Directories & NextGen Law: Michael Burne believes big data & AI are close to producing a segmented client selection tool
It’s all changing in the legal sector at the moment and there is a discernible increase in the pace of evolution. It’s driven by new entrants, new tech, changing working patterns and the rise of the individual—whether that be a client, a lawyer or anyone involved in the delivery of legal services. Information is everywhere and nowhere. So, how do clients choose their lawyers? Until recently, the legal services market has offered little help to the buyer. Essentially the options were:
- directories like Chambers & Partners or Legal 500; or
- word of mouth recommendations.
Legal services tends to follow other service sectors, so in recent times we have seen attempts to create comparison sites or ratings websites. Some firms have begun to adopt the paid for services of TrustPilot or Feefo to gather client feedback and produce star ratings or scores. None of these is comprehensive or covers the whole of the market.
Some areas of legal services lend themselves better to
