News: The Tech-Savvy Lawyer is appointed to the ABA Law Practice Division!

Your tech-savvy lawyer is name to the aba law practice division!

I’m excited to report that I’ve recently been appointed to the ABA Law Practice Division! “The Division is committed to advancing the legal profession by focusing on critical aspects such as Finance, Practice Management, Technology, & Marketing.”  I’m excited to share my knowledge, learn more, and engage with fellow attorneys who have a deep commitment to utilizing technology to further the practice of law.  I’ve been appointed to the following four committees:

• Futures Initiative's assesses the shifts in demand for legal services; makes recommendations on the organization and structure of the legal profession and of legal businesses, to ensure that legal services address the needs of clients in the long-term; recommends training and professional development of lawyers; reviews regulation of the practice of law to address the future needs of the profession and its clients, and seeks opportunities for the Division to collaborate to further the mission of the Initiative and the Division.

• Law Practice Today’s primary purpose is to ensure that the publication or platform meets the needs of its target audience, which is often comprised of lawyers, law firm administrators, and legal technology professionals. 

• Legal Technology Resource Center's mission is to help lawyers identify opportunities, overcome obstacles, and understand how technology tools can improve their practices through publications, blog posts, webinars, and other free resources.

• Professional Development's is dedicated to advancing the professional skills, knowledge, and capabilities of its members and legal professionals. They strive to enable others to deliver high-quality legal services and thrive in an ever-evolving legal landscape.

Stay tuned, as I can’t wait to share with my readers and listeners what I learn in this exciting new venture!

Happy Lawyering!!!

CLIO Cloud Conference 2023 Introduction Report – Starting at the top with CLIO's CEO Jack Newton!

CLIO CEO Jack Newton welcomes thousands of attendees both in person and virtual to 2023 clio cloud conference!

Jack Newton, CEO of CLIO, started off the two-day Clio Cloud Conference 2023, welcoming its attendees. The conference was clearly not going to be a humdrum CLE with monotonous presentations. The opening was livelier but as well coordinated as an Apple product release event! I believe there were over four thousand (4,000) attendees, with well over two thousand (2,000) in person. They were excited, energetic, and ready to learn!

thousands attend clio con 2023 both in person and online!

Jack welcomed the audience. He shared the story of how CLIO Con has existed for over a decade. Their focus has been on the customer – helping lawyers recapture more time through the ease of a Lawyer Practice Management (LPM) Program. CLIO's goal is to make the administration of a law practice secondary so that lawyers can focus more time on what they are trained for – the practice of law. Jack highlighted CLIO's use of computer automation, software integration with third-party software, and, yes, artificial intelligence.

AI gives attorneys the opportunity to be more human!

Some of the highlights presented at the opening include "CLIO File," which allows customers to file pleadings directly into a court through CLIO. Google Local Service Ads for CLIO allows its customers to "[o]nly pay when a potential lead contacts you through the ad." “Attorney Share” in CLIO for Co-Counsel lets customers share files and folders with co-counsel or even opposing counsel. Although there were many more features discussed (including Automated Workflows, Matter Stages – "are Kanban-style boards that you can use to visualize and track matter progress in Clio Manage," improved e-mail integration with Outlook and Gmail, and many more features!), a key product announcement of great interest was CLIO Duo.

CLIO Duo is an artificial intelligence program baked into CLIO to help its customers "... unlock the potential of their own data, helping them to become even more effective business owners, and drive better outcomes for their [customers]." The first release, with a target date of 2024, will provide CLIO customers with the following:

“Embracing ai is a moral imperative for legal profressionals.”

• Personalized recommendations to help prioritize efforts for maximum task completion and work efficiency;

• Reminder prompts for pending bill approvals and overdue tasks;

• Bill generation based on activities related to a specific client;

• Document summarization and generation of simple documents;

• Matter overviews for improved client communications;

• Conversations with Duo to gain insights on the firm's business performance or to better understand Clio's product capabilities.

CLIO's proprietary AI technology is built on a foundation of privacy and security of its customer's client data. Therefore, lawyers using CLIO's AI should feel at ease knowing their data is protected from the outside world.

my 2023 clio con press pass!

CLIO's focus is on its customers. But this does not mean CLIO’s vision is myopically focused on lawyers. It also considers the viewpoint of its customers' clients. "CLIO Clients" is now offered in Spanish. Clients can pay their bills with Apple Pay and Google Pay. CLIO has enhanced customer-client communications with text message and reminder options. CLIO’s platform aims to make communications, case updates, and payments seamless between its customers and their clients. This kind of automation allows attorneys to recapture time and focus on the legal work they are hired to do - practice law.

Clio is evolving from just a general legal management platform to cater to specific legal practice areas. Jack revealed that Legal Aid and Personal Injury are the first two areas. I recommend potential users to explore and evaluate the new LPM or a similar Client Relations Management (CRM) platform before transitioning to it.

The goal of an attorney tech show or conference should be creating a venue to help us find the right technology for our firm or practice. Jack notes that although you can’t create more time, you can recapture more time by working efficiently. And that is what lawyers should leave with from attending any legal tech show. This year's attendees (and the general public) can leave with CLIO's 2023 Legal Trends Report - packed rich with "... valuable insights that can help you navigate the rapidly changing landscape of the legal world."

Team Clio Enthusiastically Launches CLIO Con 2023!

I'll comment next week on whether I think CLIO hit the mark. The people at CLIO seem to have succeeded already with its very informative and detailed opening. Stay tuned!

CLIO Con 2023, Day One!

The tech-savvy lawyer at the clio con 2023 in nashville, TN!

This year, I was invited to attend the 2023 CLIO Con as a member of the media. I’ll be reporting from the conference held this year at the Nashville, Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, TN. Lawyers and some non-lawyers are attending from around the world!

I am excited to learn and report on how CLIO is embracing technology into the practice of law.  Artificial Intelligence has certainly put the spotlight on lawyers’ use of technology in their work. While AI may be new, the use of technology has steadily been implemented into the practice of law for at least four or five decades.

2023.10, CLIO CON Gaylord Conference Center at the Gaylord Conference Center in Nashville, TN.

I’m not a CLIO user myself. That fact should not serve as a commentary on CLIO nor reflect any bias in my reporting. I am not aware of other lawyer practice management programs (or even any client relationship management programs) putting on a program similar to CLIOs.  Regardless, I’m here to learn what can be done with technology to hopefully improve the practice of law, help our clients better, and enhance our own lives. I hope my reporting will help you learn why you may want to attend a CLIO conference or something similar – perhaps the ABA Techshow in Chicago. Stay tuned! I have some exciting news related to it soon!

Feel free to send me any e-mails or leave comments on the blog if you have any questions!

Enjoy & Happy Lawyering!

Almost there: The American Legal Technology Awards!

I am looking forward to attending the American Legal Technology Awards (ALTA) this year!  ALTA’s mission is to “… hold up examples of excellence in creative innovation and technology in the legal industry for the purposes of (1) expanding our understanding of what is possible, (2) encouraging a virtuous cycle of improvement, and (3) creating a more just society.”  Recall last year, I was honored for my work on The Tech-Savvy Lawyer.Page Podcast.  In preparation for the ceremony, I was pleasantly surprised to be asked to be on their Winners Retrospective Genius Panel 2023!

The ceremony will be held on October 8, 2023, at the Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville, Tennessee, as a precursor to the CLIO Cloud Conference 2023.  CLIO has been one of the many supporters of ALTA over the years.  This year ALTA has expanded its award categories.  It now includes “Education” and “Lifetime Achievement”!  The Access to Justice category was split into three sub-categories, Individual, LegalTech, and Legal Aid, because of the large number of nominees.

The complete list:

• Access to Justice - an organization or individual who has made a difference by helping the underserved access the legal system through the use of technology.

• Court - an individual or organization that displays outstanding use of innovation that achieves a significant benefit to the courts.

• Education - an individual or institution that displays outstanding use of innovation in legal education.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF THE NOMINEES!

• Enterprise - an established legal technology company that has successfully grown a product or service that demonstrates a unique and positive impact on its users.

• Individual - an individual who has demonstrated success in making a positive difference in the world as it relates to legal innovation.

• Law Department - a law department or in-house counsel that uses an innovative approach to create significant efficiencies or a positive human impact.

• Law Firm - a law firm or lawyer who utilizes innovation to exceed client expectations in a significant, measurable way.

• Startup - a legal technology startup company that has created a product or service that shows significant promise in providing outsize benefits to its users.

• Technology - a technology applied in a new or novel way in the legal industry that achieves a significant benefit.

• Lifetime Achievement - an individual who has displayed leadership, excellence, and vision over a long career in driving innovation in the law.

I can’t wait to share the winners with you next week!

On my way to Nashville for The Tech-Savvy Lawyer.Page !

Heading for my preordered cofefe at iad before my plane takes off!

I’m on my way to Nashville for tonight's American Legal Technology Awards Gala 2023 and the 2023 Clio Cloud Conference.  I am happy to attend the Gala as last year's recipient of the ALTA for my work on The Tech-Savvy Lawyer.Page Podcast

I’ll then be attending the conference as a member of the media.  I’ll be providing insights and updates on the event's proceedings.  Whether you are a Clio user or not, I think we can all learn something from this conference.

Meanwhile, as I head to Nashville, here is a friendly pro tip to pre-order your Starbucks via the app so you can skip those lengthy airport lines.

Skip the lines for starbucks at the airport - use the app - order a head!

Stay tuned for updates throughout the week!

Meanwhile, as I head to Nashville, here is a friendly pro tip to pre-order your Starbucks via the app so you can skip those lengthy airport lines.

Stay tuned for updates throughout the week!

Word of the Week - What is 2FA?

A tool in a lawyers ARSENAL to prevent cybersecurity is 2fa.

In the ever-evolving realm of digital security, one term you might have come across is "2FA" or "Two-Factor Authentication." As legal professionals, safeguarding sensitive information is paramount. So, what is 2FA, and why should it matter to lawyers?

At its core, 2FA is an added layer of security used to ensure that people trying to gain access to an online account are who they say they are. Traditionally, we rely on a username and password. However, cybercriminals have become adept at stealing or guessing these credentials. Enter 2FA. Instead of just asking for a password, 2FA requires a second form of identification. This could be a text message sent to your phone, a biometric scan like a fingerprint, or a physical token.

2FA is a popular DETERRENT to cyberthreats!

For lawyers, adopting 2FA can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access to client data and other confidential resources. In a world where cyber threats are becoming more sophisticated, it's not just about knowing the law; it's about securing the digital tools we use every day. Embrace 2FA and fortify your digital defenses.

Shout Out: Previous Podcast Guest Brett Burney talks about his evolution of computer use on MPU!

I am always catching up on my podcasts. There are many out there - some great, some not so good. It can be challenging to listen to all of them, and you do get behind in your listening (much like we get behind in our book reading list).  I had a chance to catch up on an old recording of the Mac Power Users, Episode #597, with previous The Tech-Savvy Lawyer.Page Podcast guest Brett Burney.

My first computer if you don’t count my pong game from the mid- to late-1970s or my atari in the early 1980S!

Although it’s a couple of years old (yes, I sometimes skip episodes [in this case unintentionally]), I had a chance to listen to it and found it both valuable and entertaining. Brett, Dave, and Stephen, discuss many things about Mac.  But they also discuss how Brett uses his vast knowledge of computers to assist law firms in using technology effectively and efficiently in their practice.  I enjoyed hearing about Brett's journey starting office with a TRS-80 (me too!) to his first Mac to his iPhone, iPad, and Mac selection of choice today!

I think any lawyer, whether they use Windows or Apple, will enjoy the interview as Brett talks about his evolution of computer user in his personal and professional life. I think we can all learn something from this interview.  I know I did!

Enjoy!

#73: Legal Research and More, with Sarah Glassmeyer

Our next guest is law libriarian Sarah Glassmeyer. She has a career that includes academia, nonprofit tech, and even a fellowship at Harvard. Her numerous awards, including being named to Fastcase 50 and as an ABA Legal Rebel, speak to her impact. Sarah's commitment to learning and growing and her passion for her mission ensure she'll never stop striving for positive change in the legal world.

Join Sarah and me as we discuss the following three questions and more!

1. What are the top three tech tools utilized by larger law firms that solos and small law firms would be surprised are reasonably accessible to them?

2. What are the top three ways Chat GPT falls short for attorneys?

3. What are the top three directions that you see technology heading in that attorneys should keep an eye on?

In our conversation, we cover the following:

[01:08] Balancing Platforms: Sarah’s Hybrid Tech Ecosystem

[10:13] Tech Tools for Smaller Firms to Rival the Big Players

[23:38] Three Ways ChatGPT Falls Short for Attorneys

[37:07] Key Technological Trends for Attorneys to Monitor

[45:12] Where to Connect with Sarah

Resources:

Connect with Sarah:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sglassmeyer
Website: sarahglassmeyer.com/
Substack: substack.com/@sarahglassmeyer

Hardware mentioned in the conversation:

ThinkPad: lenovo.com/us/en/c/laptops/thinkpad/

Software and Cloud Services mentioned in the conversation:

Substack: substack.com/@sarahglassmeyer
FatCow: bluehost.com/fatcow
Azure: azure.microsoft.com/en-us
AWS: aws.amazon.com/

Monday morning humor: Did Star Trek have it right with its predictions of technology communications?

The "Star Trek" franchise, beginning in the 1960s, has made numerous predictions and depictions of future technology, some of which have striking similarities to devices and concepts that have since emerged in the real world. Here is a quick overview of how "Star Trek" fared in its portrayal of communications technology:

Star trek has been predicting advances in technology since 1966.

• Communicators: One of the most iconic Star Trek gadgets, the handheld communicator, closely resembles today's flip phones. When the original series aired, the idea of personal wireless communication devices was science fiction. Today, it's ubiquitous with mobile phones, though modern smartphones have capabilities far beyond voice communication.

• Universal Translators: Star Trek introduced the concept of a device that could instantly translate alien languages. Today, we have apps and devices like Google Translate and Pocketalk, which can instantly translate spoken words into multiple languages, albeit not alien ones.

• Holodeck: This virtual reality room on the Starship Enterprise allowed crew members to interact with computer-generated environments and characters. While today's VR technology is in its infancy, the principles behind virtual and augmented reality have been explored extensively and resemble the Holodeck's capabilities.

• Viewscreen: Star Trek's viewscreen, used for video communication between ships or with alien species, is reminiscent of modern video conferencing tools such as Skype, Zoom, or Microsoft Teams.

• Data PADD (Personal Access Display Device): This tablet-like device was frequently used in the "Star Trek: The Next Generation" series, well before the iPad or other tablets became a part of our daily lives.

• Wearable Tech: "Star Trek: The Next Generation" introduced the combadge, a wearable badge that served as both an identifier and a communication device. Today's wearable tech, like smartwatches, can track health metrics and receive notifications, among other functions.

However, it's essential to point out the difference between inspiration and prediction. While "Star Trek" may have inspired some of the technological developments or provided a vision for engineers and designers, saying the show "predicted" these advancements might be a stretch. Technologies often develop because of broad socio-economic, scientific, and technological trends, not necessarily because of science fiction portrayals.

"Star Trek" certainly got some things "right" about the direction in which communication technologies were headed. While the exact implementation and details differ, the show did an impressive job visualizing a future where technology makes communication more seamless and universal.

My two cents: Have phone calls gone the way of the Dodo for Attorneys?

should attorneys still use phones for communications? Or has it gone the way of the dodo?

The blog post "Have Phone Calls Gone the Way of the Tin Can and String?" from Carolyn Elefant of MyShingle.com and an article from the Washington Post titled "The new phone call etiquette: Text first and never leave a voice mail" make me wonder if the use of "phone calls" is still a practical tool for attorneys in the age of advanced technology. Let's put this in a little context: Phone calls have existed for 147 years, with the iPhone being around for 16 years. The way we make calls has changed significantly with technological advancements, such as making calls on smartwatches and seeing voicemails transcribed in real time. But with the advances in texting, instant messaging, emails, and video calls, do we lawyers really need to be making phone calls today?

First, let's look at the Washington Post's Phone Etiquette Guidance for 2023:

• Don't Leave a Voicemail: Voicemails are considered outdated due to the prevalence of text messages. It's often better to send information in written form, like a text or email. However, exceptions include sending heartfelt messages to close ones.

• Text Before Calling: It's polite to text someone before calling them. This gives the recipient a heads-up and allows them to prepare for the conversation.

• No Obligation to Answer: Just because someone calls doesn't mean you have to answer immediately. It's okay to mute the call and respond when convenient.

• Emotions vs. Facts: Emotional or nuanced conversations are better over the phone, while factual updates or coordination can be done via text.

• Video Voicemails: Apple's iOS 17 introduced a feature allowing users to leave video messages. While fun, not everyone appreciates them.

Are the use of phone calls in the work environment extinct?

• Video Call Etiquette: During video calls, it's best to stay still and ensure your entire face is visible. Moving around can be disorienting for the other party.

• Avoid Speakerphone in Public: It's considered impolite to use speakerphone in public places. If in a crowded area, be mindful of the volume and personal space.

• Screen Calls: Apple's new feature in iOS 17 transcribes voicemails in real time, allowing users to decide whether to answer the call based on the transcription.

• Phone Calls Still Matter: Despite the shift in communication methods, phone calls remain a valuable way to connect with others and foster relationships.

This may work with the general public. But I think this needs to be refined for lawyers.

My general phone guidance for lawyers in this new technology age:

Leave a Voicemail (not a video voicemail)/Don't Text Before Calling: Your clients may not be as tech-savvy as you are, so it would be impractical to not leave a voice mail for clients who do not know how to text. Further, it opens the door for clients to text you back at all hours (and may unrealistically expect an immediate text back – remember, set office policies with your clients, opposing counsel, and the general public about when they should expect communications to be returned - the send later function on email is great for when you are working late at night or on the weekends and you don't want everyone else to know). No one has the general ability to text government offices and government employees who do not have an office mobile phone. And if you text them on their personal phones, there may be a confidentiality issue.

WHen you use technology communications make sure you are using proper etiquette!

Be Very Mindful When Speaking in Public (speakerphone or not): If you are on a call in public, make sure the client is okay with this situation. When talking with a client, attorney, or other party about a case, be mindful to, at very minimum, not discuss the client's name. You don't want to breach any confidentiality issues. Depending on the notoriety of your client base, you may not want to talk about your "anonymous" client in public at all. Regardless, you never want the other party on speaker phone should they inadvertently reveal confidential information or their voice is obvious to the public!

Email (for conveying facts or creating a record) over phone calls (for general client relations):  Do use email when you are trying to inform the recipient of facts. Do you use email when you need to create a record of the communication (there are some parties, e.g., a handful of attorneys, that I have dealt with who can't always be trusted to remember the details of the phone call). It is sometimes simpler (and safer) just to send an email. Or, at the very minimum, send an email for a post-call record.

Obligation to Answer (but you can still screen calls): Just because someone calls doesn't mean you have to answer immediately. It is okay to mute the call and respond when convenient. But make sure that you have a receptionist (or at least a virtual receptionist, I use Smith.AI to answer your calls. The receptionist can reach out to you. Once contacted, you can choose to accept the call, screen it, or request the receptionist to convey a message or inform the caller of a later return call or follow-up email.

Use Voice Mail as a Backup: You should make sure that your line(s) has a working voicemail should no one be available. Note:  Even though I have a 24-hour answering service with Smith.AI, they can sometimes get overloaded with multiple callers. So, it's good to have a backup. With today's virtual and technological advances, setting up a voice mail is not something hard to provide your clients and potential clients. This concept is certainly not new - Doctors have had phone services to contact them on beepers for decades prior to today.

Phone calls play an important role in my office communications. Today, I meet almost all of my potential clients for the first time over the phone. We conduct initial consultations by phone. Remember, I have clients not only from across the country but also from all over the world. If we move forward with representation, our communications will move mostly to email and some phone calls. If we have a hearing with the VA (via the Board of Veterans Appeals), they are almost always by video. Phone calls may be "old-fashioned" and not quite fit in today's phone etiquette, but they are here for now!

MTC