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Top Ten Takeaways from ABA TECHSHOW 2014

    TECHSHOW Week is always great fun. This was my 16th year in attendance and my 10th as part of the faculty. Despite being diligent to answer emails and voicemails during TECHSHOW, it takes a few days to clear the Inbox and my desktop of messages and tasks. With much of that now behind me, I’ve had time to organize my top takeaways from the conference:

1. Lawyers-turned-software developers showcasing new cloud-based practice management systems were prominent throughout the Exhibit Hall. Many were confident their personal workflow processes memorialized in professional software would find an audience with TECHSHOW attendees—most of whom are solo and small firm practitioners. I was impressed with what I saw on the computer screens, but scratched my head at their ability to support their software if more than a few firms subscribed. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad they were there, and wish them the best was they grow. I think the rise of such vendors shows the value proposition of cloud-based software, and that the entrepreneurial spirit is alive in SmallFirm law.

2. Application host providers also populated the Exhibit Hall, and I think this bodes well for traditional software providers such as Amicus and TABS. A big cost of installing software in a law office has been the need for consultants to spend days and weeks on-site to install and configure the applications. With application hosts, the software can be installed, customized, virtualized, and maintained remotely, thereby substantially reducing the cost of this software option. While cloud-based software has the momentum and buzz at the moment, I expect this to be muted as law firms rediscover that “old” may be new again!

3. Workflow was front and center in the educational sessions and in the Exhibit Hall. Actually, I believe the correct term is “Business Process Improvement”. Remember that term, as it is finally becoming mainstream in 2014. Business process improvement (BPI) refers to the desire of lawyers to change the way they do their work, seeking improved efficiency, greater productivity, and increased mobility. Yes, some of this is being forced on lawyers, but the lawyers attending TECHSHOW are choosing their
solutions to a changing marketplace. The top tools that impressed me included Doxsera from The Form Tool. Their first product was (and is) impressive, but their latest, Doxsera is a game-changer. Jim Figel of Wordrake was also there showcasing this amazing editing software that can save lawyers time rewriting and editing their documents. I was also impressed with newcomer Bellefield with their iTimeKeep mobile app—a simple yet powerful tool to capture more billable time—that integrates with most legal time & billing software. 

4. Speaking of new, a group of us had a good first look at Lexis-Nexis’ totally-rebuilt practice management application, FirmManager. I hope to test-drive this cloud-based management and billing product more soon, but I was very impressed with what I saw in this new version. Kudos to Mike Lipps, Chris Anderson, Loretta Ruppert, and the whole the Lexis team overseeing this product, who had the guts to toss out the old version and start from scratch. The old FirmManager was limited by it’s own design, but the new one has started well and will get better throughout 2014 as additional features come on-line.

5. It was good to see an expanded presence from Clio, giving me and many other attendees a chance to ask detailed questions about the product. On the other hand, I was wondering why RocketMatter didn’t have an exhibit floor presence, although I did see my friend, Larry Port at the conference. Hats off to Matt Spiegel for tapping a keg in the MyCase booth on Thursday afternoon. I don’t always drink beer, but when I do . . .

6. I co-presented two seminars at TECHSHOW on mobile workflow (Less Paper, More Mobility and 60  iOS Apps in 60 Minutes). These sessions and others on working from outside the traditional four-walled law office shows the continuing desire of today’s lawyer to work wherever they want and need to work. Improving business processes to work effectively at home or on the road is a key part meeting the needs of today’s legal consumer as well as meeting the needs of lawyers who can’t (or won’t) be tied to just an office to complete their work.

7. I noted there was only one seminar offered on the topic of law firm websites—how to build one yourself—yet none on website best practices, search engine marketing, etc. I think lawyers need to take more interest to understand how consumers use websites and how websites can be used in their business processes with clients. I hope ABA TECHSHOW 2015 will address this need.

8. As always, I enjoy the latest gadgets, apps, and tools I see and play with at TECHSHOW, and this year was no exception—in fact, it was exceptional. Kudos to Worldox President Ray Zwiefelhofer for partnering with Sony to unveil the new Sony Digital Paper tablet--released nationally during ABA TECHSHOW. It really caught my eye, and I can see where this tool could have a home in large discovery projects and with lawyers who want to take digital notes and annotate PDFs but don’t like the feel of iPads or other tablets. I also liked the new jury app entry from Second Chair Mobile. It is well-positioned in the market to be easy-to-use at trial with robust features yet priced at $24.95. Fujitsu exhibited a new "contactless" scanner that scans both pages of an open book or magazine, and then flattens the curved image, meaning you don’t have to hold down the book to do so. 

9. There was definitely a larger crowd this year—among the largest ever. It’s not just the improved economy boosting attendance, but the growing interest of more lawyers to go beyond the traditional technology in their office. More lawyers are getting the message—improve, enhance, and change now—or let other market forces drive you out of business.

10. Congrats to Natalie Kelly, who is the first law student to chair this 28-year-old conference! You read that right—law student. Natalie is the long-time Director of the Law Practice Management Program at the Georgia Bar, and well-known legal technology guru. However, she returned to law school in 2012 to achieve her goal of becoming a lawyer. Keep up the good work, Natalie!

    I never cease to be amazed at the genuinely nice people I meet, including Eli Udell of Ottawa, Canada who joined us for a Taste of TECHSHOW dinner. Eli and a colleague in his firm were at their first TECHSHOW, having been tasked with developing a plan to improve the firm’s technology. We had a great dinner at Harry Carey’s and a great discussion throughout.

    Can't wait for ABA TECHSHOW 2015--April 16-18 at the Chicago Hilton!

Five Must-Have iPhone/iPad Apps for ABA TECHSHOW 2014

 With hundreds of thousands of apps in the Apple App Store, how can busy lawyers know which ones are the best without sorting through them all? The best way is to attend ABA TECHSHOW and come to the session 60 iOS Apps in 60 Minutes.  I’ll be co-presenting with three of the best iPhone/iPad gurus in the legal profession--Bret Burney, Chad Burton, and Jeff Richardson, to highlight the best productivity apps, showcase helpful apps you may have overlooked, and we’ll even throw in a few you can share with your colleagues and friends for a good laugh or two.

But you don’t have to wait until our session at ABA TECHSHOW. Here are five apps you’ll want to download and install now to be prepared for a great conference:

ABA TECHSHOW Conference App

The ABA TECHSHOW App is your mobile guide to the entire ABA TECHSHOW Conference and EXPO. Download it now to view the schedule and bookmark your favorite sessions, exhibitors, and speakers so you can plan your time accordingly. Keep it handy during the conference to see what sessions are underway or are next on your schedule. Use it to reserve your spot at one of several dozen Taste of TECHSHOW dinners. I’m co-hosting a dinner with my usual cohort, Dan Pinnington on Friday night. We always have a fun and interesting time! Also use the app to see what everyone is talking about on the Twitter feed and add your voice using #ABATECHSHOW. Plus the app gives attendees exclusive access to the conference materials on their mobile device. Download it now or get more information before you do.

Notability

This is one of the more robust and flexible note-taking apps on the market.  It allows for importing of web images (and maintains the external link), PDF images, graphs and tables.  It also has a strong handwriting capability and typing so you can take notes throughout the ABA TECHSHOW with a stylus or your favorite Bluetooth keyboard.  Notes can be exported to other platforms for storage.  For example, the integration with Box is such that a note from Notability can be saved into Box in the proprietary Notability format and be shifted between the apps so that editing is easy.  PDF and rich text are other options. You can also import and open any of the conference materials (in PDF format) to annotate and highlight key information. Or, engage the built-in audio recorder to capture the entire presentation for playback later.  $2.99 in the App Store.

Scanner Pro

If you’re like me and have a nasty habit of losing travel expense receipts before you can organize and log those slippery slips of paper. Enter ScannerPro. Simply snap a photo (within the app) of a paper receipt, and the app coverts it to a PDF that can easily be emailed or sent to Dropbox or Google Drive from within the app. Print them whenever you need them. I’ve also used JotNot Pro for several years, which now uploads directly to Box, but give the slight edge to ScannerPro. Not just for business receipts but for all types of documents—black & white or color—including business cards. A must for every lawyer. $6.99 in the App Store (and worth every penny)!

Box

Most everyone is familiar with Dropbox, but Box is becoming a excellent solution in the solo small legal market, thanks to a deal with the ABA for 50G of free storage. Like Dropbox, Box can be installed on all your computers and devices, so that any file you drop into Box is available on all other mobile devices and computers where Box is installed. Many apps are now include full functionality for Box, and Box is adding more apps with more functionality, quickly making it a very popular alternative for your mobile workflow. Speaking of mobile workflow, you’ll want to attend my session Less Paper, More Mobility on Friday afternoon at ABA TECHSHOW. Tom Mighell and I have put together a great presentation in this fast-changing area of legal technology. The Box app is free in the App Store.

Namerick

Do you find yourself meeting someone new at a bar event, having a great conversation but then can't seem to recall their name to follow up later? When we get more than a few business cards, how do we recall one person from another? You’re going to have plenty of new acquaintances at ABA TECHSHOW, so you’ll want to be prepared to have the right tools to expand your professional network. Good thing there's an app for that! Namerick's slogan "Become a better leader" is based on influential public figures such as Abe Lincoln and Bill Clinton, who were known for their keen ability to remember names. So how does Namerick help you do that? Enter the names of your new acquaintances in the app, using on-board features to add memorable characteristics of each person. Namerick's technology creates memory mnemonics of the person you've just met, and allows you to quickly set several reminder alarms to recall the person’s name over the next 24 hours to 2 weeks. You’ll be ready the next time you see them or when you want to put a face to that business card in your pocket to contact them later. The only thing you need to remember their name long enough to add it in your iPhone! $0.99.

And one more just for the fun of it . . . 

Wake Up and Smell the Bacon Alarm

ABA TECHSHOW is a great conference that starts early each day, so you won’t want to miss a second. One downside of the conference is that the continental breakfast served to attendees each morning lacks bacon. So to make up for that oversight, download this new app from Oscar Meyer. It will wake you to the sound of sizzling bacon each morning. And, if you are a lucky winner in this contest, Oscar Meyer will send you a limited edition device to add to your iPhone that gives off the smell of bacon too.

Finally, a Real Beer App for your iPad

Where was this during Beer for Blawgers at ABA TECHSHOW 2012? I want one!

Sixty Websites for Lawyers from ABA TECHSHOW 2012

 

Again this year, the always exciting 60 Sites in 60 Minutes plenary session concluded ABA TECHSHOW 2012. Natalie Kelly, Dan Pinnington, Catherine Sanders Reach and I shared variety of serious and funs sites with the packed room. For those that could not make it, here is a full list of the sites we presented:

Sites to help you do your job

• ABA Preview of Supreme Court Cases: Everything you want or need to know about what is happening at the Supreme Court, past, present and future. americanbar.org/publications/preview_home.html
• Fastcase and Mobile Sync: Legal research on your desktop, iPhone or iPad. Bar Association users can use the Mobile Sync feature to keep one research session going across all platforms. www.fastcase.com
• CellularAbroad is a helpful site to find the best mobile phone and coverage option specific to your phone and carrier when traveling overseas. www.cellularabroad.com
• Google Scholar adds treatment to citing cases scholar.google.com
• Jureeka: Turn legal citations in web pages into hyperlinks that point to online legal source material in Chrome or Firefox jureeka.blogspot.ca
• TinyEye: Reverse image search: find out source of an image, other uses of it, higher resolution versions, etc. www.tineye.com
• Google Images lets you search by dragging and dropping an imagewww.google.com/imghp
• Meevsu: Have a live confrontation or debate via webcam, with the audience voting for the winner meevsu.com

Helpful information

• Law Practice Today e-zine archives is full of terrific articles on all aspects of law practice management www.americanbar.org/publications/law_practice_magazine
• Room77: See what your hotel view is like, before you book the room www.room77.com
• Priceblink: Find lower prices while you shop and set notifications for desired price points. www.priceblink.com
• The Holotypic Occlupanid Research Group exists for one purpose. You’ll have to see for yourself because you won’t believe it until you see it. www.horg.com/horg/intro.html
• PMA Pipe: Keep up with all the law practice management blogs feeds.feedburner.com/PmaPipe
• MarineTraffic: Watch the movement of ships around the world, tracked by GPS in real time MarineTraffic.com/ais
• AllTop: See the top headlines on the most popular news sites and blogs alltop.com
• The World at 7 Billion: With seven billion people in the world, where do you fit in? Just enter your birthdate and find out! www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-15391515
• Handsfreeinfo: See what your state’s cell phone and texting laws for drivers prohibit – or are about to prohibit. Handsfreeinfo.com
• WhoIsTheMostFamous:With just a first name, try to guess the most famous surname. WhoIsTheMostFamous.com
• Scoopertino is the parody blog of all things Apple (based in Coopertino, CA) that recently claimed Apple would replace the complete iTunes library with songs sung by Siri, starting with Stairway to Heaven! scoopertino.com
• US Department of State provides important travel information for every country in the world www.state.gov/misc/list/index.htm
• An American’s Guide to Canada tells you everything you want to know about life in the Great White North, including “Canadianisms” and how to immigrate. AmericansGuide.ca

Technology tools and sites

• Adobe provides great online tools for collaboration and converting and editing PDF documents acrobat.com
• Alternativeto: If you’ve decided to replace a software application, this site will recommend alternatives based on user feedback. alternativeto.net
• FollowUpThen: Schedule followups to emails you don’t need to deal with now, by simply forwarding them to this site. followupthen.com
• Snipreel: Clip YouTube videos so you can share just the best parts. Snipreel.com
• GreatApps: Helps you weed through the 1,000s of apps out there by featuring the best 25 at a time. greatapps.com
• “If This Then That” write “recipes” and tasks to automate actions between “channels” like Facebook, Twitter, Email, Dropbox, Evernote and more ifttt.com
• Thsrs Find shorter synonyms for longer words ironicsans.com/thsrs/
• Zamzar is an oldie but a goodie site that coverts computer files you upload into other formats; great for old WordPerfect docs you now need to access via MS Word zamzar.com
• Down for everyone or just me? Find out if a website is down www.downforeveryoneorjustme.com
• Ninite: Pick all the popular software you want to install right from one page www.ninite.com
• FacebookCheating: Read and share stories of cheating that happened via Facebook. Also access spying and therapeutic resources for online activity. facebookcheating.com
• Factory Reset Wiki: Find factory reset codes and procedures for all kinds of products. Factory-Reset.com
• Join.me is a free, yet robust screen sharing and conference call system that is extremely easy to set up and/or join. join.me
• TextMechanic allows you to manipulate and play with text in all sorts of different ways (for example, pick a random line of text) TextMechanic.com/Random-Line-Picker.html

Social media tools & resources

• Visual.ly: Generate a cartoon avatar and infographic for your Twitter account visual.ly/twitter
• Tips to surviving the zombie apocalypse (and other disasters) from the Centres for Disease Control blogs.cdc.gov/publichealthmatters/2011/05/preparedness-101-zombie-apocalypse/
>MemoLane: emails you reminders of your social media past memolane.com
• Frequency.com is a video aggregator that provides a convenient platform to find and view informative and humorous videos in one place. www.frequency.com
• Twylah creates a visually great-looking website out of your tweets and the links they contained. www.twylah.com
• MyPermissions lets you examine and clean up all the permissions you’ve given social media apps to access your private data mypermissions.org

Law practice management

• HBS Elevator Pitch Builder The good folks at the Harvard Business School have created the on-line pitch builder to help you hone your, well, elevator pitch. Try it! www.alumni.hbs.edu/careers/pitch
• Thinkstock: A huge supply of the best stock images thinkstock.com
• 99Designs is a new on-line graphics marketplace to have law firm logos and website graphics designed at extremely low rates, thanks to the winner-take-all nature of the marketplace. 99designs.com

Online privacy and dangers

• Google Privacy Tools: All the ways Google gives you control over the information you share and store with them: google.com/policies/privacy/tools/
• ScamTrends: Keep track of all the constant attemps to scam you by email, social media, phone, etc www.scamtrends.com
• AvoidAClaim This blog about law practice management and claims prevention also features warnings about the latest fraud attempts against lawyers www.avoidaclaim.com
• FCC Small Biz Cyber Planner: Information on how smaller companies can secure themselves against cyber crime www.fcc.gov/cyberplanner
• SecretSync is a great way to easily share proprietary, sensitive information using online synchronization utilities getsecretsync.com
• StartPage: A search engine that doesn’t collect your personal data startpage.com

Non-billable Time

• MapCrunch lets you randomly teleport anywhere in the world via Google Streetview Mapcrunch.com
• MyExWife’s Wedding Dress: Family lawyers will especially get a kick out of this site started by a man whose wife purposely left behind her wedding dress when they separated, and what he did with it to get even. myexwifesweddingdress.com
• VeryFunnyAds: Pretty self explanatory! VeryFunnyAds.com
• AbsolutelyMadness: collects the funniest pictures on the internet absolutelymadness.tumblr.com
• PhotoShop Disasters: A collection of the worst examples of bad Photoshop efforts PSDisasters.com
• Monk-e-Mail: In just a few minutes you can customize an animated message complete with your own voice to send a birthday greeting or other fun greeting. Hosted by CareerBuilder.com of all things, but why not? www.careerbuilder.com/monk-e-mail/default.aspx
• PoopSenders For friend or foe, res ipsa loquitor. www.poopsenders.com
• Craftastrophe:A collection of the tackiest examples of homemade crafts Craftastrophe.net
• WhySiriWhy? Amusing Siri quotes and awkward voice-text failures whysiriwhy.com
• AwkwardWorkplacePhotos.com. Go. Laugh. Get back to work! workplacephotos.com
• Devolve Me: Upload a photo of yourself (or someone else) and devolve it to see what you would look like 1.8 million years ago.www.open.ac.uk/darwin/devolve-me.php
• MultiPlayerPiano: Play the piano online with whoever else is on the site at the same time multiplayerpiano.com

If you liked these sites, you can see the sites that were featured in previous ABA TECSHOW 60 Sites in 60 Minutes presentations as well as the ABA TECSHOW 60 Sites in 60 Minutes Hall of Fame

Take a Taste of ABA TECHSHOW

If you have not had a chance to attend ABA TECHSHOW, now is your opportunity to sample the quality of the educational sessions. The ABA Law Practice Management Section, producer of the annual technology conference has, for the first time, released most of the slide presentations that accompany the sessions. Take a look at the range of sessions that each year attracts over a 1,700 lawyers, IT staff, paralegals, legal assistants, and product vendors to attend the 3-day conference in Chicago.

The educational sessions are just one part of TECHSHOW; the networking, vendor expo, and one-on-one interaction with many of the top law practice technology experts in the country make it a truly valuable experience.

Take a taste now, but be sure to attend the entire conference March 29-31, 2012 in Chicago!

Is 4G Really 4G? Just the Facts, Ma'am!

I keep seeing wireless companies advertising they have 4G speed or the largest 4G network, but I started to wonder about the claims and what they really meant. The tiny print in the TV ads provided some guidance that there are limits to the claims. However, it was not until I read this interesting article from Engadget that provided clarity to the ad claims. Bottom line? 4G might really be 3.5G or other fraction above 3 but below 4. An interesting read . . .

Even More Useful Nuggets from ABA TECHSHOW 2010

The practical information from ABA TECHSHOW 2010 continues to flow across the Internet and through the blogosphere, as lawyers absorb all the great nuggets of information from the conference. Here's a few you might have missed:

The ABA Journal's Rachel Zahorsky covered my 60 iPhone Apps in 60 Minutes seminar with Jeff Richardson, and proclaimed it "the crowning glory of the TECHSHOW Mac track". Why thanks, Rachel, I'm blushing!

The ABA Journal also covered the Google Tools for Lawyers session presented by Mark Rosch and Dan Pinnington, who delved behind the "more" link on the Google home page to highlight some great tools to help lawyers in practice.

Dennis Kennedy and Tom Mighell took their Kennedy-Mighell Report to TECHSHOW and produced a terrific video edition of their monthly podcast on the Legal Talk Network. Always worth a listen!

IgniteLaw is the latest brain-child of LexThink's Matt Homann and was a smash success. Sixteen legal practice management and technology leaders each had 6 minutes to present a thought-provoking presentation for a sold-out audience of over 150 of their peers. Videos of each are available on the LexThink YouTube channel.

Plus, a number of legal technology developers showcased new products or product improvements at TECHSHOW, including SpeakWrite, Clio, RocketMatter, Esquire Solutions, and ContractExpress. The expo hall at TECHSHOW never ceases to amaze me with some of the latest tech tools for every lawyer--most of them leading edge, not bleeding edge products!

Finally, only show attendees have access to all the papers and presentations from TECHSHOW, but the conference finale,  60 Sites in 60 Minutes, is posted on-line to allow everyone a small flavor of the three-day show.

Technology Tips for Lawyers from ABA TECHSHOW Pros

If you missed the 2010 edition of  ABA TECHSHOW, you missed some great ideas for your law practice. However, Jim Calloway covers some very good tips in the March/April edition of Law Practice magazine. 

The article include tips on using Excel, Outlook (including an oldie but goodie from me), and Acrobat, as well as some nifty utilities like SimplyFile and Copy2Contact.

Jim's article is only be a small slice of the ideas from a full three days of TECHSHOW, but if you like it, plan to attend ABA TECHSHOW 2011 in Chicago, April 11-13.

Is the Apple iPad the Tipping Point? Practicing Law in the Cloud Goes Mainstream in 2010

Right before our eyes a major transformation is occurring within the legal profession. I believe 2010 will emerge as a year that we will look back upon as a tipping point. A year where lawyers left behind the traditional confines of their office walls—no longer tethered by phone cords, computer cords, or real estate leases--to practice where and when it suits their needs and the needs of their clients.  2010 will be the year that being small, mobile, and almost expense-free went mainstream.

 

  

Several trends are intersecting to drive this major transformation. They include the rapid innovation of mobile technology, the changing perceptions of consumers, economic trends that are squeezing the bottom line for many law firms, and the rise of solo and small law firms started by big firm refugees. Let me identify and discuss how these trends are coming together to change the practice of law in fundamentals ways, and whether the Apple iPad is the tipping point in this change. 

  

 

Technology Trends are Powering Change

 

  

The strongest trend is the exploding use of mobile technology because of significant recent innovations within that field. For several years laptop computers have outsold their desktop counterparts, so that more workers--including lawyers—can be productive when outside of their office environment. Being tied to a desk for 8+ hours a day is receding as the norm. Workers can take a laptop home, to a coffee shop around the corner, or to a conference a continent away and be able to do almost everything they could do while sitting at their desk.

  

 

Over the past several years we've also witnessed a dramatic maturing of the smart phone, such that more models have capabilities almost equal to many laptops. Blackberries, iPhones and Android phones all have functionalities that just a few years ago were limited to desktop and laptop computers–and they now do things no desktop or laptop ever did.

  

 

And thanks to iPhone Apps as well as now Google and Palm Apps, these phones are becoming more productive daily. Look at the growth of the Apple App Store and how Blackberry, Palm, and Google followed suit. Sure there are tons of games, but also a huge rise in the number of productivity apps like DocumentsToGo, various calendar and task management apps, and even legal-specific apps like Black’s Law Dictionary, Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and numerous ones listing state statutes.

  

 

These changes will accelerate in 2010 not only because the hardware and applications continue to mature, but conductivity, speed, and reliability are maturing too. This smart phone connectivity trend began to really accelerate in 2009 with the launch of the iPhone 3GS, and continued with the release of the Droid late in the year. Phone companies no longer tout lots of free minutes, but speeds at which you can transfer data. In fact, just last week two of the largest wireless carriers significantly dropped the price for talking on a cell phone, but not transferring data—that side of the wireless business is still growing and generating huge profits.

  

 

Beyond cell services, we're also finally seeing the maturing of wireless broadband so that most lawyers can be connected 24/7. Wireless broadband subscribers grew by 90% in the US in 2009, fueled by both a growth in coverage areas and lower pricing. The price for this wireless service has dropped by 30% and more over the past severa1 years. We are also seeing the increase in WiMax connectivity, although that has been slowed somewhat by the poor economy. WiMax is the next generation in wireless data transfer that promises faster data transfer than current 3G networks.

  

 

Not only is mobility changing for lawyers, but for their clients as well. Individual and business clients are using technology to spend less time in the office; and many start-up businesses are forgoing the expense of office space.  With the rise of tools such as Skype and GoToMeeting, more people are conducting meetings on-line rather than always in person.  And how soon will we see a case where a client at a police stop calls his lawyer to oversee the interaction via his iPhone using the UStream Broadcast app?

  

 

 

The 2009 Holiday Gift Guide for Lawyers

The Holiday Gift Guide for Lawyers is back for the fifth year with all new and unique gift ideas for lawyers and law firms. And, after Black Friday and Cyber Monday, I've now added more ideas at the end of this guide! I still don’t make a dime nor get free products, but I do get the satisfaction of knowing that I am helping lawyers, their family members and/or business partners find great gifts for Christmas and beyond. Enjoy!

The Beatles RockBand: The greatest band of the baby boom generation meets the gaming craze of the current generation in this fun interactive musical experience for Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii game systems. From Hard Day’s Night and Eight Days a Week (songs about lawyers?) to Octopus’s Garden, you’ll have fun playing and singing along with this legendary band. The full system comes with guitar, drum pads and microphone. If you don’t have a XBox/PS3/Wii or can’t steal time on your kids’ system, then go out and buy one! Fun for lawyers of all ages. Even recommended to make your law firm Christmas party really rock this year! Available from electronics retailers nationwide.

The Busy Lawyers Guide to Success had to make my guide this  year—and no, not because I co-authored it—because it is the perfect gift for any lawyer! This compact book will help every lawyer—partner, associate, or solo-improve their practice without wading through dozens of web sites, mountains of magazine articles, or pouring through stacks of books to get to the useful essence of the author's wisdom. With over 700 tips and ideas organized into 140 pages, the book is full of practical tips, tricks, and ideas that are sure to make any lawyer even more successful. is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Chapters (in Canada), and the ABA Webstore. 

 
Getting caught with dead battery on your iPhone, Blackberry, Droid or other 
smartphone is a huge faux pas today. To avoid that frustration and embarrassment, get a instant battery energizer, such as the
 FreeLoader Pro Solar Charger. Just plug it to your exhausted mobile device and draw instant power from this battery energizer which itself is rechargeable either a USB port or from the flip-up solar charging panel; comes with a plethora of adapter plugs for mobile devices including Blackberry and iPhone. $80.00 from ThinkGeek.
 

Um, ever need to get your client calls while underwater? We’re not sure who does, but isn’t it nice to know you can with the UWCP Underwater Cellular Phone System. The system comes with a special dive mask, a waterproof case for your phone (which must have Bluetooth) and a floating communication unit with a 40 meter cable to connect you while swimming in the ocean or (God forbid) your own backyard pool! From OceanReef for a smidgen under $1,800.

Xperia Pureness is an awesome new SonyEricsson smartphone that sports a transparent screen. Yep, a see thru screen. You have to see it to believe it. This cutting edge smartphone handles e-mail, text messaging, plays MP3 and ACC media files, includes a web browser, and much more. This “unlocked” phone can be used on various mobile cell service providers using GSM/GPRS/EDGE technology. (Yep, best to ask your service provider before you buy the phone.) OK, it doesn’t have the utility of an iPhone, but it just may eclipse it on the coolness meter!

Looking for a new way to show your appreciation to your firm employees? Successories now offers huge 365-carat colored glass “gemstones” with appreciative sayings, such as “You’re a gem” and “You rock”. Comes in a presentation box for about $25.00.

MoGo Presenter Mouse PC™ is a combined wireless presenter and computer mouse that stores and charges inside your laptop’s PC/ PCMIA card slot. The sleek design and size make it ideal for lawyers on the go. It includes the same functionality as conventional optical wireless mice--scroll, right click, left click--without the bulky, oversized design. With the push of a button, the MoGo Presenter Mouse PC™ turns into a wireless presenter, allowing you to control your PowerPoint presentations with 30 feet of freedom.

The Zvox Incredibase may have rewritten the laws of home theater sound. It is a 5-inch high cabinet-top box stuffed with speakers and utilizing a proprietary sound technology to make movie sound come to life. Best of all it just plugs into your TV and power source and it works! Simply super sound in a small package for under $700!

Plug the Green Button into any USB port of your computer, and
then tap it each time you’ll be away from your computer for more than a few minutes. It puts your computer into a low-power state to save energy until you return. Going green--it’s not just for tree-hugger lawyers anymore! Under $20.

Law Comix is an irreverent website for irreverent lawyers created by the irreverent mind of Charles Pugsley Fincher, J.D. The site is full of irreverent cartoons which are available for sale on mugs, steins, calendars or t-shirts from his Law Comix store. Go. Be irreverent. Enjoy.

When I recently found myself extolling the unparalleled taste
and quality of Nueske’s Applewood-smoked bacon to several lawyers, I realized it had to be added to this guide.  Nueske’s is a family-run butcher/smokehouse in Wittenberg, Wisconsin that turns out the finest smoked meats (bacon, hot dogs, sausage, etc.) you’ll ever put in contact with a taste bud. Long known to folks in the Upper Midwest, Nueske’s now supplies their products to select restaurants from New York to LA. You can get yours shipped directly to your favorite lawyer from their on-line store.

Don’t just give a gift card, give a gift membership to a local museum, a hobbyist club/organization (wine, cars, travel, hiking, etc.), or other affinity group that champions a worthy cause (environment, health, children, etc.). These groups often provide membership certificates, a periodic newsletter, and special events, among other benefits. As such,they doesn’t take up space on a tie rack or dusty office shelf; best of all it is a gift that keeps on giving all year.

 
With the advent of checked bag fees on many airlines, traveling lawyers are cramming more per bag, only to get socked with overweight bag fees at check-in. Avoid those costly penalties with a digital luggage scale. A great stocking stuffer for around $20.


Get ready to party down with this gas-powered blender from Kotula's. Some people
ask “why”; others “why not”?  If you’re in the latter category, then you are sure to enjoy this novelty at your next firm BBQ. Just fire up the 43cc, 2-stroke gas engine, grab the handlebars and open up the throttle for some truly high-revving blended beverages. Not endorsed by Tim “The Toolman” Taylor, but it should be!  Yours for under $400!

LawTunes is the brainchild of litigator Lawrence Savell who cleverly writes, performs and produces humorous songs about the legal profession and the lawyers who inhabit it. Larry’s catalogue of lawyer-focused CDs now includes his fourth holiday album, Season’s Briefings from the LawTunes. His on-line webstore conveniently provides clips of all his songs so you can pick the CD that will tickle the funny bone of your favorite lawyer!

Own a piece of true Yankee history with a pair of seats from the old Yankee Stadium.  Each pair will set you back $1,500 but comes with a letter of authenticity. Available from Yankees-Steiner Collectibles.  And for you Cowboy fans (and you know who you are), seat pairs from Texas Stadium are now available for $650 from the same collectibles company.

I have to hand it to West for developing the Black’s Law Dictionary App for iPhone. They've put a must-have resource for young lawyers and law students into a new media that many young lawyers are using. The entire searchable dictionary is now at your fingertips wherever and whenever you might need it. It even includes 7,000 audio pronunciations--mostly for those unfamiliar latin words that still permeate our lingo. At $49.99 it is not cheap, but the ease and convenience of using it makes this iPhone app a real winner. Available from the Apple App Store on iTunes.
 
If you don’t understand the term “Pon Farr” from Star Trek, skip this last gift item. If you do know Pon Farr is the Vulcan mating ritual, then you’ll be "stunned" to learn that it has been bottled into a new perfume for female trekkies to boldly go where no woman has gone before!  About $30 from select e-tailers and retailers including Borders. (And, yes, don't we all wish we'd thought of this years ago?!)

So with that, beam me up the chimney, Scotty, it’s time to get out of here!

NEWLY ADDED GIFT IDEAS--Having spent time snooping around on Black Friday and Cyber Monday and seeing what's on store shelves, I've added a few more gifts sure to please the lawyers in your life:

With dual PC monitors now populating many lawyer desks across the globe, can dual screen laptops be far behind? In fact, they are available now, including the W700ds from Lenovo. It sports a 17-inch screen and a pull-out 10.6 inch screen. It’s on sale now for $2,100. But if you wait a few days, gScreen Computer Corporation is set to release their Spacebook laptop with two 17-inch monitors that collapse into the space of one. With a powerful Intel Dual Core2 processor and Windows 7 operating system, you could be the first lawyer in your circuit to unfold one of these babies at counsel table. Not yet available in stores, gScreen plans an on-line sales event on December 15th for a few lucky customers. Price tag? Around $2,800 according to the gScreen blog.

Finland-based Nokia is expanding their market presence in the U.S. with the addition of their sleek new netbook, the Nokia Booklet 3G. With an Intel Atom processor, Windows 7, and a 12-hour battery, this newcomer is sure to turn heads. Right now it’s a Best Buy exclusive for only $300 with an AT&T mobile broadband activation. 

I started publishing this annual guide partly because I was tired of all the junky
items adorned with the "scales of justice" being touted as great lawyer gifts. What lawyer wants that “junque”? Unfortunately, that’s what family and friends seem to think we want!  One company that does a good job of avoiding the junk and appealing to lawyers is The Billable Hour Company, with gift items that fit the profession. Not every gift will fit your lawyer, but they have a nice variety of items from games to desk accessories to watches that keep time in 10ths of an hour. Clever, tasteful, and fun!

Kindle2: To be sure, I don’t have one of these, but several lawyers I know are nutty for the second edition of this electronic book platform. If you haven’t at least played with one, you should. It is a solid piece of technology. That said, some of us still prefer the look and feel of a real book; however, if the lawyer in your life has even hinted about this don’t hesitate to buy it. And if you do, add in The Busy Lawyer’s Guide to Success, which just became available for the Kindle this past week.  (Another shameless plug, I know!)

Believe it or not, 80’s arena rockers, REO Speedwagon, have released a Christmas album, Not So Silent Night featuring their versions of traditional holiday songs. Yeah, I thought that too, but head to iTunes (or wherever) and listen. Neither outrageous or sedate, it hits somewhere between the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Bruce Springsteen. I bet you “Can’t Fight This Feeling” and buy it like I did. 

If that is not enough for you, Bob Ambrogi has provided a very helpful guide to on-line lawyer gift guides at Legal Blog Watch. Thanks, Bob!

Merry Christmas and happiest of holidays to all.