Zero in on the right software 
To a novice, the legal software on the market may resemble a Tower of Babel, with an overwhelming multiplicity of programs to use rather than a common one.
But a firm that has its own IT staff, receives outside technical advice or simply knows where to look for what’s available can find uniformity and order among the thousands of software choices. John Olmstead, a Missouri legal consultant, has advised smaller firms, generally with 25 or fewer attorneys, on technology needs. It’s typical for small firms, he said, to rely on external advice from IT providers, as well as hardware and software vendors.
A solo guide to case-management software
I’m flooded with questions about case-management and practice-management software for the solo and small firm attorney. Everyone wants to know which product is best for his or her office. Some have heard
horror stories about “product x.” Some have heard that “product x” is absolutely wonderful. Some report upgrade disasters with “product x,” while others report [...]
Technology spending still a firm priority
In what many are dubbing “The Digital Age,” CIOs and other law firm managers say technology spending continues to increase.
In fact, according to the 2008 American Bar Association Legal Technology Survey Report, nearly half of the respondents said their firm’s technology budget increased last year despite tough economic times. Only 25 percent said their budgets [...]
Save thousands on technology for your firm
While the economy has struggled, the need for high-tech law firm upgrades has increased.
As lawyers look to cut costs, some have shied away from spending money on such upgrades. But industrious lawyers can use many methods to keep their firms cruising through the 21st century, while keeping an eye on their wallets.
Here are some of [...]
What to consider when buying a laptop
A laptop computer can combine the storage power and performance of the office desktop with the convenient use of your handheld smart phone. But deciding what laptop to buy isn’t necessarily so cut and dried. Columnist Bruce Dorner, a tech-savvy solo in Nashua, N.H., offers this advice on what to consider before buying a laptop:
Should [...]
Trim electronic discovery; cut costs to clients
With the recession taking its toll on the bottom lines of many businesses, attorneys who engage in electronic discovery are looking to cut costs for clients.
The first place to start, several lawyers say, is scaling back the amount of information that is searched and reviewed.
Milwaukee attorney William J. Mulligan said when e-discovery started, parties would [...]
The best iPhone apps for attorneys
Jott
What it does: Allows you to call in and leave a short message (about 20 to 30 seconds), which will then be transcribed into text.
How lawyers can use it: Jott comes in handy for anyone who needs to leave a brief message or reminder. “I use it whenever I need to give a quick instruction [...]
Blackberry vs. iPhone
The smart phone is at the center of the mobile attorney’s universe.
Sending and checking e-mails, recalling documents, keeping in touch via text messaging, surfing the Internet - all are necessary capabilities for attorneys on the go.
So which handheld device is right for you: the Blackberry or iPhone?
The answer depends on how you want to use [...]
Tips to conduct your own technology review
There’s no shortage of terms for the process law firms undertake to make a checklist of their software. They range from the formal “technology assessment” used by independent technology consultant Andy Adkins, to the middle-brow “inventory,” “taking stock” and “outside IT audit,” to Missouri consultant John Olmstead’s street-smart “quick-and-dirty system review.”
Call it what you [...]