The legal profession is changing at a fast and furious pace. Technology, the economy and globalization have all played roles in causing a massive shift in how potential clients access legal information and secure legal services.

Lawyers are faced with the very real prospect of changing how they operate or finding another livelihood. What elements of their current workload could be undertaken differently – more quickly, cheaply, efficiently – using alternative methods of working?

The Internet has made finding answers to complex legal questions easier and less expensive. Why would someone pay $700 to have a lawyer prepare a will when they can get it for $49 online? Maybe they won’t, unless they have an understanding of what they’re missing by not working with an attorney.

I believe the information and insight that can only be provided by a licensed attorney is priceless, but consumers who have never accessed the legal system before may not understand that value. Here is where client education becomes very important.

By creating or expanding a Web-based consumer education center, a lawyer can not only help prospects understand their rights, but also when it’s appropriate to engage an attorney.

Many people now are comfortable with doing legal work themselves. However, some of these people still desire the safety net of having a local lawyer. This is where the attorney-client relationship can flourish.

By unbundling services – breaking down a given legal process into parts that can be handled either by the client or a lawyer – an attorney is creating the opportunity to capture more of this market, or retain clients who are moving toward it.

Attorneys should check with their local bar association to determine to what extent unbundled services can be offered.

It’s not just about office visits anymore. Attorneys should be open to exploring alternative techniques for the delivery of legal services, such as teleconferences, FTP servers, webinars or Skype. Such methods help lawyers expedite the pace of their work and limit the amount of time their clients have to spend away from other responsibilities.

Whether an attorney is part of a law firm or a solo practitioner, strategic partnerships can help a lawyer increase visibility and revenue with minimal to no investment. Organizations will often retain attorneys as independent contractors, to provide their clients with varying degrees of legal counsel. Often, the contacts generated turn into repeat customers.

Strategic partnerships can also help create a healthy referral base. Satisfied clients gained through the partnership are likely to spread the word to their friends. When this happens, attorneys have gained traction in a market they once closed the door to or never realistically considered before.

Ann Cosimano is the general counsel for ARAG; its North American operations are based in Des Moines.