Platform-as-a-service models could be the future of the legal-technology industry, writes Kenneth Jones of Tanenbaum Keale. He notes that PaaS providers offer marketplaces similar to Apple's App Store and the Google Play store and argues that legal-tech companies would have the opportunity to use multiple distribution methods for products.

Electronic signatures are convenient and beneficial in terms of record-keeping, but they present potential legal complexities, especially in high-risk transactions, write Anthony Diana and David Krone. They suggest organizations implement a governance program over e-signatures that considers authentication, adoption, nonrepudiation and admissibility.

The key to motivating law firms to adopt advanced technology is to find tools that are simple to use and have an element of familiarity, says Ryan Steadman, chief revenue officer of Zero. He recently spoke with Joe Patrice and Elie Mystal of the Thinking Like a Lawyer podcast, where they discussed how artificial intelligence-based programs can file emails efficiently and in keeping with compliance requirements.

Intapp Pricing is an artificial intelligence-based system intended to help law firms establish and track pricing of client projects. The tool studies time cards, engagement milestones, client requirements and more to handle the process "from quote to bill," Intapp says.

Jonathan Rays examines 10 areas of contract management within legal departments that can be made easier though artificial intelligence, such as e-discovery, contract preparation, signatures and litigation analysis. "With AI, the entry of key information can be done solely via technology and without the need for any human intervention aside from initial setup and troubleshooting," writes Rays.

Law students and organizations are calling on the US Supreme Court to terminate copyright protections that exist for state-annotated codes of law and many other legal materials. Several legal research platforms -- including Free Law Project, Fastcase and Casetext -- are among those pushing for a high court review, citing the need for uniform access.

Greenberg Traurig has launched its Recurve subsidiary, which operates under a "shared services" model that law firms can use to tackle tech, staffing and other needs. "Instead of law firms focusing on what they are best at -- which is being great law firms -- they are spending time trying to keep up with innovation," said Richard Rosenbaum, executive chairman of Greenberg Traurig.

Tech changes are exciting to some professionals and dreaded by others who are "too embarrassed to admit they don't know how to use the technology, so they don't use it at all," says workforce author Lindsey Pollak. Firms can ease the transition by using video tutorials, slowing production for a while and adapting the training to individual needs.

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