Legal Commentary

EXPOSING CONTENT

Posted on January 17, 2010
One of the most crucial, and sometimes frustrating, aspects of reviewing electronically stored information is trying to follow e-mail "threads" ? the conversations created by replies (to all), forwarding, etc. Finding all related e-mails can be a challenge, but technology can help...

HERE COMES LEGALTECH NY & COBALT

Posted on January 17, 2010
I turn the mic over to my colleague Sean Doherty, Law.com's technology editor: After welcoming the new year with a bevy of new predictions, we are looking forward to another LegalTech new year in New York from February 1 to 3. And it promises to be like the forthcoming Chinese New Year of the Metal Tiger, projecting a positive year with a motto of "I win...

JOYFUL NOISE

Posted on December 23, 2009
Is it really possible that 2009 is just about over? Doesn't it feel like we were just welcoming this year? We've certainly been on an interesting journey over the last 12 months. (As in the Chinese curse, "May you lead an interesting life.") But we move forward, hopefully with a dash of courage and gusto...

DECEMBER PRESIDENT'S CORNER

Posted on December 23, 2009
Catalyst Repository Systems has introduced its Fast Track integrated processing software. Users can submit multi-language Exchange PST, NSF, and other electronic files directly into Catalyst CR, the company's web-based search and review software, says CEO John Tredennick...

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RAIN OF TERROR

Posted on December 21, 2009
Cambodians believe that fierce rain storms are the voices of the dead. So earlier this year, when water pounded the terra-cotta roof of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, everyone became very tense. Static shreiked from headsets and monitors, and then they went silent...

PRACTICE TOOLS

Posted on December 21, 2009
The December issue of Law Technology News includes reports on a diverse collection of new software, including these two that help you with substantive law: Thomson IP Manager 3 helps users manage patents, trademarks, invention disclosures, and licensing agreements...

SOCIAL MEDIA SPIKES

Posted on December 20, 2009
Catherine Sanders Reach, director of the American Bar Association's Legal Technology Research Center, says lawyers are starting to embrace social media -- but primarily on a personal level, rather than for work. In the December issue of Law Technology News, Reach discusses the results of the 2009 Legal Technology Survey Report, which is produced in six volumes ("Technology Basics," "Law Office Technology," "Litigation and Courtroom Technology," "Web and Communication Technology," "Online Research," and "Mobile Lawyers")...

GOOGLE WAVE

Posted on December 20, 2009
Are you ready for Google Wave? Robert J. Ambrogi predicts that it "will be slow to catch on among legal professionals. But it will catch on." Why the potential resistance? "It lacks a good elevator speech," says Ambrogi. "By that I mean it is difficult to explain in short, simple terms just what it is all about...

AND THE WINNERS ARE:

Posted on December 14, 2009
Congrats to the 2009 LTN Vendor Award winners! New Product of the Year Gold - Index Engines Unified Discovery Platform - Index Engines Silver - Tabs3 & PracticeMaster Version 15.2 - Software Technology, Inc. Bronze - PC Postage Version 8.0 - Stamps.com Case Management Software for Large Firms (100+) Gold - CaseMap 8 - LexisNexis Silver - Document Mapper for Ringtail Legal - FTI Technology Case Management Software for Small & Mid-sized firms (up to 99 attorneys) Gold - CaseMap 8 with DocPreviewer - LexisNexis Silver - PracticeMaster Software - Software Technology, Inc...

2009 LTN AWARDS

Posted on December 11, 2009
Envelope Please: I am delighted to announce the recipients of the juried 2009 LTN Awards (The vendor award winners will be announced separately in the near future). Before we open the envelope, a round of applause please for our jury: Andrew Adkins III (Levin College of Law, University of Florida), Fredric Lederer (William and Mary Law School), and David Whelan (Law Society of Upper Canada)...

GLADWELL TO SPEAK AT LEGALTECH NEW YORK

Posted on December 08, 2009
Breaking News! Very, very exciting news from senior conference producer Judy Kelly of our LegalTech New York team today about the upcoming keynote programs. Celebrated author Malcolm Gladwell (The Tipping Point, blink!, and the new What the Dog Saw) will join Dr...

BRCo & HILDEBRANDT MERGE

Posted on December 05, 2009
With last week's announcement that David Baker, left, (a longtime member of LTN's Editorial Advisory Board) was retiring from Baker Robbins & Co., I wasn't surprised to hear yesterday that Thomson Reuters' Hildebrandt International and BRCo would merge...

CREATE YOUR PATH

Posted on December 05, 2009
As technology guru Richard Susskind likes to say, the best way to predict the future is to create it yourself. Along those lines, Douglas Caddell, a longtime member of Law Technology News' Editorial Advisory Board and CIO of Foley & Lardner, says he's heard just about enough of the mantra, "IT must do more with less...

THE CHANGE AGENDA

Posted on December 05, 2009
The American Lawyer has been tracking the earthquakes that have been reconstructing large firms for about a year now. Editor Aric Press, in a recent update on the Am Law Daily, notes that not all expectations have materialized: outside investors aren't quite breaking down law firm doors, and "the transformational technology remains a slow-gestating messiah"; but "there are plenty of disparate events that support the observation that this business change is more than just a sideshow...

LTN AWARDS NOMINATIONS DEADLINE 12/4

Posted on December 03, 2009
Glitches Won't Deter Us! In the no-good-deed-goes-unpunished department, we've encountered a few bumps after we decided to waive the fees and extend the deadline for nominations for the 2009 LTN Law Firm and Law Department Awards, and our new "Lifetime Achievement" award...

TURKEY DAZE

Posted on November 26, 2009
I love Thanksgiving. It seems to be the one holiday (well, maybe Halloween's in there as well) that has no agenda other than peace and food. Of course, we all have deliciously wicked tales of dinners gone terribly, terribly wrong (check out this story from The New York Times)...

DAVID BAKER EXITS BAKER ROBBINS & CO

Posted on November 25, 2009
Our pal David Baker, a long time member of LTN's Editorial Advisory Board,has just announced that he is retiring from Baker Robbins & Co. on January 1, 2010. When not rooting for the Chicago White Sox (or attending CWS Fantasy Camp), David served the legal technology sector for more than 30 years...

SHARING IS GOOD

Posted on November 24, 2009
How can we do more with Microsoft SharePoint to help attorneys, clients, and support staff easily share ideas, expertise, and information across time and distance? Fenwick & West's Mark Gerow (right) offers 10 ways to better exploit Microsoft SharePoint today to improve attorney effectiveness, deliver better client service, and reduce costs...

GMTA: WHY MISSION STATEMENTS SUCK

Posted on November 22, 2009
Peter Pepiton was right when he told me that I'd like this video about writing corporate mission statements, from Fast Company's Dan Heath.

LTN AWARDS: DEADLINE EXTENDED, FEE WAIVED

Posted on November 19, 2009
The economy has hit hard on law firm budgets, and especially on discretionary spending for support professionals ? sooooo, we have decided to WAIVE the entry fee (and extend the nominating deadline) for our 2009 LTN Law Firm/Law Department Awards. The new deadline is Friday, December 4...

VIRTUAL LEGALTECH

Posted on November 19, 2009
Doors Are Open! Our first Virtual LegalTech has launched. The Exhibit Hall opened this morning at 9 a.m. Starting at 10 a.m., a new program started every hour. My program airs at 3 p.m., "IT Leadership in Turbulent Times," with Morrison & Foerster's James McKenna, and Nixon Peabody's John Roman Jr...

ABA's LARRY SMITH 2 ALA

Posted on November 17, 2009
Larry Smith will be the next executive director of the Association of Legal Administration -- taking the reins in January to succeed John Michalik, who is retiring after 15 years with the Association. Working with ALA's board of directors, Smith will oversee of the organization's operations, including its headquarters staff and 100 chapters, the organization notes...

CONGRATS TO DEBRA HINDIN-KING

Posted on November 17, 2009
Accolades! Congratulations to Holland & Hart's Debra Hindin-King, named Paralegal of the Year by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations. Hindin-King has been a litigation paralegal for the past 21 years.At H&H, she is involved with in-house training for new attorneys and support staff...

GREENING GREENE ESPEL

Posted on November 17, 2009
Eco-activist Kim Carlson helps Minnesota's Greene Espel assess, and then improve, its energy conservation programs and reduce its carbon footprint. Among the changes, the firm scrapped $12,700 off the annual budget by eliminating bottled water and switching to a filter system, reports Jon Bream...

GOOGLE SCHOLAR POSTS CASES

Posted on November 17, 2009
The Blawgosphere was abuzz early today with news that Google "has quietly added state and federal case law and patent search to its Google Scholar search service," as well as a "How Cited" citator service. The quote's from Et Seq., the Harvard law School Library Blog...

LTN AWARDS: LAST CHANCE

Posted on November 13, 2009
The clock's a' tickin' -- Don't lose your voice! Monday (Nov. 16) is the deadline to vote for your favorite vendors who are in the running to receive our 2009 LTN Vendor Awards! The online ballot is survey style, and will take just a few minutes to complete! (You will need your account number, from your mailing label ? e-mail Kerry Kyle -- info@lawtechnews...

EXPLOIT YOUR MULTIFUNCTION MACHINES

Posted on November 12, 2009
Today's multifunction devices generate basic data ? such as copy counts, who is using the device, and when (and how) it requires maintenance, notes Rick Cruz, executive director of Fort Worth's Cantey Hanger. But with a little boost from third-party software vendors, such as nQueue Billback, Equitrac and Omtool, law firms can get even more sophisticated data...

HIGH-SPEED FLYING

Posted on November 09, 2009
If you're constantly searching for wi-fi hot spots, it might be time to invest in a mobile broadband card, says Brett Burney. Many providers offer the option to use your mobile phone as a wireless modem, but the dedicated cards "require less fuss," says Burney, a Cleveland-based consultant...

2009 FINAL REPORT

Posted on November 05, 2009
PARADE TIME!!!!!! Congrats to the World Champion New York Yankees -- and especially to Nick Swisher, Brian Cashman, Girardi, Matsui, Kevin Dart, Tex, Mariano Rivera, Derek Jeter, A.J., C.C., Melky, ah hell, everybody -- even A-Rod. New York euphoria!!!! And I'm especially happy for the next generation, especially Cervelli...

SEVEN DECISIONS YOUR FIRM MUST MAKE

Posted on November 03, 2009
My aforementioned boss, Aric Press, editor-in-chief of The American Lawyer, wrote a lights-out great editorial in the November issue , challenging law firms to accelerate into the curves and make seven key decisions about how to run their law practices...

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