By Kristine Custodio Suero, ACP and Kelli Radnothy
The Moment We’re In
Litigation support is no longer about simply “getting it filed”. Courts are modernizing, clients expect efficiency, and technology is evolving faster than ever. In this environment, paralegals are stepping into a new role: not just support professionals but workflow architects and tech-enabled strategists
This shift is more than operational, it’s transformational. The ABA has made clear that legal competence now includes technological competence (Model Rule 1.1). For paralegals, this isn’t optional. It’s part of our professional responsibility and an opportunity to lead.
From Filing to Workflow Optimization
For too long, eFiling has been treated as just another checkbox in litigation. But tech-enabled paralegals know better. They recognize that every filing is part of a bigger system that can either slow the team down or propel it forward.
Here’s how the modern workflow stacks up:
| Traditional Approach | Tech-Optimized Workflow |
| Manually filled PDF forms | Auto-generated court forms via practice management software |
| Static filing processes | Rule-based workflows with rejection alerts & data validation |
| Disconnected systems | Integrated platforms (e.g., InfoTrack + Clio/Smokeball) |
| Reactive corrections | Proactive quality checks before submission |
| Low visibility post-filing | Real-time status updates & document trail clarity |
When viewed through this lens, eFiling becomes more than an administrative duty. It’s a strategic inflection point where human expertise meets automation.
Why Paralegals Are Uniquely Positioned to Lead
Paralegals are the bridge between attorneys, technology, and the courts. They know the deadlines. They know the rules. And increasingly, they know the tech.
“Paralegals aren’t just filing documents – they’re designing and managing systems that keep litigation moving,” says Kelli Radnothy, paralegal educator and legal researcher. “When empowered with the right tools, they’re not just efficient, they’re transformative.”
Their proximity to day-to-day workflows allows paralegals to identify bottlenecks, troubleshoot rejections, and advocate for smarter workflows. It also positions them as internal champions of innovation, for both tools and policies, within legal teams.
Practical Tools for the Tech-Forward Paralegal
In our first session of the Tech-Enabled Paralegal Mini Series, we explore actionable ways to level up your eFiling practice. If you want to move beyond filing into optimization, start by adopting there four practices:
- Pre-Filing QA: Use checklists, auto-validation tools, and peer review to reduce rejections.
- Integrated Platforms: Connect eFiling directly to case management system (CMS) to eliminate rekeying.
- Smart Notifications: Automate internal alerts for rejected filings, status updates, and calendar impacts.
- Redundancy Reduction: Build templates and sync data across platforms, such as legal hold systems.
These aren’t abstract concepts. They’re practical steps that transform filing into a system that supports attorneys, reassures clients, and reduces firm-wide risk.
The Bigger Picture: Value, Not Just Volume
It’s tempting to equate speed with success. But true optimization goes deeper. A tech-enabled workflow creates:
- Fewer errors and less rework
- Greater compliance with court rules
- Better visibility and transparency for attorneys and clients
- Repeatable systems that reduce training time
- Improved profitability through efficiency and risk mitigation
This is how tech-enabled paralegals deliver value beyond the task. This is how they reshape litigation.
Your Next Move
If you’re ready to move from filing to optimizing, start with these three steps:
- Audit your current eFiling process. Where do delays and errors occur?
- Adopt a checklist mentality. Build a pre-submission QA system (we’ll share ours in the webinar).
- Advocate for integration. Start the conversation with your legal ops team or supervising attorney about solutions like InfoTrack.
Join the Conversation
This article is the first in the Tech-Enabled Paralegal Mini Series hosted by The Idea Collective and powered by InfoTrack. Throughout the series, we’ll explore:
- Document automation
- Confidentiality in the digital age
- The role of paralegals in shaping legal innovation
Listen. Learn. Lead.
Because the practice of law is a team sport, and tech-enabled paralegals are running the plays. The question is: will you simply file, or will you optimize?
