As firm owners are increasingly encouraged to rethink traditional practice models and embrace a hybrid approach in response to clients turning to technology for DIY legal documents, Siobhan Mullins offers a practical, step-by-step guide to navigate this transition successfully.
Speaking on a recent episode of The Boutique Lawyer Show, Siobhan Mullins, founder of Paper Advocate, offered firm owners actionable advice on making a smooth and effective transition to a hybrid practice – a move that’s becoming increasingly crucial as traditional law firm models are reimagined.
In the same episode, she shared how family law is reshaping practice in the AI era, proving that while technology can streamline processes, it can never replace the human judgement, empathy, and trust that clients rely on.
Reflecting on her own journey as a family firm owner making this shift, Mullins encouraged others to dive into the apps and technology clients are already using, identifying both the strengths and weaknesses to better understand where such digital tools can make a real impact.
“I think they, first off, need to get clear on what application or website is out there that’s actually selling these family law templates and perhaps have a go at them and have a crack,” she said.
“Find the shortfalls, the downfalls, the pitfalls, the disadvantages, what works great from a user experience and the document output. So that’s one thing, getting clear on what exists currently.”
The second step Mullins highlighted is for firm owners to turn these gaps and shortcomings in legal tech into opportunities, creating fixed-scope packages or limited retainers that reassure clients and provide expert guidance to finalise their DIY documents.
“Secondly, consideration of how can you leverage the deficiencies in the technology and the applications out there to attract clients who do want to achieve peace of mind,” she said.
“Perhaps coming up with some fixed scope packages, limited scope retainers that draw in people who still have doubts in their mind and want their DIY documents settled by somebody with the expertise.”
Once firm owners feel confident in their hybrid approach, Mullins emphasised the importance of updating their messaging to reflect this shift, signalling to clients that professional guidance is available and eliminating any uncertainty about whether the lawyer is willing to assist.
“Then thirdly, if a lawyer is feeling comfortable with that, then change your message to market, put something on your website that says DIY to your docs, get an expert legal opinion, and it just removes, oh, well, I wonder if this lawyer is going to be prepared to look at this,” she said.
By offering these innovative services, Mullins explained, lawyers can provide crucial guidance while also empowering clients to take control of their legal journey – a unique opportunity in today’s profession.
“Really, that’s an opportune time for a lawyer once a consult’s been made to educate a client as to, look, here are the deficiencies of your documents, here are the great bits, here are the crap bits, here’s how to move forward, and let’s have a conversation about cost and what that can look like for you,” she said.
“So, really empowering the individual in this process to own and control what they can in terms of their future and moving forward.”
