Scott Ridley
By Scott Ridley, Cloud Products and Engineering Director at Legal Futures Associate Access Legal
Cloud computing, rising cyber threats, hybrid working, AI tools, and changing client expectations are pushing law firms to rethink how they use technology. At the same time, the next generation of legal professionals expects modern, flexible tools in the workplace.
For small and mid-sized law firms, this is a crucial moment. Staying competitive means modernising not just for today, but for the years ahead. That means going beyond one-off software updates. It means taking a clear, cloud-first approach with the support of a technology partner who understands the unique pressures of the legal sector.
So, what does it really mean to go cloud-first? And what do firms need to consider? Let’s break down five key areas.
- Cloud is more than just hosting software
There’s a common myth that moving to the cloud simply means shifting your systems off-site. But cloud computing is about much more than that.
A cloud-first approach means using technology that can adapt and grow with your firm. It allows for easier updates, better collaboration, and improved client service. Instead of juggling disconnected systems, you can use a single platform that brings everything together and is built to evolve over time.
Access Legal offers two types of cloud-hosted case management software. Proclaim can be hosted in the cloud for easy, secure remote access, while Access Legal Case Management is browser-based so it can be easily accessed through a secure internet browser. Both are designed for the legal sector, enabling firms to modernise without compromising on reliability or compliance.
- Cybersecurity that keeps up
When thinking about cloud adoption, security is often rightly top of mind. Law firms deal with sensitive data every day, making them a target for cybercriminals. Ironically, firms that stick with older, on-premise systems can be at greater risk.
Modern cloud platforms offer stronger protection. Security updates happen automatically, and central monitoring tools make it easier to spot unusual activity before it becomes a problem.
Getting Cyber Essentials certified is another step worth considering. It helps firms map out their IT environment, flag outdated or duplicate systems, and can even help reduce cyber insurance costs by showing insurers that you’re actively managing risk.
- Minimising disruption with smarter backups
System downtime isn’t just an inconvenience, it hits the bottom line. Fee earners can’t record billable time, deadlines get missed, and client trust takes a hit. Even short outages can cost firms both time and money.
That’s why having a strong backup and recovery system isn’t just an IT issue, it’s a business priority.
One of the most reliable methods is the 3-2-1 backup strategy: keep three copies of your data, store them on two different types of media, and make sure one copy is off-site. This protects against hardware failure, cyber attacks, and even accidental deletion.
Cloud infrastructure simplifies this. At Access Legal, we work with Microsoft to offer automatic backups, built-in security, and fast recovery. We also include immutable backups as standard. These cannot be deleted or altered, not even by IT administrators, ensuring your data remains intact and recoverable.
- Simplifying your tech stack
Many firms have built up a jumble of tools over time – different systems for billing, case and document management, and communication. These systems often don’t talk to each other, which creates inefficiency and frustration.
Migrating to the cloud is a great chance to clean things up. Instead of patching together multiple platforms, firms can shift to one connected system that’s easier to manage, safer to use, and aligned with business goals.
Take Pinkney Grunwells, for example. This regional firm streamlined its systems into Proclaim, a single cloud-hosted platform. As a result, they improved team collaboration and their admin processes went from taking six days to just one – freeing up fee earners’ time to focus on client work.
- Making the most of AI and automation
AI and automation aren’t just for the big firms anymore. Thanks to cloud platforms, they’re becoming accessible to firms of all sizes.
Automation can help with everyday tasks like creating documents, onboarding clients, or sending reminders. AI can speed up legal research, review large documents, or highlight key information faster than a human ever could.
But these tools need the right environment to work properly. Cloud systems provide that foundation. They support the scale, speed, and security needed to make AI and automation work well. Our Microsoft partnership gives firms access to the latest AI features built into secure, trusted tools.
- Treat cloud as a strategy, not a one-off job
Some firms still think of cloud migration as a one-time project. In reality, the firms that get the most value treat it as an ongoing strategy. The goal is not just to “move to the cloud” but to keep improving how you work, stay secure, and adapt to future changes.
With the right technology partner, you don’t have to do it alone. You can modernise without sacrificing control, security, or flexibility.
The firms that succeed will treat cloud as a long-term foundation. They’ll be better placed to attract top talent, meet rising client expectations, and stay ahead in the fast-moving legal landscape.
Ready to take the next step? Contact Access Legal today to start your cloud-first journey.
