Nothing To Fear But Data Itself In Law & Legal Services

New York, New York, May 7, 2015 (Newswire.com) - David Kinnear writes in Pulse - I studied law and became a barrister because I enjoyed the artistry, cut & thrust and drama of the courtroom - along with a deep-seated love of the English language and communication. That was "then". The world is "now" and it's becoming very different. I like to think it's much better actually - and it has a lot to do with technology.

I'm not a developer but I have a notoriously sharp eye for how to use technology to do things better, faster and cheaper. Given my background and subsequent work in outsourcing and re-engineering, the legal sector caught my eye. It's remarkable how far off the radar of change it has managed to stay - until now.

"In this new world of technology and connectivity, we've all nothing to fear but the data itself. It's the mirror we hold up for ourselves and for all our customers. And that has to be a good thing."

David T Kinnear, Legal Consulting Adviser and UK Barrister

It struck me as odd that customers (often called clients) can't find independently verifiable information on the performance of the lawyers they're contemplating hiring. It seems unfathomable that customers can't readily and easily search for legal answers without incurring high hourly rates for lofty opinions. It seemed strange that any lawyer would go to trial or settle a case without inexpensively running a set of facts past a mock jury panel for a second opinion on potential issues and perceived value. I thought it odd that lawyers couldn't automate a lot of documents and processes given that so much of it is built on precedent - or that clients had limited options for inexpensive legal transactions. The list goes on.

Well, it's changing. Rather quickly as it happens. And that's a jolly good thing for everyone, including lawyers who don't mind a bit of change and a whole lot more efficiency.

I'm pleased to associate with several organizations who represent the role of data and technology in providing simple answers in a suitably convenient and cost-effective way. Granted, this may blow away some of the smoke and mirrors surrounding law but my guess is that there will be far more happy customers (and lawyers actually) than unhappy lawyers alone.

Data provides a quantification framework on which we can more reliably base qualitative decisions. How effective is your lawyer? How efficient with his/her time? How often does your lawyer win? How often does a given judge decide a certain way? What facts tend to be the key drivers? What's persuasive for a jury? What's a juror likely to ask and what might they award? What's the likelihood you'll win - or lose? It's simply better to know this sort of thing than litigate blindfolded.

If you're interested, you may like to take a look at these organizations that are helping to make law simpler, smarter and safer:

• Premonition Analytics (www.premonition.ai)
• YurJury (yurJury.com)
• AskKelsen (www.kelsen.io)
• DomainSkate (www.domainskate.com)

to name a few I'm familiar with.

In this new world of technology and connectivity, we've all nothing to fear but the data itself. It's the mirror we hold up for ourselves and for all our customers. And that has to be a good thing.