What’s the difference between a successful and mediocre estate planning attorney? Increasingly, it’s a matter of law firm technology. If your firm operates with aging, less than ideal, software and equipment, you could be sacrificing some degree of competitiveness. Here are a few reasons you might be making slow progress on your firm’s tech end:

“Small business isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s for the brave, the patient and the persistent. It’s for the overcomer.” – Author unknown

The reasons small businesses prosper or fail are legion. Customer service, management, quality control, the overall economy and many other factors come into play, but the right technology is a critical component. Great tech and software can simplify operations and save a company money in both the short and long run.

It’s unlikely that writing legal documents is the most exciting part of your job. That doesn’t mean it’s not critical. In fact, attorneys have been reprimanded for poor writing ability. Consider the case of Patrick Hawkins, whose poor writing skills warranted public reprimand and an order from the court to complete 10 hours of legal writing education. Mr. Hawkins isn’t alone. Legal history is littered with examples of attorneys who have been sanctioned for their poor legal writing skills.

Even if you are a strong writer, no one is immune to typos. But the slightest mistake can cost you clients and your reputation. Additionally, if you don’t keep up to date on legislative changes, you could create tax consequences for your clients and even put yourself at risk of legal action. Here are a few ways to reduce typos and errors in your legal documents.