What is Legal Technology?

Legal technology is a broad and rapidly evolving field that encompasses a diverse range of tools and software solutions designed to streamline legal operations.  

From AI-powered intake systems to contract lifecycle management platforms, legal tech is reshaping how legal teams manage their work, collaborate, and demonstrate value to their organizations.

With so many options available, understanding what legal technology is and how it can meet the unique needs of your team, is more important than ever. So, whether you’re looking to automate repetitive tasks, centralize your matter management, or gain better insights into your department’s performance, knowing the landscape of legal tech is the first step toward making the right choice.

What is Legal Technology?

Legal technology refers to any software or tool that improves the way legal teams operate. This spans a wide spectrum, from platforms that assist with document management and e-discovery to advanced solutions like AI-powered intake and triage in legal matter management. These technologies are designed to directly address the unique demands of legal workflows.

Example of Legal Technology

One example is Checkbox’s Legal Service Hub, a comprehensive software solution that simplifies legal intake, triage, and matter management. The platform empowers legal teams by consolidating their workload into a single source of truth, offering real-time tracking and analytics to ensure no request slips through the cracks.

Key Capabilities of Checkbox’s Platform:

Some of the key capabilities of Checkbox’s Legal Service Hub include:

• AI-powered intake and triage that intelligently categorizes and routes requests based on priority and team member availability.

• Customizable workflows tailored to the unique needs of in-house legal teams.

• Centralized matter management for full visibility and accountability.

• A self-service portal that enables employees to resolve routine queries without needing direct input from legal.

Why Invest in Legal Technology (Even on a Budget)?

Procuring legal tech with limited resources can feel like a daunting commitment. However, acquiring the right legal tech shouldn’t be seen as just a cost. It’s an investment that pays for itself many times over by driving efficiency, reducing errors, and improving team performance.  

In fact, the ROI of legal technology often saves you more in the long run than the initial investment required to secure it. Here’s how:

Cost-Effective Matter Management

Modern legal platforms centralize matter management, eliminating inefficiencies that cost your team time and resources. By using a single source of truth for tracking workloads and progress, teams can improve productivity and avoid costly errors or missed deadlines.

Affordable Automation for Repetitive Tasks

Legal technology often includes automation tools that reduce manual workloads. Automated intake, document generation, and approval workflows allow teams to focus on higher-value tasks, delivering better results without needing to expand headcount.

Smart Intake and Triage Without the Overhead

AI-powered intake systems help you prioritize and route requests seamlessly, saving time and preventing resource bottlenecks. With customizable features, even smaller teams can implement impactful solutions tailored to their specific needs.

Data-Driven Insights for Informed Decisions

Many legal technology tools used by lawyers offer built-in analytics and reporting capabilities, providing actionable insights at no extra cost. These insights help legal teams make smarter decisions, improve resource allocation, and demonstrate ROI to leadership, which is critical for securing future budget approvals.

So, while traditional tools like spreadsheets and email chains can seem cost-attractive initially, they often lead to hidden inefficiencies that add up over time.  

Legal technology’s automation, AI, and data-driven capabilities not only save time but also deliver long-term value that outpaces the initial investment. This highlights the importance of securing budget for legal tech.

Checkbox's in-house legal team software helps you streamline requests, automate workflows, and track your team’s impact, all in one platform. Want to see it in action? Schedule a call with one of our technology consultants today.