Legal documents are more than just output - they are the final expression of a lawyer’s strategy, diligence, and professionalism. For firms, every document that leaves their door reflects their brand and reputation. When formatting issues arise or documents seem disjointed, it disrupts workflows and creates doubt in the minds of clients, undermining the excellence that firms work hard to deliver.

This is why document creation is a fundamental cornerstone within law firms, and one that they must invest in to get right. It’s also why BigHand is investing in the future of document productivity. The development of our solutions in line with Microsoft’s Office JS framework marks our commitment to modern, scalable, and cloud-first technology that fits the way legal professionals work today - and tomorrow.

The right document creation tools do more than streamline formatting – they uphold firm-wide quality standards, reduce time spent on admin tasks, and free up lawyers to focus on client-facing, billable work. The result? A measurable return on investment that improves both efficiency and revenue potential.

Aligning with Microsoft’s Cloud-First Trajectory

Microsoft’s ongoing development of its Office JS platform signals the clear direction for legal technology: the future is the cloud. The 2024 ILTA Technology Survey underscores this momentum:

• 94% of firms expect Microsoft 365 to be their primary office suite within the next year (up from 88% in 2023).
• 43% of firms report they are mostly in the cloud, a jump from 35% the year before.
• Only 2% of firms do not yet feel comfortable with the cloud

This rapid cloud adoption marks a critical shift. As Microsoft invests in Office JS to enhance its web-based Office applications, firms must prepare for a legal technology environment that is more flexible, secure, and integrated than ever before.

At BigHand, we are embracing this evolution. We are developing our Document Productivity tools directly in line with Microsoft's evolution of the Office JS framework and cloud-native strategy to empower law firms with a suite of forward-looking advantages.

We also recognize that this is a journey for our clients, Microsoft and BigHand, and firms will make this migration when the user experience is such that lawyers and their support teams are comfortable with a transition. We will continue to support our existing clients with the solutions in place today until they are ready to move.

What This Means for Law Firms

The ongoing evolution of Office JS is a technical upgrade that signifies a sizeable strategic leap forward. Law firms partnering with BigHand will benefit in several ways:

• Reduced infrastructure and hosting costs: Cloud-based tools eliminate the need for costly on-premises systems and reduce the burden on internal IT resources.
• Greater compatibility with hybrid working models: Office JS enables a consistent, performant experience across devices and locations, supporting the flexibility that modern law firms demand.
• Faster implementation and upgrades: Deployments and updates happen seamlessly in the cloud, minimizing downtime and accelerating time to value.
• Access to cutting-edge features: Office JS opens the door to innovation. From advanced AI integrations to improved collaboration tools, firms will be first in line for enhancements that improve quality and productivity.
• Scalability and future-readiness: As Microsoft enhances its cloud-based Office experience, firms on Office JS will be positioned to adopt new capabilities quickly and efficiently.

BigHand’s Commitment to Innovation and Partnership

The practice of law is rooted in precision, consistency, and efficiency - especially in document creation. Attorneys and their support teams spend a large portion of their day drafting, formatting, and managing documents. Our tools are built with this reality in mind, making it easier for users to produce high-quality work, faster.

Beyond usability, firms need confidence in the tools they choose. Overpromised “platform” solutions have left some firms with complex systems, escalating costs, and frustrated users. Legal tech should simplify, not complicate, which is why BigHand focuses on best-in-class solutions, integrated with the systems firms already rely on.

Law firms need technology partners who understand the industry, anticipate what’s next, and invest accordingly. Our strong, established relationship with Microsoft ensures we stay ahead of platform changes, and our move to Office JS is just one of many steps we’re taking to deliver secure, scalable, and future-ready solutions.

We’re proud to support law firms as they navigate this evolution - and we’re here to help make that transition seamless. Talk to us today about how we’re helping firms progress to the future of legal document tools.