- 07 | 07 | 2025
Principles have become more than a box ticking exercise for law firms. Whether driven by client demands, internal values, or regulatory pressure, the legal sector is facing growing expectations to operate more sustainably and to prove it.
But while the conversation often centres on travel policies, diversity metrics or energy use, one area tends to fly under the radar: records management.
It might not be the flashiest topic, but how you manage your documents has a direct impact on your ESG goals especially when you take the leap from paper heavy processes to digital first systems.
Let’s face it: ESG has landed firmly on the agenda for legal institutions.
Clients are asking for evidence of sustainable practices. Investors and partners are scrutinising governance. And law firm leaders are realising that ESG isn’t just good PR it’s increasingly tied to business resilience and future growth.
In all of this, records management might seem like a back-office concern. But that’s exactly why it’s worth your attention: it’s a practical, measurable area where small changes can drive real ESG outcomes.
Most law firms still rely on paper to some extent and that adds up. Whether it’s printed contracts, archived case files, or daily correspondence, all of it takes up space, consumes resources, and creates carbon emissions (especially when stored or transported off-site).
Switching to digital records can make an immediate environmental impact:
It’s a smart way to reduce your carbon footprint without upending your operations.
Governance is all about accountability, and your records are the evidence. When documents are stored digitally with clear access controls, retention rules and audit trails you gain a level of oversight that paper just can’t match.
With the right system, like FileSmart (built on Microsoft 365 and SharePoint), law firms can:
It’s not just tidier. It’s safer. And it helps you build trust with clients, regulators and partners.
The “S” in ESG is often harder to quantify, but that doesn’t make it any less important.
Digital records support more flexible, fair and inclusive ways of working — especially in law firms navigating hybrid teams and evolving expectations:
When people have the right tools, they can do better work — and that benefits everyone.
Here’s a simple roadmap for embedding ESG thinking into your firm’s records approach:
Small, practical steps can make a big difference over time.
The beauty of digital records is that they deliver measurable value not just in sustainability terms, but in efficiency, cost control and risk reduction too.
If your firm is already thinking about ESG, this is one of the easiest ways to put those values into action.
We’d be happy to help. From archive audits to digital filing systems tailored to your legal workflows, OASIS can support your journey every step of the way.