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The Impact of COVID-19 on the Legal Industry
Numbers via Clio
Data gathered from legal professionals shows that attorneys in all fields have concerns. As courts have closed and much of the country has been under stay-home orders, law firms have necessarily had to rely on technology. Five to 10 years of technological advances have taken place over a mere two months, and the legal profession realizes this is about survival, not just convenience. The numbers back this up:
83% of legal professionals agree cloud technology is necessary for business survival
69% of legal professionals agree that tech is more important now than it was before the pandemic
66% agree coronavirus will impact firm operations beyond the pandemic Five to 10 years of technological advances have taken place over a mere two months.
47% of legal professionals agree they are using more types of technology
38% agree they are more comfortable with technology
Important Numbers
22% of consumers believe the lawyers have stopped offering services during the pandemic
13% of consumers agree that they expect to deal with a coronavirus-related legal issue in the future
77% of consumers agree that lawyers provide an essential service 58% of consumers would prefer to meet with lawyers either virtually or over the phone rather than meeting in person during the pandemic
52% of consumers said they cannot afford to pay associated legal costs and fees over the next few months; affordability of legal services is more of an issue than it usually is
38% of consumers believe that a remote hearing or trial would negatively impact the outcome of a case
The pandemic has also impacted the mental health of legal professionals in ways that cannot be ignored. In normal times, lawyers report a high level of stress, and that has increased during the time of COVID-19. According to Clio’s data, 75% of legal professionals have increased stress and anxiety due to the pandemic. To see more of Clio’s data regarding the impact of the pandemic on the legal profession, go to clio.com/resources/legal-trends/covid-impact. (Source: Solan, Andrea. “The Impact of COVID-19 on the Legal Industry, in Numbers”. MSBA.org, May 2020.)
