The legal industry has seen a steady increase in case volume over the past several years. This rise has come from multiple directions, like increased litigation, more public awareness, and a growing reliance on legal counsel.
According to a report, the number of cases in the Supreme Court decreased by 15% in the October Term 2022. However, the number of civil cases filed in district courts increased by 24%. Similarly, bankruptcy cases increased by 13%.
For many firms, especially small to mid-sized ones, managing the flood of new clients while maintaining service quality has become a serious operational challenge. Law firms that once thrived on personal, high-touch approaches are now feeling the pressure to modernize.
This doesn’t mean abandoning client care but rather rethinking how time is used and how information flows within a practice. The shift isn’t just about adopting technology. It’s about doing so in a way that actually reduces friction rather than creating more of it.
In this article, we will look at how modern law practices are adapting to growing case volume.
Intake as a Bottleneck and Automation as a Solution
A key point of friction often begins at the very first step: intake. When a potential client reaches out, how efficiently that interaction is handled can shape the entire client relationship.
Many firms have moved away from relying solely on phone calls and paper forms. Instead, they’re investing in tools that can help automate and organize this process without losing the human element.
According to Market.us, the global legal technology market was valued at over $26 billion in 2023. The software segment accounted for 61% of this exponentially growing market. This suggests that the use of software solutions is on the rise among law firms. One such tool that helps with the initial point of contact is the legal intake software.
Legal intake software allows firms to handle new client information with greater speed and consistency. It’s especially useful when the team is juggling a large caseload. Intake questions can be standardized, data can be instantly stored in case management systems, and follow-ups can be scheduled automatically.
According to Law Ruler, this kind of automation not only saves time but also helps prevent leads from slipping through the cracks. Lawyers are then free to focus more on evaluating the merits of each case rather than spending time on data entry. Besides saving your lawyers’ time, this can also help improve the customer experience from the very first point of contact.
Technology That Supports Day-to-Day Casework
After intake, the demands on a law practice only grow. With rising case volume comes a larger load of documentation, ongoing client communication, court deadlines, and internal coordination. In this environment, manual systems fall short.
Practices are turning to cloud-based platforms that allow real-time collaboration, remote access to case files, and centralized task management. These systems are no longer limited to large firms; smaller practices are adopting them as well, especially those handling fast-paced areas.
Security is another major reason for the shift. As noted by Legal Dive, law firm security breaches are very common. It was found that around four in ten firms have experienced a breach in 2023. With cyber threats becoming more common, having a secure, cloud-based infrastructure has moved from being optional to essential.
The American Bar Association mentions the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the legal industry. It states that AI tools can automate repetitive tasks to enhance productivity, improve customer experience, and reduce costs. AI can help streamline everything from contract review and due diligence to e-discovery and legal analytics.
How should firms pick a cloud platform?
Choosing the right platform depends on the firm’s size, practice area, and workflow needs. For example, a firm focused on litigation may need strong document automation, while a transactional practice might prioritize e-signature tools and contract management. It’s also important to check integration options with existing tools, security certifications, and ease of use for both staff and clients.
Redefining Roles Inside the Firm
As case volume increases, law firms are finding that their traditional structure may no longer be enough. Many are looking inward at their staffing model and internal workflows to distribute the workload more effectively. One trend that has become particularly useful is expanding the scope of what support staff can handle.
Paralegals are no longer just responsible for research and basic paperwork. In many firms, they now coordinate entire segments of pre-litigation work, draft client updates, and manage early-stage discovery.
Legal assistants, too, are being trained to handle tasks such as intake follow-ups, scheduling, and form preparation that once required an attorney’s direct involvement. This redistribution of responsibilities enables better utilization of internal resources and allows lawyers to focus more on strategic aspects.
The shift requires investment in training and sometimes a mindset change. Firms that have successfully made this transition typically implement standardized processes and clear documentation, allowing non-lawyers to work confidently within established boundaries. Some also use workflow software that assigns and tracks tasks based on role or expertise, which helps avoid bottlenecks.
What are the risks of expanding staff roles?
While expanding roles improves efficiency, it comes with risks if boundaries are not clearly defined. Paralegals must refrain from offering legal advice or making strategic decisions without the supervision of an attorney. Firms must provide proper training and utilize documented workflows to ensure compliance with legal and ethical regulations.
Meeting Client Expectations Through Better Communication
Modern clients expect their legal representation to be responsive and accessible. As more people become accustomed to instant communication in other industries, their expectations for law firms are changing, too. Practices are responding by refining how they engage with clients, particularly during active cases.
According to Forbes, some common barriers to effective client engagement in the legal industry are:
- Ineffective intake
- A lack of human touch
- No streamlined communication
You can overcome this by fostering a culture of engagement and utilizing technology for improved communication. Secure messaging platforms, client portals, and automated status updates are now part of the communication mix. These tools provide clients with real-time visibility into their case progress while also reducing the volume of repetitive inquiries.
Some firms have gone a step further, integrating appointment scheduling, payment options, and document uploads into their digital portals. This creates a more seamless experience, allowing clients to manage multiple interactions in one place. It also makes operations smoother for the firm by reducing back-and-forth email chains and missed messages.
How can firms keep communication tools compliant?
To stay compliant, firms must utilize tools that meet the legal industry’s privacy standards, including encryption, multi-factor authentication, and secure user access. They should also maintain audit logs, regularly update software, and train staff on safe communication practices. Using platforms specifically designed for legal services can help meet these requirements more effectively than general tools.
Law firms that adapt successfully to rising case numbers often share a common trait. They’re willing to make operational changes even if it means breaking away from traditional routines. Whether it’s by investing in better intake tools or improving client communication channels, they’re focusing on staying responsive without being overwhelmed.
The growth in case volume doesn’t appear to be slowing down. That means adaptation isn’t optional; it’s an ongoing process. The firms that recognize this and evolve their systems accordingly are the ones that will continue to thrive.
