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Evernote and the Future of Cloud Applications in Law Firms Plus How to Prevent Fraud at Your Law Firm

By Kathryn Hughes | Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Originally published in the October 16, 2012 issue of SmallLaw: In August 2012, Pennsylvania litigator and long-time TechnoLawyer member Thomas Groshens published a thoughtful article in the Legal Intelligencer about the future of cloud computing in law firms using Evernote as an example. Though not legal-specific, Evernote is well suited to two common activities among lawyers — taking notes and storing information such as legal research. Because the Legal Intelligencer requires a subscription, both the publisher and Tom were kind enough to permit us to reprint his article in this issue of SmallLaw. Also, don't miss the SmallLaw Pick of the Week for five simple steps you can take to prevent fraud at your law firm.

How to Receive SmallLaw
Small firm, big dreams. Written by practicing lawyers who manage successful small firms and legal technology and practice management experts who have achieved rock star status, SmallLaw provides practical advice on management, marketing, and technology issues in small law firms, as well as comprehensive legal product reviews with accompanying TechnoScore ratings. SmallLaw also links to helpful articles in other publications about solo practices and small law firms. The SmallLaw newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.

Topics: Business Productivity/Word Processing | Coming Attractions | Online/Cloud | Privacy/Security | SmallLaw

Review of ActionStep (Practice and Workflow Management) Plus the Unwritten Rules of Law Practice

By Kathryn Hughes | Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Originally published in the October 12, 2012 issue of SmallLaw: Legal technology consultant Seth Rowland thought he had seen it all given his many years in the industry. And he had until ActionStep arrived on the scene. A cloud application, ActionStep combines practice management (including accounting and billing) with document assembly, enabling solos and small law firms to automate document creation and their other business processes. Intrigued, Seth spend the last few months extensively testing ActionStep on his PC, iPad, and smartphone. In this issue of SmallLaw, Seth discusses ActionStep's Workflow technology and other key features and how well they work. Also, don't miss the SmallLaw Pick of the Week for the unwritten rules of law practice.

How to Receive SmallLaw
Small firm, big dreams. Written by practicing lawyers who manage successful small firms and legal technology and practice management experts who have achieved rock star status, SmallLaw provides practical advice on management, marketing, and technology issues in small law firms, as well as comprehensive legal product reviews with accompanying TechnoScore ratings. SmallLaw also links to helpful articles in other publications about solo practices and small law firms. The SmallLaw newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.

Topics: Accounting/Billing/Time Capture | Automation/Document Assembly/Macros | Coming Attractions | Practice Management/Calendars | SmallLaw

Come Out, Come Out Wherever You Are: Advanced Searches in Microsoft Outlook Plus the Perils of BCC

By Kathryn Hughes | Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Coming today to SmallLaw: Google proved that search is king. Too bad the Gmail web interface looks like it was designed by Jackson Pollock. Fortunately, Microsoft Outlook has many powerful search tools — but most are hidden so as not to overwhelm casual users. In this issue of SmallLaw, law firm technology consultant Ben Schorr shows you where to find and how to use advanced search tools such as Boolean queries, fields, relative dates, scope, and many others. Also, don't miss the SmallLaw Pick of the Week for an explanation of when lawyers should and shouldn't use BCC.

How to Receive SmallLaw
Small firm, big dreams. Written by practicing lawyers who manage successful small firms and legal technology and practice management experts who have achieved rock star status, SmallLaw provides practical advice on management, marketing, and technology issues in small law firms, as well as comprehensive legal product reviews with accompanying TechnoScore ratings. SmallLaw also ensures that you won't miss anything published elsewhere by linking to helpful articles (and podcasts and videos) about solo practices and small law firms. The SmallLaw newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.

Topics: Coming Attractions | Email/Messaging/Telephony | SmallLaw

The Art and Science of Framing Issues in Trial and Appellate Briefs Plus Trial Notebook Review

By Kathryn Hughes | Monday, January 28, 2013

Coming today to LitigationWorld: A brief involves making thousands of decisions. Fortunately, legal writing scholars have begun studying some of these to identify best practices. In this issue of LitigationWorld, lawyer and legal writing expert Ed Good discusses the latest research regarding "issue framing" in trial and appellate briefs. Should you use the time-honored "whether" approach or a newer method? Whether or not you agree with the research, you'll find this look at one of the most important components of a brief nothing short of fascinating. Also, don't miss the LitigationWorld Pick of the Week for a review of Trial Notebook, an iPad app for preparing for trials.

How to Receive LitigationWorld
All practice areas evolve, but none faster than litigation. Written by successful litigators and other litigation experts, LitigationWorld provides you with practical tips related to electronic discovery, depositions, litigation strategy, litigation technology, and trial presentations. LitigationWorld also features in-depth litigation product reviews with accompanying TechnoScore ratings, as well as links to the most noteworthy litigation articles in other publications so that you'll never miss anything. The LitigationWorld newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.

Topics: Coming Attractions | Litigation/Discovery/Trials | LitigationWorld

Using an iPad for Depositions; A Day in the Life of an iPad Mini; Reviews of Time59, Google Apps, MyFax, Eudora

By Kathryn Hughes | Friday, January 25, 2013

Today's issue of Fat Friday contains these articles:

Henry Murphy, How I Use My iPad for Depositions

Neil Squillante, A Day in the Life of the iPad Mini

William Shilling, Review: Time59, Google Apps, and MyFax Plus Our Cloud-Based Law Firm

Thomas Farnam, Review: Eudora (Delayed Send Feature)

Don't miss this issue — or any future issues.

How to Receive Fat Friday
Our most serendipitous offering, Fat Friday consists of unsolicited contributions by TechnoLawyer members. You'll no doubt enjoy it because of its mix of interesting topics and genuinely useful knowledge, including brutally honest product reviews and informative how-tos. The Fat Friday newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.

Topics: Accounting/Billing/Time Capture | Business Productivity/Word Processing | Coming Attractions | Email/Messaging/Telephony | Fat Friday | Laptops/Smartphones/Tablets | Practice Management/Calendars | Utilities

Mobile Scanning; Reviews of Fujitsu fi-6130, Canon DR-M125, Doodle; Smartphone Buying Advice; Multiple Monitor Secrets

By Kathryn Hughes | Thursday, January 24, 2013

Today's issue of TL Answers contains these articles:

Fred Kruck, Advice on Mobile Scanning and OCR; Reviews of Fujitsu fi-6130, Canon DR-M125

Jose Montalvo, Smartphone Buying Advice Plus How to Hold a Funeral for Your Treo

Paul Pinkerton, A Veteran Multiple Monitor User Shares His Secrets

Sharon Druker, Review: Doodle

Don't miss this issue — or any future issues.

How to Receive TL Answers
Do you believe in the wisdom of crowds? In TL Answers, TechnoLawyer members answer legal technology and practice management questions submitted by their peers. This newsletter's popularity stems from the relevance of the questions and answers to virtually everyone in the legal profession. The TL Answers newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.

Topics: Backup/Media/Storage | Coming Attractions | Copiers/Scanners/Printers | Dictation/OCR/Speech Recognition | Email/Messaging/Telephony | Laptops/Smartphones/Tablets | Monitors | Practice Management/Calendars | TL Answers

Deduplication Options to Reduce Your Storage Costs Plus Simple Cures for Poor Law Firm Management

By Kathryn Hughes | Thursday, January 24, 2013

Coming today to BigLaw: Some small law firms have never owned a file server so cloud storage services seem like a silver bullet. By contrast, most large law firms are not quite ready to entrust their data or their clients' data to companies led by 20-somethings in Silicon Valley. Therefore, it's important to reduce the cost of your on-premises data storage as much as possible. Deduplication technology can help, the problem being that it's a crowded field with lots of products. In this issue of BigLaw, law firm CIO and legal technology guru Matt Berg provides an overview of the major deduplication players. Also, don't miss the BigLaw Pick of the Week for an article that explores why large law firms often have poor management and some simple cures.

How to Receive BigLaw
Large and midsize law firms have achieved unprecedented success yet they still have tremendous growth potential. Written by insiders, corporate counsel, and other industry experts, BigLaw unearths best practices in leadership, marketing, strategy, and technology, and features detailed product reviews with accompanying TechnoScore ratings. BigLaw also ensures that you won't miss anything published elsewhere by linking to insightful articles (and podcasts and videos) about large and midsize law firms, as well as notable press releases issued by the world's largest law firms. The BigLaw newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.

Topics: Backup/Media/Storage | BiglawWorld | Coming Attractions | Networking/Operating Systems

Worldox GX3 Cloud: Read Our Exclusive Report

By Neil J. Squillante | Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Today's issue of TL NewsWire covers a cloud document management service that uses native software (see article below), a fast monochrome laser printer, a document management app for the iPad, and a task manager that works on the web and in dedicated iOS apps. Don't miss the next issue.

CLOUD DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT WITH A LOCAL TWIST

We've entered a new era in the legal technology world. Few lawyers debate the necessity of a document management system anymore. Instead, the debate has shifted to which combination of features best fits the needs of law firms in the second decade of the 21st century. The debate has thus far focused on cloud versus local, but a new product suggests that a hybrid approach may best suit the needs of many law firms.

Worldox GX3 Cloud … in One Sentence

Launching today, World Software's Worldox GX3 Cloud is a hybrid cloud document management system.

The Killer Feature

As its name suggests, Worldox GX3 Cloud stores your firm's documents and client-related email in the cloud (secure web servers). But here's the twist — you're not relegated to using a web browser to access and work with your data. Instead, you can use the very same Worldox software you would use if you stored your documents on an onsite server.

According to World Software, Worldox GX3 Cloud works so seamlessly that your colleagues may not realize their documents are stored in the cloud and not locally, thus eliminating a common complaint of cloud applications — the slowness of web browsers (a web browser must download text and images in addition to the data you seek).

Worldox GX3 Cloud adds to its speed advantage by enabling you to edit and work with large PDF documents directly on the web-based server instead of having to download a copy.

"We are proud to be the most widely-used document management system in the legal market," World Software President Ray Zwiefelhofer told us. "While largely known for our small to midsize firm presence, our GX3 enterprise release in 2012 meets the needs of larger law firms. And our new GX3 Cloud release furthers our company goal of offering a completely flexible document management system, so law firms of all sizes can choose the solution that benefits them most."

Other Notable Features

Worldox GX3 Cloud provides the same feature set as an on-premises Worldox system. For example, it forces everyone to store new documents in Worldox GX3 Cloud and create a searchable document profile, and provides check in and check out functionality, full-text searching, document access restrictions, etc.

Worldox GX3 Cloud also includes a full-featured PDF editing suite, obviating the need to purchase PDF software. This suite supports saving documents in PDF/A format, Bates stamping, form creation and completion, redaction, and more. Speaking of third-party software, thanks to 25 years in business, Worldox GX3 Cloud integrates with a large number of products to accommodate your workflow — Outlook, billing software, document comparison products, practice management systems, etc.

Security is always a concern when using cloud applications. World Software uses Rackspace OpenStack, which has earned all the major certifications such as SSAE 16 and ISAE 3402. Your firm's data is literally walled off. It's also backed up and stored across multiple data centers for added redundancy.

What Else Should You Know?

Worldox GX3 Cloud doesn't require a capital investment up front — you need not purchase and maintain a server or pay for a software license. Instead, it costs $55 per user per month. Learn more about Worldox GX3 Cloud.

How to Receive TL NewsWire
So many products, so little time. In each issue of TL NewsWire, you'll learn about five new products for the legal profession. Pressed for time? The newsletter's innovative articles enable lawyers and law office administrators to quickly understand the function of a product, and zero in on its most important features. The TL NewsWire newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.

Topics: Coming Attractions | Document Management | Online/Cloud | TL NewsWire

The Best iPad App for Word Processing in Microsoft Formats Plus the Magic Revenue Number for Small Firms

By Kathryn Hughes | Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Originally published in the October 9, 2012 issue of SmallLaw: Given that the iPad now features dictation and remains far more portable than a laptop, it makes sense to invest in a quality word processor — preferably one that works with DOC and DOCX formats for better interoperability with Microsoft Office on your Mac or PC. In this issue of SmallLaw, legal technology consultant Brett Burney reviews three such apps. He evaluates their word processing features, file management tools, import/export options, and more. Don't shop until you know Brett's iVerdict. Also, don't miss the SmallLaw Pick of the Week for the magic revenue number small law firms must achieve to cross the chasm from hobby to real business.

How to Receive SmallLaw
Small firm, big dreams. Written by practicing lawyers who manage successful small firms and legal technology and practice management experts who have achieved rock star status, SmallLaw provides practical advice on management, marketing, and technology issues in small law firms, as well as comprehensive legal product reviews with accompanying TechnoScore ratings. SmallLaw also links to helpful articles in other publications about solo practices and small law firms. The SmallLaw newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.

Topics: Business Productivity/Word Processing | Coming Attractions | Laptops/Smartphones/Tablets | SmallLaw

Review of Safe Cloud (Document Management System) Plus Safety Tips for High-Risk Practice Areas

By Kathryn Hughes | Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Originally published in the October 2, 2012 issue of SmallLaw: Small law firms have the same document needs as large law firms, just not the same budget. Therefore, many make do with inefficient manual systems. In this issue of SmallLaw, Seattle estate planning attorney John Creahan reviews SAFE Cloud, a web-based document management system with large firm features like secure access via a virtual private network at a small firm price. In his review, John discusses set up and customization, importing documents and email, search capabilities, security, technical support, and more. Also, don't miss the SmallLaw Pick of the Week for 10 safety tips for high-risk practice areas.

How to Receive SmallLaw
Small firm, big dreams. Written by practicing lawyers who manage successful small firms and legal technology and practice management experts who have achieved rock star status, SmallLaw provides practical advice on management, marketing, and technology issues in small law firms, as well as comprehensive legal product reviews with accompanying TechnoScore ratings. SmallLaw also links to helpful articles in other publications about solo practices and small law firms. The SmallLaw newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.

Topics: Coming Attractions | Document Management | Online/Cloud | SmallLaw
 
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