As the business landscape continues to evolve, SMEs are increasingly seeking solutions that streamline operations, save time, and reduce costs. In response to these demands, Acuity Law has launched My Digital Lawyer (MDL), an innovative online legal tech platform designed to meet the evolving needs of businesses. Acuity Law’s Managing Partner, Claire Knowles, explains the challenges which SMEs face with regards to legal services and the solution the company offers.
In our pursuit of creating meaningful value for SMEs, we recognised a gap in how legal services are accessed and managed. Traditional legal processes can be time-consuming, costly and complex, often leaving businesses with limited options. In redesigning our client portal, we set a clear objective: to transform the way SMEs interact with legal services by offering an intuitive, efficient and cost-effective platform.
Our journey began by engaging directly with our clients. We wanted to understand their pain points and identify what they truly needed from a legal service provider. The feedback was overwhelming – businesses were seeking tools that would simplify legal tasks, save both time and money and enable them to maintain focus on growing their core operations.
MDL offers a solution to this challenge by providing businesses with the ability to access free help and complete essential tasks. Including a full range of legal templates businesses can tailor to fit their needs – all without the need for direct lawyer interaction. By enabling businesses to self-manage certain aspects of their legal requirements, MDL delivers substantial time and cost savings.
However, we understand that for many SMEs, the legal sector can feel intimidating, and there is often hesitation when it comes to adopting new technology. While we would never suggest businesses attempt to navigate complex legal matters without professional advice, MDL is designed to support businesses in managing everyday tasks, with a robust platform that offers both the autonomy to complete certain tasks and expert guidance when necessary.
Adopting technology, particularly for SMEs, can be challenging, primarily due to concerns about cost and resource allocation. High upfront investments, ongoing maintenance and the need for skilled personnel often present significant barriers to adoption. But as technology continues to evolve, we believe that solutions like MDL will become increasingly accessible and affordable for businesses of all sizes.
Another common challenge is the resistance to change that many SMEs face. Whether it’s concerns over job displacement, uncertainty about technology or fear of incurring additional costs, change can be difficult. At Acuity, we’ve found that the most effective way to overcome this resistance is through education and demonstration. By offering training sessions and showcasing how MDL can save time, reduce costs and improve business operations, we’ve been able to help clients embrace change with confidence.
Cybersecurity remains a top priority, especially when dealing with sensitive legal information. At Acuity, we’ve implemented robust security measures, including end-to-end encryption and multi-factor authentication, to ensure that our clients’ data always remains protected.
MDL is more than just a client portal – it’s a comprehensive suite of digital tools designed to simplify legal processes for businesses. Features include Document Assist, an automated document-building tool, an extensive bank of legal resources and a growing library of exclusive articles and content. Plus, to support their digital legal journey, My Digital Lawyer subscribers also benefit from the access to our expert legal teams as well, through access to legal credits. In addition, Acuity Academy offers business’s bespoke in–person training from Acuity lawyers.
Beyond serving our clients directly, MDL also provides non-client subscribers with access to leading digital tools and legal insights, making it an invaluable resource for SMEs seeking to navigate the complexities of legal compliance and business operations.
At the core of MDL is our unwavering commitment to simplifying the legal experience for SMEs. By addressing common barriers like cost concerns, resistance to change and cybersecurity risks, we have created a platform that empowers businesses to manage their legal needs efficiently and effectively. We believe that MDL will play a pivotal role in reshaping the way SMEs engage with legal services, driving both time and cost savings while building trust in the process.
Acuity Law, headquartered in Cardiff, is a fast-growing law firm with a presence across the UK, including offices in Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, Bristol, London and Swansea. With a team of around 150 professionals, we are dedicated to supporting businesses through innovative solutions and delivering exceptional legal services.