Posts Archive
Technical and litigation notes
Legal SaaS Vendor Risk for Law Firms
Law firms are bound by professional conduct rules when selecting third-party software. Using a SaaS platform for client data processing without adequate due diligence is a professional conduct risk. This post provides a due diligence framework and addresses the data continuity question that most firms ignore: what happens to your clients' data if the vendor goes out of business?
Data Privacy & GDPRLegal Data Retention and Destruction
Legal file retention requirements (typically 7-10 years post-matter closure in most jurisdictions) conflict directly with GDPR's right to erasure. A client who requests erasure of their data from a legal SaaS platform cannot override the law firm's professional retention obligations. Managing this conflict requires careful categorisation of what data is subject to which obligation.
Legal Tech & Professional EthicsBilling Rate Transparency and Fee Agreements
A billing rate hierarchy that resolves automatically creates legal and ethical risks when rates change without client notification. Fee agreements must accurately describe the rate resolution logic. Automated retainer deductions must match the written fee agreement.
Legal Tech & Professional EthicsTime Billing Software and Professional Conduct Rules
Bar association model rules require that billing be accurate, transparent, and not deceptive. Automated time tracking software introduces new questions: can a timer running in the background generate a billable entry? Who is responsible when an AI suggests a time entry? What is the lawyer's duty to review before billing?
Legal Tech & Professional EthicsLegal Software and Professional Privilege
Attorney-client privilege attaches to communications made in confidence for the purpose of legal advice. Legal SaaS platforms store these communications. When the platform is breached, when vendor staff access client data, or when the platform is subpoenaed — the privilege question becomes acute.