Wishing you and your loved ones a safe and relaxing holiday season. The InfoTrack team will be taking a break from 5pm AEDT Friday 20th December 2024, returning 8.30am Monday 13th January 2025. A few members of our HelpDesk team will be on hand to assist with enquiries from 8am-6pm AEDT, Monday to Friday, on 1800 738 524. We appreciate your patience during this time. Happy holidays!

Charlotte Jackson
June 19, 2024

Adapting to modern demands: how family lawyers can leverage innovations to enhance their practice

Family Law has continued to evolve over the years to meet the changing needs and dynamics of modern families within Australia. But as the area of practice has shifted, how have legal professionals and workloads adapted?

Across all aspects of the industry, lawyers have experienced a surge in workload demands with increasing client expectations. For those within the family law sector, these challenges are intensified with complicated matters which are highly sensitive to the client. Whilst family lawyers are obligated to remain objective and professional, the emotional intensity can often take its toll. Those who practice within this segment of the law are increasingly reporting burn out and fatigue, so, how can we protect this area of practice, whilst also safeguarding the next generation of family lawyers?

Here are some key considerations:

Automate, automate, automate

Family lawyers often cite the sheer volume of documentation, and accuracy of that information, as a source of pressure when it comes to their workload. If it hasn’t been a consideration up until this point, then looking at technology that can alleviate the burden of manual tasks should be a key focus. Every day, new innovations are emerging that can support family lawyers in their endeavour to deliver a swifter service to clients, whilst ensuring their client data remains accurate. It might be time for you and your firm to investigate what technology is on the market that can help you automate admin-heavy tasks, so you can make more time available for client service.

Make security a priority

There are increasing concerns over the privacy of sensitive client data, especially within the realm of family law where professionals are often privy to delicate cases that require the uttermost confidence. This is why adopting robust cyber security measures when it comes to confidential data needs to be a priority. Start by considering which technology providers you are using and addressing what protections they have in place. You might want to ask – what security standards do they adhere to? What visibility do they have across your data? What precautionary processes have they implemented, like unique links and verification codes? Cyber security, especially when it comes to family law matters, needs to be a regular consideration.

Invest in technology that eases the burden for your clients

Clients involved in family law matters often feel overwhelmed as they navigate a complex and emotional situation. Family law practitioners understand the challenges clients face and provide essential support as they traverse this unfamiliar territory. Investing in technology can significantly ease the mental and administrative stress on clients by reducing the strain of collating and submitting crucial documentation. By implementing advanced tools, legal professionals can streamline these processes, allowing clients to focus on their personal well-being during this difficult time.

The evolving landscape of family law requires shifts not only in how the law operates but in how lawyers approach their work. To protect this vital area of practice and safeguard the next generation of family lawyers, embracing new and innovative ways of working will be essential. Adopting these strategies will not only improve the well-being of lawyers but also ensure that clients receive the compassionate and effective support they need during challenging times.

Find more effective ways to work by talking to InfoTrack about what innovations they are developing for firms within the family law space.