A Post COVID-19 Legal Profession
“If you are a conventional lawyer and you’re not prepared to adapt to the 2020’s you’ll struggle to survive, but if you are entrepreneurial and enthusiastic, forward looking, open minded, then there’s probably never been a more exciting time to be in the law.” – Professor Richard Susskind.
Professor Richard Susskind encapsulates a future for the legal profession requiring a readiness for drastic changes. These changes are applicable to the immediate future for legal professionals navigating through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Navigating through the COVID-19 Pandemic
The legal profession has recently experienced changes at an accelerated pace due to the nation- wide pandemic.[1] We have seen law firms and courtrooms shut down indefinitely under government directions which urge Australians that “if you can work from home, you must work from home.”[2] Amid the pandemic, many law firms have needed to change the way they conduct “business as unusual.” This involves a shift from face-to-face contact to instead engaging in virtual meetings, virtual court attendances and remote working practices.
Even though these virtual methods of communications have enabled law practices to continue business, it is undeniable that this pandemic has created added stress to the legal profession. As Occupational Health and Safety laws still stand, it is paramount for firms to ensure that they look after the mental health of their employees. At ADC Legal, we believe in minimising this risk of a decline in mental health through ensuring our employees have appropriate workstations, flexible working hours and regular internal meetings. We also want our clients to feel supported during these unprecedented times. We remind all our clients that we are available to communicate with you via telephone, email and skype.
[1], Hannah Wootton, ‘Lawyer of the future will do more than just law’, Australian Financial Review (Article, 11 June 2020) < https://www.afr.com/work-and-careers/careers/lawyer-of-the-future-will-do-more-than-just-law-20200605-p550e9>.
[1] Department of Health and Human Services Victoria, Work and Study (Webpage, June 2020) <https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/work-and-study-restrictions-covid-19>.
The reform of the Traditional Lawyer
The current economic conditions will prompt clients to shift away from engaging a traditional legal professional. Instead, there will be a demand for professionals who do not only provide legal advice and services but rather are more diverse in the services they provide. Head of KPMG Kate Marshall recommends that legal professionals should develop business acumen along with an understanding of a client’s commercial business at large.[3] As such, this will require legal professionals to tailor their advice and services to address not only legal solutions but also commercial solutions.
Through our partnership with Debt Recoveries Australia, we can assist clients with recovering debts from third parties via debt recovery and issuing legal proceedings. We remind our current and prospective clients that ADC Legal also offers a range of legal services outside of debt recovery. These services entail assisting with contractual disputes, rental agreements and undergoing commercial litigation. By offering a range of services, we aim to provide our clients with a convenient and cost-effective approach when finding solutions.
[1], Hannah Wootton, ‘Lawyer of the future will do more than just law’, Australian Financial Review (Article, 11 June 2020) < https://www.afr.com/work-and-careers/careers/lawyer-of-the-future-will-do-more-than-just-law-20200605-p550e9>.
[2] Department of Health and Human Services Victoria, Work and Study (Webpage, June 2020) <https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/work-and-study-restrictions-covid-19>.
[3] Hannah Wootton, ‘Lawyer of the future will do more than just law’, Australian Financial Review (Article, 11 June 2020) < https://www.afr.com/work-and-careers/careers/lawyer-of-the-future-will-do-more-than-just-law-20200605-p550e9>.