Pandemic as Panacea: The Positive Long-Term Impact of Forced Innovation in the Legal Industry

Despite the untold disruption the COVID-19 pandemic continues to inflict upon the legal industry, several positive outcomes may ultimately emerge. These unexpected gains may not only improve the practice of law but also address long-standing weaknesses in the industry. In this article, I utilize Roger’s Innovation Diffusion model to shed preliminary light on the unprecedented phenomenon of forced, comprehensive, and immediate adoption of new technology throughout the legal industry. While doing so, I highlight the way this sudden adoption will likely change perceptions regarding perennial areas of tension, such as mental health and work-life balance.

Finally, I argue that the sheer scale of change within the industry will ultimately lead to improvements in work-life balance, increased access to legal services, and a stronger appetite and capacity for adopting future technological innovations in law.