Legal Technology

I received more public comments on The Practice of Law is Dead blog post than any other I've written and they covered the waterfront as to cause and cure. Clearly, lawyers have concerns about the future and much of that concern revolves around lawyer population control. Apparently, Time Magazine was so impressed with my post that they published an entire article, written by Bill Saporito, on the subject entitled The Law vs. Supply and Demand - Is becoming a lawyer a bad investment? The article is so well written and so on point to my earlier blog discussion that I encourage you to read it so you can get the full impact without having to read my paraphrase of it in this post. Unfortunately, you may have to pay to read the article (it's worth...

Several years ago, I attended an ALPS CLE and noticed many attorneys using mobile devices with styluses. Now a mobile device is nearly required legal technology, and I wonder if some lawyers miss the stylus.

For those who do, the stylus strikes back with Samsung’s new Android phablet (phone/tablet hybrid.) Yes, the large dimensions of the Galaxy Note make it look like a caricature of a cell phone. Thankfully, it can be used with an earpiece or speaker phone to avoid ridicule. The device is designed to be a small tablet rather than a phone—a digital notebook as the name indicates.

Everyone’s favorite acetic technologist, Steve Jobs, put an image of a stylus up in an iPhone presentation and proclaimed, “Who wants a stylus? Yuck!” But, despite...

First of all, thanks to the great folks at ALPS for the kind invitation to post here at the ALPS411 blog. I've been a reader for a while, particularly since I set up a solo law practice almost 2 years ago. Since that time, I've had my feet firmly planted with one foot on the ground and another in the cloud.

(Quick Aside: If you are looking for a post on cyber securtiy, client confidence issues, or other tech oriented  thoughts about the "Cloud" as it relates to the practice of law, this is not the post for you. There are many wonderful posts here at the ALPS 411 blog for that and I commend them to you.)

While that last statement could be (properly) interpreted as my being happy with the move and the better work/life balance that I've achieved...

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ALPS, the endorsed professional liability carrier for the Virginia State Bar, is offering two new Ethics CLE programs produced by ALPS Educational Services. These online and on-demand programs are for the 2012 VSB CLE year which runs from November 1, 2011 to October 31, 2012.

The two courses provide invaluable information for the practicing lawyer and are reasonably priced. Preview and register here.

Course Descriptions

2012 Top Ten Technology Traps and How to Avoid Them

The latest in computer technology, be it hardware or software, isn't the final answer when it comes to reducing exposure to a malpractice claim or avoiding ethical problems. In fact, the use of technological tools can increase one's risk. While computers can't commit...

Valued Clients, Associates, and Friends of ALPS,

I am proud to invite you to our latest for you – the ALPS 411 blog. This multi-authored site features expert staff and guest writers discussing the nitty-gritty of the daily practice of law, and sharing cautionary tales and real-world anecdotes to keep readers aware of and connected to current trends in the legal world. The overall focus is on helping you be safe and successful in the business of law.

Topics cover everything from risk management, professionalism, ethics, international law, and the use of technology, to useful information on malpractice avoidance, claims, underwriting, finances, marketing, social media, legal IT, e-discovery, career development, and more.

We invite you to...