SHOUT OUT: Catching up with Previous Podcast Guests Nataliya Blidly of SmartAdvocate & Leah bucholz of Prestige Veteran Medical Consulting in DC!

I recently had the pleasure of reconnecting with past podcast guests Nataliya Blidly from Episode #44, "Revamping Client Relations at Law Firms," and Leah Bucholz from Episode #79, "Handling Medical Information on The Internet," in Washington, DC. In my role advocating for Veterans at the Department of Veterans Affairs, I make it a point to stay current on veterans' benefits law by attending relevant conferences. It was great to see Nataliya and Leah presenting on behalf of their companies at the National Organization for Veterans Advocates Spring Conference this week.

For insights into how they leverage technology to support legal professionals, I recommend checking out their podcast episodes linked above!

Hardware Thursdays with an Editorial Bent - Why I Chose Two Samsung 27 Viewfinity S9 Series Monitors Over the Apple Vision Pro (and also the Apple Studio Display).

Lawyers deliberating between a new monitor or an apple vision pro…

Here is the conundrum, do I, The Tech-Savvy Lawyer with a clear bent on Apple Products, shell out between $2,500 - $3,500 for Apple Vision Pro, $199 for Waterfield Shield Case for Apple Vision Pro with Strap, $499 for two years or $24.99/month (plus potential service fees) for AppleCare or do I spend $1,798 (at $899 each - normally $1,599 each) on two Samsung 27 Viewfinity S9 Series Monitors (and I've seen cheaper recently). I have two aging LG 4K monitors that, as my wife will ensure you, I have been complaining commenting that they may be fading. After some research, debate, and a surprise bonus a client from my day job gave me (thanks, client!), I went with the monitors. And here's why:

The Apple Vision Pro is truly an amazing device and is sure to get better over time - see my prior posting. It is a remarkable media consumption device. It has two 4K screens and runs on an M2 chip with 16GB of unified memory. You get to watch and view movies in a cool environment, in many in 2-D, some in 3-D, and some (including your own created videos shot) in spatial video mode. Photos are amazing whether in 2-D, 3-D, or even in Panoramic mode. But the productivity applications seem to be lacking.

Samsung offers some great monitors.

When the iPad first came out, it was praised to be a laptop killer! It was (and still is) a great media consumption device. The productivity angle was apparent but not there yet. And in the fourteen (14)-plus years since its release, it has not caught up to expectations, i.e., the productivity scale of a laptop. Remember, I could not afford the first iPad; it was a surprise gift from my grandmother. And it has been a great media consumption device (with some minimal productivity value when I'm in a pinch). I recognize some of my thinking may conflict with my purchase of the Apple Watch when it was first released. But the personal and professional utility were both evident the first time I tried it on.

So, I opted for two 5K monitors to replace my aging 4K LGs. Here's why. I already have a more powerful computer with my Mac Studio with M1 Ultra Chip 96GB RAM and 2TB hard drive. I don't need 3D to do my work (although there may be a legitimate use for lawyers using the AVP to create renderings of crime scenes, traffic accidents, or other locales or rendering in 3D for a jury trial). But the software (and even possibly the hardware) is not there yet. Analysts suggest that the next version of the AVP will not likely be released till 2017. By then, we'll see some of the bugs (common with any first-generation product) removed and have an idea of how software companies (used by lawyers) are adapting to, if at all, this great product. IMHO, the novelty of it all simply does not justify purchasing it for work, and it is still in the early stages of appreciating its media consumption function, i.e., enough media to utilize its unique abilities on a mass market basis. But why, then, did I get a Samsung monitor versus an Apple Studio Display - Apple's 5k monitor?

The two monitors, Samsung v. Apple, both have nice screens - they are 5K monitors, after all - although some reviews argue that the ASD beats out the Samsung screen-wise by a smidge. So, let's compare the rest. The ASD is a more solid device both in the construction of the monitor and its stand: Hands down, when comparing the construction of the chassis and stand for each monitor, the ASD wins - the monitor is much more solid (not feeling cheaply made), the stand works like butter thus easy to use, and its software OS naturally works with the Mac OS. The Samsung's frame is a little less desirable; the stand requires you to fight with it a little to get it where you want it (although you can turn it 90°s on the SM-included stand  - something you cannot do with ASD – unless you get a monitor arm from a third-party retailer), and does not natively work with Mac OS (indeed, you have to use a remote control or the knob on the back of the device to adjust screen setting and internal sound). Note that the Samsung monitor has a Thunderbolt 4 port versus ADS's Thunderbolt 3). Samsung beats out ASD with a Thunderbolt 4 port, three USB-C (2.0) ports, and a mini DisplayPort input). The speaker and attached webcam do not compete with the ASD. (Connectivity-wise, they both have three USB-C (2.0) ports.  So again, why did I go with Samsung?

Is the Apple Vision Pro sufficiently useful for professionals to warrant its acquisition for professional use?

The Samsung monitor was retailing at $1,599 with only a matte-display option. The ASD starts at $1599 (for standard glass) or $1899 (for Nano-texture glass that scatters light to further minimize glare) with a tilt-adjustable stand -- add $400 for Apple’s tilt- and height-adjustable stand. There can be a $700 hundred-dollar difference with SM. I had read a review that basically said if the Samsung monitor were about $900, then it would be a good deal. At the time of my purchase, Amazon had the Samsung Monitors at $899. I got the screen quality I wanted at half the price. (Note: I do not need the speakers [I have a 20-year-old set of Bose computer speakers that work great], and I do not need the built-in webcam [which, by the way, is detachable]) So, I got two great monitors at half the cost of two ASD or one AVP. I thought that was the more prudent way to go.

Maybe when I have a really big win in a case or bring in significant cash through the blog and podcast, I'll consider getting an AVP. Of course, I am never shy of a relative getting me one! 😉🙃🤗😀🤪

🎙️ Ep. 84: Using technology to grow a family law practice with Jason Rice of Dirigo-Divorce.

Get ready to revolutionize your practice as Jason Rice from Dirigo-Divorce joins me to discuss how he uses technology to improve the services he provides to his clients. Jason is a Family Law attorney based in Maine and New England who has harnessed technology to manage his legal practice. He has a deep passion for family law, clearly fostered through his years of legal experience. Jason worked as a Staff Attorney for the 13th Judicial Circuit Court in Tampa, FL, where he assisted judges in various areas, including family law. Jason has also taught Family Law at a community college for nearly ten years and co-authored "Relocations: A Judge's Perspective" with the Honorable Judge Daniel Sleet.

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

What are three pieces of tech software hardware that solos and small firms might be surprised are not "big firms" only?

What three pieces of tech software and hardware make working with virtual remote services seamless?

What are the top three tips when communicating with clients through an LPM, text, or email?

In our conversation, we cover the following:

[01:11] Jason's Mac-based Legal Practice

[11:00] Essential Tech for Solos and Small Firms

[21:07] Seamless Remote Work: Essential Tools for Virtual Collaboration

[31:14] How to Communicate Effectively with Clients: Texting and Email TipsTop of Form

[34:34] Connect with Jason

Resources:

Connect with Jason:

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jasonmrice/

• Website: dirigo-divorce.com/

Hardware mentioned in the conversation:

• External monitors Apple XDR: apple.com/pro-display-xdr/

Software & Cloud Services mentioned in the conversation:

• Backblaze: backblaze.com/

• Calendly: calendly.com/

• Clio: clio.com/

• Daylite: marketcircle.com/legal/

• Fastcase: fastcase.com/

• Google Voice: voice.google.com/

• HumbleFax: humblefax.com/

• Kofax: knowledge.kofax.com/

• Marketcircle: marketcircle.com/

• Nuance Power PDF: shop.nuance.com/store/nuanceus

• Posh Virtual Receptionist Service: posh.com/

• Ruby Receptionists: ruby.com/

Monday Morning Humor: I Am Not A Robot! 🤖

Getting a little tired of the CAPTCHA tests? 🙄

Breaking News: Some International Internet Traffic May Be Down Due to Cable Cut!

Hong Kong Telecoms Company HGC Global Communications estimates that 25% of traffic between Asia and Europe as well the Middle East has been impacted!

🛜

Hong Kong Telecoms Company HGC Global Communications estimates that 25% of traffic between Asia and Europe as well the Middle East has been impacted! 🛜

lawyers reacting to potential internet disruptions!

CNN reports that submarine cables in the Red Sea, crucial for telecommunications between Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, have been damaged, causing significant disruptions. Four major telecom networks are affected, with an estimated 25% of traffic being rerouted to minimize customer impact. The cause and perpetrators of the damage remain unidentified, amidst speculations involving Houthi rebels and military activities by the UK and US. This incident highlights the vulnerability of the undersea infrastructure that underpins global internet connectivity, reminiscent of past disruptions like the 2006 Taiwan earthquake. Among the impacted networks are the Asia-Africa-Europe and the Europe India Gateway, both vital for international telecommunications.

So if you feel your internet is a little wonky today, you may not be wrong!

Maintaining Legal Operations During Internet Outages: Tips For Lawyers

The downing of at&T’s INTERNET service caused some concern across the us…

AT&T’s outage last week should serve as a warning to lawyers about their own internet reliability (I don’t know how a $5 refund will alleviate AT&T customers from the self-panic ensued by the outage?🧐).  In the digital age, the legal profession, like many others, has grown increasingly reliant on the Internet for its operations. The internet is an indispensable tool in a lawyer's arsenal, from conducting research and accessing legal databases to communicating with clients and filing documents electronically. However, this dependency also means that internet outages can significantly disrupt legal operations, posing challenges that law firms must navigate to maintain continuity and uphold their duties to their clients.

Lawyers can take several proactive measures to ensure minimal disruption in their work due to internet outages. Here are five strategies to consider:

1. Backup Key Resources Offline: Lawyers should ensure they have offline access to critical resources, such as legal databases, case law, statutes, and client files. This can involve preemptively downloading essential documents and using software that allows offline access to these materials.

2. Establish a Redundant Internet Connection: Having a backup Internet connection can be crucial for maintaining productivity during an outage. Since AT&T went down last week, having a different provider (perhaps on a cheaper plan) could be a good investment. This could be in the form of a secondary wired connection, a mobile hotspot, or a tethering option through a smartphone. Investing in a reliable data plan for mobile devices can provide an immediate alternative if the primary connection fails.  (For example, I have Verizon FIOS for the office Wi-Fi, AT&T for phone and internet on my personal cell, and Verizon mobile for my blog phone and internet.  BACKUP, BACKUP, BACKUP, or REDUNDANCY, REDUNDANCY, REDUNDANCY!

3. Regular Data Backup: Regularly backing up data to external drives or cloud storage that can be accessed offline ensures that work can continue seamlessly, even without an internet connection. Automated backup solutions can be set up to run during off-hours to ensure that all recent work is securely stored.  Remember, my So, if one of your backups is in the cloud, then your other backup should be in a physical location like a hard drive at your office or offsite.

4. Develop and Test an Emergency Plan: It does not help if your emergency strategy doesn’t work! Creating an emergency plan that outlines steps to take during an internet outage can help minimize downtime. This plan should include contact information for IT support, steps for switching to a backup internet source, and a list of critical tasks that can be performed offline. Regularly testing this plan ensures everyone knows what to do when the internet goes down.

5. Invest in Training and Preparedness: Ensuring that all staff members are trained on how to access and use offline resources and understand the emergency plan is crucial. This can include training on manual procedures for tasks typically performed online, such as filing documents or conducting research.

lawyers can be proactive in the event of their internet going down!

By taking these proactive steps, lawyers can minimize the impact of internet outages on their practice, ensuring that they can continue to work effectively and meet their clients' needs, even in the absence of an online connection. Internet outage is a major concern I have with Law Practice Management providers based solely on the internet – if you lose access, there is going to be a major problem – and I don’t know how “understanding” a judge is going to be if you miss a filing deadline because the internet went down.  But in the meantime, what can lawyers do if there is downtime due to the internet being offline?

When the internet goes down, a lawyer, like any other professional reliant on online resources, can still stay productive by reverting to more traditional methods of working and organizing. Here are the top five things a lawyer should consider doing when you are completely stuck offline, and you have done everything necessary to protect your client’s interests:

Lawyers can still be productive during an internet outage!

1. Review Physical Files and Documents: Without internet access, it's an excellent opportunity to organize and review physical case files, documents, and any printed material that might have been set aside. This can also be an excellent time to catch up on reading case law, statutes, or regulations relevant to current cases that haven't been prioritized.

2. Plan and Strategize: Use this time to strategize for current cases or projects without the distractions of emails and online notifications. This can involve outlining arguments, planning case strategies, or brainstorming solutions to legal problems. It's also an excellent time to set goals and priorities for the coming weeks or months.

3. Networking and Client Relations: Reach out to clients, colleagues, and other professionals through phone calls. This can be an excellent opportunity to check in on clients, discuss cases, and build stronger relationships. Networking can also involve setting up future meetings or lunches.

4. Continuing Legal Education (CLE) and Professional Development: Lawyers often have CLE requirements to maintain their licenses. When the internet is down, it's an excellent time to catch up on CLE materials available in physical formats, such as books, journals, or even pre-downloaded audio or video courses.

5. Administrative Tasks and Office Organization: Use the downtime to catch up on administrative tasks that might have been neglected. This can include organizing the office space, filing, billing & invoicing, or even planning for future marketing efforts.

Did AT&T’s internet outage impact your firm’s OPERATIONS? Please share your stories!!!

While the internet is a crucial tool for modern legal practice, being disconnected can provide a valuable opportunity to focus on tasks that might otherwise be overlooked or deferred. It's also a reminder of the importance of having backup plans and being adaptable in the face of unexpected disruptions.

Happy Lawyering!

MTC

Episode #83: Mastering Legal Tech and Strategy with Filevine's Vice President of Strategic Partnerships with, Erik Bermudez!

Episode #83: Mastering Legal Tech and Strategy with Filevine's Vice President of Strategic Partnerships with Erik Bermudez

Join us as we embark on a journey through the ever-evolving landscape of law firm management, legal marketing and technology adoption, guided by the seasoned expertise of Erik Bermudez. With Erik's background in strategic planning, relationship management, and market insights, this episode promises to equip you with the knowledge and strategies needed to thrive in the dynamic intersection of law and technology!

As the VP of Strategic Partnerships at Filevine, Erik brings a wealth of insights from years of experience in strategic alliances and market analysis. With a tenure at Filevine dating back to 2019, Erik's leadership has been instrumental in driving partnerships and fostering growth. He also held roles at KLAS previously, where he played vital roles in healthcare market research.

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

1. What are the top three ways attorneys should expect their client relations management/ law professional management platforms like Filevine, Lead Docket to seamlessly work with a third party?

2. What are the top three pain points lawyers have when adopting new technology, and what are the best ways to overcome them?

3. What are the top three tech tools lawyers can use for online marking?

In our conversation, we cover the following:

[01:22] Erik's Simple Tech Setup

[06:25] Maximizing Client Relationship Management: Seamless Integration with Third-Party Platform

[14:11] Balancing AI and Human Touch

[20:34] Key Data Points for CRM and PMS Collaboration

[21:55] Lawyers' Top Three Pain Points and Solutions in Tech Transition

[24:18] Convincing Busy Lawyers to Embrace Technology

[27:21] Tailored Technology: Law Firms with Personalized Workflows

[34:33] Mastering Online Marketing: Essential Tools for Law Firms

[39:56] Connect with Erik

Resources:

Connect with Erik:

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/erik-bermudez-8a601825/

• Email: erik@filevine.com

Hardware mentioned in the conversation:

• Skullcandy headphones: skullcandy.eu/shop/headphones

Software & Cloud Services mentioned in the conversation:

• Filevine: filevine.com/

• Lead Docket: leaddocket.com/

My Two Cents: If you are not using Technology in your law practice and are not going to the ABA TECHSHOW, you will likely be replaced by those who at least go to the TECHSHOW!

THe Tech-savvy lawyer at the 2024 aba techshow in chicago!

I just got back from Chicago after attending last week's ABA TECHSHOW! And I had a blast. It was not just because it had technology (and I'm a geek) or just because I am a lawyer (which is my day job). It was because the TECHSHOW provided a great marriage of the two to show and teach lawyers how technology can improve their practice of law.

The conference started off with an intro session titled "Your Future Starts Here: Technology and the Era of Legal Practice." Speakers Cynthia Thomas, Jayne Reardon, Dan Pinngton, and Reid Trautz gave a great session discussing the changing nature of legal work and the world in which we practice. The conference had a great mix of how lawyers use technology, like Brett Burney and Tara Cheever's two-part session on Winning Trials with TrialPad or Dan Dan Siegel and Pamela Myers session on Using PDFs and Adobe Acrobat in Your Law Office or Alicia Aquino and Heidi Barcus' session on electronically organizing your trial documents from beginning to voir dire or Barron Henley of Affinity Consulting Group session on Word Power Tips for Legal Users – if you are not mastering the power of Word then you are wasting a lot of time!  And there were many more engaging and informative sessions!

Judge (ret.) Herbert Dixon, Jr. and Judge Scott Schlegel share their insights and experiences on technology in the courtroom!

There were many sessions on the practical and ethical concerns about the use of AI. There were plenty of sessions on improving a firm's online marketing, introducing numerous Law Practice Management companies, and getting your firm's mentality to embrace technology in their legal work. Lastly, one of my favorite sessions was with Judge (ret.) Herbert Dixon, Jr. and Judge Scott Schlegel on Embracing the Digital Courtroom: Exploring Current and Future Trends. They gave a great history of the courthouse's use of technology in trial and its future! Meanwhile, many legal technology companies were on display on the vendor's floor – everything from LPMs like CLIO, Filevine, Practice Panther, and more, virtual assistants, marketing, Fujitsu/RICOH with their solo- to small-firm cornerstone hardware, the ScanSnap, and many more! 

Catching up with previous podcast guest annette choti of law quill!

The finishing highlight was the infamous 60 in 60, where some of the ABA's brightest highlight 60 tech programs, hardware, and work-tricks in 60 minutes!

The next TECHSHOW will be held at a new hotel in Chicago from April 2 - 5, 2025!

I hope to see you there!

Monday Morning Humor: Remembering Phone Numbers versus Passwords!

🏆 ABA TECHSHOW 2024 Start-Up Alley Pitch Winner and Contestants!

BOB AMBROGI MODERATES THE 2024 START-UP ALLEY PITCH COMPETITION

Congrats to AltFee for Winning 🥇 the ABA TECHSHOW Start-Up Alley Competition. This contest is an annual event where legal tech startups compete for exposure and recognition by showcasing their innovative solutions designed to improve various aspects of the legal industry. The competition kicks off the American Bar Association's TECHSHOW.

Congratulations to Skribe.ai for coming in second 🥈 and Paxton AI for placing third 🥉. Contestants get a special booth on the vendor floor at the ABA TECHSHOW Conference. The winner will get a package of marketing and advertising prizes.

Congrats to the Winner and all the Finalists!

🏅🏆🏅

Congrats to the Winner and all the Finalists! 🏅🏆🏅

The Contestants and Winner are listed alphabetically listed below:

2nd Chair:  2ndChair.ai offers an AI-powered legal assistant designed to support lawyers with case preparation, research, and analysis.

Ai.Law: Ai.Law provides AI-generated litigation documents, from pleadings to discovery.

🥇 AltFee: AltFee revolutionizes law firm pricing by offering a foundation for alternative fee structures.

CONGRATS TO ALTFEE FOR WINNING!

Altumatim: Altumatim is the story-based eDiscovery platform that fully automates document review and finds the most important evidence by learning the story the attorney wants to tell.

Beagle: DiscoverBeagle.com offers an AI-powered tool that simplifies legal research by quickly analyzing and summarizing complex legal documents.

BriefCatch:  BriefCatch is a software tool that offers real-time editing suggestions to improve legal writing, including suggestions for clarity, conciseness, and persuasiveness.

Civille:  Civille provides technology solutions and digital marketing services tailored for law firms to enhance their online presence and client engagement.

Gretchen:  Gretchen securely accesses relevant client documents and drafts instant email responses, seamlessly blending into existing workflows without compromising document security..

CONGRATS TO SKRIBE FOR SECOND PLACEMENT!

Henchman:  Henchman automatically centralizes past clauses and definitions from any legal team’s contract database and delivers them intelligently in lawyers’ familiar Microsoft Word or Outlook environments.

Lexamica:  Lexamica connects law firms for case referrals, optimizing practices and revenue with tracked placements and payments.

LexSelect: LexSelect streamlines trial prep by automating workflows associated with reviewing transcript evidence.

🥉 Paxton AI: Paxton AI develops advanced legal research tools powered by artificial intelligence, providing legal professionals with swift and accurate access to a comprehensive database of laws, regulations, and case law to streamline the legal research and drafting process.

Recital:  RecitalApp.com offers a cloud-based platform designed to simplify and enhance the management of legal negotiation through automation, collaboration, and integrated compliance tools.

CONGRATS TO PAXTON.AI FOR THIRD PLACE!

Resolutn:  Resolutn.com offers conflict resolution services, leveraging technology to streamline and enhance the mediation and arbitration process.

🥈 Skribe.ai: Skribe captures legal testimony with software that dramatically lowers costs by 50% and speeds up the process 10x.