For many lawyers, the legal world feels comfortably familiar. We navigate a well-established system, relying on precedent and established procedures. But the winds of change are blowing. Legal tech is booming, and a new discipline is emerging: Legal Product Management.

Now, for some, "product management" might conjure images of Silicon Valley and beanbags. But hear me out. Legal product management isn't about ditching your suits for hoodies. It's about applying a user-centric approach to the legal industry. Think about it – haven't you ever drafted a contract wishing it were clearer for your client? Or wrestled with an online legal research platform that felt clunky and unintuitive?

This is where legal product management comes in. It's about designing and building legal services that meet the needs of both clients and lawyers. It's about streamlining processes, leveraging technology, and ultimately, delivering a better legal experience.

Photo by Mikhail Nilov on Pexels

Here's why legal professionals, even those steeped in tradition, should take notice:

• The Client is King (or Queen): Legal product management emphasizes understanding client needs. This resonates, doesn't it? We've all had clients frustrated by legalese or slow turnaround times. Legal PMs use data and user research to ensure legal services are clear, efficient, and client-focused.
• Innovation is Key: The legal landscape is evolving. Legal PMs are the architects of this change, fostering innovation in how legal services are delivered. Think about the rise of legal tech platforms – these are products designed by legal PMs to solve specific problems for lawyers and clients.
• Future-Proofing Your Skills: The legal industry is embracing technology. By understanding the principles of legal product management, you can position yourself as a well-rounded legal professional who can thrive in this evolving landscape.

Strategies for Success in Legal Product Management

So, you're intrigued by legal product management? Here are some key strategies for success:

• Develop a User-Centric Mindset: Empathy is a crucial skill for any lawyer. Legal PMs take it a step further by actively understanding the needs and pain points of both clients and lawyers. This could involve conducting user interviews, analyzing user data, and creating user personas.
• Embrace Collaboration: Legal PMs work at the intersection of law, technology, and business. Building strong relationships with lawyers, developers, and other stakeholders is essential for bringing legal products to life.
• Stay Agile and Adaptable: The legal tech space is constantly evolving. Legal PMs need to be comfortable with change, able to iterate on product designs based on user feedback and market trends.

A Final Thought

The world of legal product management may seem like new territory for traditional lawyers. But the core principles – understanding client needs, delivering efficient services, and embracing innovation – resonate deeply with the legal profession. So, the next time you encounter a clunky legal tech platform, remember: this is your chance to get involved, to shape the future of legal services, and to become a legal product management champion.

ABOUT ME

I'm Juliet Edjere, a no-code expert focused on design, product development, and building scalable solutions with minimal coding knowledge.

I document all things product stories, MVP validation, and how designs, data, and market trends connect.

Visit my website → built with Carrd and designed in Figma