The field of law has changed a lot since its inception centuries ago. In recent years, drug legalisation, car accidents and sexual harassment cases are just three areas in which lawsuit cases have increased exponentially, which has made the law a more complex and nuanced beast.
More recently, we’ve seen a shift in culture due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has forced lawyers to adapt to a whole new set of challenges. Here’s a look at how the field of law has evolved over the years, particularly since the pandemic began.
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Lawyers and the pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way lawyers do their jobs in a number of ways. First and foremost, lawyers now have to be much more flexible when it comes to meeting with clients and witnesses. With so many people working from home, Zoom calls and video conferences have become the norm for legal consultations – this has been a challenge for some lawyers who are used to meeting with clients face-to-face, but it’s one that they’ve had to adjust to on the fly.
Another big change that COVID-19 has brought about is an increase in pro bono work. With so many people out of work or struggling to make ends meet, there has been a surge in demand for free or low-cost legal services. Lawyers have responded by donating their time and expertise to a wide variety of causes, ranging from housing discrimination to election law. This pro bono work is vital for ensuring that everyone has access to justice, regardless of their financial situation.
Finally, COVID-19 has forced lawyers to get creative when it comes to court proceedings. With so many courts closed or operating at reduced capacity, lawyers have had to get creative in how they litigate their cases, which has meant more use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) methods like mediation and arbitration, as well as an increase in the use of technology in the courtroom. From virtual depositions to digital document management, technology is playing an increasingly important role in the legal profession.
We will continue to see an ever-evolving landscape in the field of law moving forward
The field of law is always evolving, but the past couple years has seen an unprecedented level of change. From the way lawyers meet with clients to the types of cases they’re working on, COVID-19 has forced everyone in the legal profession to adapt on the fly.
While these changes may seem daunting at first, they also present an opportunity for lawyers to experiment with new ideas and find new ways to help their clients. After all, that’s what being a lawyer is all about: finding innovative solutions to challenging problems.
