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One of the key challenges holding private practice lawyers back is the systems in place. Many find themselves bogged down by the constant need to switch between different legacy platforms and tools. This context switching not only disrupts workflow but also consumes valuable time that could be better spent on strategic tasks.

In this blog, we will explore the dangers of context switching, its impact on productivity, and how legal drafting tools can help streamline your workday.

What is context switching?

Context switching refers to the process of moving from one task or platform to another. While it might seem like a minor inconvenience, research shows that it can take up to 23 minutes to regain focus after a disruption. According to a study by the , "workers spend an average of 3 minutes on any single task before switching." For law firm leaders, this constant shifting can lead to significant time loss and decreased productivity.

The impact on productivity

1. Time drain and mental fatigue

Every time you switch from drafting a document to checking emails or researching a case, your brain needs to adjust to the new task. This adjustment period, though brief, accumulates over the day. A study by the  found that "multitasking can reduce productivity by as much as 40%." For law firm leaders, this means less time for high-level decision-making and more time spent on routine tasks.

2. Increased error rates

With each switch, the likelihood of errors increases. that "frequent task switching can lead to a 50% increase in errors." In the legal field, where precision is paramount, these errors can have significant consequences, from misfiled documents to incorrect legal citations.

3. Decreased job satisfaction

Constantly juggling multiple platforms can lead to frustration and burnout. also shows employees who frequently switch tasks report lower job satisfaction and higher stress levels. For leaders, this dissatisfaction can trickle down to their teams, affecting overall firm morale.

How to streamline legal workflows

1. Centralised platform for legal tasks

Legal drafting tools are rapidly growing in demand, particularly with advances in generative AI. But finding a legal document drafting solution that is on a unified platform and that integrates with various legal tools will radically reduce the need for constant switching.

A good example comes from Jacqueline Judson, a solicitor at Peel Waters. "Lexis Create’s drafting assistance features and library of clauses and precedents have saved me countless hours. The cross-checking tool is invaluable to avoiding drafting errors, typos and incorrect clause referencing.”

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By consolidating tasks such as document drafting, legal research, and citation management, Lexis Create helps law firm leaders maintain focus and efficiency.

Jayne Gorman, an Internal Auditor and Legal Associate at ArvatoConnect, “In an average month... it’s probably saving me about eight or nine days of work at least.”

I want to read the full case study here.

2. Enhanced collaboration

A good legal drafting tool will also enhance collaboration between your teams. With built-in collaboration features, Lexis Create enables seamless communication between team members. This reduces the need for external communication tools and helps maintain workflow continuity. According to a study by , "improved collaboration can increase productivity by up to 25%." For law firms, this means more time for client-focused activities and strategic planning.

3. Integrate with your document management system 

Document management systems (DMS) are in the spotlight across law firms of all sizes at present, and for good reason. They provide a centralised platform for organising, accessing, and sharing documents internally.

While new advancements in technology have created a whole plethora of fresh opportunities for law firms, these solutions will only be as good as the DMS powering them.

What makes a good legal drafting tool?

The number of legal drafting solutions on the market has skyrocketed in the last couple of years. Besides pulling legal drafts together which you and your team can finetune, your drafting tool should be accessible in Microsoft Word, minimising or eliminating the need for context switching.

In addition, a good drafting tool should be able to highlight, save, tag, and share important content and clauses.

You’ll also need access to the latest legal content. Lexis® Create+, for example, is not only a state-of-the-art legal drafting tool, but it also gives you access to the most up-to-date authoritative legal content, leading practitioner input, and thousands of templates with seamless integration to Lexis+®.

Streamlining legal drafting

Reducing or eliminating context switching during tasks can save your team a huge amount of time. By implementing tools like Lexis® Create+, law firm leaders can focus in on tasks without distraction. As client demands continue to grow, embracing technology that streamlines workflows is not just beneficial, it's essential.

Find out more about Lexis® Create+