Getting Smart About Analyzing Electronically Stored Information
January 28, 2008
Not long ago, the pain of analyzing electronically stored information (ESI) for legal e-discovery, regulatory inquiries, and corporate investigations was hardly a blip on the radar screen. Fast forward to 2007, where e-discovery and its concomitant analysis has become a major component of any discovery request. This article takes a step back to evaluate whether efforts to streamline the analysis of ESI data have been effectively applied. My sense is that although the times have changed and methods of communication (Blackberrys, instant messaging, etc.) have become unquestionably more sophisticated, the e-discovery process has stagnated. The legal industry as a whole has been slow to keep up with change. As a result, it's getting harder to justify the cost and time that goes into the antiquated process many have grown accustomed to using.
The IT Utility for Law Firms
January 28, 2008
Over the past five years, the concept of an IT Utility for law firms has evolved from an interesting concept to an attractive business strategy. Growth of the IT Utility (off-premise IT services such as Co-location and Managed Services) is fueled by the confluence of increased interest by law firms in outsourcing routine administrative functions with rapidly maturing enabling technology such as security tools and services, affordable high bandwidth data communications, and management tools for large scale data centers. The IT Utility is part of a new model for managing technology infrastructure at law firms.
<b>Practice Tip</b>Going Native: Using Word 2007 With Enhanced Native Architecture
January 28, 2008
With the introduction of Microsoft Office 2007, many firms are reviewing their template and macro packages for Word before they upgrade. Since the look and feel of Word '07 is so different, the migration is a significant upgrade and new training is needed. Now is a good time to review the integrated products, discover what is available natively in Word, and make a change if necessary.
Better e-Billing by Leveraging Experience and Relationships
January 28, 2008
A recent study by the LEDES Oversight Committee reported that 73% of responding law firms find that 'electronic billing is either an additional or huge burden on the firm, from which they gain absolutely no benefit.' More amazingly, these results are similar to ' but worse than ' the results of a LawNet survey done almost five years earlier. Taking note of the lack of progress encouraged me to sit down and seriously evaluate what's working, what's not, and what practical steps we can take to help move this industry in the right direction.
WHAT DOES WORK IN THE RED ZONE II.
January 18, 2008
WHAT DOES WORK IN THE RED ZONE II. This second in a series will focus on tactics to enhance client relationships leading to future business development for your law firm. One of the highest compliments you can pay to your client is to refer business to them. From a law firm marketing point of view, this may be the second best technique to generate expanded engagements, the first being to perform the highest quality of…
WHAT WORKS IN THE RED ZONE?
January 11, 2008
WHAT WORKS IN THE RED ZONE? This article begins a new series on what in-house counsel say helps their outside counsel begin, improve and maintain relationships. 1. Make major efforts to communicate at the beginning of an engagement. All too often, once an engagement is awarded, GC's find the lawyer who shows up appears to be a very different person from the one in the presentation. And periodically double check what you promised in the…
WHAT DID NOT WORK IN THE RED ZONE IV.
January 03, 2008
WHAT DID NOT WORK IN THE RED ZONE IV? Attorneys who market and sell services must consider a wider range of sales considerations than typically brought to the table. Following are more examples of what I have heard counsel discuss in this fourth and last in a series about law firm business development presentations. 1. Do not surprise your client with late breaking information. 2. In your own meetings, how often have you observed people using…
Case Briefs
January 02, 2008
Highlights of the latest insurance cases from around the country.
Movers & Shakers
January 02, 2008
News about lawyers and law firms in the insurance industry.
