Smart Tech, Stronger Cases: Legal Tools in Litigation – Q1 2026 Facts & Findings
Legal tech leads to stronger cases, streamlining workflows and improving client satisfaction.
A NOTE ON PERSPECTIVE
With so much buzz about artificial intelligence, it is easy to forget the practical tools that make the biggest difference in our day-to-day work. AI is the future, but right now, firms benefit more from
using basic tools like transcript and document management software that save hours and keep cases on track.
TECH COMPETENCE STARTS THE CONVERSATION
Being technologically competent makes it easier to explain why a new workflow or a change in how the team handles its daily processes will lead to improvement. We are not selling software. We are demonstrating how smart changes streamline work and reduce stress in everyday litigation.
As legal tech leader Joy Murao reminds us, “You don’t know what you don’t know.”
That insight captures a core challenge in legal practice today. Many professionals do not realize the possibilities that exist with basic legal tech until someone shows them. Tech competence is not just about knowing the tools. It is about having the foresight to spot opportunities for smarter workflows.
When you have practiced with transcript software, you can demonstrate how highlights and reports replace hours of page-line summaries. When you have learned an exhibit platform, you can show how it helps trial teams stay calm under pressure. When you have mastered case management tools, you can walk attorneys through how to keep deadlines and discovery visible in one place.
That is the turning point. You are no longer pitching technology. You are speaking the language of workflow. In litigation, better workflows mean stronger cases.
FROM COST TO VALUE
Honestly, legal technology can feel like one more budget fight. New software licenses, training sessions, and updates compete with trial costs, expert fees, and client demands. I have sat in meetings where the first question is, “Do we really need this?”
As paralegals, we know the answer is yes. We live in the details, and we see how technology saves time, reduces stress, and keeps clients happy. The trick is learning how to show leaders the value instead of just the price tag.
Instead of talking about features, talk about outcomes:
• Efficiency: Fewer late nights and wasted hours
• Risk Reduction: No missed deadlines or misplaced exhibits
• Client Satisfaction: Faster, clearer updates
• Competitive Edge: Looking sharp in front of the judge and jury
That is how you move tech from “nice to have” to “must have.” It is one thing to talk about these outcomes in theory. It is another to point to real workflows that transform daily practice. Transcripts are a perfect example.
TRANSCRIPT SUMMARIES: FROM HOURS TO MINUTES
I am shocked that some firms in 2025 still rely on only page-line summaries for trial prep when transcript management software makes the work faster, cleaner, and more accurate. Page-line summaries eat up days and often result in inconsistencies across the team. Transcript software simplifies the process: upload, highlight, tag, and report instantly. Paralegals who use these tools can demonstrate results directly by pulling up testimony in real time during strategy meetings. Leadership trusts recommendations more when we show instead of telling.
Sample Pitch:
“With transcript software, I can create an issue-by-witness chart in one afternoon instead of spending two days on page-line summaries. That means attorneys can focus on strategy, not paperwork.”
TRIAL EXHIBITS: NO MORE SCRAMBLING
We have all had that moment when a judge asks for an exhibit, and the room suddenly goes silent while someone flips frantically through binders. Exhibit software eliminates panic. A single copy links to outlines that are ready instantly. When you know the tool inside and out, you become the calmest person in the courtroom. That is power.
Sample Pitch:
“With exhibit management software, we do not lose credibility prepared and professional.”
CASE MANAGEMENT: WORKING TOGETHER
Do you have case materials scattered across emails, drives, and sticky notes? That is a recipe for wasted time and missed deadlines. Clio and MyCase are solid options for case management. The goal is to keep everyone on the same page with current info. Case management platforms give the team one secure home for pleadings, discovery, deadlines, billing, and notes. Automatic reminders reduce missed deadlines, and dashboards keep the whole team aligned.
Sample Pitch:
“With case management software in place, the team does not waste time hunting for critical documents or deadlines. We can focus on getting the best outcome for our client.”
QUICK WINS WITH LEGAL TECH
• Transcripts: Upload, highlight, generate instant reports
• Exhibits: Store one master copy, link to outlines, pull up with one click
• Case Management: Centralize pleadings, track deadlines, create a single source of truth
DURABLE SKILLS SEAL THE DEAL
Even the best software does not sell itself. That is where durable skills come in:
• Adaptability: If leadership pushes back, pivot and frame the tool as risk prevention instead of innovation.
• Critical Thinking: Do not oversell it. Show honest trade-offs and a clear cost-benefit analysis.
• Communication: Use plain language and not jargon.
• Leadership through Confidence: Make sure you can run the software. When you are calm, it helps the team remain calm.
TECH FOR EVERY PRACTICE SIZE
Legal tech is not just for big firms with big budgets. Options for small firms and solo practices have expanded greatly.
“Technology is not the key to successful management of discovery in small cases. Informed application of technology, in harmony with and understanding of the risks, rules, and requirements are the keys.” — Tom O’Connor, eDiscovery for the Rest of Us
That perspective matters. It is not about buying every new tool but applying the right tools thoughtfully to meet the size and scope of your practice.
MANAGING THE METHOD FOR THE MESSAGE
When you pitch technology, focus on outcomes: saving time, reducing risks, and improving client service. Leave the jargon behind. As several of my mentors have reminded me, it is not about technical terms. It is about avoiding confusion and showing the real value of the solution.
WHO DELIVERS THE MESSAGE MATTERS
Sometimes it is not just what you say but who says it.
• Peer Attorney: Hearing from a colleague who is already using the tool makes an impact.
• Vendor Representative: They can frame it as a business solution.
• Paralegal Demo: Nothing beats showing your own confidence with the tool in real time.
Pro Tip: Let the vendor paint the big picture, then show your team how you can put it into practice.
FIVE TIPS FOR PITCHING
1. Tell a Story: Use memorable examples.
2. Show the Numbers: Translate time saved into billable hours.
3. Start Small: Acknowledge that pilot projects reduce risk.
4. Bring Solutions: Always pair problems with resolutions.
5. Choose the Right Messenger: Sometimes the voice that influences leadership is not yours, and that is okay.
CONCLUSION
At the end of the day, technology is not about bells and whistles. It is about smoother workflows, calmer teams, and improved client service. Paralegals are in the perfect position to propose new tech. The secret is confidence. The more we use these tools, the better we can demonstrate how valuable they are. Combine that confidence with the tact of bringing in the right voices, and you have the potential for real change. The return on investment far outweighs the cost. Legal technology is not just worth the money. It is worth mastering. Expanding its use is essential for practices of every size.
YOUR CHALLENGE
Start small. Pilot one tool this quarter, measure the time you save, and let the return on investment speak for itself.
RESOURCES
NALA, Deposition Transcript Software – Q2 2023 Facts & Findings, https://nala.org/deposition-transcript-software/.
EDRM, Trial Exhibit Management, https://edrm.net/2025/03/trial-exhibitmanagement/.
EDRM, Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities: The Case for Durable Skills in 2025, https://edrm.net/2025/03/transforming-challenges-intoopportunities-the-case-for-durable-skills-in-2025/.
ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.1, Comment 8: Maintaining Competence, https://www.americanbar.org/groups/professional_responsibility/publications/model_rules_of_professional_conduct/rule_1_1_competence/comment_on_rule_1_1/.
America Succeeds, The Durable Skills Framework: A Guide for Educators, School Leaders, and Policymakers, https://americasucceeds.org/the-durableskills-advantage-framework-a-guide-for-educators-and-policymakers.
Tom O’Connor, eDiscovery for the Rest of Us, 2022, https://www.digitalwarroom.com/hubfs/White%20Papers/Tom%20OConnor%20-%20ediscovery%20for%20the%20rest%20of%20us%202022.pdf
Sheila Grela, ACP, CEDS, is a senior paralegal at Buchalter. She is an active leader in the legal community through the San Diego Paralegal Association and Women in eDiscovery, and she frequently writes and speaks on technology, professional development, and durable skills for legal professionals. Sheila is passionate about mentorship, advancing paralegal education, and helping legal teams build stronger cases through the smart use of technology.
email: sgrela@buchalter.com
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