Survey: Nearly Half Of In-House Lawyers Use E-Billing Software

In-house law departments are willing to embrace technology, according to a recent Thomson Reuters survey. Specifically, 44 percent of respondents said that they are using e-billing software.

Approximately 600 in-house lawyers were surveyed, according to Canadian Lawyer Magazine. The purpose of the survey was to study law department trends and needs, as well as opportunities to increase efficiency and reduce costs.

“We are using [automated software] for our prospectuses and fund fact documents,” said Jennifer Mercanti, assistant vice president and chief counsel for Manulife Investments’ Canadian division. “The automation of these documents has significantly improved our workflow process and created efficiencies within the legal department and other departments in our organization.”

Additionally, Mercanti explained to the news source that her department has improved productivity in connection with the review of materials. The department now has an automated sign-off process allowing internal and external sub-advisers, auditors, and outside legal firms to provide electronic comments and sign off through the software, she said.

“We currently produce multiple prospectus documents and over 1,300 fund fact documents. Therefore, the automation of these documents was necessary in order to keep up with current regulations,” Mercanti said.