Last Thursday, May 18, 2017, The Future Is Now: Legal Services 2.017, hosted by the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism and co-sponsored by the Illinois State Bar Association, among others, brought legal practitioners and industry experts together for presentations and open discussions on the future of the profession.
The delivery of legal services is changing rapidly in light of new technology that has transformed the way we communicate, collaborate, and organize our work. As a result, the traditional landscape of legal services is falling behind and failing to meet client needs. Innovation is key to adapt to change and become more efficient at the practice of law.
This industry conference featured talks by experts on topics including:
- Using online dispute resolution to open the virtual courthouse doors to the public
- Preventative lawyering practices and insurance mechanisms that meet the needs of today's lawyer and consumer
- A value-driven lawyer business model that rewards production rather than efficiency
- How to invest in employees and boost impact by diversifying the workplace
- Leveraging new technology to deliver legal services to clients where they are are, when they need them
Attendees were also given the opportunity to participate by asking questions and responding to the presentations during the town-hall discussions that followed each series of talks.