Extract from Rhys Dipshan’s article “Lawyers Say Technology Improves Employee Satisfaction. So Why Are Firms Slow to Modernize?”
Lawyers at tech-savvy law firms say they are more satisfied in their jobs and more efficient at their work than those at less technology-forward firms, according to the 2024 Technology Perceptions Report by Intapp. The report surveyed 805 fee earners in the U.S. and U.K. from accounting, consulting, financial and law firms. Over a fourth of those surveyed, 222 respondents, came from law firms specifically.
According to the survey, more law firm respondents at high-tech firms said they were highly satisfied overall (74%) than those at mid- or low-tech firms (51%). The same held true when considering whether employees were highly likely to stay at their jobs at high-tech vs. mid- or low-tech firms (73% vs. 61%) and highly likely to recommend their organization (75% vs. 53%).
Among all respondents, those at high-tech firms were also more likely to say they’re developing expertise in their field, fostering deeper client connections, working efficiently, and creating better outcomes and value than those at mid- or low-tech firms.
Lavinia Calvert, vice president of the legal industry group at Intapp, told Legaltech News that it’s the use of specific tools rather than just technology adoption that likely spurs better satisfaction in law firms.
She explained that “there are technologies that are essential, like time [recording], in a lot of firms. … And there are other technologies that are not as well embraced, but potentially should be to help improve employee satisfaction. And an example of that would be technologies at sort of the more business development end of that cycle, around contacts, company information, and so forth.
