Ride the Lightning

Clio’s July COVID-19 Impact Briefing for Law Firms: Good News but a Dark Horizon

July 30, 2020

Clio's July 15 COVID-19 Impact Briefing held some welcome news. Casework at law firms is in recovery and more billing is being done.

So what's worrisome on the horizon? Casework took a slide in early July – maybe the holiday week, but maybe the rise in COVID-19 cases. And the rise has continued through the month of July. Alarm bells are certainly ringing in law firms.

28% of law firms have had less revenue because clients are unable to pay. But 68% of law firms feel more confident in their ability to continue operating, even as COVID-19 cases increase. I hate the darn red on the news maps every day.

58% say that technology has significantly improved their work-life balance over the past three months, and 68% say that technology has significantly helped their firm deliver better client experiences.

Maybe best of all, more clients are saying that they are ready to seek a lawyer to assist with legal problems. Still, about 50% say they couldn't afford to deal with a legal problem.

Fewer lawyers are worried about the success of their practice, but boy, could that turn around in heartbeat. Still, 22% of them hired new or furloughed employees. Yet 27% expect to see more layoffs in the next three months. It's such a mixed bag of stats. Makes us all realize that we can only see the future through a glass, and darkly.

Sharon D. Nelson, Esq., President, Sensei Enterprises, Inc.
3975 University Drive, Suite 225|Fairfax, VA 22030
Email: Phone: 703-359-0700
Digital Forensics/Cybersecurity/Information Technology
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