Affinity Law Office Technology Blog

An indispensible book

If you are in private practice and you have not read Jay Foonberg's ABA book, How to Start & Build a Law Practice, you are missing a great deal of valuable information.  This $69.95 book (less for ABA Law Practice Management or Law Student Division members) is an incredible bargain.

One of the great nuggets of advice offered is "Foonberg's rule" on law office technology.  He writes, "If it works, it is obsolete."  The point he makes is that no matter what you buy, there will be something faster, better and more advanced available by the time your get your equipment unpacked or install your software.  So don't waste time waiting for new technology to emerge.  While you wait, you are losing a competitive edge.  Buy the best you can now and get moving toward using technology to make your practice more efficient.     

Why lawyers need to understand technology

In an excellent article by Terrence T. Murphy published in Michigan Lawyers Weekly, it was written:

"Lawyers who develop good computer skills can improve their productivity, contribute to the efficiency of law department operations, and prepare themselves for new developments that technology will bring to the legal profession."

and

"In the future, lawyers who fail to master basic technology skills will find their law degree isn't enough to get them hired. However, lawyers who know the basic office software programs and technology will improve how their law department operates."

Truer words about the need for lawyers to master at least basic law office technology skills have rarely been written.  Murphy makes the point that lawyers must learn how to use core law office applications such as

e-mail correspondence;

calendaring;

case management;

practice management;

litigation support; and

electronic discovery.

In addition to the productivity gains associated with these core apps, lawyers must know enough about them (and the hardware on which they run) to meaningfully participate in technology purchase, upgrade, and support decisions.  The failure to do so is to abdicate an important aspect of law office management to others.

Read the entire article.  If you have avoided learning about the technology on which your firm depends, this will be an eye opener.