TopLaw

WordPerfect Office X5: Read Our Exclusive Report

By Neil J. Squillante | Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Today's issue of TechnoLawyer NewsWire covers an office suite (see article below), a group buying service for lawyers, a time entry system, an iPhone task manager, and a network attached storage appliance. Don't miss the next issue.

Old Word Processor Learns New Tricks

Imagine a reality-based TV show in which a lawyer has to choose from several dozen software products. In the end, he would likely hook up with the word processor — though the sexy email program would finish a close second. The only wrinkle — most word processors are creeping up in age and bloated with features no one uses. But there's hope thanks to the latest version of one of the oldest word processors, which seems to have improved with age.

WordPerfect Office X5 … in One Sentence
Corel's WordPerfect Office X5 Professional Edition is a software suite that includes programs for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, email, databases, and more.

The Killer Feature
Regardless of which word processor your law firm uses, you must have the ability to work with Microsoft Word files. The new version of WordPerfect is compatible with Microsoft Word 2007's .docx format. You can save documents in that format and also open any documents you receive. The same is true of other formats such as .xlsx and .pptx.

To help manage documents you create and receive, WordPerfect Office X5 integrates with Microsoft SharePoint. Using WordPerfect's document comparison feature, you can compare different versions of documents in SharePoint against each other.

Other Notable Features
Corel hasn't just integrated Microsoft technologies. For example, with WordPerfect iFilter, you can search WordPerfect documents in SharePoint using Google Desktop Search. You can also embed live charts in documents that update automatically over the Internet (e.g., stock prices).

WordPerfect has offered basic PDF creation for several years. The new version adds an annotation tool for marketing up documents. Also new are tools to help you get up and running quickly — improved migration technology that preserves templates, and customized menus and toolbars, and a new Reference Center with tips, tutorials, and documentation.

In addition to its own programs such as WordPerfect, Quattro Pro and Presentations, WordPerfect Office X5 also includes third-party programs such as PaperPort 12 SE and Mozilla Thunderbird.

What Else Should You Know?
WordPerfect Office X5 requires Windows XP or later. It costs $249.99 (upgrades cost $159.99). Learn more about WordPerfect Office X5.

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.

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Topics: Business Productivity/Word Processing | TL NewsWire

SmallLaw: Use Microsoft Word With More Style(s) Plus How to Tame Paragraph Numbering

By Ross Kodner | Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Originally published on May 24, 2010 in our free SmallLaw newsletter.

With shiny new gadgets like the iPad commanding so much attention, it's easy to forget that the bread and butter of small firms remains document creation. This means mastering Microsoft Word 2007 (and its forthcoming successor, 2010) beyond just manhandling it as a glorified typewriter or misusing it as if it were WordPerfect.

I give a CLE program called "Tightwad Technology: How to Better Use Microsoft Word 2007 in Your Practice." I've presented this session over 50 times across North America over the last three years. I'm consistently stunned how few members of the audience know how to use three of the most powerful legal-specific features of Word. Let's change this situation at least here in TechnoLawyer starting today.

Word 2007 Tip: Stop Manually Formatting Documents and Use Styles Instead

Styles are nothing more than simple "macros" that modify the formatting of one or more paragraphs with one click. They're that simple — really. Hardly terrifying or even mystifying, you literally position your cursor anywhere in a paragraph, and then click the appropriate Style button on the Word 2007 home ribbon and have the entire paragraph's appearance altered correctly. Or if the desired change would span multiple paragraphs, just select them first.

Why do so few small law firms use Styles? I think the answer lies in WordPerfect lore. In our WordPerfect past, we used codes to format and lay out our client documents. Originally, Styles didn't exist in WordPerfect (they do now).

There is no better way to ensure the consistent "firm" appearance of all documents than to standardize on a few "official" Styles for correspondence, pleadings, section headings for contracts, etc. And yes, you can dispense with the included "sample" Styles that come with Word 2007 and replace them with the smaller, select group you decide on to represent your firm's documents' look and feel.

You can easily create new Styles on the fly via the QuickStyles function in Word 2007. Modify a chunk of text the way you'd want the style to appear. For example, it might be bold, underlined, and 16 point Arial Black text for agreement section headings. Highlight and right click the altered section. Select Styles, then Save Selection as a New QuickStyle. Name the style — perhaps Ross' Preferred Arial Black 16 pt Section Headings — something so obvious you'll later know how and when to use it.

The new Style will then appear on your Styles block on the Home ribbon (which you can later rearrange so it's in the always visible primary row along with your small group of other QuickStyles.) It's really that simple. So get over whatever issues you have about Styles and embrace them — you'll really love them (and probably feel like a dope for not trying them sooner).

Word 2007 Add-On Tip: Numbering Assistant Takes the Insanity Out of Automatic Paragraph Numbering

I know it's not just me. Whenever I ask my CLE audiences about who has issues using Word's automatic paragraph numbering, I hear a collective groan and see heads nodding in frustrated agreement. Automatic paragraph numbering in Word doesn't seem to work the way any normal human would expect. Sometimes the numbering sequences are wrong. Sometimes an indent to another section level causes the cursor to crash headlong into the far left edge of the page beyond the left margin and apparently look as irreparable as an oil spill.

So to return to some semblance of Word auto-numbering sanity, run, don't walk to deploy Payne Group's Numbering Assistant. From the legendary team that produces the necessary Metadata Assistant metadata scrubbing tool, Numbering Assistant replaces the brain-dead Word numbering Styles (yes, they are just Styles) with a dedicated ribbon section that provides a logical range of numbering choices. You can also apply different numbering schemes in the same document, modify the many included schemes, and more. At $78 per seat for small firms, Numbering Assistant costs a mere pittance compared to the sudden rush of enhanced sanity it will bring to your daily use of Word 2007.

Written by Ross Kodner of MicroLaw.

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Small firm, big dreams. Published first via email newsletter and later here on our blog, SmallLaw provides you with a mix of practical advice that you can use today, and insight about what it will take for small law firms like yours to thrive in the future. The SmallLaw newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.

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Topics: Business Productivity/Word Processing | SmallLaw

Review: Credenza: Practice Management in Microsoft Outlook

By Sara Skiff | Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Coming today to TechnoFeature: Do you use Outlook? Do you use Outlook to manage your law firm? Do you find it inadequate because it organizes information by contact rather than by client/matter? Gavel & Gown's Credenza is an Outlook add-on that gives Outlook the features of a practice management system, including organization of your documents and email by client/matter. It also handle billing chores, including posting of time entries to accounting systems. But how does it stack up against dedicated case management systems? We asked practice management expert Diane Ebersole to use Credenza for a few months and report back. In this TechnoFeature article, she reviews Credenza top to bottom.

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Topics: Accounting/Billing/Time Capture | Practice Management/Calendars | TechnoFeature

Lexis Strikes Back Plus 78 More Articles

By Neil J. Squillante | Monday, May 24, 2010

Coming today to BlawgWorld: Our editorial team has selected and linked to 79 articles from the past week worthy of your attention, including our Post of the Week. Here's a sample:

Review: Toshiba Dynadock V Impresses

Android Versus iPhone: All Out War

Why You Should Set Up a Practice Advisory Board

Sneak Peak at the New Martindale-Hubbell Connected

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.

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Topics: BlawgWorld Newsletter | Coming Attractions | Laptops/Smartphones/Tablets | Law Firm Marketing/Publications/Web Sites | Law Office Management

SmallLaw: Five Key Steps to Delegating Effectively

By Allison Shields | Monday, May 24, 2010

Originally published on May 17, 2009 in our free SmallLaw newsletter.

One of the best ways to manage your activities is by learning how to delegate effectively. Focus your energy on the tasks that further your core values, generate the most profit, take advantage of your expertise, skill, or personal relationships, or require your personal participation.

About each task, ask yourself: Does it go to the heart of what you do as a lawyer or how you obtain business, or is it something that you can teach someone else to do?

While it may take longer in the short run to explain the project (and then correct it later) than it does to just do it yourself, if the task is one that truly should be delegated, the overall return on your time makes it worthwhile. Below you'll find five key steps to effective delegation.

1. Give Clear, Comprehensive Instructions

This step is the most crucial component of effective delegation, and is harder than it sounds.

Try creating checklists or other written instructions, particularly for tasks performed repeatedly, by more than one person or by a steady flow of new people.

Be specific about the scope of the project. If the employee finds themselves spending more time on it than you anticipate, they can check back with you to determine whether they should keep going, cut the project short, or change direction.

Communicate why this assignment is important and how it fits into the overall work of the firm. How does it affect clients or fit into the overall strategy of the case? How does it help the firm function? When an employee understands the importance of a task and how it fits into the work that you do for your clients, they become more invested in the project — and more likely to get it right.

2. Prevent Miscommunication

Miscommunication is inevitable. "Memo" to one lawyer might mean one page of bullet points outlining the current state of the law. "Memo" to the newly minted associate may mean a lengthy report complete with case citations, discussions of individual case facts, etc.

Ask the person you're delegating to repeat back to you their understanding of the project — in their own words. Don't just ask, "Do you understand?" Let them tell you what they think you want them to do. This exercise gives you an opportunity to ensure that your instructions were clear and that you've properly defined the scope of the project. Encourage questions, even when using written instructions and checklists.

3. Set a Deadline and Establish Priority

Delegation failure often stems from lack of deadlines or failure to set priorities. Employees need to know when the project must be completed and how important it is. Human nature dictates that urgent work commands attention. If you have no deadlines or priorities, there is no urgency.

4. Create a Feedback Loop

Don't wait until the deadline to determine whether your employee is on track, particularly if you're new to delegation or to working with this particular individual.

Schedule a specific time to check in with the employee when you think enough time has passed to have uncovered some questions, but not so far that you can't rein them in if they're off-track.

Beware of micromanaging. If you've worked with someone for a while and they have met your expectations, you won't need to check in as frequently. In some cases, you can eliminate this step entirely. You must develop confidence in your employees, particularly professionals, and allow them to do their jobs.

5. Evaluate Job Performance and Share the Outcome

Completion of the task does not mark the end of the delegation process. Constructive criticism is an important part of delegation. Take the time to teach and correct your employees so that they can grow and improve. Give praise for a job well done. Also, sharing the eventual outcome with your employees signals the importance of their contribution and their role in your firm's success.

Written by Allison C. Shields of the Lawyer Meltdown newsletter and Legal Ease Blog.

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Topics: Law Office Management | SmallLaw

BigLaw: The Case Against Today's MCLE System

By Marin Feldman | Monday, May 24, 2010

Originally published on May 17, 2010 in our free BigLaw newsletter.

Two weeks ago, I received my New York State attorney registration form in the mail. It asks me to certify by June 16th that I've taken the mandatory number of Continuing Legal Education credits in the past two years and solicits my "biennial registration fee" of $350. Of course, those of you toiling away in large law firms can earn all your credits at your firm and even have your firm pick up your registration fee — but that doesn't mean your CLE experience couldn't stand some improvement.

MCLE: GOING THROUGH THE MOTIONS

Requiring lawyers to continue learning is a great idea in theory. But in practice, the mandatory CLE (MCLE) system fails miserably at this mission. MCLE amounts to little more than an expensive hassle (time-wise if not monetarily) in which the educational value gets lost in the mix. New York State may ask me to register my license to practice, but I would rather register my protest … against the current MCLE system.

If you're like most other Biglaw attorneys, you probably choose the CLE classes you attend based on the type and number of CLE credits offered, not the relevance to your practice area. For example, if you're short ethics credits as your certification date approaches, you'll likely attend a class on mediation ethics issues even if you're a tax attorney. The class may be interesting, but it arguably won't help your tax practice.

Even worse, let's say you skipped all your in-house CLE lectures and now have to cram by attending a three-day seminar in some hotel ballroom. Look to your left and look to your right — you'll no doubt see fellow lawyers focusing more on their BlackBerrys than the lectures.

MCLE creates a perverse incentive system.

And it's also tantamount to a regressive tax as those lawyers least able to afford CLE have to pay the most. In New York, CLE providers must offer fee waivers or fee reductions to attorneys who earn less than $50,000 per year, but that's small comfort for those who don't qualify.

THREE SUGGESTED CHANGES

Encouraging attorneys to hone their legal skills and knowledge is a worthy goal. Thus, rather than eliminate MCLE we should instead try to change it from within the system and without so that it actually achieves its purported goal.

1. Practice Area Emphasis

States could require attorneys to obtain CLE credits in their area of practice on a rolling basis. Restricting how lawyers can earn their credits would be more of a hassle than the current MCLE system, but states could reduce the number of credits required.

2. Level the Learning Field

States could also increase their registration fees, but set aside most of the funds in private accounts for each lawyer to use on MCLE courses. Large firms that offer in-house CLE would not be eligible to receive any funds. Thus, the haves and have nots in the legal profession would effectively pay about the same for MCLE.

3. Post Mortems

Not every change has to come from the outside. Taking a page from hospitals, large firms that offer their own in-house CLE could use these programs to conduct post mortems on the firm's recently concluded casework. For example, lecturers could share best practice and mistakes, which vendor they chose for an eDiscovery job, an interesting court opinion that helped win an oral argument, etc. These post mortems would have the added benefit of giving junior associates public speaking experience.

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.

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Topics: BiglawWorld | CLE/News/References | Law Office Management

Special iPad Issue: Early Adopter TechnoLawyers Speak

By Sara Skiff | Friday, May 21, 2010

Coming today to Fat Friday: a special iPad issue: Chris Gibson reviews the iPad from the perspective of the COO of a large law firm, Tom Trottier explains why he won't buy an iPad, Arthur Ray discusses the use of the iPad in his bankruptcy practice, and Dirk Jordan explains how he uses the iPad for interviews and lectures. Don't miss this issue.

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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.

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Topics: Coming Attractions | Fat Friday | Laptops/Smartphones/Tablets

Evergreen Retainers; Mac Switcher's Croc Tears; Reviews of Vito Sound Explorer, Acronis True Image, PagePlus

By Sara Skiff | Thursday, May 20, 2010

Coming today to Answers to Questions: Roy Johnston shares a tip on evergreen retainer fees, Richard Lehrman discusses what he missed about Windows after switching to Mac, Mike Fellows reviews Vito Sound Explorer for mobile dictation, Stephen C. Carpenter reviews Acronis True Image 10 for backing up and restoring data, and Joshua Stein reviews PagePlus X3. Don't miss this issue.

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CT Summation Enterprise 2.7: Read Our Exclusive Report

By Neil J. Squillante | Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Today's issue of TechnoLawyer NewsWire covers a litigation support software suite (see article below), a document management system, an eDiscovery suite, an iPhone note-taking app, and a mobile online meeting service. Don't miss the next issue.

Can Your Litigation Support Software Do That?

The number of important documents in a typical case hasn't changed. It's a constant like the sun, moon, and tides. But the number and types of documents have changed — more of them in an increasing array of electronic formats. As a result, old school litigation support software doesn't work as well as it once did. Instead, these programs need new functionality to help litigation teams stay on top of all these documents. The latest version of one of the leading litigation support products offers a number of new functions designed for modern litigation.

CT Summation Enterprise 2.7 … in One Sentence
Released earlier this week, CT Summation Enterprise 2.7 is a scalable SQL-based litigation software suite for managing cases, including discovery documents and deposition transcripts.

The Killer Feature
Litigation support software like CT Summation Enterprise originated because litigation teams found themselves drowning in paper during discovery. CT Summation Enterprise enabled these teams to transform all that paper into searchable electronic documents — and it still does.

Nowadays, litigation teams find themselves drowning in electronic documents. Answering the call of the industry again, the new version of CT Summation Enterprise has added a Near-Native Document Viewer and more.

With this tool, you can view virtually any type of file without the need for the original program. For example, you could view CAD illustrations created by AutoCAD without having to buy a copy of AutoCAD.

Other Notable Features
Also new are CT Summation Enterprise's built-in tools for accelerated document review and coding, enabling you and your colleagues to group similar documents processed through a near-duplicate analysis service or software, and more easily bulk-code an entire near-duplicate set.

With CT Summation Enterprise, it's unlikely you'll run into any production task you cannot handle thanks to the new Petrification Toolkit. Petrification refers to the process of converting native files into an image format (e.g., for responding to document requests). Thanks to the Oracle Outside In technology at the core of the Petrification Toolkit, you can configure batch sizes and process all the latest file formats, including very old programs like Wordstar.

What Else Should You Know?
CT Summation has made it easier to access the features of Enterprise with a refreshed user interface. Much of these improvements stem from client feedback. Learn more about CT Summation Enterprise 2.7.

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Topics: Litigation/Discovery/Trials | TL NewsWire

Review: AIRTIME-A4P for Automated Time Capture

By Sara Skiff | Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Coming today to TechnoFeature: Legal technology consultant Caren Schwartz spends a lot of time on the road. To help her capture time spent on email and phone calls on her BlackBerry, Caren used Airtime Manager's AIRTIME-A4P for a few months. In this TechnoFeature, she reviews A4P, including setting it up, daily use, and technical support. If you find yourself increasingly reliant on your smartphone, and concerned about billable time slipping through the cracks when you're out of the office, read Caren's review to find out if AIRTIME-A4P could help you and your colleagues.

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Topics: Accounting/Billing/Time Capture | Email/Messaging/Telephony | Online/Cloud | TechnoFeature