Futurelawyer

Who Will Tell The Librarian?

Hey, guess what? Everything in books isn't true either? Teach them to think, instead.

 

Execupundit Has Ordered A Copy Of FutureLawyer's New Book On Stoicism.

The Stoic. Michael Wade has, at long last, ordered a copy of my new book on Stoicism. I will never reach his heights as an author; but it is an honor to be among his immense library, which is known throughout my world as one of the best in the business. He has sparked many revelations in me since I started reading him years ago. He consults with companies and owners about issues of management and compliance, and has published books about the management experience. Since cognitive behavioral living draws much from the original Stoics, it is a prominent part of both of our lives. While I am afraid my little book pales in comparison to his weightier tomes, I am happy to play a small part in awakening ordinary people like myself to the wisdom of the ages. Thanks, Michael. I await, with trepidation, your take on my small effort to change lives.

If You Believe You Are Surrounded By Idiots, You Might Want To Look Into A Mirror.

Surrounded By Idiots Book Summary. One of the coolest things about my Amazon Kindle Scribe is that I can take notes of client conferences and anything else, and can have my daily calendar in front of me at all times, with the ability to make notes and have a record of the day, in digital form, for posterity. But, the really cool thing is that my Kindle book collection is a tap away whenever I like. I don't need to keep a pile of paper books on the table next to my chair at home or at work, and I can read a few pages whenever I like, just by clicking an icon on the tablet. Right now, I have 10 or 11 books going, ranging from Marcus Aurelius' Meditations, Seneca's On The Shortness of Life, Joe Rogan's How To Win The Game of Life, and so forth. Right now, my principal read is Surrounded By Idiots, by Thomas Erikson, which I was attracted to because of its relevance to one of my favorite bits of wisdom from Marcus Aurelius: the one about recognizing as we begin the day that we will be faced with a whole host of difficult persons, and that we should try to work with them because they are our brothers and fellow humans. Rather than assume that we are "surrounded by idiots" because they believe differently from us, or are obstructionist to our goals, we should adjust our own conduct to realize that we appear as idiots to others as well. Since we can only control our own actions, it serves no useful purpose to push away the other idiots. Always should we act as if everyone has a role in getting along and getting things done. Sometimes we will succeed, and sometimes not; but that is far better than running around all day criticizing everyone else. What are you reading today?

               

ABA TechShow 2025 - Come To Chicago And Meet The FutureLawyer.

RV-Lawyer-Technology-Remote-Lawyering- I am in preparation for two presentations at the ABA TechShow In Chicago April 1-5, 2025. The presentation will track my new book, RV Lawyer - The Use of Technology In Remote Lawyering. The presentations that are planned:

 RV Lawyering - Using Current Technology To Practice Law Anywhere Part 1, and is scheduled for Thursday, April 3rd at 2:15 pm

 RV Lawyering - Using Current Technology To Practice Law Anywhere Part 2 with me as your co-speaker, and is scheduled for Friday, April 4th at 10:30 am

I would love to see any of my readers who can make it to TechShow. It is the preeminent tech conference sponsored by the ABA. I won't be driving the RV to Illinois; but, I will still be working wherever I am. You can buy the book at the link, if you want to get a headstart on the matters I will be discussing. I will try to hit on everything from hardware, to software, to broad band Internet access away from a fixed office. As you might expect, the advent of broadband Internet access, and generative AI has made the entire legal landscape available at all times to every lawyer. I don't pretend to have all the answers; but I can show other lawyers how I use tech in my day to day practice, and have done for 51 years. We have come a long way from my first days as a lawyer in 1973, when I was writing in longhand on yellow legal pads , and keeping a paper calendar. Back then, advanced tech consisted of a key telephone system, a handheld tape recorder and a $5,000 Xerox machine. 

Let me know if you can make it. I would love to meet each of you.

No, Dear, I Don't Need To Hire Someone. I Know Exactly Where Everything Is.

Politics? Elections? Ugh. A Lawyer's Prayer - Follow The Law Or Reap The Whirlwind.

 

A Man For All Seasons, Act One, Scene Seven.

It occurred to me that the current political climate reminded me of the movie, A Man For All Seasons, which considered the refusal of St. Thomas More to accede to the King's edict invalidating his marriage so that he might remarry. Political expediency should never take precedence over conscience and priniciple, should it? Any lawyer will tell you that the recent spate of "lawfare" that seems to take process and elevate it over principle has created courtroom results that are pretty much insane. The contortions required to turn a legal system on its head in order to defeat a political opponent are ludicrous in the eyes of any sane, independent legal observer. But, hey, we need to rid ourselves of this "tyrant", don't we? 

There is too much disrespect for the law and personal freedoms these days. Some argue that it is okay to ignore laws that we feel are unjust or not in keeping with our personal code or political bent, whatever that may be. In fact, laws need to be respected and honored, in an apolitical way, and need to apply to everyone. We seem to think that, if a person is of our political persuasion, they should be cancelled, and censored, regardless of the law.

We all need to read some Thomas More.

 

"William Roper: “So now you give the Devil the benefit of the law?”

Sir Thomas More: “Yes! What would you do? Cut a great swath through the law to get after the Devil?”

William Roper: “Yes, I’d cut down every Law in England to do that!”

Sir Thomas More: “Oh? And when the last law was down and the Devil turned ‘round on you, where would you hide, Roper, the laws all being flat? This country is planted thick with laws, from coast to coast, Man’s laws, not God’s! And if you cut them down, and you’re just the man to do it, do you really think you could stand upright in the winds that would blow then? Yes, I’d give the Devil benefit of Law for my own safety’s sake!”

 

Save The Date. FutureLawyer Will Be Doing Two Presentations At ABA Tech Show In Chicago Next April.

RV Lawyer - Technology For Remote Lawyering. April 2 - April 5, 2025 at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago, I will be doing two one hour presentations that expound on the subject matter of the RV Lawyer book. I will probably concentrate on software and logistical issues on Day One, and on devices and equipment on Day Two. You don't need an RV to practice law remotely. It is really all about using technology to counsel and help clients from your State wherever you might be physically located. It is really freeing to know that you can do legal research, draft legal pleadings and documents, and connect with clients at your convenience, no matter where you are. The impetus for the book came from the Pandemic, when we all had to figure out how to be lawyers without a fixed office location; but, I have been refining tech for many years. I like the freedom of being able to be anywhere; but still get the job done. Where are you lawyering from today? Hope to see you next year in Chicago.

Life Isn't A Bowl Of Cherries. But, It Is What It Is.

Nicholas Bate On Life. Nicholas Bate pretty much nails it with this 50 item list of what life is, and isn't. Your reading assignment for this day:

"(1) Life is messy. (2) Life is unpredictable. (3) Life can make you cry, (4) pull your hair out, (5) throw your hat in the air and even (6) sit down and weep. (7) Life is exciting, (8) scary and at times (9) daunting. (10) Life is funny and often makes you (11) giggle. At other times it is so (12) awe-inspiring, even (13) electrifying it makes you want to (14) hug somebody. Nobody said (15) Life is nor should be easy. Certainly not a (16) bowl of cherries. Life can (17) can pass you by unless you (18) wake up, (19) switch on and (20) fully engage. Life (21) isn't DNA: that's a stack of bonded atoms. No, Life (22) is what you make of it. (23) Examine it fully to notice all the (24) moving parts, its (25) potential smooth running and ability to (26) accelerate into action, given (27) regular maintenance, of course. Life (28) meanders on a fine summers day, (29) shivers in NYC snow and (30) loves hot chocolate by outside braziers in Stockholm. (31) Life knows few boundaries, is (32) ever curious and sometimes (33) day-dreams and an (34) amazing imagination conjures up lyrics to pop songs or new improved digital cameras or cool recipes. (35) Life is great long, even better (36) wide and kinda gorgeous (37) deep. (38) Life needs regular massage, (39) good books, quality (40) sleep and regular glimpses of the sea, mountains, the desert and needs also to hear the CRACK of a good (41) thunderstorm. (42) Life loves drama because (43) Life is drama. Life is (44) Planet Earth's greatest story in which for once we get the major role. (45) Every day an audience turns up and notices our performance. (46) In Life we may or may not connect with that audience; (47) we may or may not have an impact. But whatever, Life is (48) cool, (49) Life is staggeringly rich; Life is (50) pretty damn Good."

December 4, 2024 - Kindle Scribe 2 Is Released.

Kindle Scribe 2024. As I promised, Amazon is continuing to update the software on my trusty Kindle Scribe, First Edition, that has served as my primary EReader and EInk note taking device for a while. I tried the others, and, when it came down to it, the superior 300 dpi screen of the Scribe makes it the best choice for note taking and reading. Some have touted the superior note taking functions of devices like the Remarkable 2; but I use the Scribe all day, every day, and it has my book collection in my hands all the time. The good news is that I don't have to buy the new version of the Scribe to get Active Canvas (writing on book pages for notes), or the other improvements. The updates will be available for all Kindles on December 4th. I can't wait.

 

Hello Beautiful. Kindle Has A Color Version. Introducing Colorsoft.

Kindle Colorsoft. I love my Kindle Scribe. The 10.3 inch EReader and EInk Notetaker has the best resolution of them all, at 300 dpi. I have my entire book collection on it, and I can read at any time. The screen is beautiful and readable in any light situation. Color EInk, however, has been a muddled mess in the category, and the offerings from other companies look washed out and bland. I am waiting patiently for a Scribe that does color right; and it appears, with the new Colorsoft, that Amazon is on its way. The 8 inch screen is the standard Ereader size, and Amazon has tweaked the color to be better than the rest; although, not yet perfect. I want vibrant color, a 10 inch screen, and my Scribe's note taking ability. I will wait; but I am happy that Amazon is moving forward. If you don't want a note taking device, and just want the best Ereader, the Colorsoft, at $299, is what you should be looking at.