Pile Up: What Are You Going To Do With All Those Old Files?

Law firms generally have lots of trouble moving into new software programs.  And, there are, for sure, a lot of reasons for that.  Moving on from the status quo is hard, on its own.  Plus, mindset change is a difficult thing.  And, let’s not even talk about getting buy-in from staff.  Those are all pretty high hurdles. 

 

But, you wanna know what the primary driver is, for law firms shying away from new technology – the thing that shuts down those conversations before they even start?  It’s the massive file backlog most law firms maintain. 

When law firm managers consider making a move from legacy software to a new system, the hill they build for themselves (and often end up dying on) is the goal to scan or transfer all of their old data into the new system, before they start using it.  Now, ensuring that all of a law firm’s historical data (some law firms have lengthy histories), ends up in a new software system, represents a big project – and, for some law firms, it becomes impossible, because they can’t exert the energy and effort it takes to accomplish the task.  And, this is very much a lawyer thing, landing squarely in the wheelhouse of that spectrum between ‘I’ll do it myself’ and rampant perfectionism. 

 

But, this operating procedure ignores a lot of the available technology and best practices that can be leveraged by a modern practice.  For one thing, law firms don’t need to capture all of their historical data; in most cases, law firms can confidentially destroy case files 6 years after the close of those files.  Also, online storage is so cheap, that if a law firm has paper files, it makes sense to scan and store them somewhere, including on an encrytpted harddrive, unconnected to the internet – but, that doesn’t have to be something that happens right away, or as a precursor to using new tech.  The point being that, the availability of inexpensive cloud storage means that, if a law firm wants to keep all of its case data, literally forever, it can – that law firm doesn’t have to, though.  And, that data does not need to be moved to a new software system, like ever.  Therefore, it’s clear that law firm managers have additional options in this scenario that they’re not considering. 

 

So, don’t let this single consideration hold you back from adopting the right technology for your modern law firm.  Select a date you want to start using your new system, and just do it.  Then, maintain the legacy system, as needed, until you figure out what you want to do with all your old data. 

 

Time is on your side. 

. . . 

 

If you want to make a bold technology move, but are feeling stuck -- we can help. 

Through a unique partnership between the bar association and Jared Correia's Red Cave Law Firm Consulting, National Creditors' Bar Association members now have access to experienced law practice management consultants at a special discount rate. To get started, visit Red Cave's NCBA landing page, and start running your law practice like a business.