Attempts to drive innovation inside of corporate legal departments have often been hampered by an underlying resistance to change among key stakeholders. Still, the financial hardships many companies are facing due to a COVID-19 economy present a compelling argument to implement tech and other innovative procedures that can help grow efficiencies and defray costs—but will it be effective?

The answer may depend largely on the legal department in question. David Holme, founder and CEO at the legal technology provider Exigent Group, pointed out that many in-house legal teams failed to seize on the opportunity presented by the financial crisis of 2008 to argue for more corporate investment in data-driven practices in technologies. Others may have tried, but failed to create a compelling enough investment story to warrant interest from decision-makers.