Futurelawyer

Take Up The Slack - Tighten Your Lawyer To Lawyer And Lawyer To Client Communications

Slack Law Firm Communications. Suddenly, secure online communications is all the rage. In a time of pandemic, law firms are scrambling to create methods of communicating securely with other lawyers, lawyers in their own firms, and clients. The first question about Slack, other than is it easy to use, is whether it is secure. Lawyers have a duty to guard the confidentiality of client information, so it is important at the outset. I am happy to report that it is as secure, or more secure, than traditional methods of communication. It calls to mind the early Nineties questions I got about email. Is it secure? You are sending data to remote servers. I used to answer that email is a lot more secure than sending confidential data on a piece of paper in a flimsy envelope through the mail. The test is "reasonable" security. Slack meets that test, and more. In fact, when two factor authentication is set up on a Slack account, it is pretty impregnable, at least as secure as you can get on the Internet. It is easy to set up private groups, and I am enjoying the Law Firm AutoPilot group hosted by my friend, Ernie Svenson, in New Orleans. Combined with video conferencing by Zoom, we are entering a new age of human interaction that doesn't rely on face to face human contact. It would be nice if we lived in a world where human to human contact was safe. But, at least for now, it isn't, and Slack and Zoom are my methods of choice. So, fellow lawyers, get with the program. If you need help, contact me or Ernie Svenson, and we will be happy to assist.

#WhyIAmASolo - The New Normal Is My Old Normal

New Normal? This article about the changing relationship most people have with the Internet talks about a new normal, in which social contacts, work, and most human interaction is being accomplished on the Internet, using social media, video teleconferencing, email, texts, and other tools to engage with family, friends, colleagues, clients and others. Some of us, however, have been doing this for years, and, as I have aged, I have learned how to stay involved by using all of the tech tools that are now essential to coping with a world in which human contact has become dangerous. I have used tech because I enjoyed learning about it, and have loved gadgets since my first Atari game system in the Eighties. I learned to use it because I wanted the freedom to practice law wherever I happened to be.  However, the big deal for me was the increased productivity I gained using tech tools and the Internet. When the blogging phenomenon began, I saw it as a way to get my ideas and views out to a larger audience. Then, social media allowed me to connect with family and friends and new friends in a way that old tech didn't allow. So, don't be afraid of this technology. Jump in, the water's fine.

The Tide Was High, But It's Going Out

Adapting To Change In A Pandemic. The practice of law has been changing for some years due to technological advances, and this great post by Ernie Svenson highlights some of the people who have dealt with the issue. My favorite is the Warren Buffet quote about the tide going out, and seeing who is naked. Well, the tide has been high for some time; but this CoronaVirus is pushing it out to sea, and lawyers who aren't leveraging tech in their practices are going to be very exposed. It's not too late to adopt the tools. Create documents and share them with clients and others over the Internet. Have meetings and conferences and hearings using tools like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and other online collaboration tools. Access legal research and court systems at your desk on the Internet. File pleadings and record documents online, in States that have been forward thinking enough to set up systems. The rest of the States, get with the program. And now, for something completely different:

 

#WhyIAmASolo - I Don't Have To Attend Meetings With Darth Vader

Perhaps a side benefit of the Coronavirus Pandemic is that we don't have to attend in person meetings with Darth Vader anymore. I wonder if the Force can be applied over a video conferencing connection? 

 

How To Practice Law During A Global Pandemic - Pick Up The Slack

It goes without saying that computers and the Internet are essential to the creation of the documents necessary to conduct a law practice during a time when we are all locked down, or required to stay in one place most of the time. I still see clients on a one to one basis at the office; but, groups of 10 or more are not a good idea. My ability to practice law from any location using technology and the Internet makes me very capable of serving my clients; but, as this video from Ernie Svenson for Small Firm Boot Camp shows, having the tools available to practice law over the Internet at home or at the solo office isn't a guarantee that you will get anything done. Distractions, screaming children, obnoxious pets, ringing doorbells, lack of focus, a big screen TV in the room, and many other things can short circuit the best laid plans. Focus on gathering the data you need right now. Focus on one job at a time. Create systems in your practice. You can do this.

 

PDFFiller - Create, Fill And Sign Any PDF File Online

PdfFiller. For less than Ten Dollars a month, anyone can create fillable PDF files that can be distributed for use and signature online. For a few dollars more, lawyers and others can gain access to many online legal forms for use anytime, anywhere. Many governmental entities are publishing fillable pdf forms online, and the days of obtaining paper forms and putting them into a copier, printer, scanner or typewriter are long gone. In these days, in which Internet and remote lawyering are becoming a practical necessity, as well as an innovative way of practicing law, these apps are a godsend. Check out PdfFiller. I use it all the time.

Cloud Computing In The New Age

Cloud computing suddenly seems like an innovation whose time has come. In an age in which social distancing is a health imperative, and the need to practice our professions in any location, an Internet connection has become essential to personal and business survival. But, as with all things, there is risk. Oh well.

 

Why You Need To Know About Tensor Flow Analysis - Or Not.

GMail Security Features. If you read FutureLawyer regularly, you know that one of my mantras is that you should never open attachments from emails coming from unknown persons. One of the favorite ways that the bad guys get stuff into your system is to load bad code into innocent looking attachments that pretend to be images or other similar items. You also know that I am a fan of GMail, even though the cool kids on the block consider vanity email addresses to be better. My reasoning is pretty simple. Google's engineers are a lot better at protecting me than a vanity address from an ISP that I know little about. This new under the hood improvement to hacking detection is Exhibit A. In engineer speak, Google is using a TensorFlow deep-learning model trained with TFX (TensorFlow Extended) and a custom document analyzer for each file type to get 150% better malware detection in email attachments. So, Google will stop these bad guys before they get to your door. Match GMail with my favorite anti-malware software, Malwarebytes, and you can rest easier. You're welcome.

In Legal Research, There Is No Magic Bullet

Free Online Basic Legal Research. I love Fastcase legal research. It is the best online research site available. It is offered to the lawyers of many States, as part of the resources provided for dues paying members. For an additional $195 a year, access to all case law everywhere, both State and Federal, is available. However, I also love the upstarts, like Anylaw, which is free for all. It is just the basics: internet based case finder for all Federal and State cases. Like Google Scholar, it is free to all comers. With these three resources, no lawyer need go elsewhere, or pay a lot of money for bells and whistles she will never use. In fact, a lot of legal research can now be done in the general Google multiverse, with a simple search in the Chrome text box. If you aren't competent doing research on the Internet, you are committing legal malpractice if you miss a case on piece of on point information. So, lawyer, get your Internet shoes on, create favorite links to your favorite sites, and get to work.

Some Super Bowl Commercials Are BitterSweet

I didn't watch a lot of the Super Bowl, nor the commercials. I was busy with my wedding reception, and greeting my guests. But, we had the screen available for those interested. So, I missed most of the game, and arguably one of the best Super Bowl commercials of all time. But, thanks to the Internet, I can go back to watch them. This one, for Google Assistant, was bittersweet. Both Diane and I have lost spouses to cancer, and we consider ourselves very lucky to have found each other. We look forward to much happiness and companionship in the future, however long or short it may be. Say what you will about the risks and problems of our connected world. This commercial highlights some of the life changing features of technology and the Internet. If you don't shed a tear watching it, you may need an emotional checkup.