#WhyIAmASolo - Most Of What I Do Will Never Be Automated

Automating The Law. This article alleges that experts say the 23% of law practice is automated, and that the portion is increasing. Let's say this is true. A solo law practitioner does many things that automation will never do. While computers have been automating some lawyer tasks for some years now, the major advantage of tech has been to level the playing field among lawyers. You no longer have to be in BigLaw to have access to the power of computer database access to analysis and knowledge. In fact, the speed of tech development is probably much better leveraged by the lean solo practitioner who can make decisions without going to a committee. A computer can't sit patiently while a human client experiencing a traumatic legal event pours out their heart to a human person who is patient, kind and understanding. A computer can't shake your hand, greet you at the office door, and introduce you to the stress relieving aviary next to the waiting room, filled with parrots who squawk and talk and generally create a loud environment. In fact, even if a computer can assist the lawyer in creating a legal document or contract, it can't make judgment decisions about what the contract or document does or does not do. At least, the judgments require a human decision somewhere along the line. So, automate away, we lawyers will be here to guide and counsel you. As long, of course, as you pay the bill. 

Comments

[John Upton]

I think you're underestimating the future ability of artificial intelligence to take the clients statement of the facts and the problem and the goal, and do what's necessary to write up a contract, or complaint, or otherwise work towards the stated goal.

And I definitely don't know why you think a computer wouldn't be more patient than 99% of the human lawyers in practice!

[Richard M Georges]

John, I think you are underestimating the need of many clients to have human contact when they are giving their story to the lawyer. They are at the lawyer's to solve a problem, or to get advice. They want a human being who understands what it is like to be human. In estate planning they want advice about family matters. In probate, they may be grieving, and human compassion is important. There is no universe in which a client will want to deal with an unfeeling, unemotional computer. Perhaps corporate clients may be more sanguine; but, not the people I represent.

[John upton]

I think it depends on how far into the future we're looking. Increasingly people will be comfortable to stay at home for everything, including their visit to their lawyer. If it costs them 25% as much to stay home and get it done, will they still want to come to the office?

[RICHARD GEORGES]

Perhaps. But, they will still want personal contact with a human being. Skype, or other future video messaging app. Who knows, in the future, we may be able to coexist and talk to each other in virtual reality. But, in the end, we will want to interact with another of our own species; not, a computer.