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Choosing a Practice Management System; Hosted Exchange Tip; Windows Versus Android Tablet; Review of HelloFax

By Kathryn Hughes | Friday, August 15, 2014

Today's issue of TL Answers contains these articles:

Donald Coker, How to Choose a Practice Management System

Steve Long, Tip: Using Hosted Exchange in Outlook and on iPad and iPhone

Fredric Gruder, Review: HelloFax

Mark Olberding, Windows Tablets Versus Android Tablets for Litigators

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: Coming Attractions | Email/Messaging/Telephony | Laptops/Smartphones/Tablets | Practice Management/Calendars | TL Answers

Why Lawyers Need Not Fear Disruptive Innovation

By Neil J. Squillante | Friday, August 15, 2014

Originally published on August 10, 2014 in our free TL Research newsletter. Instead of reading TL Research here after the fact, sign up now to receive future issues in realtime.

Don't look now but your legal career may soon come crashing down thanks to disruptive innovation. So say some pundits who don't have a good grasp of disruption theory. In this issue of TL Research, you'll learn about all three types of disruption — low end, new market, and professional services — and why none of them threaten lawyers like you. That said, other more mundane risks exist that you must address just like every other business.

Some pundits have tried to put the fear of God into lawyers like you about disruptive innovation. They claim your ability to practice law is at risk. If you want to keep your BMW, you can always become an Uber driver. Just kidding. These pundits are dead wrong. Your law firm may struggle and even die, but the coroner won't list disruption as the cause of death.

Disruption Happens

Disruptive innovation is real. It happens all the time. Harvard Business School professor Clayton Christensen pioneered the theory in his book, The Innovator's Dilemma.

However, pundits who predict doom and gloom for lawyers don't understand disruption theory. For example, they often equate disruption with going out of business. Christensen recently noted that disruption "is not a theory about survivability."

Christensen cites the example of U.S. Steel. So-called mini mills such as those pioneered by Nucor drove U.S. Steel out of several markets. However, U.S. Steel didn't go out of business. Instead, it moved upmarket, currently producing steel for high-end applications such as airplane wings and car bodies.

Three types of disruption exist. Below I'll explain why none of them apply to lawyers like you.

1. Low End Disruption

The above U.S. Steel example exemplifies low end disruption. A competitor like Nucor invents a superior process or technology that enables it to offer an equivalent or "good-enough" product at a lower price.

Pundits often point to LegalZoom as an example of low end disruption in the legal industry. However, do-it-yourself legal products such as those by Nolo have existed for decades. LegalZoom's superior efficiency and technology may threaten old school companies like Nolo, but not you.

If you're like most lawyers, you don't perform legal work for people and businesses with simple needs. On the contrary, you perform moderately to very complex legal work and have thus served the mid-to-high end of the legal market from the very beginning. Unlike U.S. Steel, you don't have any low end work at risk.

In fairness, some lawyers handle simple matters and produce work product no better than that which LegalZoom and others such as Trademarkia sell for a fraction of the price. These lawyers are at risk — maybe.

Lawyers enjoy a powerful bulwark against low end disruption — client satisfaction.

Ben Thompson of Stratechery makes a strong case that low end disruption applies only in business markets that behave in an economically rational manner (e.g., a large law firm CIO who buys 800 PCs), but not in consumer markets (e.g., a lawyer who buys a PC for his home). Buyers of legal services behave more like consumers because relationships with lawyers are deeply personal and because results matter more than money (within reason).

2. New Market Disruption

This insidious form of disruption occurs when a product initially serves non-consumers in a category, but eventually expands to attract consumers of incumbent products. Because this form of disruption is so elusive, it's hard to spot until it's too late.

For example, Uber and Lyft are disrupting the taxi industry by offering a better experience (cleaner cars, easier payment, and faster service) thanks to their app and all the fancy logistics behind it. This new market disruption seems clear cut. However, these companies have bigger goals. They want to disrupt car ownership. Why get stuck as the designated driver when you and your friends can use Uber instead? Why get dressed when Uber can deliver your take-out order? Why worry about finding a parking spot when Uber can take you to the courthouse? GM doesn't realize this yet.

Here lawyers have another bulwark on top of client satisfaction — protective regulations such as rules against non-lawyer ownership of law firms and the unauthorized practice of law. This explains, for example, why investment banks can't offer legal services and cut out law firms from their deals.

3. Professional Services Disruption

A subset of those above, this form of disruption applies to professionals like lawyers. Pundits point to machine learning technologies such as predictive coding, and to cheap labor via offshore outsourcing or Axiom's famed "insourcing."

Assuming again that you're an experienced lawyer serving the mid-to-high end of the market, predictive coding is not a threat. It will eliminate offshore and onsite contract lawyers before it impacts your job. You would likely welcome receiving a set of relevant documents from your corporate clients.

If you're ambitious, you can recruit someone like Diane Kilcoyne to start an ediscovery practice area at your firm with all the latest software. You can even develop your own software to further set your law firm apart.

But what about Axiom? Surely it's disruptive. It says so in the title of this article.

Successful yes. Disruptive no. Thanks to the above-noted state regulations, most lawyers will never lose business to Axiom. As Richard Granat explains, hiring Axiom is riskier than hiring a law firm. Accordingly, only general counsel of large companies tend to hire Axiom.

Granat thinks Axiom poses a risk to large firms, but Axiom seems more like a way for general counsel to limit the headcount in their legal departments. In-house lawyers are costly thanks to salary inflation, generous benefits, and payroll taxes. Also, you can easily scale up and down with Axiom as needed. You can't hire employees one month and fire them the next.

Finally, there's legal artificial intelligence. This will happen. It will fit all three types of disruption. But not in your lifetime. End of story.

Don't Get Scared but Don't Become Complacent

Disruption won't kill your law firm, but poor business management, and an underinvestment in marketing and technology will. Honestly assess your weaknesses and shore them up. Hire a so-called lawyer coach if needed such as Bruce MacEwen in the large firm world and Allison Shields in the small firm world. Invest in document automation technology and test flat fees. But don't pay any attention to disruption scaremongers until the legal profession loses its regulatory protections or Siri tells you she's leaving to start her own law firm. Even then, you'll still have client satisfaction in your back pocket.

Neil J. Squillante created TechnoLawyer and serves as its publisher. His areas of expertise include advertising and publishing technologies, information architecture, persuasive writing techniques, and statistical analysis and research. Before founding TechnoLawyer, Neil practiced commercial, intellectual property, and securities litigation at Willkie Farr & Gallagher in New York City. Neil received his JD from UCLA and served as a managing editor of the UCLA Law Review. He received his BA in Economics from Duke University.

How to Receive TL Research
Our flagship newsletter offers in-depth buyer's guides and other helpful research reports for everyone in the legal profession. Written in plain English by leading experts, these reports combine exhaustive research with sound statistical techniques to provide you with reliable analysis, data, and insights. Just as importantly, TL Research reports often include benchmarks, charts, and other visuals that bring the information to life. TechnoLawyer members regularly use TL Research reports at strategic planning meetings. The TL Research newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.

Topics: Law Office Management | Technology Industry/Legal Profession | TL Research

Reviews of FileLocater, Philips Digital Dictation; One Versus Two Monitors; Synced Email

By Kathryn Hughes | Thursday, August 14, 2014

Today's issue of TL Answers contains these articles:

Russell Sibley, Review: FileLocater Lite

Rich Kaser, Review: Philips Dictation System

Barry Miller, Two 23-Inch Monitors Versus One 29-Inch Monitor

Ben Schorr, The Secret to Synced Email on All of Your PCs and Other Devices

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: Business Productivity/Word Processing | Coming Attractions | Dictation/OCR/Speech Recognition | Email/Messaging/Telephony | Monitors | TL Answers

California Dreaming About Ediscovery Ethics Plus Modern Trial Presentations

By Kathryn Hughes | Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Coming today to LitigationWorld: The State Bar of California has proposed that litigators should learn the ediscovery ropes, hire a consultant, or no longer accept cases involving email and other electronic documents. Because other states often follow California's lead, ediscovery expert Joshua Gilliland analyzes the proposed ethics opinion in this issue of LitigationWorld. Also, don't miss the LitigationWorld Pick of the Week for examples of the state of the art in trial graphics and presentations.

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

Lexbe Native Processing+ (TIFF): Read Our Exclusive Report

By Neil J. Squillante | Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Today's issue of TL NewsWire covers an ediscovery processing service that may set new speed records (see article below), a cloud practice management system that integrates with Outlook, a secure file sharing service that organizes documents by people, and a secure group messaging service. Don't miss the next issue.

EDISCOVERY PROCESSING THAT SCALES WITH YOUR NEEDS

When some of you of a certain age started working as a young litigator, "processing" involved nothing more than having boxes of dusty documents copied. You would then review the copies. Processing electronically stored information (ESI) is much more complex not only because of the many document formats and garbage files but also the sheer volume. In short, you need both quality and speed.

Lexbe Native Processing+ (TIFF) … in One Sentence

Launching today, Lexbe Native Processing+ (TIFF) eliminates duplicates and other irrelevant documents from ESI, and converts the remaining documents into a TIFF-based load file.

The Killer Feature

According to Lexbe, its new service is among the fastest. How fast? The company reported in a white paper that the new service processed the famous 53 GB Enron data set into TIFF images in 5.3 hours. In one day, Lexbe Native Processing+ can handle more than 240 GB of ESI or about 23 million pages.

Lexbe's fast processing enables you to start your document reviews sooner, and meet tight discovery deadlines even as the volume of ESI continues to grow. Because your clients' ESI spends less time being processed, Lexbe Native Processing+ also costs less than the going rate for processing.

Other Notable Features

Lexbe Native Processing+ (TIFF) achieves its speed advantage thanks to proprietary processing software that works across multiple servers. Lexbe can provision as many servers as your job needs depending on its size and your deadline.

By contrast, law firms and legal departments that use desktop processing software internally can't add more PCs easily. You need a data center, and specialty software for this kind of scale. Processing also requires trained personnel to apply various filters such as de-duplication. Even the largest law firms usually have a relatively small team of litigation project managers and technicians.

As a result, a 200 GB job at a law firm or legal department could take weeks or more using 100% of available resources. Lexbe could finish this job in just days.

Lexbe transmits and stores the ESI you provide using 256-bit encryption. The company's data centers reside in the United States, and meet all the latest security standards such as SSAE 16 and ISAE 3042. Additionally, Lexbe has achieved ISO 27001 certification and validation as a Level 1 Service Provider under the PCI Data Security Standard.

What Else Should You Know?

You can use the TIFF-based load file created by Lexbe Native Processing+ in any discovery review software, including Lexbe's eponymous cloud application. Learn more about Lexbe Native Processing+ (TIFF).

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: Litigation/Discovery/Trials | TL NewsWire

Law Firm Marketing on a Tight Budget Plus 64 More Must-Reads

By Kathryn Hughes | Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Coming today to SmallLaw: Our editorial team has selected and linked to 65 articles from the past week worthy of your attention. Below you'll find a sample article from each section of today's issue, including our SmallLaw Pick of the Week.

Pro Tip: Remove All Traces of Former Partners

Law Firm Discounts Defy the Laws of Physics

Five Facts That Will Change Your Marketing

ACBJ Outreach a No-Brainer for Lawyers

Congratulations to Cynthia Sharp of GP Solo on winning our SmallLaw Pick of the Week award: Law Firm Marketing on a Tight Budget

How to Receive SmallLaw
Small law firm, big dreams. Written by successful small-firm founders, managing partners, administrators, and legal technology and practice management experts, SmallLaw provides practical advice on management, marketing, and technology issues in solo practices and small law firms. Additionally, SmallLaw features comprehensive reviews of legal products with accompanying TechnoScore ratings. SmallLaw also ensures that you won't miss anything published elsewhere by linking to helpful articles, podcasts, and videos about solo practices and small law firms. Please subscribe now.

Topics: Coming Attractions | Law Firm Marketing/Publications/Web Sites | Law Office Management | SmallLaw

Review of Tablift Plus 62 More Must-Read

By Kathryn Hughes | Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Coming today to BlawgWorld: Our editorial team has selected and linked to 63 articles from the past week worthy of your attention. Below you'll find a sample article from each section of today's issue, including our BlawgWorld Pick of the Week.

All-in-One Practice Management Applications

The Best Laptops to Buy Now

Nobody Needs a Tablet

Response to Nobody Needs a Tablet

Congratulations to Jeff Richardson of iPhone J.D. on winning our BlawgWorld Pick of the Week award: Review of Tablift (iPad/Tablet Stand for Any Position)

How to Receive BlawgWorld
Our newsletters provide the most comprehensive coverage of both legal technology and mainstream technology of interest to the legal profession (e.g., monitors, smartphones, scanners, the iPad, and more). But not the only coverage. BlawgWorld enables you to stay on top of all the noteworthy legal and mainstream technology articles (and podcasts and videos) published elsewhere without having to hire a research assistant. Even when you're busy, you won't want to miss each issue's Pick of the Week. Please subscribe now.

Topics: BlawgWorld Newsletter | Coming Attractions | Gadgets/Shredders/Office Gear | Laptops/Smartphones/Tablets | Technology Industry/Legal Profession

Demonstrate Your Best Work on LinkedIn Plus 68 More Must-Reads

By Kathryn Hughes | Friday, August 8, 2014

Coming today to SmallLaw: Our editorial team has selected and linked to 69 articles from the past week worthy of your attention. Below you'll find a sample article from each section of today's issue, including our SmallLaw Pick of the Week.

10 Bad Habits That Could Ruin Your Reputation

12 Lawyer Movies With Pivotal Lessons

Google's Pigeon Update Boosts Directories

How to Respond to Negative Reviews

Congratulations to Alex Campbell of PCWorld on winning our SmallLaw Pick of the Week award: Demonstrate Your Achievements on LinkedIn

How to Receive SmallLaw
Small law firm, big dreams. Written by successful small-firm founders, managing partners, administrators, and legal technology and practice management experts, SmallLaw provides practical advice on management, marketing, and technology issues in solo practices and small law firms. Additionally, SmallLaw features comprehensive reviews of legal products with accompanying TechnoScore ratings. SmallLaw also ensures that you won't miss anything published elsewhere by linking to helpful articles, podcasts, and videos about solo practices and small law firms. Please subscribe now.

Topics: Coming Attractions | Law Firm Marketing/Publications/Web Sites | Law Office Management | SmallLaw

Three Essential Steps for Local Search Marketing Success Plus Social Media v. Old Media

By Kathryn Hughes | Friday, August 8, 2014

Coming today to SmallLaw: While most people think of the web as a global village, it's also hyperlocal. If your law firm has a local rather than national clientele, you need to harness this latter aspect. Fortunately, improving your local search rank costs very little but you need a user guide. In this issue of SmallLaw, online legal marketing expert Gyi Tsakalakis sets forth three essential steps for local search marketing success. From Google to your "NAP" to the top legal directories, Gyi explains how to best use your time. Also, don't miss the SmallLaw Pick of the Week for a comparison of social media works and old media for marketing.

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 | Law Firm Marketing/Publications/Web Sites | SmallLaw

Review of Amicus Cloud; Line Breaks Removal in Microsoft Word; Beware Gmail

By Kathryn Hughes | Friday, August 8, 2014

Today's issue of Fat Friday contains these articles:

David Grabill, Review: Amicus Cloud

Nancy Mertzel, How To Quickly Remove Hard Line Breaks In A Word Document

Edward Zohn, Reminder: Don't Use Free Gmail For Work-Related Email

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 | Computer Accessories | Email/Messaging/Telephony | Fat Friday | Practice Management/Calendars | Privacy/Security
 
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