Futurelawyer

#WhyIAmASolo - I Don't Need To Interview For A Halloween Job.

It is somehow comforting to know that the hiring process, and ageism, also impacts other employment situations. But, whether seeking a job as a lawyer in BigLaw, or as a lawn ornament at Halloween, I appreciate that no one will stop me from being a lawyer because I am old. I never saw a job interview I liked, anyway. Happy Halloween.

Will Signing Tips From The FutureLawyer.

Some things they don't teach you in law school.

Chat GPT Gets Eyes And Vision.

If analyzing fact patterns and identifying legal issues and solutions, aren't amazing, Chat GPT wants you to hold its beer. Chat GPT can also speak to you and conduct an intelligent conversation, leveraging its limitless knowledge and reasoning ability, making deep dives into legal theories and just about any topic as easy as speaking. If that wasn't enough of a miracle for you, now you can show any image to Chat GPT and it will analyze and discuss the image. Pretty amazing. The newspaper clipping attached is in my personal collection, and predates my birth by several years, when my Dad and Grandfather were featured in the Jacksonville newspaper, the Florida Times Union. No other word seems to fit. Amazing.

Chat GPT's response when I uploaded the news article attached.

"This is a newspaper clipping from "The Florida Times-Union" dated Monday, December 25, 1944. The article features two photographs of military servicemen. The headline reads: "FATHER AND SON SERVE UNDER MacARTHUR".The accompanying article provides details about both Sergeant Marty M. Georges and his son, Lieutenant Martin M. Georges of Jacksonville. The story highlights that they both served under General Douglas MacArthur, but during different wars. Sergeant Georges served in World War I as chief of a gun section in Battery B, 150th Field Artillery, in the 42nd (Rainbow) Division, which was commanded by General MacArthur. Meanwhile, his son, Lieutenant Martin M. Georges, served as a motor transport officer of Headquarters Company, U.S. Armed Forces of the Far East, Advance Echelon, with MacArthur's forces in the Southwest Pacific during World War II."

Chat GPT Is A Small Business' Best Friend.

I have been exploring the different ways that Chat GPT can be used to augment typical legal research tasks in a solo or small law firm. Another way I have found it useful is in making equipment and computer purchases or upgrades. In a large law firm, equipment decisions require committees and reports and time spent analyzing choices. A solo lawyer doesn't have that kind of manpower. And, I like the idea of being able to make decisions on the spot. Of course, the old saw "act in haste, repent at leisure" can bite you if you act without sufficient analysis. Today's example is in my exploration of an upgrade to my scanning system. In an era of electronic filing systems, and digital data storage, a competent scanner needs to be on every desk. For the last few years, I have used my trusty Fujitsu ScanSnap IX500 scanners, one at home, and one at the office. They are dependable, and have given good service every day. However, they are getting old, and, while still functioning, I wanted to see whether an upgrade was desirable. I asked Chat GPT whether an upgrade was indicated, and got this reply

 

"is it worth it to upgrade a scansnap ix500 to an ix1500?

 

ChatGPT

 

Whether or not it's worth upgrading from a Fujitsu ScanSnap iX500 to an iX1500 depends on your specific needs, preferences, and budget. Here are some factors to consider:

1. Design & Interface: The iX1500 has a more modern design with a touchscreen interface, allowing for more straightforward scanning options and profile setups directly from the scanner. If a touchscreen interface appeals to you, this might be a reason to upgrade.

2. Scanning Speed: Both models have similar scanning speeds, so there isn’t a significant advantage to either in this department.

3. Software & Compatibility: Over time, software and driver support for older models might be phased out. The iX1500, being newer, will likely have better support and updates for a longer time. If you frequently use the accompanying software, this might be something to consider.

4. Scan to Cloud Features: The iX1500 offers better integration with cloud services, making it easier to scan documents directly to places like Dropbox, Google Drive, and more. If cloud integration is vital for you, this could be a compelling reason to upgrade.

5. Price: Consider how much you're willing to spend on an upgrade. If your iX500 is still functioning well, the cost of the iX1500 might not justify the benefits.

6. Other Features: The iX1500 offers other features like a better automatic document feeder, more straightforward paper jam resolution, etc. Evaluate these features based on your daily needs.

7. Environmental Impact: From an ecological perspective, it's worth noting that upgrading electronic equipment when the old version is still functional can contribute to electronic waste. If sustainability is a priority for you, you might decide to stick with your iX500 until it no longer meets your needs or stops working.

8. Resale Value: If you choose to upgrade, you could sell your iX500 or pass it on to someone else, potentially offsetting the cost of the new model.

In conclusion, if your iX500 is still functioning well and meets all your needs, you might not find the upgrade to iX1500 immediately necessary. However, if you value the new features, software support, and cloud integration offered by the iX1500, it might be worth the upgrade for you. Consider your specific needs, and weigh the pros and cons before making a decision."

The primary reason an upgrade might be indicated seems to be the ability to scan over WiFi. But, my USB connections work fine, and I really don't need to scan wirelessly. I will keep the old scanners going for a while, and save myself the $500 cost of an upgrade. 

Sure, I could have spent an hour or two scouring the Internet, comparing prices and features. But, I will use the hour or two I saved taking more naps, and telling you about Chat GPT, this wonderful new tool that levels the playing field for solo lawyers.

 

Talk To The Smartest Computer In The World With Your Voice.

Okay, Chat GPT just got really interesting. As shown in this video, you can now avoid typing laborious, long queries into the Chat GPT app, and get a written reply that can be copied, printed, and distributed. Lately, I have been using Chat GPT to respond to fact patterns I elicit from client conferences and the notes I take. As I have previously written, the analysis and discussion of legal issues and possible solutions from such fact patterns is really useful, and saves me time and effort in deciding what actions to advise my clients to take. But, I humbly also admit that Chat GPT has brought to light issues that I hadn't considered, and has created detailed discussions of the legal implications of those issues. Now, with the addition of text to speech, in real time, I am actually having conversations with Chat GPT, and the results are like something out of a science fiction movie. It really is like having a conversation with a human that is a repository of all human knowledge. And, it actually talks back in a human like voice. The narrator in this clip gives an indication of what it is like. But, you can set up your phone to do the same thing. I can envision using it as the smartest law clerk in the world at my side during the day. This puts the solo lawyer on an even playing field with lawyers who have dozens of law clerks and assistants around them all day. In fact, it is faster and more detailed than any human clerk. Amazing.

Chat GPT Voice

#WhyIAmASolo - Old Lawyers Gotta Go When They Gotta Go.

There are many reasons to practice law as a solo, and I have probably written about all of them. However, if you are practicing law at an office where someone else regulates your bathroom and regular breaks, you need to run, not walk, to the nearest exit. I realize that there aren't many law offices that tell lawyers when to go to the bathroom, I am talking about the broader issue of regulating work hours, dress codes, unwritten rules, and office "culture", that permeate BigLaw. When it comes to personal freedom, I am not a team player. Life is short enough as it is. Freedom to the people.

Chat GPT Is Great For Lawyers.

Chat GPT. No, Virginia, Chat bots will not take your job. In fact, I am a solo practitioner who has found a great use for it in my practice already. The future is filled with promise for using generative AI to augment a lawyer's practice. You don't need to have it do your memo and pleading writing. You don't need it for drafting contracts. But, I have now acquired the habit of using it after just about every client conference. I create a query from my notes, creating the fact pattern. I ask Chat GPT to analyze the fact pattern, and the results are eye opening. It identifies all possible legal issues resulting from the fact pattern, and gives a general review of the law relating to the issues. Much of this, of course, experienced lawyers already know. But, it regularly finds issues that don't occur to me at first glance. Find ways to use this marvelous tool. It will make you a better, more efficient, lawyer.

The FutureLawyer Is Also On Substack.

Rick's Newsletter. Since I have readers who have different preferences for getting news and commentary, I have tried to publish FutureLawyer in different places, so that you can pick your poison, and still keep up with my meanderings. I am gratified by the response to the work, which I agree reflects my tendency to think and write about many different things. If you are looking for a traditional law blog, about legal technology and legal issues, you can still find it here; but I tend to write about whatever strikes me as interesting, and you will find poetry, humor, cartoons, and all sorts of material. At Substack, you can find me as "Rick's Newsletter". The secret to a happy life is the ability to choose, the freedom to choose, and to be able to pick your personal poison.

 

#WhyIAmASolo - Org. Charts, Operating Manuals, And Other Bureaucracy.

Beware. One of the joys of solo law practice is that I don't need to write an organization chart or have an operating manual for law office management. Of course, I am a task and list maker, and create checklist for various law matters. But, for operating the office, I just need to tell myself how I want to spend the day. Then, I just do it. It is rare to see a large organization head with the wisdom to tell his employees what a crock this is.

 

#WhyIAmASolo - I Have No Employees Named Loki.

The larger your organization or law firm, the more likely it is that you have a Loki on the staff. Mischief comes in many flavors, and it can be the death of law firms. It is a no brainer for me, since I only have to worry about the mischief that I get up to myself. The peace of mind that I have is worth a lot more than money. Life and law is tough enough, without having to worry about what my employees are doing when I'm not around.