Why More Lawyers Are Using The Internet In Business

| Friday, May 6, 2011
By Ethan Gonzalez


Desktop computer usage among lawyers has noticeably changed the way they now conduct business. Most lawyers use to computer to research the law, write briefs, email colleagues, or use case management software to organize their work. A lot of lawyers also see great potential in using the Internet to discuss substantive case issues with their adversaries and to nail down settlements. What the bar can do now is to be open-minded with the advanced ways in society and explore more about this new institution instead of being prisoners to the old way of doing things. What uses can the Internet bring for trial lawyers who mostly handle auto or medical negligence cases? A lot of lawyers are now taking advantage of Email and electronic filing and soon they will also be able to use this cyber mediation.

It is now easy for lawyers to do their job with the online dispute resolution which is one of the newer avenues for applying electronic methods to traditional layering tasks. Technology has already been popular within lawyers as back then mediators have begun using email and private online chat rooms to conduct talks with opposing parties, while adventurous entrepreneurs have created online blind bidding settlement services. Scheduling appointments and other things was made easy with email lawyers soon found out. More topics were now discussed in emails as lawyers started to become accustomed to the way it was used. On the internet, lawyers would utilize private chat rooms, which can be converted into virtual bargaining tables at low or no cost at all.

Having a mediator present, the opposing parties can be able to carry on with their discussion through the internet. A revolution like this might not be that great for those trial lawyers who pride themselves on using body language and tone of voice as part of their negotiating technique. Settlements often end in a bad note when the internet is involved.

There is no need for words to convey an attitude. From a mediator's standpoint, getting rid of that attitude is often a huge step forward in getting an agreement. Since a lot of small firms need to get offers on the table quickly this system is beneficial to plaintiff lawyers. To them this system is faster, cheaper, easier, and more likely to succeed.

Most of the time mediations will get a negative response. Compared to confrontation, an email will allow parties to think things over. When one sends out an email it means that the receiver can just reply whenever they are ready. At the same time, emails are less formal.

An email is more like a conversation then anything formal. Also, people do not hold back as much as when you talk to them in person. Meeting the other party in mediation is unavoidable but the option of email should also be there as well.

For those issues regarding straightforward monetary settlements, lawyers can turn to the Web for blind bidding services. Here, opposing parties who are ready to settle write down their bottom line settlement figure and give it to a neutral third party. The one who tells them whether they are closing in on an agreeable figure is the third party.




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