the better use of technology, NZ Lawyer spoke to Simon Laracy, relationship manager at LexisNexis New Zealand, about how to succeed in this changing landscape.
“In the drive for efficient legal service delivery, lawyers are turning more and more to mobile technologies,” he said.
“New mobile technologies provide lawyers with a range of opportunities for legal research, referencing and productivity applications. They are embracing the increased efficiency and improved responsiveness to clients that this technology provides.”
Laracy recommended the use of software and applications specifically designed for the legal industry.
“An app, such as Lexis Red, offers lawyers access to research resources on the move. They can reference and annotate confidently offline wherever and whenever needed.”
By choosing these platforms, legal professionals can use the downtime efficiently, collaborating with staff more effectively, and gaining more time to do what matters most, he said.
Before rushing into this type of mobile technology however, Laracy warned that there are some dangers to be aware of as well.
“Security and reliability are the main risks in using mobile devices for work tasks. A mobile device with sensitive client data stored on it can be stolen or lost. If a device breaks down, it can have a significant impact on the business,” he said.
Mobile device management combined with clear and consistent policy is therefore required to successfully avoid these risks. This can be achieved through the use of software tools and expert services to secure, monitor, and manage all work-related mobile devices, he added.
