Firms in the legal services industry provide the services of lawyers and other legal practitioners to individuals, businesses, government agencies, and nonprofits. In addition to offices of lawyers, the industry includes firms that provide paralegal, notary public, process serving, and patent agent services. Large firms work on cross-border cases for multinational clients, often serving many industries. Small firms rely on serving local clients and developing expertise in a few specific practice areas. While certain parts of the industry are becoming automated, the growing complexity and range of transactions signals that the industry will continue to be of great importance.