In order to be successful, a fledgling firm will have to incorporate modern technology into the function of its office. Whether you are looking for the necessary hardware to start your firm off on the right foot, or looking for the latest software upgrades to maximize your office efficiency, the sections below will get you to the latest news and updates for the appropriate legal technology.
Many solo practioners and small law firms underestimate how much technology can increase their efficiency if used correctly from the beginning.
Software for the modern practice encompasses far more than word processing programs. Many of the office systems which must be established for a law firm will rely heavily on the software chosen by the firm. Although, the single most important piece of software will be the word-processing software used to produce the firm's work-product, there are numerous other pieces of software that should also be looked at. A firm that selects an efficient and easy-to-use billing software that is integrated into its accounting processes will have a substantial advantage over a firm still utilizing more out-dated billing methods or software. Software can make time-keeping, calendaring, and conflict checking a smooth process, allowing lawyers and staff to spend more time on their clients.
Buying hardware for a start-up may be a daunting and costly endeavor. However, no office, much less a law office, can survive without some basic hardware such as computers, printers, scanners, faxes, and copiers. There are many options available in the market for such hardware, and even combinations such as three or four-in-one printer, fax, scanner, and copier. The size of the office and the amount of paperwork expected to be produced should be important considerations when looking into law firm hardware. Another consideration should be the portability of your work. If you plan on taking work home with you (you almost surely will!), you may wish to consider using a laptop with a docking station as your work computer. This will allow you to continue work without interruption at home or at work, and may eliminate the need to synchronize your work each time you come into work.
When starting a firm, it is important to determine up front the size of the office and your communications needs. Before the office is even open, you will want to have signed up for and established the required phone and fax line, as well as internet access. Additionally, a decision must be made on the types of phone the office will use and the voicemail options that will be available.
Electronic documentation and discovery is an already important field, and will only become moreso in the modern law firm context. With the advent of electronic mail and related forms of communication, most individuals utilize electronic communications in their daily work and home lives. Most of us create and store electronic information in many different places such as our stand-alone computers, our laptops we take on vacation, backup drives, cell phones, PDA's, memory sticks, and CDs. Every file (or part of files even!) stored in these media has the potential to be the key piece of evidence in litigation. In the context of discovery, a lawyer must determine not only know whether to ask for it, but also must ensure it does not get missed, destroyed or in some way corrupted. A failure to do so could have severe adverse consequences in litigation. As a result, all lawyers should become educated with the concepts and developments surrounding E-discovery.
Whether it be a regular LAN network or a Wi-Fi office, an efficient firm will utilize networking for e-mail, work-sharing, and more. Networking, and particularly wireless networking, raise concerns about network security and the importance of establishing adequate safeguards for your data. Document retention and storage systems must also be established by law firms.