Thanks to Mark Mason and Richard Comenzo for commenting. Here are Richard’s comments:

You do ask alot of questions but my view is that the Internet will make the practice of law more efficient. I envision the Internet to allow attorneys to find information on a particular matter that will be organized in a manner that is most effective for their particular usage. Just as consumers can “create” their own shopping universe on the Internet, lawyers will be able to “create” their own research environment on the Internet. This will allow the lawyer to deliver a product effectively and efficiently to their consumers, i.e. the courts, clients and other lawyers.

As to ADR, the majority of cases, just as in criminal law, may be settled via the Internet, but there always will be a few that can only be settled face-to-face.

Concerning transformation of the legal profession, thats an easy one. Economic factors will push the profession to adopt and accept technology. The profession will have no choice in the matter just as corporations had no choice but to embrace the technology revolution or else go out of business.

Finally, the electronic filings instituted by the Federal Courts and the new e-discovery rules will certainly have an impact on the business of lawyering.