Futurelawyer

Google Voice Is No Longer A Voice Crying In The Wilderness

Google is working on bringing VoIP to Google Voice. I am a long time user and lover of Google Voice. I use the free, permanent number to forward calls from my home and office numbers, and I then forward them to all my Android devices and watches. If there is no answer, Voice transcribes the messages and sends them to me as texts and emails. It isn't as good as a live answering system; but, it has a big advantage it is free. And, while not perfect, the transcriptions are accurate enough that I get the gist of each message; at least, enough to know which ones to return and which to ignore. Now, after a long period of neglect, Google has decided to refresh the app, and has updated the interface. Since I never warmed up to Hangouts, the coming addition of VOIP calling will be very nice. Google Voice, the best app you don't use enough.

#FlbarTechShow - Thanks To The Florida Bar

Thanks to the Florida Bar for the kind words:

"We can't thank Florida Bar member Rick Georges - a solo practitioner from St. Pete and Stetson University College of Law grad ('72) - enough for:

A) Both attending AND supporting the 2017 #FLBarTechShow during Winter Meeting (through his "FutureLawyer" blog)
B) Being one of the most engaged participants - both in person and on social media - at the Tech Show, and ...
C) Last - but not least - recording the following series of interviews with our presenters, exhibitors and organizers.

This one we'll feature is with Florida Bar Technology Committee Chair John Stewart - and there are many others in the series we'd encourage you to watch.

And, if you're wondering why we pointed out that Rick was a 1972 #HattersLaw grad, it stems from a conversation we had with him this week in Orlando.

We'll paraphrase it here:

Rick: "Everything the Bar is doing - from your social media to being the first state, to require lawyers to be tech compliant, to Tech shows like this - I just want to say how much I appreciate it. And I know a lot of other members do too."

Us: "Wow. Thanks. That means a lot."

Rick: "But a question: How do we engage more even members so *they* see it, too?"

Us: "Well, we subscribe to the theory that, 'If you build it, they will come' - and so far, so good. We get that social media and tech isn't for everyone, and that it takes a dedication of time, and that lawyers are VERY busy, but -- "

Rick: "But it should be for everyone - because it's *everywhere.* And I'm busy as heck, too. Do you think I sit around tweeting all day? No way! I'm always working, but I incorporate things like tech and social media that help my practice - and they DO help - into my daily routine. And I've been practicing law a loooooong time. I guess my point is, if *I* can do it - so can everyone else."

*and scene*

Thanks, Rick. As all lawyers like to hear, "You make a compelling argument." 👊

(Here's Rick's series of blog posts about the Tech Show, in case you're interested: http://futurelawyer.typepad.com/futurelawyer/)

 

#FlbarTechShow - Thanks To The Florida Bar

Thanks to the Florida Bar for the kind words:

"We can't thank Florida Bar member Rick Georges - a solo practitioner from St. Pete and Stetson University College of Law grad ('72) - enough for:

A) Both attending AND supporting the 2017 #FLBarTechShow during Winter Meeting (through his "FutureLawyer" blog)
B) Being one of the most engaged participants - both in person and on social media - at the Tech Show, and ...
C) Last - but not least - recording the following series of interviews with our presenters, exhibitors and organizers.

This one we'll feature is with Florida Bar Technology Committee Chair John Stewart - and there are many others in the series we'd encourage you to watch.

And, if you're wondering why we pointed out that Rick was a 1972 #HattersLaw grad, it stems from a conversation we had with him this week in Orlando.

We'll paraphrase it here:

Rick: "Everything the Bar is doing - from your social media to being the first state, to require lawyers to be tech compliant, to Tech shows like this - I just want to say how much I appreciate it. And I know a lot of other members do too."

Us: "Wow. Thanks. That means a lot."

Rick: "But a question: How do we engage more even members so *they* see it, too?"

Us: "Well, we subscribe to the theory that, 'If you build it, they will come' - and so far, so good. We get that social media and tech isn't for everyone, and that it takes a dedication of time, and that lawyers are VERY busy, but -- "

Rick: "But it should be for everyone - because it's *everywhere.* And I'm busy as heck, too. Do you think I sit around tweeting all day? No way! I'm always working, but I incorporate things like tech and social media that help my practice - and they DO help - into my daily routine. And I've been practicing law a loooooong time. I guess my point is, if *I* can do it - so can everyone else."

*and scene*

Thanks, Rick. As all lawyers like to hear, "You make a compelling argument." 👊

(Here's Rick's series of blog posts about the Tech Show, in case you're interested: http://futurelawyer.typepad.com/futurelawyer/)

 

#FlBarTechShow - PatLive - 24/7 Answering Service On Line

PatLive is a Tallahassee based 24/7 answering service for law firms that prides itself on local service and around the clock phone answering. They offer a much more robust client experience than the typical answering service, and engage with clients on a personal level. 

#FlBarTechShow - Tabs3 - Your Father's Billing And Case Management System

The venerable Tabs3 Accounting and Case Management system has been used in Law Offices across the country since 1979. It has made its way into the cloud, and is a robust, competent system that will handle all law office functions, whether in house or in the cloud. In the words of the Company: "We provide a reliable, easy-to-use, seamlessly integrated suite of software products for law firms and legal professionals, ranging from billing to practice management, check writing to general ledger and trust accounting. Tabs3 has been used in law firms for 35 years, and the newest version provides even better tools for entering time and managing documents. Clients are so satisfied that 9 out of 10 of them recommend Tabs3 to other firms, and our customers have over a 95% satisfaction level of support based on a recent survey. 

#FlBarTechShow - Practice Panther - Cloud Practice Management Designed To Be Easy

This interview is with a representative of Practice Panther, a Miami based cloud practice management company that is designed to be used without any training. In the words of the company: "PracticePanther was founded by two partners on a mission to create the easiest and most intuitive law practice management software. Why? Their wives made them! Every night, they came home hearing the same complaints about their current programs. It was hard to use. They had to watch 6 webinars and hours of training videos. Billing took a full day. They couldn’t work from their phones or tablets. So, they decided to create Practice Panther.
A mobile-friendly software so intuitive and user friendly, no training was needed. Meet Practice Panther.

 

#FlBarTechShow - Ruby Receptionists - Answer Phones In The Cloud

Our next exhibitor interview is with Ruby Receptionists, which provides live answering services for law firms and other companies who don't need or want a full time office receptionist. 74% of callers are likely to choose another business after they have a bad experience. Ruby is the only live virtual receptionist service dedicated to creating real, meaningful connections with callers—building trust with each interaction and helping you win business. It is a fact that clients and prospective clients would rather talk to a human being when they call. Ruby provides that service in the cloud.

 

#FlBarTechShow - Cosmolex - Virtual Law Office In The Cloud

Here is another in a series of short interviews with Exhibitors at the Florida Bar Tech Show. CosmoLex is much more than a “practice  management” tool or only legal billing software. Its aim is to provide its clients with a  fully functioning, virtual law office – that lives in the Cloud. CosmoLex’s comprehensive menu of capabilities has replaced the hodgepodge of separate programs and manual clerical work that used to be the norm at law firms. The vision is to offer a “Total Law Practice Solution”.

#FlBarTechShow - Paralegal Association of Florida

The Paralegal Association of Florida, Inc. (PAF), is a professional association of approximately 1,000 paralegals from around the State of Florida.  Formed in 1976, it is the oldest and largest statewide association in Florida, and one of the oldest affiliate associations of the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA).  As a proponent of The Florida Bar’s Florida Registered Paralegal (FRP) Program, PAF is dedicated to providing continuing legal education opportunities to its members. Check it out at pafinc.org.

 

#FlBarTechShow - Zola Suite - Cloud Based Case Management

Zola Suite is a cloud based practice management program, of which several were represented at the Florida Bar Tech Show. It contains built in Email and Accounting, along with a full complement of other features to manage the legal practice. More information can be found at the company's website at: zolasuite.com.