Camille Stell is Vice President of Risk & Practice Management for Lawyers Mutual Liability Insurance Co. of NC. Continue this conversation by contacting Camille at camille@lawyersmutualnc.com or
Law firms today are investing more than ever in technology – practice management systems, document automation tools, AI solutions, billing platforms, and more. On paper, these tools promise efficiency, better client service, and reduced risk.
However, in many solo or small firms a different reality exists.
The tools are there… but they’re not being fully used.
Some are only partially implemented, others are quietly abandoned after rollout, and a few are forgotten entirely – what the industry often calls “shelfware.”
The result? Hidden costs that quietly drain your firm’s profitability, productivity, and even increase your risk exposure.
This isn’t a deep technical dive. Instead, it’s a quick, practical look at a problem many firms face – unused technology – and the real costs that come with it. Additionally, there are a few straightforward ways to address this issue.
Financial waste. Every unused or underused tool represents money left on the table.
- Monthly subscription fees for features you never touch.
- Investing in new tools when existing ones could do the job.
- Paying for implementations that never fully take hold.
For solo or small firms operating on tight margins, even modest inefficiencies compound quickly.
Inefficiency and lost time. When technology isn’t fully adopted, people revert to what feels familiar, even if it’s slower.
- Drafting documents manually instead of using automation.
- Tracking deadlines in spreadsheets instead of a centralized system.
- Recreating work that software was designed to streamline.
This leads to more administrative work, longer turnaround times, and less time spent on billable or strategic activities.
Increased risk exposure. Inconsistent use of systems isn’t just inefficient – it can be dangerous.
- Missed deadlines due to fragmented calendaring.
- Disorganized or incomplete client files.
- Lack of documentation or audit trails.
For lawyers, these gaps can quickly become ethical issues or malpractice risks. Technology is often purchased to reduce risk but only achieves this if it’s used consistently.
Frustration and low adoption. Too many tools, not enough clarity.
- Attorneys feel overwhelmed by multiple platforms.
- Staff create “workarounds” like personal spreadsheets or notes.
- Systems compete instead of working together.
This creates a fragmented environment where no one fully trusts the technology and adoption continues to decline.
Why technology goes unused.
If the benefits are clear, why does this happen so often?
Lack of training. Many firms invest in onboarding, but not in reinforcement.
- Training happens once, then disappears.
- New hires never receive proper instruction.
- Advanced features remain undiscovered.
Without continuous learning, even the best tools become underutilized.
Poor implementation. Technology without workflow is just software.
- No clear processes tied to the tool.
- No defined expectations for usage.
- Decisions made without considering how work actually gets done.
The result: tools that don’t fit naturally into daily practice.
Resistance to change. Lawyers are trained to rely on what works.
- “We’ve always done it this way.”
- Preference for familiar processes, even if inefficient.
- Skepticism about new systems.
Without clear benefits and ease of use, adoption stalls.
Lack of ownership. In many small firms, technology responsibility is unclear.
- No one is accountable for ensuring usage.
- No one monitors whether systems are working.
- No one drives improvement.
When technology becomes “everyone’s job,” it often becomes no one’s priority.
Maximize what’s there. The good news? You likely don’t need more technology. You need to better leverage what you already own.
Conduct a simple technology audit. Start with a basic question: What are we paying for?
Make a list of all your tools and categorize them:
- Fully used.
- Partially used.
- Rarely or never used.
This alone often reveals immediate opportunities to cut costs or increase value.
Focus on small wins. Avoid the temptation to overhaul everything at once.
Instead:
- Identify one underused feature that could save time.
- Introduce it into a specific workflow.
- Build from there.
Incremental improvements are far more sustainable than sweeping changes.
Standardize your processes. Technology works best when paired with consistency.
- Create simple, firm-wide standards such as:
- Where documents are stored and how they’re named.
- How tasks and deadlines are entered and tracked.
When automation tools should be used.
Consistency drives adoption—and reduces risk.
Invest in ongoing training. Training shouldn’t be a one-time event.
- Schedule periodic refreshers.
- Share quick tips or discoveries.
- Encourage exploration of features.
Even 10–15 minutes of focused learning can unlock significant efficiencies.
Eliminate redundancy. If you’re using multiple tools for the same function, simplify.
- Consolidate where possible.
- Retire unused systems.
- Ensure your core tools are doing the heavy lifting.
Fewer, well-used tools are far more effective than a crowded tech stack.
Overcoming common barriers. “We don’t have time.” You don’t have time not to address this. Every inefficient process is costing you time daily. Even small improvements can reclaim hours each week.
Getting buy-in. Focus on what matters most:
- Saving time.
- Reducing stress.
- Minimizing risk.
- Improving client service.
When the benefits are clear and immediate, adoption follows.
Building confidence. Not every lawyer needs to be a tech expert.
But every lawyer should feel comfortable using the core systems of their firm. Create a culture where learning is encouraged—and questions are welcomed.
Turning cost into value. Technology should be an asset – not an expense that quietly drains resources.
For solo and small firms, the opportunity is significant:
- Increase efficiency without hiring additional staff.
- Reduce risk through consistency and documentation.
- Improve profitability by maximizing existing investments.
The takeaway is simple: you don’t need more tools. You need to get more out of the ones you already have.
When your technology is fully utilized, it stops being “shelfware” – and starts becoming a true competitive advantage.
Camille Stell is the Vice President of Risk & Practice Management for Lawyers Mutual and the co-author of the book, RESPECT – An Insight to Attorney Compensation Plans available from Amazon. Continue this conversation by contacting Camille at camille@lawyersmutualnc.com or 800.662.8843.
