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Recently, the Smokeball team surveyed legal professionals around the country to learn how law firms are using technology in 2023.


Our research shows that technology use is on the rise — so if your firm is looking for new solutions this year, we’ve put together a complete checklist for evaluating and choosing new legal software.


Let’s jump in.


The first thing to do when deciding whether or not to invest in new legal technology is to evaluate your current set of tools.


What systems does your firm already use? What are their strengths and weaknesses? Where are there gaps in functionality? Where could your legal workflow be improved?


Write down a list of the tech you’re already using, and areas where new solutions might be able to help.


Next, gather a group of decision-makers at your law firm and clearly define the objectives you want to achieve with the adoption of new legal technology.


What pain points do you want to address, and how can technology can help solve them? What goals do you want to achieve, and how will you measure success?


Again, write down those goals so that you can revisit them once your new tool is implemented.


Third, it’s time to think about money. Assess your firm’s budget and determine how much you can invest in new legal technology.


Take into account the initial costs of acquiring the technology, as well as the ongoing maintenance costs.


Then, research and compare the different legal technology options available on the market that fit your firm’s needs and budget.


Request a detailed demo of each product, and evaluate their features, benefits, and drawbacks.


Hint hint...Smokeball’s new report, The Tech-Stacked Firm: How Technology is Changing the Legal Industry in 2023 has a complete breakdown of the different types of legal technology, with recommendations on the best platforms for you—based on firm size, practice area and more.


Next, consult with experts in the field to gain a better understanding of the options available and to get advice on which technology would be best for your firm.


These experts might be tech analysts, online legal marketplaces, or legal professionals you know who are software users themselves.


Sixth, it’s important to decide who will oversee the new tool you’re adopting.


We surveyed legal professionals at small law firms, and they told us it’s a good idea to have multiple software administrators who can fill in for each other in each other’s absences.


Choose representatives from your team who are knowledgeable about the product, available to answer staff questions, and know where to go for more information.


Next, If your software provider will allow it, conduct a pilot program or beta test of your new technology before you full adopt it.


Choose a few people on your team who will likely be power users of the new tool, and ask them to test it out and see if it works for their needs.


This will help you identify any potential issues or concerns before fully committing to the technology.


Onboarding is one of the most important steps!


Train your staff in how to use the new legal technology effectively. Provide comprehensive training and support to ensure that everyone is comfortable using the new technology.


Ask your software provider how they can support you during the onboarding process so that your team is fully set up for success.


Ninth, develop an implementation plan that outlines every step needed to fully integrate the new legal technology into your firm.


This process should include timelines, responsibilities, and milestones, and be clearly communicated to every stakeholder.


Once you’re up and running, be sure to monitor progress and evaluate the effectiveness of the new legal technology regularly.


Determine if it’s meeting your objectives and if there are any areas that need improvement. Ask your software provider how they can help you troubleshoot any issues that may arise.


Finally, be sure to stay up to date with new legal technology trends and developments. New solutions pop up all the time, so schedule regular times to re-evaluate your firm’s technology and adjust as needed to stay ahead of the curve.


Ready to learn more about how to build a tech-stacked law firm?


Download Smokeball’s latest report for insights on how legal professionals are using technology today, compare solutions and more.