Law In The Age Of Technology: Odierno Law Firm's Perspective On Instant Gratification

We've all likely read countless times about the digital age's influence on the tangible - the industries, the businesses, and their processes and efficiency. What about the people, however? As the world grows more interconnected and digitized, people worldwide have (sub)consciously embraced a faster pace of life than ever before. The Internet, smartphones, and social media have not only changed how we communicate and consume information but also altered our expectations regarding many facets of existence.

In this era, 'instant gratification' has practically become the norm: from same day shipping for online purchases to instant online responses, the public has grown accustomed to immediate results and rapid fulfillment of needs. Yet, not all domains are created equal.

This shift, however, presents a stark contrast when it comes to legal proceedings. The legal system, rooted in meticulous processes and thorough deliberation, operates on a timeline that often feels at odds with the quick tempo of modern life. In a world where seconds count, the law continues to march to the rhythm of patience and precision.

Scott Odierno, a prominent personal injury attorney at the Odierno Law Firm, says that the inherent conflict between rapid-fire expectations of the digital age and the methodical pace of legal processes has presented contemporary law firms with a number of challenges, some more formidable than others.

“We’ve been in business for 45 years, starting with my father, then me, and then my younger brother, Lee, who joined us in 2003. So, you could say that we have seen it all - the first mobile phones, the onset of social media, their growing popularity, and their inevitable effect on the people,” Scott shares. “Everyone now wants things done faster due to the digital world’s pace.”

However, while technology has sped up many processes, the legal timeframe remains unchanged. Judges and the court system operate at their own pace, which can't, or rather, must not be rushed.

Scott states that while he and his team aim to work as quickly and efficiently as possible, they must manage their client’s expectations regarding the legal process’s timeline as best as they can.

Shedding more light on what this looks like in practice, Scott elaborates further, stating, “With the rise of technology in the legal field, visual communication has become more important. People read less, so we need to be succinct in our emails and provide direct examples. Long paragraphs are no longer effective, and clients prefer visuals or concise explanations.”

Since the advent of modern technology, the Odierno Law Firm hasn’t been shy in utilizing various tools to make some of its processes more efficient. For instance, the team is quite curious about the potential artificial intelligence (AI) holds in the legal domain, but as Scott highlights, such tools should be used as assistants only. And yes, technology has made his and his team’s lives easier in many ways, but the digital era has made managing client expectations a bit more difficult.

As the pace of life changed, as some generations’ attention spans were altered, and a growing number of people started to prefer quicker and more concise communication, the Odierno Law Firm team stepped up to the challenge by incorporating more texting into their methods, especially with their younger clientele who prefer this over phone calls.

“Clients do text frequently, expecting instant updates,” Scott reveals. “Even though the legal process doesn't move as fast as they might like, we must be constantly available to address their concerns. More importantly, we have to find ways to help our clients set realistic expectations about the case. Just because they want something to move faster doesn’t mean it will.”

To this end, the Odierno team opts for a collaborative approach, always keeping communication channels open. The team is available practically at any time to address their clients' concerns while offering compassion and support. Moreover, the firm’s attorneys work tirelessly, going above and beyond to resolve their cases as quickly as the legal pace will let them, successfully securing compensation for individuals in their most trying times.

Looking ahead, Scott believes that remaining relevant at this intersection of law and the digital space will mean adjusting and fine-tuning one’s operations and strategies to the modern zeitgeist. Communication is only set for further changes, many of which cannot be predicted from the current standpoint.

This is why the Odierno Law Firm is committed to staying ahead of the curve and seamlessly adapting to the modern age and all it brings with it.

As Scott says, “It's not about changing the clients. You can’t do that, and you shouldn’t. Instead, we need to adjust our methods better to suit this new era.”

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