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Dancing on the Cliff Edge

BY William C. Cobb
December 31, 2013

Years ago at a conference on the future of the legal profession, the presenters made three salient points. First, an increase in computers in law firms would wipe out the middle information processing people. Second, the law firm business model of “hours times rate equals the value of services delivered” would result in ineffective and inefficient service. And third, what the printing press did to the interpreters of the Bible, i.e. , the clergy, the Internet and technology would do to the legal profession. This “Seize the Future” conference, which took place in 1997 and 1999, focused on 2015. Now, the tipping point of change for law firms has been reached.

A New Era

Several recent events have led to the dawning of a new era. We all know that events over a period of time produce trends. And when trends began to come together, we have a new era. In the last five years, we have heard increasing chatter about the failed business model of law firms, new technology that is erasing the need for lawyers and other information interpreters, and enhanced cognitive systems that mine and interpret data. Let's look at some examples of trends that are leading the way.

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