Futurelawyer

It's The Vision, Stupid.

Why you should envision your ideal law practice - Ernie The Attorney. Ernie Svenson really hits the nail on the head, when he talks about having a real life as an attorney. What is your vision? I am pretty sure it doesn't involve long hours in a cubicle doing legal research or drafting briefs about boring subject matter. Technology can free you from many of the mundane tasks associated with our profession, and can free you to live the vision. Don't just dream about it. Do it.

#WhyIAmASolo - I Can Work Remotely And Don't Need Permission

How to Work Remote and Still Run a Successful Law Firm | LegalFuel. This video by Larry Port of RocketMatter shows how law firms can empower employees to work from remote locations. Cloud based law practice management software enables a lawyer with an Internet connection to access all law firm data from anywhere. Just as cloud based computing is trending up, so also cloud based lawyering is becoming more common. I use it because it enables me to practice solo, in an efficient manner, from home or while traveling. I have drafted and filed pleadings from a hotel in Las Vegas, my backyard, my home office, an RV, hospital rooms and a payphone in a National Park. Life happens. Technology can help us to keep the law practice going as it does. Believe it or not, tech can reduce the stress of law practice and help us to live our lives. Where are you practicing law today?

Lawyer - Protect Yourself - Kill The Bugs!

Stop That Malware | LegalFuel. Malware, and Phishing, and Viruses, and Ransomware, oh my! You have sensitive attorney client information on your computer; and, you have no idea how to protect your data. You have an ethical responsibility to learn how to protect your data. In addition to two factor authentication, which is mandatory, you should install a security software solution. I use Malwarebytes; but, the built in Windows Defender is good, and there are others. Now, be careful out there.

It's A Jungle Out There...Is Your Law Practice Ready?

Practice Management Basics | LegalFuel. The Florida Bar has put a lot of time and effort into the Legal Fuel website to help its members with technology and law practice management. It's a great resource for all Florida lawyers. 
Every time someone complains to me about the difficulty of mastering technology in managing a law practice, I try to explain that it isn't hard. It just takes time and effort to learn. Most of us want instant solutions to our problems; and, I'm not just talking about our clients. If you want to better manage your law practice, start at this page, which has links to practice management software, tips and forms for day to day law practice stuff, software to control and manage documents, from pleadings to correspondence, links to free and paid legal research sites, and tips about creating a paperless office. Long gone are the days when a law office required a lot of physical space for books and files. You really can practice on a computer. So, spend some time. Visit the sites. Learn the software. It's not hard. Even a lawyer can do it.

RocketMatter Disaster Planning Webinar

Free Webinar: Disaster Planning for Law Firms: All You Need to Know. RocketMatter is planning a one hour webinar next Wednesday, September 10th at 2 P.M. Eastern, on disaster planning for law firms. I recently highlighted a white paper on the subject by Larry Port, of RocketMatter, and I expect the webinar will have some useful information. As Florida lawyers, we are always cognizant of the risk of hurricanes, and two years ago we lived through Irma. While we skirted the recent disaster from Dorian, it is something we should always be aware of. Have you moved your firm to the cloud yet? Are you scanning and using digital paper files yet? Can you practice law anywhere you have an Internet connection yet? If not, why not?

Clouds And Hurricanes And Law Practice - Get Prepared

It is no secret that cloud law practice management software firms tout the benefits of cloud computing and its efficiencies. My two favorite companies, MyCase and RocketMatter, have been at the forefront of cloud computing for lawyers since the mid 2000s. Larry Port, of RocketMatter, has a great new ebook that he has posted about the benefits of cloud computing in disaster preparedness. In it, he shows how beneficial it can be to have your essential office documents and software running on a server in the cloud. Getting away from a hurricane to another physical location doesn't have to take you away from your law practice if you can access your documents and software from anywhere.

Download Hurricane Preparedness For Law Firms - Larry Port.pdf (910.5K)

Time Management For Dummies

This entertaining little video highlights time management tips from Seneca. While clearly a description of some of Stoicism's most important principles, it is really a down to earth, practical reminder that our time on this earth is limited, and we need to use every minute with intention and focus. Yes, you can focus on doing nothing. Inactivity can have as much purpose as running a marathon. But, before using your time, ask yourself whether you will be engaged, experiencing joy or happiness, and whether you can die at any minute with the satisfaction of self knowledge and virtue. If not, better get busy. Time is passing. TickTock.

 

Who Owns The Law? Supreme Court Will Decide

AALL 2019: Does Georgia Hold a Copyright To Its Annotated Code? - Legal Talk Network. I confess to bias here. I think that the law belongs to the people, who pay for it by paying the salaries of the government employees who administer it. Thus, the State Government of Georgia, or any government for that matter, should not be able to claim copyright, and sell that copyright to a private entity. The U.S. Supreme Court will soon decide who is right, and the access to the law and the openness of the legal system depends on the result. Technology has made primary law much easier to access, and it may be that no law can put that genie back in the bottle. But, every lawyer and citizen has a stake in this case and should follow it carefully. What do you think?  

#WhyIAmASolo - What She Said...

Carolyn Elefant is one of my favorite people on this earth; one of the reasons is that we share a love of solo law practice in common. She, however, has inspired many to go our route, and has been active in touting the benefits, and defending solo practice from naysayers. She has written books about it, and has a website devoted to solo practice. She made this little video as well, which explains the myths and the realities of solo practice. Like real life, group practice in fancy office towers with expensive furniture, and big salaries isn't necessarily the best way to live a life. Every lawyer must make her own choices, and some of us don't need the trappings of "success". Do you know which one you are?

#WhyIAmASolo - I Don't Have To Attend Panel Discussions

How Not to Run a Panel - The Atlantic. Okay, maybe there are panel discussions at legal seminars and conventions. But, I don't have to go to them if the organizers don't follow the rules in this article. Like meetings, there are mandatory things you have to do in BigLaw or big organizations. Somebody always wants to dictate how you live your life and practice. Since I don't respond well to those kinds of directives, and since, after so many years, I don't suffer fools or panels or meetings gladly, I reserve the right to read about the stuff they are discussing, and to spend my time in quiet contemplation. I am my best teacher, and you aren't.