Who says learning can’t be fun?! (No one at Savvy, I can tell you that!) But I heard a lot of law firm trainers lamenting at ILTACON23 about the challenges of getting attorneys (and sometimes many others) to learn new tasks. It got me thinking about the opportunities for gamification in legal training, and I thought I’d share a few ideas that we’ve helped clients with in the past.

But first, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: Billable Hours.

The Billable Hours Dilemma

In the legal industry, billable hours have long been the standard by which lawyers’ work is measured. Lawyers are expected to log a certain number of billable hours each month, often leaving little time for anything else, including professional development and learning. This relentless focus on billable hours can lead to a culture where learning is pushed to the backburner, resulting in stagnation and inefficiency.

While this emphasis on productivity is essential for law firms to stay profitable, it can have unintended consequences. One of these consequences is the discouragement of continuous learning and skill development among legal professionals. Without a learning culture at your law firm, inefficiencies can creep in, disorganization may ensue, security breaches become more likely, and the return on investment (ROI) for technology investments can plummet. To overcome these challenges, it’s crucial to motivate learners within the legal field, and one effective method is incorporating gamification into legal training programs.

The Consequences of Neglecting Learning

• Inefficiencies: Legal work can become increasingly inefficient when lawyers lack access to updated knowledge and skills. The fast-paced changes in laws, regulations, and technology demand continuous learning to stay competitive and deliver optimal services.
• Disorganization: Without regular training and skill updates, law firms may struggle to adapt to new tools and technologies. This can lead to disorganization and a lack of cohesion within the firm. For example, may firms now invest heavily in document management systems, but if a fraction of your employees use it properly, that tool is nearly useless.
• Security Breaches: Cybersecurity threats are a growing concern in the legal industry. Firms that neglect training their staff on cybersecurity best practices are at a higher risk of security breaches, potentially exposing sensitive client information.
• Reduced ROI on Tech Investment: Law firms often invest heavily in legal technology to streamline operations. However, if lawyers and staff do not receive adequate training on these tools, the ROI on such investments can be significantly diminished.

A Solution: Gamification in Legal Training

Is there a more competitive profession than attorneys? (OK, maybe professional athletes who become attorneys, though I think that is a small niche.) Use their competitive nature to your advantage! Gamification involves incorporating game elements and principles into non-game contexts, such as law firm training and education. In the context of legal training, gamification can make learning more engaging and motivating. 

Here are some examples of how gamification can be implemented in legal training:

• Points and Rewards: Legal professionals can earn points or rewards for completing training modules, taking quizzes, or participating in interactive scenarios. These points can be used to unlock achievements or to compete with colleagues, fostering healthy competition and motivation.
• Leaderboards: Leaderboards can display the progress and achievements of individuals or teams, creating a sense of competition and encouraging learners to excel in their training.
• Badges and Certificates: Learners can earn badges or certificates for completing specific training milestones. These digital badges can be showcased on their profiles, adding a sense of accomplishment and recognition.
• Scenario-Based Learning: Gamified scenarios can simulate real-world legal situations, allowing learners to make decisions and see the consequences of their choices. This hands-on approach enhances critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Progress Tracking: Visual progress bars and feedback mechanisms help learners track their advancement through training modules, providing a sense of accomplishment and motivation to continue.

Incorporating gamification into legal training is a powerful strategy to counteract the billable hours culture that can discourage learning within law firms. By making learning engaging, motivating, and interactive, legal professionals are more likely to invest time in their professional development. This, in turn, helps law firms remain efficient, organized, secure, and maximizes the ROI on technology investments. Embracing gamification in legal training can help to ensure that your law firm stays competitive and your team remains well-equipped to serve clients effectively.