From Typewriters to Tablets: Navigating Technological Advancements for Paralegals – Q2 2025 Facts & Findings
Written by Johnnathan S. Ruff
Imagine being surrounded by towering stacks of legal pleadings, unorganized file folders, and a clunky typewriter just waiting for you to make one minor mistake so you have to retype your work. Believe it or not, that was the norm not too long ago. Fast forward to 2025, when you can effortlessly glide your finger across your tablet’s screen for immediate access to all your legal pleadings and case law, in addition to collaborating with legal professionals across the globe. Throw in the rapidly advancing technology of artificial intelligence (AI), and we are now in a world that was merely fictional only a short time ago. Technology is transforming the paralegal profession in ways that have shrunk the paper mountains while creating efficiency like never before.
I. HISTORICAL CONTEXT
Historically, paralegal tasks were extremely labor intensive, requiring several trips to legal libraries for research and relying strictly on manual record-keeping. This included maintaining physical files for every client and making countless treks to local courthouses to file pleadings physically with the clerk. Not only was this labor intensive, but it added an extra level of stress because, in some cases, one physical copy was all you had, and if it was lost, that could cost you your case. This period helped paralegals develop strong clerical skills and solidified their crucial, yet sometimes unappreciated, role in law firms.
II. EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES IN THE LEGAL FIELD
Today, every law office has several computers readily accessible to its paralegals, and electronic legal research libraries, such as Westlaw and LexisNexis, are treasure troves. Gone are the days of searching shelf by shelf for case law in a legal library outside of your office. These electronic databases provide paralegals with tools to locate case law quickly to help craft compelling briefs and streamline legal research.
There are also several cloud-based case management platforms, such as CASEpeer, Filevine, and Clio. These digital databases can transform a paralegal’s workspace into a flexible command center by creating a digital recordkeeping arena for every client. Many of these platforms offer the ability to streamline your work by creating templates for forms and pleadings that you use regularly. This level of digital organization helps to boost productivity while giving paralegals the freedom to work from almost anywhere.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the legal profession had to adapt to safety concerns and mandatory isolation requirements. This led to many hearings and depositions being held virtually and more courts transitioning to electronic filing. Prior to COVID-19, a virtual deposition was as rare as a snowstorm in July, but the advancements in technology have shown how adaptable you must be when working in the legal field.
The latest and most evolving area of technology is artificial intelligence. From ChatGPT to virtual assistants, AI is the future of the paralegal profession. AI systems have the ability to automate legal document review, which can help identify potential errors and reduce the risk of making mistakes, such as a detrimental oversight that could harm your case. These AI systems can also summarize large documents and case law quickly.
III. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS AND CHALLENGES
With every technological advancement, there are bound to be some drawbacks and concerns. Integrating more technology into the paralegal profession brings several challenges that demand consideration. The biggest issue with all technology is data privacy. For example, it is not ideal to use AI to analyze sensitive client information since not every AI system complies with confidentiality regulations such as HIPAA.
Additionally, AI is ever-changing and still very new. When you ask AI for case law, it may provide information that does not actually exist. Another possibility is asking AI to make a recommendation when the system has a flaw in its algorithm that leads to a mistake nobody wants to take ownership of. A good rule of thumb when using AI as a paralegal is to verify everything.
It is best to use AI to enhance your skills rather than relying on it as a crutch. Paralegals must navigate these ethical challenges on a case-by-case basis for their clients to determine if using AI is the best option. For a large case that you have been working on for years, AI can help you summarize and easily locate data. However, in a smaller case that just began last week, it might not be necessary. Ultimately, each paralegal must make the best decision for their client.
IV. FUTURE TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENT
New and emerging technologies will certainly lead to exciting advancements in the paralegal profession. As AI develops and programmers study trends and algorithms, it will likely become more trustworthy and efficient. The future of technology in the legal field will probably continue to focus on task automation and data analytics to help transform how paralegal work is performed. AI systems will keep simplifying smaller, more repetitive tasks, giving paralegals more time to strategize the next steps in their case.
Technology is not replacing paralegals but empowering them to become more adaptable and efficient. It will help them play an even larger role in the success of their law firms by streamlining workflows and providing more time for them to focus their efforts on supplying strategic contributions to their cases. In 20 years, who knows where technological advancements will take us? With the rapidly evolving technology we have today, it seems that our tablets will eventually become as ancient as the typewriters that preceded them.
Johnnathan Ruff is a Western Carolina University graduate with over a decade of experience in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. He currently serves as a Senior Litigation Paralegal and Office Manager, and he is passionate about building teams and promoting professional development. Johnnathan recently published his first book, Unleash Your Potential: A Roadmap to Maximize Your Paralegal Career, and hosted his first webinar for NALA this spring.
Email: Jr@bflanlaw.com
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