Legal tech enthusiasts are likely to greet 2019 with a degree of excitement. After all, every new year brings yet another opportunity for new technology ­advancements.

But for many law firms and legal departments, the focus in 2019 will remain on tried and true technologies like workflow automation, collaborative tools and pricing analytics. These may not be as “flashy” or “disruptive” as emerging ­technologies like blockchain, but they are vital in helping the industry adapt to a market demanding tighter budgets and more transparency.

Overall, the continuous push by those in legal services to become more price-conscious and efficient will remain the driving force behind their legal tech investments this year. Still, many legal departments and law firms may continue to adopt technologies at different speeds, and ­sometimes with little forethought of integration. So like years past, 2019 will also be another test of whether law firms and their clients can work closer together than ever before.

To follow a conversation on this subject between Legaltech News editor-in-chief Zach Warren and Corporate Counsel editor-in-chief Heather Nevitt beginning Thursday, January 24, register here:

The View from In-House

For many legal departments, the demands of 2019 will not be much different from recent years: Do more work with less resources.