Legal teams have typically been slower to adopt new tech, but that’s changing quickly. The push for digital transformation is being driven by:
• Too many manual, error-prone processes
• Higher expectations from business partners
• The need to show value and ROI
• A lack of legal-specific tools that actually work
Legal teams want tools they can shape to fit their needs and low-code platforms are making that possible.
🔹What Is Low-Code, and Why Does It Work for Legal?
Low-code platforms let people build apps using drag-and-drop tools and minimal or no coding. They’re designed for “citizen developers” people who know the process but aren’t full-time programmers.
For legal teams, this means:
• Faster turnaround on internal tools
• Less dependence on IT or outside vendors
• Easier testing and tweaking of new ideas
• Better collaboration with IT
🔹Where Legal Teams Are Using Low-Code
Here are a few common ways legal teams are already using low-code tools:
• Client Intake: Streamline how internal teams submit legal requests
• Contract Management: Automate reviews, approvals, and storage
• Compliance Tracking: Monitor training, policies, and audits
• Legal Spend: Track budgets and invoices
• Litigation Support: Manage case timelines and documents
Even simple apps that replace spreadsheets and emails can save a ton of time.
🔹Why PowerApps Might Be a Good Fit
There are lots of low-code platforms out there—like Mendix, OutSystems, and Appian—but if your organization already uses Microsoft 365, PowerApps is a great place to start.
Here’s why:
• It works well with SharePoint, Excel, Teams, and Outlook
• It has tons of built-in connectors for legal tools
• It’s secure and fits into Microsoft’s enterprise ecosystem
• It pairs well with automation tools like Power Automate and AI Builder
Of course, the right platform depends on your needs, but PowerApps is a strong option if you're already in the Microsoft ecosystem.
🔹From Users to Builders
One of the biggest benefits of low-code is the mindset shift. Legal teams don’t have to wait for tech; they can build it themselves. This encourages continuous improvement and better collaboration across departments. Innovation doesn’t have to be a big project. With low-code, you can improve one workflow at a time.
🔹Coming Up Next
In Part 2, we’ll dive into how legal ops and IT professionals can start building effective legal workflows with low-code tools. We’ll share design tips, integration ideas, and real-world examples that show real results.
Low-code isn’t just a trend, it’s becoming a must-have skill for modern legal teams. Now’s the time to see what it can do for you.