As the applications of technology continue to skyrocket, legal professionals are feeling pressure to change the way they deliver services. Which firms are stepping up to the plate and which are at risk of being left behind? Lawyers Weekly explores digital disruption in the business of law.Just a couple of years ago, law firms were adamant their services could never be replaced by technology. Technology is unsustainable, People want human interaction and There will always be a need for a lawyer were all common sentiments.While the latter may still ring true, the fact that technology has significantly altered the business of law is undeniable.Now more than ever, firms are incorporating technology into their service propositions from blockchain and e-signatures to artificial intelligence and data security.There have been many benefits. Firms are now able to offer a more effective and efficient way of doing business, with increased client retention rates, flexibility and employee satisfaction among the many big wins.So while it may be late to the party in comparison to other occupations, the bulk of the legal profession now realises the astronomical opportunities technology provides.In saying that, there are still some who are hesitant about the digital era and how it fits within the traditional business of law.The risk of robo-lawyers has moved from a water-cooler topic to a genuine concern in some firms. The rise of artificial intelligence has had a similar effect, with many voicing the opinion that its taking jobs away from legal professionals and damaging the way clients are advised.Whichever way you look at it, its clear that technology has created a period of unprecedented upheaval in the legal profession.In this cover story, well explore the successes and challenges firms have experienced in implementing technology, the material impact this has had on their service propositions and internal culture, and how they think the situation is likely to change as technology rapidly progresses.Proactive v reactiveThe phrase digital disruption has got many legal professionals fired up. Some say the term is over-hyped, while some flat-out reject that anything could disrupt the traditional nature of law.However, rather than see technology as a negative, or dismiss it completely, Allens chief legal and technology services officer Beth Patterson advises legal professionals to look at it as a value-add.Lawyers and law firms need to be open to the changes new technologies will inevitably bring in delivering more efficient and innovative legal services to their clients, she says.Technology on its own is not the holy grail, but it is an enabler for helping solve clients business problems.Law firms need to embrace some design thinking principles to build a culture that is flexible, accepts experimentation and supports some failures. They need to embrace multidisciplinary skills to assess technologies to distinguish the hype from the reality. They also need to move quicker than they are probably used to, listen to their clients and take some risks.King & Wood Mallesons executive director of innovation Michelle Mahoney agrees, saying that while technology has not taken away the traditional role of the lawyer, it has significantly enhanced it.It has enhanced the