Legal Commentary

Headed to LegalTech West Coast next week in Los Angeles? You'll face a smorgasbord of choices to help you stay up-to-date on the latest technology trends and products.

Among the highlights, Erick Andersen, of Microsoft's legal team, will present the 6/24 keynote about how legal organizations can effectively use unified communications systems to reduce costs and improve collaboration among colleagues and clients.

Microsoft was just chosen by our colleagues at Corporate Counsel as the 2010 Law Department of the Year. A key factor was how general counsel Brad Smith helped engineer a "personality shift" for the software giant, from contentious to cooperative, in resolving international disputes.

The LegalTech seminars will be packed with expert panels on everything from project management, to social media, to cloud computing, to e-discovery; and the vendors at the exhibit hall will welcome the chance to show you product demonstration.

But just when you feel like your brain may just about explode from too much information, Friday, June 25, presents an opportunity to get outside and network in the famous California sun! ALM's inaugural Lawyer Invitational will be held at Trump National Golf Club, an opportunity for the proverbial "quality time" and networking.

Among the technology companies who are sponsoring the event are LexisNexis, Thomson Reuters, Kroll, and First Advantage. Part of the proceeds will benefit the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. For more information, visit www.thelawyerinvitational.com.