Reid My Blog!

Just Posted from ABA TECHSHOW 2008: All 60 Sites in 60 Minutes

All 60 Sites in 60 Minutes from ABA TECHSHOW 2008 are now posted on the TECHSHOW website. I was pleased to be one of the three presenters at this signature TECHSHOW finale with Tom Mighell and Craig Ball, and I think you will be pleased with the breadth and depth of the websites we selected this year: Many sites are new, some obscure, a few are classic repeats, but all are helpful to busy lawyers. And, yes, we made sure there were more than a few sites that are fun and humorous--all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy!

This is one of the few TECHSHOW sessions posted for those who did not attend. Thanks to the ABA for making this article available for all lawyers!

Enjoy!

White House Blackberry Breach Yet Another Lesson for Lawyers

USA Today reports that several Blackberries belonging to White House aides were stolen by a Mexican diplomat in what may be the most audacious bit of espionage in a long time. The Blackberries were left unattended on a table outside a meeting room during a conference in New Orleans. It is yet another example of what can happen to mobile devices if their owners are not careful. That is to say, your smartphone will probably not be stolen by a Mexican diplomat, but thieves come in all shapes and sizes. As lawyers, we need to be sure we password protect all mobile devices, and encrypt any client documents we might choose to carry on the device, among other precautions.

I spoke to a fantastic crowd of lawyers on Tuesday in San Francisco on this very topic. I wish I had this story to put an exclamation point on my presentation, then again I never like to hear stories like this, especially when they happen to lawyers. For more information about securing your mobile technology, read the A Lawyer's Guide to Mobile Computer Security. And let's be careful out there!

Pay Less in Taxes, Sleep Better at Night, and Enjoy Life a Little More

I have forgotten to post this article I authored for GPSolo magazine last year, but with the April 15 tax deadline looming, I remembered to post it now. The title may sound a bit overly-ambitious, but it has many useful tips that will help you save tax dollars this year, sleep better, and enjoy life as a busy lawyer.

An Ethical View of the Business of Law

Thanks to DePaul Law second-year, Megan Bosau, for pointing me to DePaul's upcoming symposium Lawyers, Law Firms, and the Legal Profession: An Ethical View of the Business of Law, being held on Thursday, May 1, 2008 at the law school in Chicago.  The day-long symposium includes a morning session on the billable hour, following up on Scott Turow's widely-read ABA Journal article. The afternoon sessions address lawyer mobility, and a look at the state of ethics and professionalism. The faculty is equally drawn from private practice and academia, and includes ABA ethics author and commentator, Will Hornsby. Kudos to the DePaul Business & Commercial Law Journal for developing the symposium, and I encourage lawyers and law students alike to attend.

Techshow 2009

Techshow 2008 is over and done, and plenty of other blogs have done a terrific job of recounting the best of the 2 1/2 day conference, while I headed out for a family vacation. Interestingly, planning for the 2009 edition of Techshow is already underway. It started the afternoon Techshow 2008 ended.  Yep, I was there. I've been selected to be a member of the 2009 Techshow Planning Board, and I look forward to contributing to the success of this 23-year tradition as the premier technology event for the legal profession.

Techshow is not until next March, but the planning board is already looking at evaluation forms from this past year, watching for emerging trends over the next year, and seeking input from within the legal profession and from without.  I'd be pleased to hear from anyone who has thoughts and ideas about the direction of legal technology and the impact on lawyers, law firms, and their clients. Feel free to e-mail me using the e-mail link above.

ABA Techshow 2008 Keynote Discusses Privacy Issues

Marc Rotenberg, Executive Director of the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) just finished his keynote presentation at ABA Techshow 2008, and from the reactions of the audience it was a homerun.  He provided timely insights into on-line privacy using the current Spitzer Scandal as an example. Interesting, provactive, and helpful to lawyers trying to protect clients and counsel them on the realities of being on-line. Godd lessons for us too. I hope to post is presentation later or check the Techshow website.

See You at Techshow 2008

I'm headed to Chicago for the ABA Techshow--my ninth time to attend this fun and informative event.  Late last week, I shared my thoughts with Rob La Gatta of Kevin O'Keefe's Real Lawyers Have Blogs.  As I explained to Rob, Techshow continues to provide the latest information in legal technology--especially in the areas of information and computer security, portable technology, and litigation technology.  Even though there is no new huge blockbuster technology, many existing technologies have evolved, matured, and merged into more affordable and useful products and services for law firms. Furthermore, the computer criminals are still rolling out new methods to steal, harm, and terrorize businesses of all sizes; lawyers must remain knowledgeable and vigilant to make sure these criminals do not compromise confidential client data and valuable firm information.

Besides the serious business, we also have serious fun, as Techshow has become a popular networking event for lawyers in firms of all sizes across many practice areas.  I look forward to the new Techshow After Dark, and hosting a table with Bruce Olson as part of the Taste of Techshow dinner event.

See you there!

Nominate Your Firm for an InnovAction Award

The College of Law Practice Management is seeking nominations for the 2008 InnovAction Awards, to recognize law firms, law departments, and other legal services providers who are engaged in extraordinary innovation efforts.  According to the College, "the awards are meant to inspire and promote extraordinary and effective business innovation in law practices around the world to catalyze positive change in the delivery of legal services and in the legal profession."

Take a moment to review the terms of this innovative award program, and consider nominating your firm and/or passing along this information to another firm that deserves consideration.

A Lesson From Starbucks

In case you hadn't heard, Starbucks is closing all of its stores today at 5:30 to retrain their baristas and enhance the customer experience. It is another in a series of steps initiated by CEO Howard Schultz to "revisit the standards of quality that are the foundation for the trust that our customers have in our coffee and in all of us. Schultz also views it as "a time to celebrate who we are and to be proud of what we have built." Powerful stuff that offers several lessons to those of us in the legal profession.

1. Closing the doors to devote time to enhancing the customer experience is an expensive endeavor. All costs and no revenue for 3 hours. OK, maybe it is a slow time at many outlets, but it is still making a commitment to all customers and to the future well-being of Starbucks. How many law firms close to enhance the experience of their clients?

2. Howard's real reason for the closings may be to make more money in the long run, but he is focusing it on rebuilding the trust of the consumer. Far more admirable, but ultimately with the same result. Never underestimate the power of trust in an attorney-client relationship.

3. Rather than just announce a temporary closing, Starbucks has trumpeted the store closings and the reasons why for several weeks. And the media has obliged with stories about getting your afternoon Starbucks fix early today. It has been a great marketing coup.  They are letting their customers know they have heard their complaints and are making the answer very public.

So take a page from Starbucks, set a date for staff training focused on client service, announce to your clients that you are closing for an afternoon to enhance their experience. It will deliver multiple benefits, just ask Howard Schultz!

Must-Read Essay on Our Changing Profession

I encourage every lawyer—especially young lawyers—to read this outstanding article about the evolution of law practice over the past fifty plus years.  Author Abe Krash, a 50-year veteran of the legal profession, does a terrific job of recounting the changes he has witnessed—both good and bad--from his vantage point in what is now a large D.C.-based law firm, Arnold & Porter.  His comprehensive article avoids many of the typical war stories, and focuses on the evolution of the profession by addressing topics such as specialization, billable hours, technology, multi-office law firms, ethics, demographics, and money.

Beware; the article is long, but worth every minute of your valuable time to obtain such insight. Often, looking back in time can help us gain perspective to create our own preferred future.

I only know Abe Krash by his stellar reputation in the DC Bar; after reading his article, maybe I’ll call him to see if he’d like to have lunch. Despite the long article, I'd like to learn more.