As a family law paralegal, I’ve always known that the legal profession is one of tradition. The weight of paperwork, the formality of procedures, and the structured process of interacting with clients are hallmarks of our industry. But, like so many others, the COVID-19 pandemic forced us to rethink how we do business—and surprisingly, for the better.
No, I don’t miss the human suffering that came with the pandemic. The tragic loss of life, the isolation, and the fear that accompanied those early days were profound. But if there’s one thing I do miss, it’s the way the world shut down. We were forced into a new way of working, and in many ways, it was a revolution that felt long overdue. During those months, we embraced technology in ways that had seemed impossible before. As a paralegal, I found myself suddenly working from home, navigating cases through video conferencing, electronic filings, and virtual consultations. It wasn’t perfect, but it was efficient—and environmentally friendly, too.
Now, as the world has shifted back to its pre-pandemic norms, I find myself questioning why paralegal services and law firms reverted so quickly. Why did we leave behind some of the most positive changes the pandemic forced upon us? From the perspective of someone who handles the minutiae of family law cases every day, I think it’s worth exploring the lessons we learned and how we might integrate them into a more efficient, environmentally sustainable, and client-centered future.
The Shift to Remote Work: A Paralegal’s Perspective
Before the pandemic, the idea of working remotely in the legal field was practically unheard of. The stacks of paper, the in-person court appearances, and the rigid office hours seemed like immutable truths of the profession. But COVID-19 threw that all out the window. Suddenly, the courthouse doors were closed, and legal professionals had to scramble to find a way to keep the judicial system functioning.
For many of us, that meant embracing technology. Video conferencing platforms like Zoom became indispensable, allowing lawyers, clients, and paralegals to meet virtually. Electronic filing systems were adopted on a wider scale, cutting down on paper use and speeding up processes that had long been bogged down by bureaucracy. As a paralegal services professional, I found myself scanning and uploading documents from the comfort of my home office, communicating with clients via email and video calls, and coordinating with attorneys and judges through digital platforms. Now we have even more resources, with the introduction of document processing apps and AI, but we aren't using them!
There was a learning curve, to be sure, but we adapted—and quickly. It was an exciting time to be in the legal field because we were reimagining what was possible. We found ways to keep cases moving without the need for in-person meetings. In family law, where emotions often run high, I saw firsthand how virtual meetings provided a buffer, allowing clients to engage with their attorneys from the safety and comfort of their homes. This had a calming effect and, in some cases, even helped de-escalate tense situations.
A Return to the Office: Why Did We Go Back?
Despite the success of those technological adaptations, it felt like we were slipping back into old habits. The courts had reopened, and so had law offices. I had gone from managing cases through cloud-based systems and virtual meetings to drowning once again in a sea of paper. The convenience and efficiency of remote work were replaced by long commutes, unnecessary face-to-face meetings, and an overwhelming reliance on physical documents.
But why? During the pandemic, we had proved that the legal system could function—arguably more efficiently—without all the physical infrastructure we once thought was essential. In fact, research from the Department of Justice during the pandemic showed a significant drop in violent crimes, including rape, robbery, property crime, and auto theft—a 22% decrease. It was impossible to ignore the correlation between the decreased need for people to leave their homes and the reduction in crime. Not only had we reduced crime, but we also cut down on traffic, reduced our carbon footprints, and made the world a little quieter and a little less polluted.
So, what are we doing here? Why are we clinging to outdated methods when we’ve seen firsthand how technology can make our jobs easier, our lives more balanced, and our world a little cleaner?
Environmental Benefits: More Than Just Paperless Offices
One of the most striking changes during the pandemic was the drastic reduction in paper consumption. At the law firm where I work, it felt like we were finally getting efficient. For years, there had been discussions about “going paperless,” but it never fully materialized. The pandemic forced our hand, and suddenly we were signing documents electronically, filing briefs online, and even conducting depositions via video conference.
The benefits were immediate. We cut down on the amount of paper we were using—no more stacks of case files filling up every available surface. We also reduced the need for travel. Lawyers weren’t driving to court or client meetings, and clients weren’t having to come into the office. The reduction in gas consumption, emissions, and office waste was undeniable.
In family law, where cases can drag on for months or even years, the environmental impact of all that paper, driving, and physical infrastructure is significant. During the pandemic, I found myself wondering: Why haven’t we been doing this all along? We had the tools—cloud storage, e-signatures, virtual meetings—but we hadn’t been using them to their full potential.
The Client Experience: Easier, Quicker, and Less Stressful
From a client’s perspective, the shift to virtual consultations and court appearances was also a game-changer. Family law is deeply personal, and the stress of going through a divorce, custody battle, or child support case can be overwhelming. Before the pandemic, clients would often have to take time off work, find childcare, and travel to the law office or courthouse for meetings and hearings. The process was inconvenient and added another layer of stress to an already difficult situation.
When we moved to virtual consultations, everything became more accessible. Clients could meet with their attorneys from home, on their lunch break, or even in their car if necessary. This flexibility was especially important for parents who were juggling work and childcare during the pandemic. Virtual court appearances also provided a level of comfort that in-person hearings couldn’t. Clients were no longer walking into an intimidating courtroom—they were sitting at their kitchen table, with their lawyer by their side on the screen.
I saw firsthand how this shift made the process easier for clients. They were more relaxed, more engaged, and less stressed. In a field like family law, where emotions run high, this made a huge difference. And yet, as the world has opened back up, we’ve largely abandoned this progress. It’s frustrating to see how quickly we’ve reverted to the old ways when the new ways were working so well.
The Work-Life Balance: A Newfound Flexibility
As a paralegal, the shift to remote work had a profound impact on my own work-life balance. Before the pandemic, I was spending hours each week commuting to and from the office, attending meetings in person, and dealing with the stress of office life. Suddenly, I was working from home, and my life became more flexible.
Without the daily commute, I had more time for myself and my family. I could start my day earlier or work later, depending on what I needed to get done. The work was still demanding—family law is never easy—but the ability to do it from home made a world of difference.
For many of us in the legal profession, this newfound flexibility was a revelation. We were still getting the job done, but we were doing it on our terms. It felt like we were finally finding a balance between work and life that had been elusive for so long.
And yet, as soon as it was possible, we were called back to the office, as if the progress we had made during the pandemic didn’t count.
The Future of Family Law: Embracing Technology for Good
As a family law paralegal, I’m hopeful that the lessons we learned during the pandemic won’t be forgotten. We’ve seen that technology can make the legal process more efficient, more accessible, and more environmentally friendly. But to fully embrace these changes, we need to let go of the idea that the old ways are always the best ways.
The legal profession is one of tradition, but that doesn’t mean we can’t innovate. In fact, innovation is necessary if we want to create a system that works better for everyone—lawyers, paralegals, clients, and the environment.
Conclusion: What Are We Waiting For?
The COVID-19 pandemic forced us to rethink how we work, and in many ways, it showed us a better path forward. We reduced paper consumption, cut down on travel, and found ways to make the legal system more accessible to clients. As a paralegal, I experienced firsthand how technology improved my workflow, helped my clients, and made the process more efficient.
But four years after the world has reopened, it feels like we’re regressing. We’re still in the office, still using our old ways, and using the inefficient systems that we thought we had left behind. It doesn’t have to be this way. We’ve seen what’s possible, and we have the tools to create a better system.
So, what are we waiting for? Why are we clinging to the past when the future is right in front of us?
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