TechnoLawyer

Today's issue of TechnoLawyer NewsWire covers an online practice management system (see article below), a digital dictation system, an iPhone app for court rules and deadlines, an Android and iOS flight tracker, and a desktop Mac program for Gmail accounts. Don't miss the next issue.

A Trusted Name Enters the Web Practice Management Game

Over the past few years, startup companies offering Web-based (SaaS, cloud-based) practice management systems have faced competition only from one another. But given the large number of solos and small law firms that don't use any practice management system, this situation could not last. Sooner or later, the incumbents would take note and enter the market with their own offering. One such company took the time to work with hundreds of lawyers to develop a Web-based practice management system, which seems to have paid off judging from the praise at its recent unveiling.

LexisNexis Firm Manager … in One Sentence
The Firm Manager application is a secure Web-based practice management system designed for sole practitioners and small law firms with an introductory price of $44.95 per month per user.

The Killer Feature
Having to look for what you need slows you down. If you have to look, you lose valuable time and you may miss something.

The Firm Manager dashboard enables you to view everything critical to your practice on one screen, including upcoming appointments, meetings and tasks, and a special display of deadlines that have slipped and recent email messages. From the dashboard, you can drill deeper into your data. For example, you can pull up a client's contact information, view your entire calendar, read an email message, etc.

"You never have to worry about missing an appointment or critical client task again," Michael Lipps, LexisNexis' Vice President and Managing Director of Legal Business Software Solutions told us. "With one glance, you can see everything you need to prioritize tasks and organize your time — what needs immediate attention versus what can wait. We've previewed this screen with almost two hundred attorneys and nearly every one of them loved this feature."

Other Notable Features
The Firm Manager application offers Client Intake tools to help you strengthen your client relationships and focus your marketing efforts. You can start using it at the start of each new relationship, recording how a client found you as well as their legal needs now and in the future.

As you would expect, the Firm Manager application offers contact and calendar management. However, it also offers the unexpected — Bidirectional Outlook Synchronization (Outlook 2007 and 2010) thanks to LexisNexis' longstanding partnership with Microsoft.

Other features include time and expense tracking, email and on-screen alerts for appointments and tasks, conflicts searching, document management by client/matter, and email and live Web support.

The mobile Web interface enables you to access Firm Manager features from smartphones such as the BlackBerry and iPhone and tablets such as the iPad. LexisNexis' 99.9% Uptime Guarantee for the Firm Manager application ensures that if you have an Internet connection you'll have access to your data.

What Else Should You Know?
You can try the Firm Manager application for free during its current public beta. Those who sign up before May 1, 2011 can take advantage of the introductory price noted above. If you cancel your subscription, you'll have up to six months thereafter to export and expunge your data. Learn more about Firm Manager.

How to Receive TechnoLawyer NewsWire
So many products, so little time. In each issue of TechnoLawyer NewsWire, you'll learn about five new products for the legal profession. Pressed for time? The "In One Sentence" section describes each product in one sentence, and the "Killer Feature" section describes each product's most compelling feature. The TechnoLawyer NewsWire newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.

Originally published on January 25, 2010 in our free BigLaw newsletter. Instead of reading BigLaw here after the fact, sign up now to receive future issues in realtime.

Gentleman Ladies and Gentleman BigLaw Subscribers,

During firm orientation, you learn how to opt into your dental plan, where to locate the bathrooms, and, if you're lucky, how to track your hours. These items are important, especially if you eat spicy meals, gnaw on tin foil, or develop bruxism. But orientation not to mention internal CLE programs nearly always omit another crucial skill — professional email etiquette.

You would think sending polished, professional email would be an obvious skill among associates. Large law firms apparently agree, so they don't bother teaching the basics and instead let new associates (and luddite partners who begrudgingly agree to start using email) fall on the swords of accidental reply-alls, overly informal language, and other faux pas. If your law firm does not have an email etiquette training program, relax. Just forward this issue of BigLaw around your firm as it contains the top 10 email etiquette tips for large firm lawyers.

1. Subject Line

Keep your subject lines short yet explanatory and joke-free (no matter how hilarious your pun). Use title case or else it will look too informal. In long back and forth chains, make sure it doesn't get to the point of "Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Fwd." When this happens, edit it back to a single "Re:" or start fresh. Aon's Chief Counsel for Litigation and former Jones Day partner Mark Herrmann has some additional subject line tips.

2. Salutation

As someone with a gender-neutral name that brings to mind a county in Northern California (Marin), I have been the victim of "Gentlemen" more than once during my biglaw tenure. And Greg, a female friend of mine, certainly commiserated. The point is, unless you've spoken to all parties on the phone or seen them in person, "Gentleman" is risky. While "Ladies and Gentleman" solves that problem, using it makes you sound like you're a traveling minstrel hawking peep stones. I suggest using everyone's first name if feasible or the completely neutral "All:" or skipping the salutation altogether and starting with a "Good Morning/Good Afternoon."

3. Signoff

Most lawyers use some form or "Regards" at the conclusion of email. But which "Regards" to use? There's of course the plain vanilla "Regards," the effeminate "Warm regards," the passive aggressive "Kind regards," and finally "Best regards" for when you really want to knock their socks off. If you're going to use "Regards" — and it is a fine signoff — just pick one and stick with it forever. "Thanks" is also a good one. Steer clear of "Sincerely" and "Respectfully," and never write "Truly" because it means nothing and sounds creepy.

4. Attachments

If you write "Please find attached …" for the love of God make sure to attach the attachment. Triple check it if you must. Nothing says "amateur" more than sending a follow-up email 30 seconds later with an apology and an attachment. Software utilities such as SendGuard can scan your message for words like "attachment" and warn you if there's nothing attached when you click "Send."

5. Non-Work Related Mass Email

Do you need the number of a good plumber? How about a recommendation for a reputable DUI lawyer in the DC Metropolitan area for "a friend"? Conduct Google searches, call friends, but whatever you do, don't send around mass email messages at work (except of course for this issue of BigLaw). Your toilet may be clogged and your "friend" may have breathed a 0.42, but you don't want your entire firm gossiping about you. Don't even offer up the Yankees tickets you can't use. Keep your personal problems anonymous.

6. Signatures

Always include a signature with your contact information — except your email address since that's redundant. Your signature should be plain and all black. Don't use a cheesy script font for your name, don't get fancy and place the firm's name in a different color. And definitely don't append "Please be considerate of the environment … think before you print this message!" unless you want people to never email you again. You should also remove the "Sent from my iPhone" advertisement because it tips partners off that you're not at your desk 24/7. Don't give them an excuse to give you more work.

7. Abbreviations

No matter how many abbreviations ("thx"), misspellings ("tonite"), or other syntax and grammatical errors clients and partners include in their hastily-written email, resist the urge to reply in kind. You may be in a rush too, but dig deep and find the time to write a proofed and polished message, even from your mobile device … which means deleting "Sent from my iPhone" as noted above.

8. Return Receipt

As tempting as it is to know — definitively — that someone has read the very important email you just sent him or her, nothing enrages people more than receiving return receipt messages. Why should it be your business to know when and if someone reads your email? It's not. The whole deal with email is that you take a leap of faith that the recipient will receive it and respond. If you can't live with that anxiety, use the phone instead. Don't play dirty by spying on other peoples' inboxes.

9. Recalls

Email is unforgiving. Once sent, that's a wrap. You can't go back. Recalling an email sent in error that has undoubtedly already been read by the unintended recipient(s) only calls more attention to the original message, your mistake, and your feeble attempts to undo it. Just don't make this mistake. Ever. Pay attention. Turn off address auto-fill if necessary. Or use Outlook's Defer Delivery setting.

10. Personal Email Sent From Your Work Account

You've all read the legendary email accidentally sent by a Skadden summer associate from his work account to the firm's entire underwriting group. Nuff said.

How to Receive BigLaw
Many large firms have good reputations for their work and bad reputations as places to work. Why? Answering this question requires digging up some dirt, but we do with the best of intentions. Published first via email newsletter and later here on our blog, BigLaw analyzes the business practices, marketing strategies, and technologies used by the country's biggest law firms in an effort to unearth best and worst practices. The BigLaw newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.

Coming today to TechnoFeature: The next generation of lawyers risks becoming a lost generation. With poorer job prospects and more debt than any previous generation, today's law students may not obtain the skills they need in an increasingly complex world that will give rise to challenging and novel legal issues. For most, hanging out a shingle is not an option given the competition from far more experienced downsized lawyers starting their own solo practices (BigSolos). In this TechnoFeature, 2012 Seton Hall JD/MBA candidate Frank Gonnello Jr. explains how small law firms can step up and save his generation — not through traditional associate jobs but through less expensive quasi-legal jobs that law students and recent graduates are uniquely qualified to handle, and that can help these savvy small firms boost their revenue in the process.

How to Receive TechnoFeature
Our flagship newsletter never disappoints thanks to its in-depth reporting by leading legal technology and practice management experts, many of whom have become "household names" in the legal profession. It's in TechnoFeature that you'll find our oft-quoted formal product reviews and accompanying TechnoScore ratings. The TechnoFeature newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.

Coming today to BlawgWorld: Our editorial team has selected and linked to 127 articles from the past week worthy of your attention, including our Post of the Week. Here's a sample:

Why Watson Matters to Lawyers

Creating Enterprise Apps for Your iPhone-Toting Lawyers

Local Law Firm Offering Its Services Exclusively Online

How to Get Quoted by the Media

How to Receive BlawgWorld
Our newsletters provide the most comprehensive coverage of legal technology, practice management, and law firm marketing, but not the only coverage. To stay on top of all the noteworthy articles published in blogs and other online publications you could either hire a research assistant or simply subscribe to BlawgWorld. The BlawgWorld newsletter has received rave reviews and is free. Please subscribe now.

Today's issue of Fat Friday contains these articles:

Jeff Wyatt, Review: Windows 7 64-Bit Version

Robin Meadow, Review: X1 Desktop Search; Windows 7 Search

Kurt Walberg, Review: LexisNexis Annual Maintenance Plan for Time Matters

Question of the Week: What's Missing From the Legal Internet?

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.

Today's issue of Answers to Questions contains these articles:

Ed Detlie, Review: Fujitsu ScanSnap S1500, CaseMap, Time Matters, and Total Practice Advantage

Thomas Stirewalt, Tip: How to Send Confidential Discovery Documents on CD/DVD

Tom Adams, Review: eCopy PaperWorks for Bates Stamping

Robert Corbett, Upgrading to Windows 7: A Word of Caution

Kerry Hubick, More Study Tips for Law Students

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

How to Receive Answers to Questions
Do you believe in the wisdom of crowds? In Answers to Questions, 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 Answers to Questions newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.

Today's issue of TechnoLawyer NewsWire covers a Web-based automated time-tracking service (see article below), a shopping search engine for electronic discovery service providers, an online local services directory that costs less than a yellow pages listing, and iPhone app for navigating airports. Don't miss the next issue.

Track Your Billable Time Without Wasting Your Time

In his best-selling novel The Naked Sun, Isaac Asimov envisions a world whose inhabitants live on vast estates with thousands of robots tending to their every need (think Mario Batali cooking for you every night). Some people have all the luck. Lawyers like you would be happy with just one robot designed for one purpose — to keep track of all your billable time automatically and unobtrusively without interrupting you. While it hasn't developed a robot, a software company in California has created a product with a lot fewer moving parts that essentially performs the same function.

Chrometa Web App … in One Sentence
Chrometa Web App is an online service that captures your billable time automatically while you work.

The Killer Feature
Chrometa began its life as a Windows program that quickly attracted fans among TechnoLawyer subscribers (we were the first to report on it in this newsletter). Of course, Mac users immediately started complaining about being left out.

Given the growing number of devices on which lawyers now work, Chrometa realized that rather than just build a Mac version it should build a Web version.

Chrometa now works as follows. You install the Chrometa Data Collector on your computer (Mac or Windows), which runs in the background recording your activities. You then log into the secure Chrometa Web App to view all your data and convert billable activities into time entries. For example, if you work on a Windows PC at the office and a Mac at home, Chrometa can track both computers and combine the data for you to view on the Web.

"Our customers are using more and more computing devices to get their work done these days," Chrometa CEO and Co-Founder Brett Owens told us. "They wanted a way to capture and sync up their billable time so we took Chrometa to the cloud by buidling a secure Web app that enables them to easily categorize their time entries."

Other Notable Features
Chrometa enables you to create rules that automatically categorize your activities by client/matter. For example, suppose you represent Apple in a deal with Facebook. Chrometa can categorize anything containing the word "Facebook" under Apple/Facebook.

Chrometa also offers Active Search, which works like Google's Instant Search. Results begin to appear in realtime as you type.

What about meetings and telephone calls? Chrometa captures these activities too. When it notices you have not used your computer, it displays the Away Time pop-up reminder. If you just engaged in a billable activity, you can enter it and later create a time entry on the Web.

Once you've created time entries in Chrometa, you can export them or send them to a compatible third party billing or practice management system (Chrometa's open API facilitates these integrations).

What Else Should You Know?
Chrometa offers three plans — Basic ($19/month), Premium ($49/month), and Ultimate ($99/month). Basic enables you to track three devices and keep three months of data. Premium tracks up to five devices and keeps one year of data. Ultimate tracks up to 10 devices and keeps your data forever. Learn more about Chrometa Web App.

How to Receive TechnoLawyer NewsWire
So many products, so little time. In each issue of TechnoLawyer NewsWire, you'll learn about five new products for the legal profession. Pressed for time? The "In One Sentence" section describes each product in one sentence, and the "Killer Feature" section describes each product's most compelling feature. The TechnoLawyer NewsWire newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.

Originally published on January 11, 2011 in our free BigLaw newsletter. Instead of reading BigLaw here after the fact, sign up now to receive future issues in realtime.

In my first BigLaw column on iOS apps, I explored how large law firms can use mobile apps to promote their services to potential clients. In my next column, I discussed the process for developing apps for the iPhone and iPad and submitting them to Apple for approval. Today, I will explore how law firms can develop Enterprise Apps.

An Enterprise App is designed to serve the specific and customized needs of your law firm — your lawyers and staff, and perhaps your clients too. Enterprise apps don't generate revenue from App Store sales or overtly promote your firm. Rather, they are developed for the purpose of helping your law firm conduct its business.

Unlike the typical iOS app available for download to the general public through the iTunes App Store, enterprise apps are only available to people associated with the enterprise, and it is the enterprise, not Apple, that controls the channels of distribution.

For an example look at Apple itself. Its EasyPay app enables its own Apple Store employees to process sales transactions from anywhere on the sales floor using an iOS device. Only Apple Store employees have access to the EasyPay app.

How to Create and Distribute an Enterprise App

To develop enterprise applications, you must register for Apple's iOS Developer Enterprise Program. At a cost of $299 per year, membership in the program provides you with access to Apple's iOS Software Development Kit (SDK) and all of the tools necessary to develop and distribute iOS applications to your users. The process for developing enterprise apps is essentially the same as that for developing standard iOS applications — up to the point of actual distribution.

One major benefit to developing apps in-house through the enterprise program is that you get to bypass Apple's review and approval process — an elusive, time-consuming, and occasionally-frustrating process to say the least. Also, application updates can be rolled-out immediately without having to wait one to two weeks for Apple's stamp of approval.

If there is a downside to in-house app development, it is in the mechanism for distributing apps to enterprise users. Despite all the criticism of Apple for maintaining a monopoly over the distribution system for non-enterprise iOS apps (i.e., the iTunes App Store), the experience of purchasing and installing these apps is seamless and efficient.

This, however, is not the case with enterprise apps, as there is no App Store-like portal for enterprise app distribution. Instead, your IT department must distribute the application file and a provisioning profile certificate to each user, along with detailed instructions explaining how to install the application file and certificate on the iOS devise using iTunes. This process must be repeated any time the app is updated.

Examples of Law Firm Enterprise Apps

Distribution hassles aside, law firms are beginning to develop sophisticated enterprise apps. For example, DLA Phillips Fox, Australia's largest law firm, developed an enterprise app for the iPhone that enables its employees to access and view documents remotely. It also includes an elaborate time-keeping component that gives its attorneys the ability to remotely enter and record timesheets.

As you can see from this example, a key advantage for law firms is the ability to control the distribution of sensitive and confidential information. Email is not the most secure means of transmitting information, as it can to easily be forwarded (accidentally or intentionally) to others. To minimize the potential for a breach in confidentiality, a law firm could develop an enterprise app that enables an attorney or a client, upon entering a password, to view highly-sensitive information located on the law firm's server without the need to distribute the information by email.

Because enterprise apps do not show up in the iTunes App Store, it is difficult to know how many law firms are following in DLA Phillips Fox's footsteps and developing their own enterprise apps. However, as adoption rate of iPhones and iPads in law offices continues to rise, I expect to see many more law firms distributing enterprise apps to their attorneys and clients.

Written by Dan Friedlander of LawOnMyPhone.com.

How to Receive BigLaw
Many large firms have good reputations for their work and bad reputations as places to work. Why? Answering this question requires digging up some dirt, but we do with the best of intentions. Published first via email newsletter and later here on our blog, BigLaw analyzes the business practices, marketing strategies, and technologies used by the country's biggest law firms in an effort to unearth best and worst practices. The BigLaw newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.

Coming today to TechnoFeature: Many lawyers write poorly. However, the blame lies not with them, but with their teachers in elementary school, high school, college, and law school. If our teachers possessed exceptional writing skills, they would pursue more lucrative careers such as copywriting, screenwriting, litigating, etc. — a conundrum. Fortunately, you and your colleagues can improve your writing skills dramatically by reading this TechnoFeature article written by lawyer and law firm writer-in-residence C. Edward Good. Originally published on December 17, 2002 in a newsletter of ours that no longer exists, most of you have never read it before. Ed's writing tip will give your law firm a competitive advantage that your adversaries will never figure out for themselves.

How to Receive TechnoFeature
Our flagship newsletter never disappoints thanks to its in-depth reporting by leading legal technology and practice management experts, many of whom have become "household names" in the legal profession. It's in TechnoFeature that you'll find our oft-quoted formal product reviews and accompanying TechnoScore ratings. The TechnoFeature newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.

Coming today to BlawgWorld: Our editorial team has selected and linked to 125 articles from the past week worthy of your attention, including our Post of the Week. Here's a sample:

Andy Adkins and Friends on Web Practice Management (Video)

HP Shows Off Its TouchPad and Pre3

Creating the Illusion of the Little Big Firm

Why Your Law Firm Might Need an Editor In Chief

Don't miss this issue or future issues.

How to Receive BlawgWorld
Our newsletters provide the most comprehensive coverage of legal technology, practice management, and law firm marketing, but not the only coverage. To stay on top of all the noteworthy articles published in blogs and other online publications you could either hire a research assistant or simply subscribe to BlawgWorld. The BlawgWorld newsletter has received rave reviews and is free. Please subscribe now.