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by Michael T. Murray, Veritext

Streamlining Legal Work with Technology and Simple Tips

The pressure on legal professionals is immense with managing heavy documentation, meeting strict deadlines and conducting thorough research – all while ensuring case preparation is meticulous. Fortunately, advancements in technology offer tangible solutions to alleviate some of this burden. In addition, there are practical tips that can help attorneys reduce stress and manage their workload more efficiently.

Technology’s Role in Easing Legal Workloads

Imagine transforming time-consuming tasks like formatting transcript summaries, organizing exhibits and managing deposition logistics into seamless activities. With tools like artificial intelligence and automated systems, this is no longer just a vision of the future but an actual opportunity today. AI has proven to significantly enhance productivity, reduce errors and free up time for more strategic tasks. A recent Goldman Sachs study revealed that AI could automate up to 44% of routine legal tasks, providing law firms with both time and cost savings. By adopting these technologies, legal professionals can focus on higher-level work that requires human judgment, empathy and critical thinking.

Here are some technologies and tips to help make your legal work more efficient and stress-free:

A Comprehensive Solution

One indispensable tool is MyVeritext, a complimentary and completely searchable web-based portal for scheduling proceedings; joining upcoming remote depositions; and accessing transcripts, exhibits and other files. It is the most technologically robust repository and scheduling system in the industry. Compliant with both HIPAA and PII standards, MyVeritext allows you to securely store and access your legal documents from anywhere. MyVeritext users have access to drag-and-drop scheduling features and can simply upload a proceeding notice directly from their desktop and schedule a deposition within seven seconds. Its powerful search functionality makes finding the necessary files fast and intuitive, further reducing the time attorneys spend on manual document retrieval.

Transcript Summarization

AI-generated transcript summaries are another leading-edge tool that can transform a once time-consuming task into a fast and efficient process. In general any AI-generated material, though very helpful, should be viewed as draft-quality work; human review is crucial to ensure accuracy.

Security is another major consideration when utilizing AI tools. Though it may be tempting to handle summarization of this nature on your own – through a tool like ChatGPT – it’s critical to consider the associated risks. Legal transcripts may include personal information, copyrighted material or sensitive data requiring HIPAA compliance. Any confidential information can (and will) be used for AI learning on a public model. Refrain from openly sharing your confidential data by utilizing a third-party vendor that can ensure that robust security measures, such as encrypted data storage and transmission, are implemented.

Flexible delivery and formatting options are also helpful to consider when selecting a vendor. Look for those that can supply summaries suited to various litigation types and having multiple delivery options.

For example, Veritext’s Smart Summary offers AI-generated abstracts alongside certified transcripts in an editable Microsoft Word format, allowing you to make adjustments and highlight key testimony quickly.

Dynamic Testimony

Capturing witness interactions with exhibits during a deposition has never been easier thanks to tools like Exhibit Capture. This technology allows clients to present electronic exhibits in a dynamic and compelling way, by recording witness mouse movements and keystrokes in real time during a deposition. A video file of a witness interacting with the document is then paired with picture-in-a-picture legal videography creating a persuasive package of testimony.

Seamless Collaboration

Another key tool for deposition efficiency is Exhibit Share, a secure and straightforward way to introduce exhibits during a deposition. This paperless solution allows participants, whether local or remote, to share exhibits instantly via a secure and private platform. Exhibit Share not only saves time but also eliminates the hassle and costs associated with shipping, scanning and managing paper documents. It’s an ideal tool for today’s remote and hybrid legal environment where depositions often involve both in-person and remote participants.

Electronic Date Calculators

Physical calendars, though useful, can lead to errors. Tools like the Veritext Filing Date Online Calculator allow you to calculate filing dates quickly and accurately, even factoring in holidays and weekends. These calculators help legal professionals avoid deadline mishaps by offering more precise date tracking.

Management of Multiple Exhibits

Managing multiple exhibits across various depositions or cases is a common challenge for legal teams. Veritext’s Advanced Case Exhibits (ACE) is a solution that bundles all of your case exhibits into a single, organized package. Exhibits are arranged chronologically with a descriptive index and presented in a hyperlinked, searchable PDF. Accessible from any device, ACE helps you eliminate the need for cumbersome physical documents, freeing you from those bankers boxes full of paper. Its PDF format makes it especially helpful and easy to access on the fly in courtrooms with spotty Wi-Fi.

Secure Document Exchange

Legal teams need a neutral and secure location to store and exchange documents. Veritext Vault offers a cloud-based depository that keeps documents safely stored and easily accessible, meeting the highest standards of compliance with HIPAA and PII. Accessible from any web browser, Veritext Vault allows for smooth and secure collaboration with external parties.

Industry CLEs

Continuing legal education courses focused on technology can be invaluable for legal professionals. Many providers, like Veritext, offer CLEs on topics such as exhibit sharing, videography, remote proceedings and AI solutions. These sessions not only help legal teams stay updated on the latest tools but also offer hands-on demonstrations that can improve daily workflows. Register for a Veritext CLE at www.veritext.com/cle.

Conclusion

Legal work is inherently challenging, but modern technologies and practical tips can reduce stress and increase efficiency. By leveraging tools like AI, automation and secure document management systems like MyVeritext, Exhibit Capture, Exhibit Share, ACE and Veritext Vault, legal professionals can streamline their workflows, ultimately saving time and enhancing their focus on client advocacy. With the right resources in place, lawyers can manage their workload more effectively, freeing up valuable time for strategic thinking and professional growth.

About the Author
Michael T. Murray is the director of client solutions for Veritext Legal Solutions. Murray stays on top of litigation technology trends and travels throughout the nation speaking and providing informative and entertaining CLEs, educational instruction and product demonstrations to legal professionals.