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Choosing the best nationwide Registered Agent service is crucial to keeping your company’s entities in good standing in all the states where they are registered to do business.
The post Tips for Choosing a Nationwide Registered Agent Provider appeared first on Legalinc.

Tips for Choosing a Nationwide Registered Agent Provider

Registered agents are vital components of your company. We're here to tell you all about how to file a change of agent form and switch your registered agent!
The post How to Switch Your Registered Agent appeared first on Legalinc.

How to Switch Your Registered Agent

If you want to change your multistate registered agent service, make sure you find a nationwide provider that can manage legal filings with fair pricing.
The post Why Multistate Businesses Change Their Registered Agent Service appeared first on Legalinc.

Why Multistate Businesses Change Their Registered Agent Service

When choosing a Registered Agent provider, it is important to look at how they manage service of process from beginning to end. 
The post How Registered Agent Services Can Help Corporations Effectively Manage Their Service of Process appeared first on Legalinc.

How Registered Agent Services Can Help Corporations Effectively Manage Their Service of Process

Modified Hours of Operation for Legalinc’s Registered Agent Offices Due to the increasing spread of Covid-19, Legalinc is implementing preventive
The post Modified Hours | Registered Agent Offices appeared first on Legalinc.

Modified Hours | Registered Agent Offices

When choosing a registered agent service, make sure you pick one that minimizes risks and improves internal efficiencies through automated
The post Is Your Chosen Registered Agent an Asset or a Risk? appeared first on Legalinc.

Is Your Chosen Registered Agent an Asset or a Risk?

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			<h1 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">Mitigating Corporate Compliance Risks in a Vulnerable Economy</h1>		</div>
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				<p>Compliance management is a challenge in any environment, and it is even more challenging when the economy is vulnerable. When the markets widely fluctuate, when hurricanes or tornadoes strike, or when a novel virus has unknown consequences your priorities naturally shift. Employing a cloud-based entity management system is your first step to reducing your compliance risk. You can access the system from wherever you are, all you need is an internet browser. Ensuring your entity management system has all the features and functionality necessary to complete all your compliance transactions is the second step. </p>					</div>
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				<p>Mitigating Corporate Compliance Risk in a Vulnerable Economy</p>					</div>
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			<p class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">Our legal entity management platform is the only cloud-based platform in the world, and includes E-signature integration and automated document assembly.  Our platform will make your tax and finance teams happy with read-only access to entity data and org charts. What are you waiting for? Schedule a demo today!</p>		</div>
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			<a href="https://legalinc.com/blog/tips-for-choosing-a-nationwide-registered-agent-provider/" >
				Tips for Choosing a Nationwide Registered Agent Provider			</a>
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				Tips for Adding a Corporate Legal Compliance Program to Your Business			</a>
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				The Best Entity Management Software for Your Business			</a>
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			March 25, 2020		</span>
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			March 17, 2020		</span>
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			March 12, 2020		</span>
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		<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://legalinc.com/blog/mitigating-corporate-compliance-risk-in-a-vulnerable-economy/">Mitigating Corporate Compliance Risk in a Vulnerable Economy</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://legalinc.com">Legalinc</a>.</p>

Compliance management is a challenge in any environment, and it is even more challenging when the economy is vulnerable. Employing a cloud-based entity management system is your first step to reducing your compliance risk. You can access the system from wherever you are, all you need is an internet browser. 
The post Mitigating Corporate Compliance Risk in a Vulnerable Economy appeared first on Legalinc.

Mitigating Corporate Compliance Risk in a Vulnerable Economy

The best entity management software will use automated workflows to pull the most up-to-date information, including filing fees, processing times, and compliance due dates for each state or county.
The post The Best Entity Management Software for Your Business appeared first on Legalinc.

The Best Entity Management Software for Your Business

Entity management software plays an important role in corporate governance and entity compliance. To help ease concerns, follow these best practices when adding new entity management technology.
The post Tips for Adding a Corporate Legal Compliance Program to Your Business appeared first on Legalinc.

Tips for Adding a Corporate Legal Compliance Program to Your Business

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			<h1 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">Secretary of State Annual Report Filing Deadline Extensions</h1>		</div>
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			<p class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">Several states have extended their annual report filing deadlines due to the Coronavirus. 

Please see below for updated annual report filing deadlines.</p>		</div>
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			<p class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default"><b>Important:</b> Several Secretary of State offices may have reduced their operating hours or closed altogether due to the Coronavirus. This may delay some current orders and potentially some future orders as well. We will be contacting those with orders affected via email, but if you have any questions please contact us at 844.386.0178. We will update this page frequently as we hear more from the states.</p>		</div>
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			<div class="elementor-image-box-wrapper"><div class="elementor-image-box-content"><h3 class="elementor-image-box-title">Arkansas</h3><p class="elementor-image-box-description">Late fees will on businesses' annual franchise tax will be waived until July 15, 2020.</p></div></div>		</div>
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			<div class="elementor-image-box-wrapper"><div class="elementor-image-box-content"><h3 class="elementor-image-box-title">District of Columbia</h3><p class="elementor-image-box-description">Biennials and Trade Name Renewals may be filed without penalty from April 2- June 1, 2020.</p></div></div>		</div>
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			<div class="elementor-image-box-wrapper"><div class="elementor-image-box-content"><h3 class="elementor-image-box-title">Florida</h3><p class="elementor-image-box-description">Annual Report filing deadline has been extended to June 30, 2020. <br><br><br><br></p></div></div>		</div>
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			<div class="elementor-image-box-wrapper"><div class="elementor-image-box-content"><h3 class="elementor-image-box-title">Georgia</h3><p class="elementor-image-box-description">Annual Registration filings have been extended to May 1st, 2020. The Georgia Department of Revenue is automatically extending the 2019 income tax filing to July 15, 2020.</p></div></div>		</div>
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			<div class="elementor-image-box-wrapper"><div class="elementor-image-box-content"><h3 class="elementor-image-box-title">Kansas</h3><p class="elementor-image-box-description">The deadline for filing Annual Reports has been extended to July 15, 2020.
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			<div class="elementor-image-box-wrapper"><div class="elementor-image-box-content"><h3 class="elementor-image-box-title">Illinois</h3><p class="elementor-image-box-description">Annual Report due date extended by at least 30 days, and penalties are being waived. <br><br> </p></div></div>		</div>
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			<div class="elementor-image-box-wrapper"><div class="elementor-image-box-content"><h3 class="elementor-image-box-title">Maryland</h3><p class="elementor-image-box-description">Annual Report filing date extended to July 15 for all entities. <br><br> </p></div></div>		</div>
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			<div class="elementor-image-box-wrapper"><div class="elementor-image-box-content"><h3 class="elementor-image-box-title">Michigan</h3><p class="elementor-image-box-description">State and local income tax filing/payment deadlines extended to July 15, 2020.

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			<div class="elementor-image-box-wrapper"><div class="elementor-image-box-content"><h3 class="elementor-image-box-title">Nevada</h3><p class="elementor-image-box-description">60-Day Annual Report extension issued. <br><br> </p></div></div>		</div>
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			<div class="elementor-image-box-wrapper"><div class="elementor-image-box-content"><h3 class="elementor-image-box-title">New Hampshire</h3><p class="elementor-image-box-description">1 month Annual Report extension issued. <br><br> </p></div></div>		</div>
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			<div class="elementor-image-box-wrapper"><div class="elementor-image-box-content"><h3 class="elementor-image-box-title">Texas</h3><p class="elementor-image-box-description">Due date for Franchise Tax Reports extended to July 15, 2020.<br><br><br></p></div></div>		</div>
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				<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-44582fa" data-id="44582fa" data-element_type="column">
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			<div class="elementor-image-box-wrapper"><div class="elementor-image-box-content"><h3 class="elementor-image-box-title">Pennsylvania</h3><p class="elementor-image-box-description">Deadline to file PA Tax Returns extended - returns due by April 15 have been extended to July 15; returns due by May 15 have been extended to August 14.</p></div></div>		</div>
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			<div class="elementor-image-box-wrapper"><div class="elementor-image-box-content"><h3 class="elementor-image-box-title">SEC Filings</h3><p class="elementor-image-box-description">The SEC will provide public companies with a 45-day extension to file certain disclosure reports that would otherwise have been due between March 1 and July 1, 2020.</p></div></div>		</div>
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Secretary of State Annual Report Filing Deadline Extensions Several states have extended their annual report filing deadlines due to the
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Annual Report Filing Deadline Extensions | Coronavirus

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<p>Secretary of State Annual Report Filing Deadline Extensions Several states have extended their annual report filing deadlines due to the</p>
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Annual Report Filing Deadline Extensions &#124; Coronavirus

Cassy Rubis

Entity Management, Corporate Filings, & Registered Agent Services

There’s lots of talk about AI and machine learning and how those tools will or will not impact the practice of law.   One school—perhaps buoyed by all the talk and little perceived impact—says it’s all hoopla. That AI won’t affect how lawyers do their job one iota. The other group—the sky is falling group—focuses on... Continue Reading

Legal AI: A Lawyer’s New Best Friend?

I skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been Wayne Gretzky Last week, I was back at the sprawling CES (formerly known as the Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas. I go every year, although I missed the last two years due to the pandemic.  CES has always been... Continue Reading

CES 2023: 10 Tech Trends That Will Impact Legal

<p style="font-weight: 400"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-4551 alignleft" src="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/ALSC-transparent-Logo-320x311.png" alt="" width="320" height="311" srcset="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/ALSC-transparent-Logo-320x311.png 320w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/ALSC-transparent-Logo-762x740.png 762w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/ALSC-transparent-Logo-240x233.png 240w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/ALSC-transparent-Logo-768x746.png 768w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/ALSC-transparent-Logo-1536x1491.png 1536w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/ALSC-transparent-Logo-2048x1988.png 2048w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/ALSC-transparent-Logo-40x39.png 40w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/ALSC-transparent-Logo-80x78.png 80w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/ALSC-transparent-Logo-160x155.png 160w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/ALSC-transparent-Logo-2200x2136.png 2200w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/ALSC-transparent-Logo-1100x1068.png 1100w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/ALSC-transparent-Logo-550x534.png 550w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/ALSC-transparent-Logo-367x356.png 367w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/ALSC-transparent-Logo-734x713.png 734w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/ALSC-transparent-Logo-275x267.png 275w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/ALSC-transparent-Logo-825x801.png 825w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/ALSC-transparent-Logo-220x214.png 220w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/ALSC-transparent-Logo-440x427.png 440w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/ALSC-transparent-Logo-660x641.png 660w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/ALSC-transparent-Logo-880x854.png 880w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/ALSC-transparent-Logo-184x179.png 184w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/ALSC-transparent-Logo-917x890.png 917w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/ALSC-transparent-Logo-138x134.png 138w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/ALSC-transparent-Logo-413x401.png 413w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/ALSC-transparent-Logo-688x668.png 688w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/ALSC-transparent-Logo-963x935.png 963w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/ALSC-transparent-Logo-123x119.png 123w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/ALSC-transparent-Logo-110x107.png 110w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/ALSC-transparent-Logo-330x320.png 330w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/ALSC-transparent-Logo-300x291.png 300w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/ALSC-transparent-Logo-600x582.png 600w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/ALSC-transparent-Logo-207x201.png 207w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/ALSC-transparent-Logo-344x334.png 344w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/ALSC-transparent-Logo-55x53.png 55w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/ALSC-transparent-Logo-71x69.png 71w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/ALSC-transparent-Logo-56x54.png 56w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" style=" max-width: 100%; height: auto; "><em>While lots of states endlessly debate what to do about A2J and contemplate their navels, Alaska has actually done something that might just move the needle.</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p style="font-weight: 400">On December 1, the Alaska Supreme Court adopted Bar Rule 43.5. This rule sets up a process for those who have not necessarily graduated from law school to provide certain limited legal services to those Alaskans in need. And they can do so without the worry of being accused of the unauthorized practice of law.</p>
<p><span id="more-4550"></span></p>
<p style="font-weight: 400">These individuals, who the order unfortunately refers to as “nonlawyers,” must be trained and supervised by the Alaska Legal Services Corporation (ALSC). (As one of the legal professionals who was not a lawyer in my old firm once told me, “I don’t like being referred to as a non-anything”. The Alaska Supreme Court could have used a better term). The ALSC is a nonprofit that provides free civil legal services to low-income Alaskans in need.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="font-weight: 400">The new Rule didn’t get a lot of publicity, but it is a significant step forward. It shows how innovative outside-the-box thinking can improve access to justice for those in need and who might otherwise go without legal help.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="font-weight: 400">By way of background, in 2019, the ALSC created the Community Justice Worker (CJW) Project. This Project was designed to address Alaska’s escalating access to justice issues. As in many states, the Alaska legal services lawyers were struggling to keep up with this escalation. The idea was to allow those who have not necessarily gone to law school to do more short of practicing law.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="font-weight: 400">To make the Project even more effective, ALSC recently sought a mechanism for properly trained and supervised CJWs to provide legal assistance and limited legal advocacy and representation to ALSC clients.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="font-weight: 400">Under the Rule, CJWs would be granted waivers from the unauthorized practice of law rules. These waivers would allow the CJWS to provide limited legal services to ALSC clients on specific civil legal issues. The waivers would be granted only to those completing ALSC required training in ethics and the substantive area in which the CJW would practice. The ASLC will provide all necessary supervision and oversight.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="font-weight: 400">In its request for the new Rule, the ALSC identified several areas of law where nonlawyer advocates could supplement existing ALSC staff and pro bono attorney efforts: addressing public assistance delays and denials, accessing unemployment benefits, debt collection defense, estate planning, domestic violence protective order advocacy, and Indian Child Welfare Act matters.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="font-weight: 400">Under the new Rule, the ALSC will submit applications to the Alaska Board of Governors on behalf of those who wish to provide assistance. Those providing services can be either full or part time employees of the ALSC or even volunteers. (Allowing volunteers to participate will open the door even further to expanded services). The scope of the services to be provided shall be limited to that which the Board approves.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="font-weight: 400">This new approach is a good step forward in bringing access to justice to those who can’t afford it. This kind of approach does not carry the baggage of other more controversial proposals such as changing law firm ownership rules. Those proposals are often viewed with suspicion since they could primarily benefit established entities (like accounting firms)without really advancing access to justice.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="font-weight: 400"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-4552 alignright" src="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tingey-injury-law-firm-yCdPU73kGSc-unsplash-320x213.jpg" alt="" width="320" height="213" srcset="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tingey-injury-law-firm-yCdPU73kGSc-unsplash-320x213.jpg 320w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tingey-injury-law-firm-yCdPU73kGSc-unsplash-880x587.jpg 880w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tingey-injury-law-firm-yCdPU73kGSc-unsplash-240x160.jpg 240w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tingey-injury-law-firm-yCdPU73kGSc-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tingey-injury-law-firm-yCdPU73kGSc-unsplash-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tingey-injury-law-firm-yCdPU73kGSc-unsplash-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tingey-injury-law-firm-yCdPU73kGSc-unsplash-40x27.jpg 40w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tingey-injury-law-firm-yCdPU73kGSc-unsplash-80x53.jpg 80w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tingey-injury-law-firm-yCdPU73kGSc-unsplash-160x107.jpg 160w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tingey-injury-law-firm-yCdPU73kGSc-unsplash-2200x1467.jpg 2200w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tingey-injury-law-firm-yCdPU73kGSc-unsplash-1100x733.jpg 1100w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tingey-injury-law-firm-yCdPU73kGSc-unsplash-550x367.jpg 550w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tingey-injury-law-firm-yCdPU73kGSc-unsplash-367x245.jpg 367w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tingey-injury-law-firm-yCdPU73kGSc-unsplash-734x489.jpg 734w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tingey-injury-law-firm-yCdPU73kGSc-unsplash-275x183.jpg 275w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tingey-injury-law-firm-yCdPU73kGSc-unsplash-825x550.jpg 825w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tingey-injury-law-firm-yCdPU73kGSc-unsplash-220x147.jpg 220w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tingey-injury-law-firm-yCdPU73kGSc-unsplash-440x293.jpg 440w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tingey-injury-law-firm-yCdPU73kGSc-unsplash-660x440.jpg 660w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tingey-injury-law-firm-yCdPU73kGSc-unsplash-184x123.jpg 184w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tingey-injury-law-firm-yCdPU73kGSc-unsplash-917x611.jpg 917w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tingey-injury-law-firm-yCdPU73kGSc-unsplash-138x92.jpg 138w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tingey-injury-law-firm-yCdPU73kGSc-unsplash-413x275.jpg 413w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tingey-injury-law-firm-yCdPU73kGSc-unsplash-688x459.jpg 688w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tingey-injury-law-firm-yCdPU73kGSc-unsplash-963x642.jpg 963w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tingey-injury-law-firm-yCdPU73kGSc-unsplash-123x82.jpg 123w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tingey-injury-law-firm-yCdPU73kGSc-unsplash-110x73.jpg 110w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tingey-injury-law-firm-yCdPU73kGSc-unsplash-330x220.jpg 330w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tingey-injury-law-firm-yCdPU73kGSc-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tingey-injury-law-firm-yCdPU73kGSc-unsplash-600x400.jpg 600w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tingey-injury-law-firm-yCdPU73kGSc-unsplash-207x138.jpg 207w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tingey-injury-law-firm-yCdPU73kGSc-unsplash-344x229.jpg 344w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tingey-injury-law-firm-yCdPU73kGSc-unsplash-55x37.jpg 55w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tingey-injury-law-firm-yCdPU73kGSc-unsplash-71x47.jpg 71w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tingey-injury-law-firm-yCdPU73kGSc-unsplash-81x54.jpg 81w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" style=" max-width: 100%; height: auto; "></p>
<p style="font-weight: 400">But the Alaska Rule only benefits those who can’t otherwise afford legal services—and no one else. And it does it in a practical and realistic way. A lot of things in the civil context that lawyers do could be done just as well by those who are not technically lawyers. And I doubt there are many of us who haven’t learned a thing or two from paralegals and administrative assistants about the practice of law.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="font-weight: 400">Now, in Alaska, these folks are freed up to do more under the supervision of lawyers without the threat of an unauthorized practice of law complaint. It’s a win-win: those in need get increased service from those who can provide it, even if they aren’t full-time lawyers. Kudos to the Alaska Bar and Supreme Court.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Photo Attribution: Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@tingeyinjurylawfirm?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Tingey Injury Law Firm</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/scales-of-justce?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a></p>


While lots of states endlessly debate what to do about A2J and contemplate their navels, Alaska has actually done something that might just move the needle.   On December 1, the Alaska Supreme Court adopted Bar Rule 43.5. This rule sets up a process for those who have not necessarily graduated from law school to... Continue Reading

Alaska Offers Practical Approach to A2J Crisis

<p><em>If you want to be a successful lawyer, work hard at identifying and eliminating your clients’ pain points.</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-4558 alignleft" src="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-240x320.jpg" alt="" width="240" height="320" srcset="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-240x320.jpg 240w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-555x740.jpg 555w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-180x240.jpg 180w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-40x53.jpg 40w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-80x107.jpg 80w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-160x213.jpg 160w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-320x427.jpg 320w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-2200x2933.jpg 2200w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-1100x1467.jpg 1100w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-550x733.jpg 550w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-367x489.jpg 367w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-734x979.jpg 734w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-275x367.jpg 275w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-825x1100.jpg 825w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-220x293.jpg 220w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-440x587.jpg 440w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-660x880.jpg 660w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-880x1173.jpg 880w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-184x245.jpg 184w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-917x1223.jpg 917w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-138x184.jpg 138w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-413x551.jpg 413w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-688x917.jpg 688w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-963x1284.jpg 963w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-123x164.jpg 123w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-110x147.jpg 110w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-330x440.jpg 330w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-300x400.jpg 300w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-600x800.jpg 600w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-207x276.jpg 207w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-344x459.jpg 344w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-55x73.jpg 55w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-71x95.jpg 71w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-41x54.jpg 41w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-scaled.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 240px) 100vw, 240px" style=" max-width: 100%; height: auto; ">This past Sunday, I decided I wanted a small tabletop Christmas tree for my office. After all, ’tis the season. I went online and was immediately faced with a confusing and irritating search (Tabletop Christmas trees not readily indexed on several sites). But, I finally found one at a big box store nearby. I could get it delivered by Monday afternoon, but what the hell, I could also drive over and big it up immediately, right? Wrong.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I got to the store, and it was packed. Of course, it was impossible to find the trees, especially tabletop ones. When I got to the right spot, there were no trees, even though the website said the store had several in stock.</p>
<p><span id="more-4560"></span></p>
<p>But by now, I had some time invested and thought I would try another big box. Again, long search at a second store but Eureka! They had them! But the checkout line stretched for miles. I decided to return the next day, hoping the line would be shorter. After two days and several hours, I had my tree.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>But I could have ordered the damn thing online to begin with and would have had it the next day anyway.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The whole experience reiterated to me the value of online shopping. It’s just easier. Online sellers have made it so easy. One click and your order is on its way. You get it in a day which hardly makes driving to the store worth it. And if you don’t like what you got, the seller (ok, Amazon) will email you a label, and if you ask, even come and pick it up. Going to a real store is, frankly, a royal pain.</p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote><p>If you want to succeed as a lawyer, you need to think more like Amazon and less like brick and mortar stores</p></blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>What does this all have to do with the practice of law and technology? If you want to succeed as a lawyer, you need to think more like Amazon and less like brick and mortar stores. As <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackbnewton/?originalSubdomain=ca">Jack Newton</a>, <a href="https://www.clio.com">Clio</a> CEO points out in his excellent book, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=the+client-centered+law+firm&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQiAkMGcBhCSARIsAIW6d0CZ_IyJkDi5XG9sufHNxp4JFdDuPKKX26stzNSKbwl7k6gFyD9dwIMaAo58EALw_wcB&amp;hvadid=537874612050&amp;hvdev=c&amp;hvlocphy=9014251&amp;hvnetw=g&amp;hvqmt=e&amp;hvrand=2436534886770497528&amp;hvtargid=kwd-921347337487&amp;hydadcr=10248_10336471&amp;tag=googhydr-20&amp;ref=pd_sl_7blze7r7ki_e"><em>The Client Centered Law Firm</em></a>, you need to offer the kind of frictionless experience Amazon does. You need to focus on your clients’ pain points and make them disappear. Put yourself in your clients’ shoes.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-3115 alignright" src="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-247x320.jpeg" alt="" width="247" height="320" srcset="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-247x320.jpeg 247w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-92x120.jpeg 92w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-768x997.jpeg 768w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-570x740.jpeg 570w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-40x52.jpeg 40w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-80x104.jpeg 80w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-160x208.jpeg 160w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-320x415.jpeg 320w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-1100x1427.jpeg 1100w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-550x714.jpeg 550w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-367x476.jpeg 367w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-734x953.jpeg 734w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-275x357.jpeg 275w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-825x1071.jpeg 825w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-220x285.jpeg 220w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-440x571.jpeg 440w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-660x856.jpeg 660w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-880x1142.jpeg 880w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-184x239.jpeg 184w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-917x1190.jpeg 917w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-138x179.jpeg 138w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-413x536.jpeg 413w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-688x893.jpeg 688w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-963x1250.jpeg 963w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-123x160.jpeg 123w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-110x143.jpeg 110w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-330x428.jpeg 330w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-300x389.jpeg 300w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-600x779.jpeg 600w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-207x269.jpeg 207w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-344x446.jpeg 344w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-55x71.jpeg 55w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-71x92.jpeg 71w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-46x60.jpeg 46w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06.jpeg 1273w" sizes="(max-width: 247px) 100vw, 247px" style=" max-width: 100%; height: auto; "></p>
<p>Here are ten ways you can make your clients’ experience painless:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>1. Driving downtown(or just about anywhere) to meet with you is a pain. It is disruptive. It takes time. You have to find parking. No fun. I have a friend who was named in a lawsuit not long ago. The lawyer she hired offered to come to her house and meet with her and her husband about the case without charge. That’s frictionless service. But if you are going to make clients come to your office,  at least find them parking and pay for it! Better yet, send Uber.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>2. Here’s another helpful hint: make paying for your services easy. I don’t know about you, but I hate paying bills by check. It’s so much easier to pay by credit card. Care to guess what bills I pay first? Offer payment by credit card, and your clients will pay sooner. And while they may not exactly overjoyed about paying your bills, at least they won’t be any more irritated than expected.</p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote><p>Using big legal terms only makes you sound arrogant and pompous</p></blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>3. Another pain point for clients: lawyers who talk like lawyers. Who use jargon to make themselves sound important. It doesn’t. Using big legal terms (res ipsa loquitur, for example) only makes you sound arrogant and pompous. Trying to figure out what you are talking about is a pain. Your clients will like you better if you communicate using words and concepts they can understand. Speak english.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>4. Clients also don’t like it if they don’t know what to expect from you. Or what’s expected from them. Set boundaries and expectations from the start. It avoids misunderstanding and your clients getting upset and anxious.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>5. Another potential pain point for your clients: trying to force technology on them for technology’s sake. Yes, I am a big technology fan. But you can’t let it get in the way of good client service. If your clients aren’t familiar with your tech, they won’t like you trying to use it on them. It may be trite, but you have to meet your clients where they are when it comes to tech. Years ago, I was asked by a client to get involved on an advisory basis in a big case out of town that another lawyer was handling. Key client depositions were coming up. But the primary lawyer litigating the case kept postponing prepping witnesses so that the tech he wanted would be workable. I told the client it was risky to wait and that we should roll up our sleeves and review the documents the old fashioned way. It turns out I was right: the witness was deposed and surprised by documents the lawyer handling the case was waiting for the tech to find. Guess what? He got fired, and I got the case.</p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote><p>Return calls</p></blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>6. Another hint: return calls (do I really have to say this?). Nothing upsets clients (and almost everyone else) more than someone who doesn’t call back. Also, communicate using the means your clients expect and themselves use.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>7. Here’s a big one. Be open and transparent about bills. Lawyers often avoid talking about the bills and potential bills. Nothing will upset your clients more than surprise costs and fees. Do a budget for them at the outset. Tell them in advance if there will be unexpected fees above the budget. When you do your budget, avoid the temptation to overstate the risks and understate the costs.Bill when you say you will. Keep your client informed. Explain your bills.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>8. When there is good news, by all means, tell your client. But when something bad happens, swallow hard and tell them. And make sure they understand. There’s an old joke. When something happens in a case, a lawyer will call their client and either say I have some good news or say, well… there have been some developments. If it’s bad news, don’t sugarcoat it.</p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote><p>Be a good person. It’s a pain to deal with a jerk</p></blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>9. Make your website easy to navigate. Make relevant information easy to find. Think about what your clients want to know and make sure that information is front and center on your website. Like what and how you charge.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>10. One final thing. Be a good person. It’s a pain to deal with a jerk—someone who is insulting, condescending, and arrogant. You’re neither better nor smarter than your clients. Get over it. Take criticism and defeat like a professional. Try to be likable to our clients. Put yourself in your shoes. Don’t be a pain in the ass to deal with.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I deal with several professional service firms. One, in particular stands out. The professionals there check in with me on developments before I have to hunt them down. They give me a choice about when and where to meet. They always answer their phones or call me back promptly. They speak english so that I can easily understand and patiently explain things when I don’t. If something bad happens, they contact me immediately and don’t let me stew. They tell me what they are going to do, what it’s going to cost, and then do it. It’s honestly a pleasure to work with them.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Be like them. Identify and address your clients’ pain points. Relentlessly.</p>


If you want to be a successful lawyer, work hard at identifying and eliminating your clients’ pain points.   This past Sunday, I decided I wanted a small tabletop Christmas tree for my office. After all, ’tis the season. I went online and was immediately faced with a confusing and irritating search (Tabletop Christmas trees... Continue Reading

Want To Be a Successful Lawyer? Be More Like Amazon. Here’s Ten Ways

<p><em>Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes<br>
(turn and face the strain)…<br>
Ch-ch-changes<br>
Just gonna have to be a different man<br>
Time may change me<br>
But I can’t trace time</em></p>
<p><em>Changes by David Bowie</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p>I recently ran across an article in <a href="https://www.macworld.com/">Macworld</a> by <a href="https://www.macworld.com/author/dmoren">Dan Moren</a>. The article is entitled <a href="https://apple.news/Azq7ZtAn-SlaACSuFM_bMXA"><em>Apple Is Quietly Preparing for a Future Without the iPhone-Or Another Big Thing</em>.</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-4532 alignleft" src="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/11/markus-spiske-iOE0qBkioc-unsplash-213x320.jpg" alt="" width="213" height="320" srcset="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/11/markus-spiske-iOE0qBkioc-unsplash-213x320.jpg 213w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/11/markus-spiske-iOE0qBkioc-unsplash-493x740.jpg 493w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/11/markus-spiske-iOE0qBkioc-unsplash-160x240.jpg 160w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/11/markus-spiske-iOE0qBkioc-unsplash-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/11/markus-spiske-iOE0qBkioc-unsplash-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/11/markus-spiske-iOE0qBkioc-unsplash-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/11/markus-spiske-iOE0qBkioc-unsplash-40x60.jpg 40w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/11/markus-spiske-iOE0qBkioc-unsplash-80x120.jpg 80w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/11/markus-spiske-iOE0qBkioc-unsplash-320x480.jpg 320w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/11/markus-spiske-iOE0qBkioc-unsplash-2200x3300.jpg 2200w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/11/markus-spiske-iOE0qBkioc-unsplash-1100x1650.jpg 1100w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/11/markus-spiske-iOE0qBkioc-unsplash-550x825.jpg 550w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/11/markus-spiske-iOE0qBkioc-unsplash-367x551.jpg 367w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/11/markus-spiske-iOE0qBkioc-unsplash-734x1101.jpg 734w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/11/markus-spiske-iOE0qBkioc-unsplash-275x413.jpg 275w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/11/markus-spiske-iOE0qBkioc-unsplash-825x1238.jpg 825w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/11/markus-spiske-iOE0qBkioc-unsplash-220x330.jpg 220w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/11/markus-spiske-iOE0qBkioc-unsplash-440x660.jpg 440w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/11/markus-spiske-iOE0qBkioc-unsplash-660x990.jpg 660w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/11/markus-spiske-iOE0qBkioc-unsplash-880x1320.jpg 880w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/11/markus-spiske-iOE0qBkioc-unsplash-184x276.jpg 184w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/11/markus-spiske-iOE0qBkioc-unsplash-917x1376.jpg 917w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/11/markus-spiske-iOE0qBkioc-unsplash-138x207.jpg 138w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/11/markus-spiske-iOE0qBkioc-unsplash-413x620.jpg 413w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/11/markus-spiske-iOE0qBkioc-unsplash-688x1032.jpg 688w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/11/markus-spiske-iOE0qBkioc-unsplash-963x1445.jpg 963w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/11/markus-spiske-iOE0qBkioc-unsplash-123x185.jpg 123w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/11/markus-spiske-iOE0qBkioc-unsplash-110x165.jpg 110w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/11/markus-spiske-iOE0qBkioc-unsplash-330x495.jpg 330w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/11/markus-spiske-iOE0qBkioc-unsplash-300x450.jpg 300w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/11/markus-spiske-iOE0qBkioc-unsplash-600x900.jpg 600w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/11/markus-spiske-iOE0qBkioc-unsplash-207x311.jpg 207w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/11/markus-spiske-iOE0qBkioc-unsplash-344x516.jpg 344w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/11/markus-spiske-iOE0qBkioc-unsplash-55x83.jpg 55w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/11/markus-spiske-iOE0qBkioc-unsplash-71x107.jpg 71w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/11/markus-spiske-iOE0qBkioc-unsplash-36x54.jpg 36w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/11/markus-spiske-iOE0qBkioc-unsplash-scaled.jpg 1706w" sizes="(max-width: 213px) 100vw, 213px" style=" max-width: 100%; height: auto; ">In the article, Moren talks about how several well-known tech companies have pivoted even when they seemingly were on the top of their game. By pivoting sooner rather than later, these companies set themselves up for survival. And even greater success in a changing world. Says Moren, “Where once they might have ruled the world by producing the thing that everybody needed to have—whether it was a hardware product or a crucial piece of software—they seem to eventually evolve into a new form, one where they’re focused less on delivering a key product and more on what service they provide.”</p>
<p><span id="more-4530"></span></p>
<p>He gives two well-known examples. First, he observes that IBM was once the market leader when it came to business computers. But despite its dominance, it got beaten by a then upstart, Apple. Instead of fighting what probably would have been a losing battle, IBM moved out of business computers. It moved into enterprise services, where it remains successful. But I’m sure that decision wasn’t so clear or easy at the time.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Moren’s second example is Microsoft. Microsoft was once the market business software leader with its Office productivity suite and the Windows operating systems. And it guarded its platforms zealously. But Moren says Microsoft missed the mobile revolution. And it ultimately recognized that it had to change to remain successful. Today, says Moren, “Microsoft is everybody’s best friend,” announcing partnerships with other tech companies it once tried to bury.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Moren concludes that Apple may do something similar. This may be why Apple is already moving more and more toward services and focusing perhaps less on hardware. Moran concludes, “you can’t count on being the biggest fish forever, and sometimes you’re better off making yourself an indispensable part of the landscape.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p>And there are multiple examples of companies that refused to change and made themselves extinct. Kodak, for example, knew all about digital photography but couldn’t wean itself away from film. To do so would have meant a short term hit in profits and disruption.</p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote><p>Not seeing threats and facing up to them is the best way to doom your business.</p></blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Blockbuster couldn’t seem to move away from brick and mortar stores when rent by mail and streaming were on the horizon. And one close to home for lawyers: Blackberry didn’t get that people would want mobile devices that would do more and more things. Not seeing threats and facing up to them is the best way to doom your business.<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-4160 alignright" src="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/01/FFA2C548-796B-481C-81BD-CA3F2CE4FE32_1_201_a-320x320.jpeg" alt="" width="320" height="320" srcset="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/01/FFA2C548-796B-481C-81BD-CA3F2CE4FE32_1_201_a-320x320.jpeg 320w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/01/FFA2C548-796B-481C-81BD-CA3F2CE4FE32_1_201_a-740x740.jpeg 740w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/01/FFA2C548-796B-481C-81BD-CA3F2CE4FE32_1_201_a-240x240.jpeg 240w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/01/FFA2C548-796B-481C-81BD-CA3F2CE4FE32_1_201_a-768x768.jpeg 768w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/01/FFA2C548-796B-481C-81BD-CA3F2CE4FE32_1_201_a-1536x1536.jpeg 1536w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/01/FFA2C548-796B-481C-81BD-CA3F2CE4FE32_1_201_a-2048x2048.jpeg 2048w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/01/FFA2C548-796B-481C-81BD-CA3F2CE4FE32_1_201_a-40x40.jpeg 40w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/01/FFA2C548-796B-481C-81BD-CA3F2CE4FE32_1_201_a-80x80.jpeg 80w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/01/FFA2C548-796B-481C-81BD-CA3F2CE4FE32_1_201_a-160x160.jpeg 160w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/01/FFA2C548-796B-481C-81BD-CA3F2CE4FE32_1_201_a-2200x2200.jpeg 2200w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/01/FFA2C548-796B-481C-81BD-CA3F2CE4FE32_1_201_a-1100x1100.jpeg 1100w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/01/FFA2C548-796B-481C-81BD-CA3F2CE4FE32_1_201_a-550x550.jpeg 550w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/01/FFA2C548-796B-481C-81BD-CA3F2CE4FE32_1_201_a-367x367.jpeg 367w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/01/FFA2C548-796B-481C-81BD-CA3F2CE4FE32_1_201_a-734x734.jpeg 734w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/01/FFA2C548-796B-481C-81BD-CA3F2CE4FE32_1_201_a-275x275.jpeg 275w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/01/FFA2C548-796B-481C-81BD-CA3F2CE4FE32_1_201_a-825x825.jpeg 825w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/01/FFA2C548-796B-481C-81BD-CA3F2CE4FE32_1_201_a-220x220.jpeg 220w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/01/FFA2C548-796B-481C-81BD-CA3F2CE4FE32_1_201_a-440x440.jpeg 440w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/01/FFA2C548-796B-481C-81BD-CA3F2CE4FE32_1_201_a-660x660.jpeg 660w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/01/FFA2C548-796B-481C-81BD-CA3F2CE4FE32_1_201_a-880x880.jpeg 880w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/01/FFA2C548-796B-481C-81BD-CA3F2CE4FE32_1_201_a-184x184.jpeg 184w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/01/FFA2C548-796B-481C-81BD-CA3F2CE4FE32_1_201_a-917x917.jpeg 917w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/01/FFA2C548-796B-481C-81BD-CA3F2CE4FE32_1_201_a-138x138.jpeg 138w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/01/FFA2C548-796B-481C-81BD-CA3F2CE4FE32_1_201_a-413x413.jpeg 413w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/01/FFA2C548-796B-481C-81BD-CA3F2CE4FE32_1_201_a-688x688.jpeg 688w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/01/FFA2C548-796B-481C-81BD-CA3F2CE4FE32_1_201_a-963x963.jpeg 963w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/01/FFA2C548-796B-481C-81BD-CA3F2CE4FE32_1_201_a-123x123.jpeg 123w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/01/FFA2C548-796B-481C-81BD-CA3F2CE4FE32_1_201_a-110x110.jpeg 110w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/01/FFA2C548-796B-481C-81BD-CA3F2CE4FE32_1_201_a-330x330.jpeg 330w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/01/FFA2C548-796B-481C-81BD-CA3F2CE4FE32_1_201_a-300x300.jpeg 300w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/01/FFA2C548-796B-481C-81BD-CA3F2CE4FE32_1_201_a-600x600.jpeg 600w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/01/FFA2C548-796B-481C-81BD-CA3F2CE4FE32_1_201_a-207x207.jpeg 207w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/01/FFA2C548-796B-481C-81BD-CA3F2CE4FE32_1_201_a-344x344.jpeg 344w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/01/FFA2C548-796B-481C-81BD-CA3F2CE4FE32_1_201_a-55x55.jpeg 55w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/01/FFA2C548-796B-481C-81BD-CA3F2CE4FE32_1_201_a-71x71.jpeg 71w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/01/FFA2C548-796B-481C-81BD-CA3F2CE4FE32_1_201_a-54x54.jpeg 54w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" style=" max-width: 100%; height: auto; "></p>
<p> </p>
<p>What does this have to do with law? Most of the law ecosystem is based on either the billable hour or contingency fee model. This reliance hasn’t changed in decades. most of the law is focused on serving the needs of those with big money or who have a substantial asset (a lucrative claim). And most of the work lawyers do is based on a labor intensive model where more is more. Where all legal work is bundled together and done by a single shop.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Granted, there are substantial impediments that make changing these models difficult. Unlike corporations, most law firms are run by consensus among strong willed partners making any sea change difficult. Law firms can only be owned by lawyers, creating an insular world that doesn’t necessarily see the need to change and resist it. Frankly, lawyers are making lots of money doing things the way they have always been done. As <a href="https://www.susskind.com/">Richard Susskind</a> famously put it. ” It’s hard to convince a room full of millionaires that they’ve got their business model wrong.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p>And there seems to be little evidence that any sort of significant change is needed. Clients like the billable hour model. The contingency fee model seems to provide some rough sense of justice. Last year was a banner year for law firm profitability. So why think about change?</p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote><p>So why think about change?</p></blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>There is reason to wonder whether we may coming to an inflection point where, like IBM and Microsoft, we have to face change and fundamentally reposition ourselves. The Big 4 is moving increasingly into legal and can supply not just legal “advice” but a whole range of business services, making them a one stop shop. Alternative legal service providers are equipped to better supply more repetitive legal needs. ALSPs can simply do a lot of legal related work cheaper and faster, making the unbundling of legal work not only doable but advisable.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Automation is making it possible to eliminate work that doesn’t take a lawyer to do but that many do anyway. And automation can also make it possible to serve untapped markets by making legal work more affordable.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>There is pressure, albeit faint, to change law firm ownership rules. There are pressures to let legal professionals who are not lawyers do more. The ability to do remote work may, as <a href="https://www.inter-alia.net">Tom Mighell</a>, and <a href="https://www.denniskennedy.org/">Dennis Kennedy</a>, asked in their book <a href="https://www.americanbar.org/products/inv/book/424883450/">The Lawyers’ Guide to Collaboration Tools and Technologies</a>: “Aren’t collaboration tools logically leading us toward virtual law firms?”</p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote><p>Lawyers and law firms may have to recognize that they aren’t the biggest fishes anymore</p></blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>All these market forces, and more we don’t even see yet, may require law firms to rethink themselves and pivot to new and different models. Lawyers and law firms may have to recognize that they aren’t the biggest fishes anymore. That they are not special snowflakes and that much of what they do is not an art form. That the practice of law may need to be redefined in fundamental ways.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Given the impediments and outright resistance to change of most lawyers, change could get bloody. But smart lawyers and well managed law firms should take a long hard look at themselves. What are the real risks to their business and operations? What lines of business may need to be dropped or the delivery of such lines rethought. Does the firm need to think more like IBM and Microsoft and make some hard pivots? Those that do may well find themselves, to paraphrase Moran, perhaps not the biggest fishes anymore, but at least an indispensable part of the landscape.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The other option: do nothing and hope for the best. Just ask Kodak, Blockbuster, and Blackberry how that worked out.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>It’s always time, in the words of David Bowie, to turn and face the strain, however hard as that is.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Photo Attribution: Change Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@markusspiske?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Markus Spiske</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/change?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a></p>


Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes (turn and face the strain)… Ch-ch-changes Just gonna have to be a different man Time may change me But I can’t trace time Changes by David Bowie   I recently ran across an article in Macworld by Dan Moren. The article is entitled Apple Is Quietly Preparing for a Future Without the iPhone-Or Another... Continue Reading

Does Your Law Firm Need To Think About a Pivot?

<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-4580 alignleft" src="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/moritz-knoringer-4_MwbIq0CME-unsplash-320x213.jpg" alt="" width="320" height="213" srcset="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/moritz-knoringer-4_MwbIq0CME-unsplash-320x213.jpg 320w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/moritz-knoringer-4_MwbIq0CME-unsplash-880x587.jpg 880w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/moritz-knoringer-4_MwbIq0CME-unsplash-240x160.jpg 240w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/moritz-knoringer-4_MwbIq0CME-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/moritz-knoringer-4_MwbIq0CME-unsplash-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/moritz-knoringer-4_MwbIq0CME-unsplash-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/moritz-knoringer-4_MwbIq0CME-unsplash-40x27.jpg 40w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/moritz-knoringer-4_MwbIq0CME-unsplash-80x53.jpg 80w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/moritz-knoringer-4_MwbIq0CME-unsplash-160x107.jpg 160w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/moritz-knoringer-4_MwbIq0CME-unsplash-2200x1467.jpg 2200w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/moritz-knoringer-4_MwbIq0CME-unsplash-1100x733.jpg 1100w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/moritz-knoringer-4_MwbIq0CME-unsplash-550x367.jpg 550w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/moritz-knoringer-4_MwbIq0CME-unsplash-367x245.jpg 367w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/moritz-knoringer-4_MwbIq0CME-unsplash-734x489.jpg 734w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/moritz-knoringer-4_MwbIq0CME-unsplash-275x183.jpg 275w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/moritz-knoringer-4_MwbIq0CME-unsplash-825x550.jpg 825w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/moritz-knoringer-4_MwbIq0CME-unsplash-220x147.jpg 220w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/moritz-knoringer-4_MwbIq0CME-unsplash-440x293.jpg 440w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/moritz-knoringer-4_MwbIq0CME-unsplash-660x440.jpg 660w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/moritz-knoringer-4_MwbIq0CME-unsplash-184x123.jpg 184w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/moritz-knoringer-4_MwbIq0CME-unsplash-917x611.jpg 917w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/moritz-knoringer-4_MwbIq0CME-unsplash-138x92.jpg 138w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/moritz-knoringer-4_MwbIq0CME-unsplash-413x275.jpg 413w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/moritz-knoringer-4_MwbIq0CME-unsplash-688x459.jpg 688w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/moritz-knoringer-4_MwbIq0CME-unsplash-963x642.jpg 963w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/moritz-knoringer-4_MwbIq0CME-unsplash-123x82.jpg 123w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/moritz-knoringer-4_MwbIq0CME-unsplash-110x73.jpg 110w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/moritz-knoringer-4_MwbIq0CME-unsplash-330x220.jpg 330w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/moritz-knoringer-4_MwbIq0CME-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/moritz-knoringer-4_MwbIq0CME-unsplash-600x400.jpg 600w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/moritz-knoringer-4_MwbIq0CME-unsplash-207x138.jpg 207w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/moritz-knoringer-4_MwbIq0CME-unsplash-344x229.jpg 344w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/moritz-knoringer-4_MwbIq0CME-unsplash-55x37.jpg 55w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/moritz-knoringer-4_MwbIq0CME-unsplash-71x47.jpg 71w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/moritz-knoringer-4_MwbIq0CME-unsplash-81x54.jpg 81w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" style=" max-width: 100%; height: auto; "><em>My people are destroyed from a lack of knowledge</em>. Hosea 4:6.</p>
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<p>As we close out 2022, it’s customary to look back and highlight the most noteworthy events or discuss all the things we are thankful for during the year.</p>
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<p>While I have a lot of things to be thankful for, I want to focus on what we have to be most grateful for from a legal tech standpoint. Looking back at 2022, what had the most significant positive impact on legal? And its data. What can data do for lawyers? What it can show us. Information we never had before.</p>
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<p>The impact data can have in legal was driven home to me in a recent discussion with <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-bell-0080b617/">Jackie Bell</a>, Research &amp; Data Editor, <a href="https://www.law360.com">Law360 Pulse</a>. Law360 Pulse recently released its second annual Leaderboard law firm rankings. The rankings are supported by data from <a href="https://go.intelligize.com/l/136821/2021-04-21/6cdw1s?gclid=Cj0KCQiAwJWdBhCYARIsAJc4idBw4Y_6MniLt-_8HlBfzY44cBV_qQgS2p93A7q70QBvN18No7rB4ekaAgUqEALw_wcB">Intelligize</a> and <a href="https://lexmachina.com">Lex Machina</a>.</p>
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<p>The rankings highlight and rank firms across a broad range of criteria. Criteria such as culture, reputation, and business practice. More specifically, <a href="https://www.law360.com/articles/1554817/the-2022-law360-pulse-leaderboard">according to Law360</a>, the rankings “are designed to measure the relative performance of law firms against their peers and provide context for an industry…”</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The rankings measure firms in three broad areas. The Prestige Report examines what Law 360 considers four indicators of reputation and prestige. These are financial performance, attractiveness to attorneys, awards for the depth and breadth of their legal work, and positive media coverage.<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-4582 alignright" src="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/IMG_0121-320x66.jpeg" alt="" width="320" height="66" srcset="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/IMG_0121-320x66.jpeg 320w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/IMG_0121-240x50.jpeg 240w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/IMG_0121-40x8.jpeg 40w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/IMG_0121-80x17.jpeg 80w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/IMG_0121-160x33.jpeg 160w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/IMG_0121-550x114.jpeg 550w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/IMG_0121-367x76.jpeg 367w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/IMG_0121-275x57.jpeg 275w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/IMG_0121-220x46.jpeg 220w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/IMG_0121-440x91.jpeg 440w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/IMG_0121-660x137.jpeg 660w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/IMG_0121-184x38.jpeg 184w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/IMG_0121-138x29.jpeg 138w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/IMG_0121-413x86.jpeg 413w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/IMG_0121-688x143.jpeg 688w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/IMG_0121-123x26.jpeg 123w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/IMG_0121-110x23.jpeg 110w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/IMG_0121-330x68.jpeg 330w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/IMG_0121-300x62.jpeg 300w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/IMG_0121-600x125.jpeg 600w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/IMG_0121-207x43.jpeg 207w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/IMG_0121-344x71.jpeg 344w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/IMG_0121-55x11.jpeg 55w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/IMG_0121-71x15.jpeg 71w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/IMG_0121-260x54.jpeg 260w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/IMG_0121.jpeg 713w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" style=" max-width: 100%; height: auto; "></p>
<p> </p>
<p>The Social Impact report measures law firms’ social impact efforts across five pillars. The pillars include racial and ethnic diversity, gender equality, employee engagement, pro bono service, and responsible business practices.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Finally, the report looks at firms’ practice footprint. This measurement includes an analysis of the depth and breadth of their litigation practice. Law360 looked at 10 case types, including antitrust, consumer protection, contracts, copyright, employment, insurance, patent, product liability, securities, and torts.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote><p>Why am I thankful in 2022 for data? It’s because of the kind of information and use that can be made of data</p></blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-4581 alignleft" src="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/1583507076565-320x320.jpeg" alt="" width="267" height="267" srcset="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/1583507076565-320x320.jpeg 320w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/1583507076565-240x240.jpeg 240w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/1583507076565-40x40.jpeg 40w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/1583507076565-80x80.jpeg 80w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/1583507076565-160x160.jpeg 160w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/1583507076565-367x367.jpeg 367w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/1583507076565-275x275.jpeg 275w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/1583507076565-220x220.jpeg 220w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/1583507076565-184x184.jpeg 184w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/1583507076565-138x138.jpeg 138w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/1583507076565-123x123.jpeg 123w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/1583507076565-110x110.jpeg 110w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/1583507076565-330x330.jpeg 330w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/1583507076565-300x300.jpeg 300w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/1583507076565-207x207.jpeg 207w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/1583507076565-344x344.jpeg 344w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/1583507076565-55x55.jpeg 55w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/1583507076565-71x71.jpeg 71w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/1583507076565-54x54.jpeg 54w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/1583507076565.jpeg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 267px) 100vw, 267px" style=" max-width: 100%; height: auto; ">Law360 also provides an overall ranking of the top 100 firms in the three areas above, along with a more granular analysis in each of the above three areas. And yes, the overall score and rankings of the firms are interesting and what everyone first looks to. But Bell believes that the more granular data in each of the more specific reports, that’s more helpful, useful, and valuable to firms.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I <a href="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/2021/12/want-to-measure-a-law-firms-reputation-law360-gives-it-a-shot/">reported</a> on last year’s Survey results previously.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>So why am I thankful in 2022 for data? It’s because of the kind of information and use that can be made of data like this. Law firms can use information like this to compare themselves to others in various areas of interest. Data can show firms where they need to improve. It can show a firm the firms it really competes with in various areas. If a firm’s vision statement includes taking steps to improve diversity and equality, it can see if its actions have had measurable results. And if not, it can help determine what to do next.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>If a firm is concerned about its financial statement, data can help it keep score with its competitors.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Better data leads to a better understanding of the situation and can point to best practices.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>In-house counsel can use data like this to make hiring decisions. It can answer questions like what firms have a significant practice footprint in an area of interest. What firms are taking impactful steps toward improving diversity?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>For law students and career placement officers at law schools, data like this can help match students with firms that have interests similar to that of the students. It helps firms select new associates with similar interests. The same is true of lawyers looking to change jobs. The net result: less attrition and career dissatisfaction all the way around.</p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote><p>It was not that long ago that lawyers made decisions that were often wild-ass guesses.</p></blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>All of which made me think of how far we have come with data science in the law. Litigation analytics can now aid lawyers in developing strategies and managing clients’ expectations. Data helps in-house counsel hire the lawyer that has the best chance of getting the desired result. Data drives automated contract management platforms like that recently announced by <a href="https://www.lexion.ai">Lexion</a>, among others. Data drives TAR e-discovery tools, saving time and improving outcomes.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>It was not that long ago that lawyers made decisions that were often wild-ass guesses. Or based on some senior lawyers” ” intuition,” intuition that was often just wrong. Think how much information we now have to make better decisions than we had just a generation ago.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Efficient access to data may be the most impactful development across legal in improving outcomes across the board. And from a professional standpoint, that’s why I am thankful for it all. As <a href="https://www.susskind.com">Richard Susskind</a> put it in a recent webinar discussion I attended, what’s most important in legal is outcomes. (See my <a href="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/2022/12/legal-ai-a-lawyers-new-best-friend/">recent post</a>) And data analytics provides the tool to get those better outcomes.</p>
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<p style="font-weight: 400">Photo Attribution: Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@mokngr?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Moritz Knöringer</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/images/events/happy-new-year?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a></p>
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My people are destroyed from a lack of knowledge. Hosea 4:6.   As we close out 2022, it’s customary to look back and highlight the most noteworthy events or discuss all the things we are thankful for during the year.   While I have a lot of things to be thankful for, I want to... Continue Reading

As 2022 Closes, I Am Thankful For…Data

<p style="font-weight: 400"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-4541 alignleft" src="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/frida-lannerstrom-76dgUcMupv4-unsplash-320x222.jpg" alt="" width="320" height="222" srcset="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/frida-lannerstrom-76dgUcMupv4-unsplash-320x222.jpg 320w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/frida-lannerstrom-76dgUcMupv4-unsplash-880x610.jpg 880w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/frida-lannerstrom-76dgUcMupv4-unsplash-240x166.jpg 240w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/frida-lannerstrom-76dgUcMupv4-unsplash-768x532.jpg 768w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/frida-lannerstrom-76dgUcMupv4-unsplash-1536x1064.jpg 1536w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/frida-lannerstrom-76dgUcMupv4-unsplash-2048x1419.jpg 2048w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/frida-lannerstrom-76dgUcMupv4-unsplash-40x28.jpg 40w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/frida-lannerstrom-76dgUcMupv4-unsplash-80x55.jpg 80w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/frida-lannerstrom-76dgUcMupv4-unsplash-160x111.jpg 160w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/frida-lannerstrom-76dgUcMupv4-unsplash-2200x1524.jpg 2200w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/frida-lannerstrom-76dgUcMupv4-unsplash-1100x762.jpg 1100w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/frida-lannerstrom-76dgUcMupv4-unsplash-550x381.jpg 550w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/frida-lannerstrom-76dgUcMupv4-unsplash-367x254.jpg 367w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/frida-lannerstrom-76dgUcMupv4-unsplash-734x509.jpg 734w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/frida-lannerstrom-76dgUcMupv4-unsplash-275x191.jpg 275w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/frida-lannerstrom-76dgUcMupv4-unsplash-825x572.jpg 825w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/frida-lannerstrom-76dgUcMupv4-unsplash-220x152.jpg 220w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/frida-lannerstrom-76dgUcMupv4-unsplash-440x305.jpg 440w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/frida-lannerstrom-76dgUcMupv4-unsplash-660x457.jpg 660w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/frida-lannerstrom-76dgUcMupv4-unsplash-184x127.jpg 184w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/frida-lannerstrom-76dgUcMupv4-unsplash-917x635.jpg 917w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/frida-lannerstrom-76dgUcMupv4-unsplash-138x96.jpg 138w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/frida-lannerstrom-76dgUcMupv4-unsplash-413x286.jpg 413w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/frida-lannerstrom-76dgUcMupv4-unsplash-688x477.jpg 688w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/frida-lannerstrom-76dgUcMupv4-unsplash-963x667.jpg 963w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/frida-lannerstrom-76dgUcMupv4-unsplash-123x85.jpg 123w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/frida-lannerstrom-76dgUcMupv4-unsplash-110x76.jpg 110w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/frida-lannerstrom-76dgUcMupv4-unsplash-330x229.jpg 330w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/frida-lannerstrom-76dgUcMupv4-unsplash-300x208.jpg 300w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/frida-lannerstrom-76dgUcMupv4-unsplash-600x416.jpg 600w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/frida-lannerstrom-76dgUcMupv4-unsplash-207x143.jpg 207w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/frida-lannerstrom-76dgUcMupv4-unsplash-344x238.jpg 344w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/frida-lannerstrom-76dgUcMupv4-unsplash-55x38.jpg 55w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/frida-lannerstrom-76dgUcMupv4-unsplash-71x49.jpg 71w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/frida-lannerstrom-76dgUcMupv4-unsplash-78x54.jpg 78w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" style=" max-width: 100%; height: auto; ">Several articles and surveys that have come out recently suggest a looming donnybrook in 2023 between law firms and business clients. The law firms want to aggressively raise rates but their business clients claim to be outraged by such efforts. These clients also say they plan to resist such efforts aggressively.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="font-weight: 400">Pardon me, but I have heard this before. Law firms annually raise rates—albeit not as much as they plan in 2023. And many clients claim outrage before swallowing hard and accepting the increases. But there is some evidence 2023 may be different.</p>
<p><span id="more-4540"></span></p>
<p style="font-weight: 400">More importantly, though, any blanket conclusions about what clients will or will not do are misplaced. As I have <a href="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/2022/06/the-legal-market-continued-diversification-and-segmentation/">previously discussed</a>, the legal marketplace is so stratified and segmented depending on who and what is involved that across the board predictions are hard. So some firms will get away with rate increases, and some will not get increases but may actually be facing rate decreases.</p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote><p>The easiest way to try to maintain record profits is just to raise rates. And since many clients have in the past routinely accepted increases, it’s tempting.</p>
<p> </p></blockquote>
<p style="font-weight: 400">First, the articles and surveys. <a href="https://www.law.com/author/profile/andrew-maloney/">Andrew Maloney</a> <a href="https://www.law.com/americanlawyer/2022/11/22/raising-billing-rates-in-2023-becomes-a-singular-focus-for-law-firms-405-113467/?utm_source=email&amp;utm_medium=enl&amp;utm_content=20221129&amp;utm_campaign=lawinsider&amp;utm_term=law">recently reported</a> on a Wells Fargo Survey. This Survey concluded that almost 98 % of the firms surveyed plan on increasing rates in 2023 by some 7-8%. As I have discussed, the efforts to raise rates are not surprising. Law firms are facing siginifanct increased costs due to inflation and perhaps reduced revenues in 2023. The easiest way to try to maintain record profits is just to raise rates. And since many clients have in the past routinely accepted increases (or haven’t even noticed them), it’s tempting.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="font-weight: 400">A <a href="https://www.abajournal.com/web/article/slowdown-continues-for-large-law-firms-but-mid-size-firms-make-gains?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=salesforce_603485&amp;sc_sid=00944562&amp;utm_campaign=monthly_email&amp;promo=&amp;utm_content=&amp;additional4=&amp;additional5=&amp;sfmc_j=60348">Thomson Reuters Study</a> confirms the financial pressure law firms will be under. The Study suggests that demand for legal services is declining. And overhead is growing.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="font-weight: 400">But according to an <a href="https://www.law.com/americanlawyer/2022/11/28/surprised-angry-dismayed-legal-departments-vow-to-fight-law-firms-rate-hike-plans/?kw=%27Surprised,%20Angry,%20Dismayed%27:%20Legal%20Departments%20Vow%20to%20Fight%20Law%20Firms%27%20Rate-Hike%20Plans&amp;LikelyCookieIssue=true">article</a> by <a href="https://www.law.com/author/profile/trudy-knockless/">Trudy Knockless</a> in <a href="https://www.law.com/">law.com</a>, this time, clients may revolt. Citing several sources, Knockless concludes that legal departments are being so financially squeezed they just can’t accept increases.</p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote><p>Legal departments are particularly upset that law firms are seeking rate increases</p>
<p> </p></blockquote>
<p style="font-weight: 400">Legal departments further claim to be particularly upset that law firms are even seeking rate increases. They assume the firms are fully aware of the pressures in-house legal departments are facing to cut their budgets anywhere from 5-20%. Knockless reports that according to several sources, 2023 may be the year that the traditional blind acceptance of rate increases by clients ends.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="font-weight: 400">But you can’t make blanket conclusions about what clients will or will not do since the legal market is so segmented, even for business-related work. There are some matters—we typically referred to them as “bet the company cases”—where the rate doesn’t matter. What matters is the expertise of the lawyer and law firm.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="font-weight: 400">Other matters may be less significant than bet the company but are still important to the company. These cases, too, may be rate resistant. In both categories, the difference in the result between an A job and a C job is so significant that rates and cost don’t matter all that much.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="font-weight: 400"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-4542 alignright" src="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/giorgio-trovato-WyxqQpyFNk8-unsplash-2-213x320.jpg" alt="" width="213" height="320" srcset="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/giorgio-trovato-WyxqQpyFNk8-unsplash-2-213x320.jpg 213w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/giorgio-trovato-WyxqQpyFNk8-unsplash-2-493x740.jpg 493w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/giorgio-trovato-WyxqQpyFNk8-unsplash-2-160x240.jpg 160w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/giorgio-trovato-WyxqQpyFNk8-unsplash-2-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/giorgio-trovato-WyxqQpyFNk8-unsplash-2-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/giorgio-trovato-WyxqQpyFNk8-unsplash-2-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/giorgio-trovato-WyxqQpyFNk8-unsplash-2-40x60.jpg 40w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/giorgio-trovato-WyxqQpyFNk8-unsplash-2-80x120.jpg 80w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/giorgio-trovato-WyxqQpyFNk8-unsplash-2-320x480.jpg 320w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/giorgio-trovato-WyxqQpyFNk8-unsplash-2-2200x3300.jpg 2200w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/giorgio-trovato-WyxqQpyFNk8-unsplash-2-1100x1650.jpg 1100w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/giorgio-trovato-WyxqQpyFNk8-unsplash-2-550x825.jpg 550w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/giorgio-trovato-WyxqQpyFNk8-unsplash-2-367x551.jpg 367w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/giorgio-trovato-WyxqQpyFNk8-unsplash-2-734x1101.jpg 734w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/giorgio-trovato-WyxqQpyFNk8-unsplash-2-275x413.jpg 275w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/giorgio-trovato-WyxqQpyFNk8-unsplash-2-825x1238.jpg 825w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/giorgio-trovato-WyxqQpyFNk8-unsplash-2-220x330.jpg 220w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/giorgio-trovato-WyxqQpyFNk8-unsplash-2-440x660.jpg 440w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/giorgio-trovato-WyxqQpyFNk8-unsplash-2-660x990.jpg 660w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/giorgio-trovato-WyxqQpyFNk8-unsplash-2-880x1320.jpg 880w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/giorgio-trovato-WyxqQpyFNk8-unsplash-2-184x276.jpg 184w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/giorgio-trovato-WyxqQpyFNk8-unsplash-2-917x1376.jpg 917w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/giorgio-trovato-WyxqQpyFNk8-unsplash-2-138x207.jpg 138w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/giorgio-trovato-WyxqQpyFNk8-unsplash-2-413x620.jpg 413w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/giorgio-trovato-WyxqQpyFNk8-unsplash-2-688x1032.jpg 688w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/giorgio-trovato-WyxqQpyFNk8-unsplash-2-963x1445.jpg 963w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/giorgio-trovato-WyxqQpyFNk8-unsplash-2-123x185.jpg 123w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/giorgio-trovato-WyxqQpyFNk8-unsplash-2-110x165.jpg 110w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/giorgio-trovato-WyxqQpyFNk8-unsplash-2-330x495.jpg 330w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/giorgio-trovato-WyxqQpyFNk8-unsplash-2-300x450.jpg 300w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/giorgio-trovato-WyxqQpyFNk8-unsplash-2-600x900.jpg 600w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/giorgio-trovato-WyxqQpyFNk8-unsplash-2-207x311.jpg 207w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/giorgio-trovato-WyxqQpyFNk8-unsplash-2-344x516.jpg 344w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/giorgio-trovato-WyxqQpyFNk8-unsplash-2-55x83.jpg 55w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/giorgio-trovato-WyxqQpyFNk8-unsplash-2-71x107.jpg 71w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/giorgio-trovato-WyxqQpyFNk8-unsplash-2-36x54.jpg 36w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/giorgio-trovato-WyxqQpyFNk8-unsplash-2-scaled.jpg 1707w" sizes="(max-width: 213px) 100vw, 213px" style=" max-width: 100%; height: auto; "></p>
<p style="font-weight: 400">So in-house justifiably believes for both categories that paying the higher rates is good strategy. For both classes of matters, law firms will likely get away with substantial rate increases in 2023, just like always.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="font-weight: 400">The real question is whether the lawyer can convince in-house legal (and/or in-house legal believes) that the matter falls into the two categories I have mentioned. Since lawyers are good at persuasion and risk adverse in general, it’s often easy to convince and believe that the matter is either bet the company or requires A work. So higher rates and rate increases are a necessary evil.</p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote><p>Then there are other matters where a C job is good enough</p>
<p> </p></blockquote>
<p style="font-weight: 400">Then there are other matters where a C job is good enough. For these cases, paying for a lawyer with less experience and lower rates makes sense. The result may not be as good as it would be with a higher priced lawyer, but by paying lower rates, the overall cost of the matter is reduced.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="font-weight: 400">We see this dichotomy most clearly with insurance companies. One of the critical components of the insurance business is litigation. For some types of cases—the defense of claims against insureds—a C job is sufficient. On an overall basis, the overall cost to the carrier for these claims will be less by paying lower rates and incurring higher substantive costs. For other types of work—insurance coverage matters, for example—getting a better result and paying higher rates is justified.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="font-weight: 400">What does this mean for 2023? Some law firms and lawyers will be able to raise rates without much pushback. Others won’t. But you can’t make a blanket conclusion across the board.</p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote><p>What’s a law firm and lawyer to do?</p>
<p> </p></blockquote>
<p style="font-weight: 400">And what’s a law firm and lawyer to do? Try to convince your client that the matter falls into the higher categories of work. If it doesn’t, get prepared to either not raise rates or even be forced to decrease them. Do more with automation and reduce costs by doing so.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Bottom line: If you want to raise rates, first determine whether the matters you are handling fall into the rate resistant categories.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote><p>What’s an in-house counsel to do?</p>
<p> </p></blockquote>
<p style="font-weight: 400">What’s an in-house counsel to do? Look hard at any effort to claim that a matter is unique and that paying the increased rate is justified. You are charged with the overall result and cost of a matter. The overall cost includes what you may pay substantively for a claim, for example, and the costs of concluding the matter.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="font-weight: 400">If the substantive result is significant to you and your company, then consider paying the higher rates. Like your business, law firms are under increased financial pressure too.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="font-weight: 400">But whatever you do as an inside or outside lawyer, don’t jump to conclusions across the board about whether a rate increase is—or isn’t justified.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Photo Attribution:</p>
<p>Tiger picture:  <a href="https://unsplash.com/@fridooh?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Frida Lannerström</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/clash?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a></p>
<p>Money picture: <a href="https://unsplash.com/@giorgiotrovato?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Giorgio Trovato</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/money?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a></p>


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<p><em>If you want to be a successful lawyer, work hard at identifying and eliminating your clients’ pain points.</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-4558 alignleft" src="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-240x320.jpg" alt="" width="240" height="320" srcset="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-240x320.jpg 240w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-555x740.jpg 555w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-180x240.jpg 180w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-40x53.jpg 40w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-80x107.jpg 80w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-160x213.jpg 160w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-320x427.jpg 320w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-2200x2933.jpg 2200w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-1100x1467.jpg 1100w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-550x733.jpg 550w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-367x489.jpg 367w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-734x979.jpg 734w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-275x367.jpg 275w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-825x1100.jpg 825w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-220x293.jpg 220w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-440x587.jpg 440w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-660x880.jpg 660w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-880x1173.jpg 880w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-184x245.jpg 184w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-917x1223.jpg 917w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-138x184.jpg 138w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-413x551.jpg 413w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-688x917.jpg 688w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-963x1284.jpg 963w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-123x164.jpg 123w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-110x147.jpg 110w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-330x440.jpg 330w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-300x400.jpg 300w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-600x800.jpg 600w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-207x276.jpg 207w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-344x459.jpg 344w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-55x73.jpg 55w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-71x95.jpg 71w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-41x54.jpg 41w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/tempImageC3U4DW-scaled.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 240px) 100vw, 240px" style=" max-width: 100%; height: auto; ">This past Sunday, I decided I wanted a small tabletop Christmas tree for my office. After all, ’tis the season. I went online and was immediately faced with a confusing and irritating search (Tabletop Christmas trees not readily indexed on several sites). But, I finally found one at a big box store nearby. I could get it delivered by Monday afternoon, but what the hell, I could also drive over and big it up immediately, right? Wrong.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I got to the store, and it was packed. Of course, it was impossible to find the trees, especially tabletop ones. When I got to the right spot, there were no trees, even though the website said the store had several in stock.</p>
<p><span id="more-4560"></span></p>
<p>But by now, I had some time invested and thought I would try another big box. Again, long search at a second store but Eureka! They had them! But the checkout line stretched for miles. I decided to return the next day, hoping the line would be shorter. After two days and several hours, I had my tree.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>But I could have ordered the damn thing online to begin with and would have had it the next day anyway.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The whole experience reiterated to me the value of online shopping. It’s just easier. Online sellers have made it so easy. One click and your order is on its way. You get it in a day which hardly makes driving to the store worth it. And if you don’t like what you got, the seller (ok, Amazon) will email you a label, and if you ask, even come and pick it up. Going to a real store is, frankly, a royal pain.</p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote><p>If you want to succeed as a lawyer, you need to think more like Amazon and less like brick and mortar stores</p></blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>What does this all have to do with the practice of law and technology? If you want to succeed as a lawyer, you need to think more like Amazon and less like brick and mortar stores. As <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackbnewton/?originalSubdomain=ca">Jack Newton</a>, <a href="https://www.clio.com">Clio</a> CEO points out in his excellent book, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=the+client-centered+law+firm&gclid=Cj0KCQiAkMGcBhCSARIsAIW6d0CZ_IyJkDi5XG9sufHNxp4JFdDuPKKX26stzNSKbwl7k6gFyD9dwIMaAo58EALw_wcB&hvadid=537874612050&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9014251&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=2436534886770497528&hvtargid=kwd-921347337487&hydadcr=10248_10336471&tag=googhydr-20&ref=pd_sl_7blze7r7ki_e"><em>The Client Centered Law Firm</em></a>, you need to offer the kind of frictionless experience Amazon does. You need to focus on your clients’ pain points and make them disappear. Put yourself in your clients’ shoes.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-3115 alignright" src="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-247x320.jpeg" alt="" width="247" height="320" srcset="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-247x320.jpeg 247w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-92x120.jpeg 92w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-768x997.jpeg 768w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-570x740.jpeg 570w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-40x52.jpeg 40w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-80x104.jpeg 80w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-160x208.jpeg 160w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-320x415.jpeg 320w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-1100x1427.jpeg 1100w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-550x714.jpeg 550w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-367x476.jpeg 367w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-734x953.jpeg 734w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-275x357.jpeg 275w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-825x1071.jpeg 825w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-220x285.jpeg 220w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-440x571.jpeg 440w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-660x856.jpeg 660w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-880x1142.jpeg 880w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-184x239.jpeg 184w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-917x1190.jpeg 917w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-138x179.jpeg 138w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-413x536.jpeg 413w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-688x893.jpeg 688w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-963x1250.jpeg 963w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-123x160.jpeg 123w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-110x143.jpeg 110w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-330x428.jpeg 330w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-300x389.jpeg 300w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-600x779.jpeg 600w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-207x269.jpeg 207w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-344x446.jpeg 344w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-55x71.jpeg 55w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-71x92.jpeg 71w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06-46x60.jpeg 46w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_f06.jpeg 1273w" sizes="(max-width: 247px) 100vw, 247px" style=" max-width: 100%; height: auto; "></p>
<p>Here are ten ways you can make your clients’ experience painless:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>1. Driving downtown(or just about anywhere) to meet with you is a pain. It is disruptive. It takes time. You have to find parking. No fun. I have a friend who was named in a lawsuit not long ago. The lawyer she hired offered to come to her house and meet with her and her husband about the case without charge. That’s frictionless service. But if you are going to make clients come to your office,  at least find them parking and pay for it! Better yet, send Uber.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>2. Here’s another helpful hint: make paying for your services easy. I don’t know about you, but I hate paying bills by check. It’s so much easier to pay by credit card. Care to guess what bills I pay first? Offer payment by credit card, and your clients will pay sooner. And while they may not exactly overjoyed about paying your bills, at least they won’t be any more irritated than expected.</p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote><p>Using big legal terms only makes you sound arrogant and pompous</p></blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>3. Another pain point for clients: lawyers who talk like lawyers. Who use jargon to make themselves sound important. It doesn’t. Using big legal terms (res ipsa loquitur, for example) only makes you sound arrogant and pompous. Trying to figure out what you are talking about is a pain. Your clients will like you better if you communicate using words and concepts they can understand. Speak english.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>4. Clients also don’t like it if they don’t know what to expect from you. Or what’s expected from them. Set boundaries and expectations from the start. It avoids misunderstanding and your clients getting upset and anxious.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>5. Another potential pain point for your clients: trying to force technology on them for technology’s sake. Yes, I am a big technology fan. But you can’t let it get in the way of good client service. If your clients aren’t familiar with your tech, they won’t like you trying to use it on them. It may be trite, but you have to meet your clients where they are when it comes to tech. Years ago, I was asked by a client to get involved on an advisory basis in a big case out of town that another lawyer was handling. Key client depositions were coming up. But the primary lawyer litigating the case kept postponing prepping witnesses so that the tech he wanted would be workable. I told the client it was risky to wait and that we should roll up our sleeves and review the documents the old fashioned way. It turns out I was right: the witness was deposed and surprised by documents the lawyer handling the case was waiting for the tech to find. Guess what? He got fired, and I got the case.</p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote><p>Return calls</p></blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>6. Another hint: return calls (do I really have to say this?). Nothing upsets clients (and almost everyone else) more than someone who doesn’t call back. Also, communicate using the means your clients expect and themselves use.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>7. Here’s a big one. Be open and transparent about bills. Lawyers often avoid talking about the bills and potential bills. Nothing will upset your clients more than surprise costs and fees. Do a budget for them at the outset. Tell them in advance if there will be unexpected fees above the budget. When you do your budget, avoid the temptation to overstate the risks and understate the costs.Bill when you say you will. Keep your client informed. Explain your bills.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>8. When there is good news, by all means, tell your client. But when something bad happens, swallow hard and tell them. And make sure they understand. There’s an old joke. When something happens in a case, a lawyer will call their client and either say I have some good news or say, well… there have been some developments. If it’s bad news, don’t sugarcoat it.</p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote><p>Be a good person. It’s a pain to deal with a jerk</p></blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>9. Make your website easy to navigate. Make relevant information easy to find. Think about what your clients want to know and make sure that information is front and center on your website. Like what and how you charge.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>10. One final thing. Be a good person. It’s a pain to deal with a jerk—someone who is insulting, condescending, and arrogant. You’re neither better nor smarter than your clients. Get over it. Take criticism and defeat like a professional. Try to be likable to our clients. Put yourself in your shoes. Don’t be a pain in the ass to deal with.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I deal with several professional service firms. One, in particular stands out. The professionals there check in with me on developments before I have to hunt them down. They give me a choice about when and where to meet. They always answer their phones or call me back promptly. They speak english so that I can easily understand and patiently explain things when I don’t. If something bad happens, they contact me immediately and don’t let me stew. They tell me what they are going to do, what it’s going to cost, and then do it. It’s honestly a pleasure to work with them.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Be like them. Identify and address your clients’ pain points. Relentlessly.</p>


<p>If you want to be a successful lawyer, work hard at identifying and eliminating your clients’ pain points.   This past Sunday, I decided I wanted a small tabletop Christmas tree for my office. After all, ’tis the season. I went online and was immediately faced with a confusing and irritating search (Tabletop Christmas trees... <a href="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/2022/12/want-to-be-a-successful-lawyer-be-more-like-amazon-heres-ten-ways/">Continue Reading</a></p>

Want To Be a Successful Lawyer? Be More Like Amazon. Here&#8217;s Ten Ways

<p>I recently came across an <a href="https://news.bloomberglaw.com/business-and-practice/culture-wars-catch-big-law-firms-balancing-client-staff-demands">article</a> by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiana-headley-96a699175">Tiana Headley</a> of Bloomberg Law that discussed client pressures on law firms to take public stands on social issues. The same issue was front and center in the excellent book by David Enrich <em><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Servants-Damned-Donald-Corruption-Justice-ebook/dp/B09SHW5Y9J">Servants of the Damned</a></em>. These issues are often controversial and divisive and arouse passions among both law firm partners and clients.</p>



<p></p>



<p></p>



<p>It is becoming more and more common for individuals and businesses to take public stands on various social and political issues. This trend is certainly evident in the legal industry, where clients are beginning to demand that their law firms also take positions on important social issues.</p>



<p></p>



<p></p>



<p>One reason for this shift is that clients are becoming increasingly aware of law firms’ potential influence and power in shaping society. They believe—rightly or wrongly- law firms have the resources, expertise, and connections to significantly impact a wide range of social issues. As a result, clients may call on their law firms to use this influence to promote the change they might desire.</p>



<p></p>



<p></p>



<p>Another possible reason for this trend is consumers’ and stakeholders’ growing expectations of corporate social responsibility. This expectation is, in turn, being applied by clients to their law firms, with clients demanding their law firms as institutions align with their own values and beliefs on social issues.</p>



<p></p>



<p>Granted, there is the opportunity for law firms to positively impact society and thereby build a stronger brand and reputation.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p>But taking a stance on social issues is tricky for law firms. They must balance their duty to their clients with the values and beliefs of the law firms’ partners—the business owners.</p>
</blockquote>



<p></p>



<p>But taking a stance on social issues is tricky for law firms. They must balance their duty to their clients with the values and beliefs of the law firms’ partners—the business owners. Law firms must also consider the potential legal and practical implications of taking a position on a particular issue.</p>



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367w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/casey-horner-wqAuyugJIeU-unsplash-1-734x1100.jpg 734w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/casey-horner-wqAuyugJIeU-unsplash-1-275x412.jpg 275w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/casey-horner-wqAuyugJIeU-unsplash-1-825x1236.jpg 825w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/casey-horner-wqAuyugJIeU-unsplash-1-220x330.jpg 220w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/casey-horner-wqAuyugJIeU-unsplash-1-440x659.jpg 440w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/casey-horner-wqAuyugJIeU-unsplash-1-660x989.jpg 660w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/casey-horner-wqAuyugJIeU-unsplash-1-880x1318.jpg 880w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/casey-horner-wqAuyugJIeU-unsplash-1-184x276.jpg 184w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/casey-horner-wqAuyugJIeU-unsplash-1-917x1374.jpg 917w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/casey-horner-wqAuyugJIeU-unsplash-1-138x207.jpg 138w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/casey-horner-wqAuyugJIeU-unsplash-1-413x619.jpg 413w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/casey-horner-wqAuyugJIeU-unsplash-1-688x1031.jpg 688w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/casey-horner-wqAuyugJIeU-unsplash-1-963x1443.jpg 963w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/casey-horner-wqAuyugJIeU-unsplash-1-123x184.jpg 123w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/casey-horner-wqAuyugJIeU-unsplash-1-110x165.jpg 110w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/casey-horner-wqAuyugJIeU-unsplash-1-330x494.jpg 330w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/casey-horner-wqAuyugJIeU-unsplash-1-300x449.jpg 300w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/casey-horner-wqAuyugJIeU-unsplash-1-600x899.jpg 600w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/casey-horner-wqAuyugJIeU-unsplash-1-207x310.jpg 207w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/casey-horner-wqAuyugJIeU-unsplash-1-344x515.jpg 344w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/casey-horner-wqAuyugJIeU-unsplash-1-55x82.jpg 55w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/casey-horner-wqAuyugJIeU-unsplash-1-71x106.jpg 71w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/casey-horner-wqAuyugJIeU-unsplash-1-36x54.jpg 36w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/casey-horner-wqAuyugJIeU-unsplash-1-scaled.jpg 1709w" sizes="(max-width: 238px) 100vw, 238px" style=" max-width: 100%; height: auto; "><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@mischievous_penguins?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Casey Horner</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/tightrope?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a></figcaption></figure>



<p></p>



<p>There can also be a real business risk to law firms that take public positions on controversial issues. For example, by taking a stand some clients applaud, law firms risk pissing off other clients who might disagree with those positions. And taking a stand may place the firm at odds with individual positions law firm partners have taken in representing clients.</p>



<p></p>



<p>There is also the potential internal disruption from internal firm disagreements among partners. A group of partners actually left the firm I was with because they disagreed with a decision the firm made with social implications. The disruption and upheaval were immense and took years to get over.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p>In a real sense, a partner’s compensation can be placed at risk by taking a position if a client decides to seek new counsel as a result of a firm position.</p>
</blockquote>



<p>In a real sense, a partner’s compensation can be placed at risk by taking a position if a client decides to seek new counsel as a result of a firm position. At the very least, it could lead to some uncomfortable conversations. And the demanded position may place partners in the firm at odds with their clients and threaten their books of business.</p>



<p></p>



<p>Unlike businesses that are directed by senior management or shareholders, for better or worse, law firms are partnerships. They are by and large consensus-run organizations. There is usually no CEO who can unilaterally make policy. There are no shareholders other than the partners. Law firms are made up of strong-willed individuals–individuals who value their business –and their independence. Don’t for a minute think those partners whose clients might have strong positions won’t fight tooth and nail for their clients and themselves.</p>



<p></p>



<p>When I was a young partner, the firm was run by a managing partner who had an ironclad rule. Each and every partner was free to give to whatever charity they wanted as long as they gave something to some organization. But the firm itself would not give anything to charities. The managing partner believed it was inappropriate for the firm to dictate and decide what to give and to whom. That making that kind of decision interfered with the independence of the partners and could adversely affect their books of business.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p>When it comes to social issues, it’s hard to draw the line between taking a position because it’s clearly the right thing to do for the firm and taking a position because a substantial client demands it</p>
</blockquote>



<p>As you might expect, the firm caught a lot of heat for this position. And as time passed, the across-the-board approach was no longer tenable. As a responsible business, the firm was ultimately forced to make charitable donations to a selected group. But there’s some merit in letting partners decide issues like this for themselves individually. </p>



<p></p>



<p>When it comes to social issues, it’s hard to draw the line between taking a position because it’s clearly the right thing to do for the firm and taking a position because a substantial client demands it. It’s hard to keep everyone—partners and clients—happy because so many of these issues are tinged with passionate disagreement. Law firms might be unable to never take positions on these issues, but they should do so cautiously and try to have some bright lines about what they will and will not do. </p>



<p></p>



<p>Maybe some ironclad rules are a better solution after all.</p>



<p></p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p></p>
</blockquote>


I recently came across an article by Tiana Headley of Bloomberg Law that discussed client pressures on law firms to take public stands on social issues. The same issue was front and center in the excellent book by David Enrich Servants of the Damned. These issues are often controversial and divisive and arouse passions among... Continue Reading

Clients Demand Public Positions on Contentious Social Issues: What’s a Law Firm to Do?

<p>As the Covid pandemic finally (hopefully) begins to wind down, 2023 may be the year law firms will need to reach more definite decisions about remote work.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large" style=" max-width: 100%; height: auto; "><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="880" height="660" src="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/04/E4F8E666-8A2E-4FFA-8E43-E3FA9C6B2307-880x660.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-4250" srcset="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/04/E4F8E666-8A2E-4FFA-8E43-E3FA9C6B2307-880x660.webp 880w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/04/E4F8E666-8A2E-4FFA-8E43-E3FA9C6B2307-320x240.webp 320w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/04/E4F8E666-8A2E-4FFA-8E43-E3FA9C6B2307-240x180.webp 240w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/04/E4F8E666-8A2E-4FFA-8E43-E3FA9C6B2307-768x576.webp 768w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/04/E4F8E666-8A2E-4FFA-8E43-E3FA9C6B2307-1536x1152.webp 1536w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/04/E4F8E666-8A2E-4FFA-8E43-E3FA9C6B2307-2048x1536.webp 2048w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/04/E4F8E666-8A2E-4FFA-8E43-E3FA9C6B2307-40x30.webp 40w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/04/E4F8E666-8A2E-4FFA-8E43-E3FA9C6B2307-80x60.webp 80w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/04/E4F8E666-8A2E-4FFA-8E43-E3FA9C6B2307-160x120.webp 160w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/04/E4F8E666-8A2E-4FFA-8E43-E3FA9C6B2307-2200x1650.webp 2200w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/04/E4F8E666-8A2E-4FFA-8E43-E3FA9C6B2307-1100x825.webp 1100w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/04/E4F8E666-8A2E-4FFA-8E43-E3FA9C6B2307-550x413.webp 550w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/04/E4F8E666-8A2E-4FFA-8E43-E3FA9C6B2307-367x275.webp 367w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/04/E4F8E666-8A2E-4FFA-8E43-E3FA9C6B2307-734x551.webp 734w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/04/E4F8E666-8A2E-4FFA-8E43-E3FA9C6B2307-275x206.webp 275w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/04/E4F8E666-8A2E-4FFA-8E43-E3FA9C6B2307-825x619.webp 825w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/04/E4F8E666-8A2E-4FFA-8E43-E3FA9C6B2307-220x165.webp 220w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/04/E4F8E666-8A2E-4FFA-8E43-E3FA9C6B2307-440x330.webp 440w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/04/E4F8E666-8A2E-4FFA-8E43-E3FA9C6B2307-660x495.webp 660w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/04/E4F8E666-8A2E-4FFA-8E43-E3FA9C6B2307-184x138.webp 184w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/04/E4F8E666-8A2E-4FFA-8E43-E3FA9C6B2307-917x688.webp 917w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/04/E4F8E666-8A2E-4FFA-8E43-E3FA9C6B2307-138x104.webp 138w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/04/E4F8E666-8A2E-4FFA-8E43-E3FA9C6B2307-413x310.webp 413w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/04/E4F8E666-8A2E-4FFA-8E43-E3FA9C6B2307-688x516.webp 688w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/04/E4F8E666-8A2E-4FFA-8E43-E3FA9C6B2307-963x722.webp 963w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/04/E4F8E666-8A2E-4FFA-8E43-E3FA9C6B2307-123x92.webp 123w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/04/E4F8E666-8A2E-4FFA-8E43-E3FA9C6B2307-110x83.webp 110w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/04/E4F8E666-8A2E-4FFA-8E43-E3FA9C6B2307-330x248.webp 330w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/04/E4F8E666-8A2E-4FFA-8E43-E3FA9C6B2307-300x225.webp 300w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/04/E4F8E666-8A2E-4FFA-8E43-E3FA9C6B2307-600x450.webp 600w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/04/E4F8E666-8A2E-4FFA-8E43-E3FA9C6B2307-207x155.webp 207w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/04/E4F8E666-8A2E-4FFA-8E43-E3FA9C6B2307-344x258.webp 344w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/04/E4F8E666-8A2E-4FFA-8E43-E3FA9C6B2307-55x41.webp 55w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/04/E4F8E666-8A2E-4FFA-8E43-E3FA9C6B2307-71x53.webp 71w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/04/E4F8E666-8A2E-4FFA-8E43-E3FA9C6B2307-72x54.webp 72w" sizes="(max-width: 880px) 100vw, 880px" style=" max-width: 100%; height: auto; "></figure>



<p>Certainly, law firms have been grabbling with this thorny issue for some time. And policies have been in flux as the pandemic ebbed and flowed. Also, the increased legal workload and shortage of lawyers to handle that load may have forced firms to somewhat reluctantly throw in the towel. They began to let lawyers and associates work where and when they wanted. But when the hot legal market began to cool, firms began to do an about face and require lawyers to be in the office, at least some of the time. But should that be certain days of the week, like Tuesday through Thursday? Should it be every day? Should it be left to the discretion of individual lawyers? Practice groups?</p>



<span id="more-4613"></span>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p>Management needs to think carefully about why and when it wants lawyers in the office and why lawyers, particularly younger lawyers, so embrace remote work.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p></p>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>



<p>It is hard to believe that remote work is <em>not</em> here to stay. As the pandemic made clear, technology allows lawyers to work remotely and be just as productive, if not more so, than working in the office. And there are clear benefits, at least to lawyers, from working from home. A good policy takes into account firm needs, firm culture, and the needs and wants of its lawyers. So any analysis of remote policies should start with management appreciating the new reality. Management needs to think carefully about why and when it wants lawyers in the office and why lawyers, particularly younger lawyers, so embrace remote work.</p>



<p></p>



<p>First, two really bad reasons to require lawyers to be in the office. Some firms and partners want associates back in the office to ensure they are working. </p>



<p></p>



<p>But this ignores the fact that productivity either was the same or improved during the pandemic days of remote work. And it ignores that most associates are hard workers who don’t need supervision to ensure they are working. After all, they graduated with top grades at top law schools. Most of them know what it takes and want desperately to succeed. Firms should respect their commitment and not force them back into the office just to have them there.</p>



<p></p>



<p>Secondly, there remains the notion among some that associates need to be in the office because that’s how we have always done things. If that’s the reason, I suggest you think your associate retention policy.</p>



<p></p>



<p><strong>Why Require Lawyers to Be in the Office?</strong></p>



<p></p>



<p>One main argument for requiring associates to be in the office for some fixed period is to ensure proper training. The theory is that firms and partners can only properly train with in-office face time. The opportunity for precious water cooler encounters that make you a good lawyer.</p>



<p></p>



<p>But the truth is, without more structured training programs, those encounters are not robust or consistent enough to make sure all associates have the same opportunity for good training.</p>



<p></p>



<p>I worked in a big firm for a long time. Most of the time, I just wanted to get my work done and satisfy my billable hour quota so I could go home and have some family time. I didn’t have much time to hang out at water coolers waiting for wisdom to be handed down from on high. Training by happenstance is not an effective training strategy. Nor is it a sound reason to require associates to be in the office.</p>



<p></p>



<p>If the goal is adequate training, a firm must focus on creating structured training programs and not rely on having people in the office for chance encounters. It needs to set up more formal training programs at certain times on certain days and <em>then</em> require associates to be in the office on those days. Better training and a coherent policy.</p>



<p></p>



<p>Another good reason for wanting lawyers—both partners and associates—in the office is that some work just gets done better when people are together. That’s undoubtedly true, but too often policies aren’t designed around this motive. If they were, then practice groups would set guidelines for their respective groups, and partners managing cases and projects would set expectations for their direct reports. One-size-fits-all is simply not consistent with this motivation.</p>



<p></p>



<p><strong>What Lawyers Really Want</strong></p>



<p>Firms should recognize that what most lawyers, particularly associates, want when it comes to remote work is not just being at home. It’s the flexibility and independence that remote work provides. The ability to adjust the time to do work to meet personal and family needs. The autonomy that remote work offers when there is no need to be in the office. And, of course, the time savings from not being forced to commute.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p>Most associates are okay with being in the office when it’s needed. Most understand that some work needs to be done with people present. What they don’t like is being forced into the office for little reason.</p>
</blockquote>



<p>Most associates are okay with being in the office when it’s needed. Most understand that some work needs to be done with people present. What they don’t like is being forced into the office for little reason. They don’t like being required to be in the office just to have a Zoom call with associates in their separate offices and a partner at his beach house. They aren’t dumb.</p>



<p></p>



<p>They want to be able to work from home when necessary and to work in the office when there is a legitimate reason to. Requiring them to be in the office on set days, for example, often does not meet that goal. Being in the office just because it’s Tuesday versus Monday is arbitrary and seems less motivated by a desire to accomplish in-person work and training than the desire to monitor. I’m not aware of any evidence showing that more time is spent at water coolers on Tuesdays than Mondays.</p>



<p></p>



<p>So pushing an arbitrary return to the office for associates will lead to frustration and increased dissatisfaction. When you demand associates work upwards of 2400 hours a year to advance, the least you can do is recognize their needs and desires to have at least a modicum of control over their lives. To do otherwise leads to less respect for the vaunted “culture.”</p>



<p></p>



<p><strong>Six Tips for A Sound Remote Work Policy</strong></p>



<p></p>



<p>So given all this, what should a firm do? Here are some suggestions:</p>



<p>1.</p>



<p>Make sure you have a good reason for demanding associates come to the office. Don’t just make them be there to be there. Have structured training programs on in-office days, for example.<br><br>2.<br>Allow associates to have some choice and control about returning to the office. Most will make the right decisions; if they don’t, weed them out. After all, firms have little trouble weeding out associates who don’t fulfill other work obligations. Most associates have not gotten where they are because they need close monitoring to prevent sloughing off.<br><br>3.<br>Place more control with practice groups and individual partners leading case teams. They know best when the work requires people to be in the office.<br><br>4.<br>Have expectations for partners as well as associates. If you embrace flexibility and individual decision making, make sure the partner honors that and doesn’t just pay lip service to it.<br><br>5.<br>Be transparent. If you will require associates to be present every day, make sure everyone knows that. When you recruit, make sure everyone knows that. If you are going to be flexible, announce that too. But make sure your advancement is true to your policy: don’t penalize associates that work from home when the firm ostensibly allows it.<br><br>6.<br>Whatever your policy is, make it consistent with your culture. Don’t say we value independence and flexibility when you don’t. Don’t say we value in-person office time and then let some work remotely and others not. Some firms want lawyers who can make individual choices and are okay with living and working with a more flexible arrangement. Other firms can’t stomach that: they should hire people who want more structure. Either way, say what you mean and mean what you say. Don’t have secret unwritten rules.<br></p>



<p><strong>Bottom Line</strong></p>



<p></p>



<p>Firms will need to face this issue in 2023 and will have to make some decisions. And the decisions need not be the same for every firm. So how should firms answer the remote work conundrum? If firms believe in their culture, they should let their culture and strategic planning govern how they answer this question. And once they answer it, they should trumpet that answer to those they want to hire.</p>



<p></p>



<p>Bottom line: recognize why you want people in the office and promulgate your reasoning. Recognize what associates want and try to accommodate them when you can. Weed out those who abuse your system instead of making arbitrary rules for everyone. Remote work isn’t going away, so deal with it from a needs-based analysis.</p>



<p>Thanks to PLI for publishing this article. The article has been published in the <em>PLI Chronicle: Insights and Perspectives for the Legal Community</em>,<a href="https://plus.pli.edu/">https://plus.pli.edu</a>.</p>


As the Covid pandemic finally (hopefully) begins to wind down, 2023 may be the year law firms will need to reach more definite decisions about remote work. Certainly, law firms have been grabbling with this thorny issue for some time. And policies have been in flux as the pandemic ebbed and flowed. Also, the increased... Continue Reading

Dealing with the Remote Work Conundrum: Six Best Practices

<p>I recently published a <a href="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/2023/02/clients-demand-public-positions-on-contentious-social-issues-whats-a-law-firm-to-do/">post</a> that discussed client pressures on law firms to take public stands on social issues. These issues are often controversial and can be tricky for law firms.</p>



<p><br>In the process of conceptualizing the post, ChatGBT hit the news. I decided to use it least to get started. The results were interesting and showed both the power and limitations of the tool. I ended up with two posts. The post you are reading shows how I used—and didn’t use—ChatGPT. The other was the actual substantive post on the relevent issues.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized" style=" max-width: 100%; height: auto; "><img decoding="async" src="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/zac-wolff-rv2ooDQuNuI-unsplash-880x587.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-4649" width="327" height="217" srcset="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/zac-wolff-rv2ooDQuNuI-unsplash-880x587.jpg 880w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/zac-wolff-rv2ooDQuNuI-unsplash-320x213.jpg 320w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/zac-wolff-rv2ooDQuNuI-unsplash-240x160.jpg 240w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/zac-wolff-rv2ooDQuNuI-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/zac-wolff-rv2ooDQuNuI-unsplash-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/zac-wolff-rv2ooDQuNuI-unsplash-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/zac-wolff-rv2ooDQuNuI-unsplash-40x27.jpg 40w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/zac-wolff-rv2ooDQuNuI-unsplash-80x53.jpg 80w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/zac-wolff-rv2ooDQuNuI-unsplash-160x107.jpg 160w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/zac-wolff-rv2ooDQuNuI-unsplash-2200x1467.jpg 2200w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/zac-wolff-rv2ooDQuNuI-unsplash-1100x733.jpg 1100w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/zac-wolff-rv2ooDQuNuI-unsplash-550x367.jpg 550w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/zac-wolff-rv2ooDQuNuI-unsplash-367x245.jpg 367w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/zac-wolff-rv2ooDQuNuI-unsplash-734x489.jpg 734w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/zac-wolff-rv2ooDQuNuI-unsplash-275x183.jpg 275w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/zac-wolff-rv2ooDQuNuI-unsplash-825x550.jpg 825w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/zac-wolff-rv2ooDQuNuI-unsplash-220x147.jpg 220w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/zac-wolff-rv2ooDQuNuI-unsplash-440x293.jpg 440w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/zac-wolff-rv2ooDQuNuI-unsplash-660x440.jpg 660w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/zac-wolff-rv2ooDQuNuI-unsplash-184x123.jpg 184w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/zac-wolff-rv2ooDQuNuI-unsplash-917x611.jpg 917w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/zac-wolff-rv2ooDQuNuI-unsplash-138x92.jpg 138w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/zac-wolff-rv2ooDQuNuI-unsplash-413x275.jpg 413w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/zac-wolff-rv2ooDQuNuI-unsplash-688x459.jpg 688w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/zac-wolff-rv2ooDQuNuI-unsplash-963x642.jpg 963w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/zac-wolff-rv2ooDQuNuI-unsplash-123x82.jpg 123w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/zac-wolff-rv2ooDQuNuI-unsplash-110x73.jpg 110w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/zac-wolff-rv2ooDQuNuI-unsplash-330x220.jpg 330w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/zac-wolff-rv2ooDQuNuI-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/zac-wolff-rv2ooDQuNuI-unsplash-600x400.jpg 600w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/zac-wolff-rv2ooDQuNuI-unsplash-207x138.jpg 207w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/zac-wolff-rv2ooDQuNuI-unsplash-344x229.jpg 344w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/zac-wolff-rv2ooDQuNuI-unsplash-55x37.jpg 55w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/zac-wolff-rv2ooDQuNuI-unsplash-71x47.jpg 71w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/zac-wolff-rv2ooDQuNuI-unsplash-81x54.jpg 81w" sizes="(max-width: 327px) 100vw, 327px" style=" max-width: 100%; height: auto; "></figure>



<p></p>



<p><strong>ChatGPT Version</strong></p>



<p><br>To get started, I asked ChatGPT whether law firm clients are demanding law firms take positions on social issues. Here is what it had to say:</p>



<p></p>



<p class="has-text-align-left is-style-indented">“In today’s socially conscious society, it’s not uncommon for individuals and organizations to take a stand on various social and political issues. This trend is no different in the legal industry, where clients are beginning to demand that their law firms also take a position on important social issues.</p>



<p class="has-text-align-left is-style-indented"><br>“One reason for this shift is that clients are becoming increasingly aware of the influence and power that law firms have in shaping society. They recognize that law firms have the resources, expertise, and connections to make a significant impact on issues such as climate change, human rights, and diversity and inclusion. As a result, clients are calling on their law firms to use this influence to promote positive change and make a meaningful difference in the world.</p>



<p class="has-text-align-left is-style-indented"><br>“Another reason for this trend is the growing expectation of corporate social responsibility among consumers and stakeholders. Companies and organizations are expected to not only make a profit, but also to make a positive impact on society. This expectation is also being applied to law firms, with clients expecting their legal counsel to align with their own values and beliefs on social issues.</p>



<p class="has-text-align-left is-style-indented"><br>“In addition, there is a growing awareness among clients that taking a stance on social issues can benefit the law firm in terms of attracting and retaining talented employees, as well as building a strong brand and reputation. The legal profession is becoming more diverse, and a significant number of young lawyers are attracted to firms that prioritize social issues and make a positive impact on society.</p>



<p class="has-text-align-left is-style-indented"><br>“However, it is important to note that taking a stance on social issues can also be a tricky business for law firms. They must balance their duty to their clients with their own values and beliefs, and must also consider the potential legal and ethical implications of taking a position on a particular issue. Law firms must be transparent and honest about their position, and must also be prepared to defend their stance if challenged.</p>



<p class="has-text-align-left is-style-indented"><br>“In conclusion, as clients become increasingly socially conscious, they are demanding that their law firms take a position on important social issues. This trend is driven by a growing awareness of the influence and power of law firms, an expectation of corporate social responsibility, and a desire to attract and retain talented employees. While taking a stance on social issues can be challenging, it is an opportunity for law firms to make a positive impact on society and to build a strong brand and reputation.”</p>



<p></p>



<p><strong>What ChatGPT May Have Missed</strong></p>



<p class="has-text-align-left"><br>Ok. A little long and wordy and, while a start, misses some subtle points that I know about from experience. </p>



<p></p>



<p>ChatGBT correctly focuses on the impact law firms may have when they take public positions. What it misses is the disruption that disagreements amongst partners on taking such positions can have. </p>



<p><br></p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p>There is a real business risk to law firms that take public positions on controversial issues.</p>
</blockquote>



<p></p>



<p>ChatGPT also misses the very real practical issue: some clients will applaud the position taken but, some will hiss and maybe even vote with their feet. Law firms risk pissing off clients who disagree with the positions taken. There is a real business risk to law firms that take public positions on controversial issues. And don’t for a minute think that those partners whose clients might have interests won’t fight law firm management tooth and nail.</p>



<p><br>So it’s a difficult spot for law firms.</p>



<p></p>



<p><strong>My Revisions to ChatGBT Version</strong></p>



<p><br>After reflection, I rewrote what ChatGPT had written as part of my substantive. Here’s the result of my rewrite:</p>



<p class="is-style-indented"><br>It is becoming more and more common for individuals and businesses to take public stands on various social and political issues. This trend is certainly evident in the legal industry, where clients are beginning to demand that their law firms also take positions on important social issues.</p>



<p class="is-style-indented"><br>One reason for this shift is that clients are becoming increasingly aware of law firms’ potential influence and power in shaping society. They believe—rightly or wrongly- law firms have the resources, expertise, and connections to significantly impact a wide range of social issues. As a result, clients may call on their law firms to use this influence to promote the change they might desire.</p>



<p class="is-style-indented"><br>Another possible reason for this trend is consumers’ and stakeholders’ growing expectations of corporate social responsibility. This expectation is, in turn, being applied by clients to their law firms, with clients demanding their law firms as institutions align with their own values and beliefs on social issues.</p>



<p class="is-style-indented"><br>Granted, there is the opportunity for law firms to positively impact society and build a stronger brand and reputation.</p>



<p class="is-style-indented"><br>But taking a stance on social issues is tricky for law firms. They must balance their duty to their clients with the values and beliefs of the law firms’ partners—the business owners. Law firms must also consider the potential legal and practical implications of taking a position on a particular issue. There can be a real business risk to law firms that take public positions on controversial topics.</p>



<p><br><strong>What ChatGPT Couldn’t Do</strong></p>



<p></p>



<p>I then added to the revised ChatGPT version my thoughts and analysis of the issues based mainly on what I had seen and experienced as a partner in a large law firm. That addition added richness to the analysis of the issues. Again, here is my <a href="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/2023/02/clients-demand-public-positions-on-contentious-social-issues-whats-a-law-firm-to-do/">substantive post</a>.</p>



<p><br>Bottom line, yes, ChatGPT is a wonderful tool. It got me started. It provided some helpful background and served as a springboard for an introduction. It saved me some time. </p>



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https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/rock-n-roll-monkey-FTfjMijq-Ws-unsplash-1798x2048.jpg 1798w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/rock-n-roll-monkey-FTfjMijq-Ws-unsplash-40x46.jpg 40w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/rock-n-roll-monkey-FTfjMijq-Ws-unsplash-80x91.jpg 80w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/rock-n-roll-monkey-FTfjMijq-Ws-unsplash-160x182.jpg 160w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/rock-n-roll-monkey-FTfjMijq-Ws-unsplash-2200x2506.jpg 2200w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/rock-n-roll-monkey-FTfjMijq-Ws-unsplash-1100x1253.jpg 1100w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/rock-n-roll-monkey-FTfjMijq-Ws-unsplash-550x627.jpg 550w, 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https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/rock-n-roll-monkey-FTfjMijq-Ws-unsplash-880x1003.jpg 880w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/rock-n-roll-monkey-FTfjMijq-Ws-unsplash-184x210.jpg 184w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/rock-n-roll-monkey-FTfjMijq-Ws-unsplash-917x1045.jpg 917w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/rock-n-roll-monkey-FTfjMijq-Ws-unsplash-138x157.jpg 138w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/rock-n-roll-monkey-FTfjMijq-Ws-unsplash-413x471.jpg 413w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/rock-n-roll-monkey-FTfjMijq-Ws-unsplash-688x784.jpg 688w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/rock-n-roll-monkey-FTfjMijq-Ws-unsplash-963x1097.jpg 963w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/rock-n-roll-monkey-FTfjMijq-Ws-unsplash-123x140.jpg 123w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/rock-n-roll-monkey-FTfjMijq-Ws-unsplash-110x125.jpg 110w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/rock-n-roll-monkey-FTfjMijq-Ws-unsplash-330x376.jpg 330w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/rock-n-roll-monkey-FTfjMijq-Ws-unsplash-300x342.jpg 300w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/rock-n-roll-monkey-FTfjMijq-Ws-unsplash-600x684.jpg 600w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/rock-n-roll-monkey-FTfjMijq-Ws-unsplash-207x236.jpg 207w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/rock-n-roll-monkey-FTfjMijq-Ws-unsplash-344x392.jpg 344w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/rock-n-roll-monkey-FTfjMijq-Ws-unsplash-55x63.jpg 55w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/rock-n-roll-monkey-FTfjMijq-Ws-unsplash-71x81.jpg 71w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/02/rock-n-roll-monkey-FTfjMijq-Ws-unsplash-47x54.jpg 47w" sizes="(max-width: 274px) 100vw, 274px" style=" max-width: 100%; height: auto; "></figure>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p></p>



<p>ChatGBT couldn’t replicate what I did because only I had the insightful experiences.</p>
</blockquote>



<p>But it couldn’t supply what I experienced. What I personally knew about and lived and how that experience led to insight and analysis. ChatGBT couldn’t replicate what I did because only I had the experiences.</p>



<p>(The other problem was that the ChatGPT portion was not necessarily in the same style as I write which took some time to try to change).</p>



<p><br>So we need not necessarily fear ChatGBT. At present, its impact may be akin to that of the calculator on mathematics. Sure, calculators replaced some of the more mundane functions and freed us from memorizing lots of tables. It freed us from simple errors that could jeopardize entire projects (or at least ensure I would never rise above a C in algebra). It enabled mathematicians to tackle more challenging and complex problems. But calculators didn’t replace mathematicians. </p>



<p></p>



<p>ChatGBT is a tool we can use to help us focus on what we do best. That’s all it is. </p>



<p></p>



<p>At least for now.</p>



<p>Photos: </p>



<p>1. Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@zacwolff?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Zac Wolff</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/ChatGPT?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a></p>



<p>2. Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@rocknrollmonkey?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Rock’n Roll Monkey</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/robot?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a></p>



<p></p>



<p></p>


I recently published a post that discussed client pressures on law firms to take public stands on social issues. These issues are often controversial and can be tricky for law firms. In the process of conceptualizing the post, ChatGBT hit the news. I decided to use it least to get started. The results were interesting... Continue Reading

I Asked ChatGPT to Help Write a Post on Law Firms: Here Is How It Turned Out

<p>Why are lawyers incompetent when it comes to e-Discovery: Hubris. Time. Perceived easier options.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized" style=" max-width: 100%; height: auto; "><img decoding="async" src="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/12/markus-spiske-iar-afB0QQw-unsplash-880x587.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-3181" width="377" height="251" srcset="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/12/markus-spiske-iar-afB0QQw-unsplash-880x587.jpg 880w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/12/markus-spiske-iar-afB0QQw-unsplash-120x80.jpg 120w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/12/markus-spiske-iar-afB0QQw-unsplash-320x213.jpg 320w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/12/markus-spiske-iar-afB0QQw-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/12/markus-spiske-iar-afB0QQw-unsplash-40x27.jpg 40w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/12/markus-spiske-iar-afB0QQw-unsplash-80x53.jpg 80w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/12/markus-spiske-iar-afB0QQw-unsplash-160x107.jpg 160w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/12/markus-spiske-iar-afB0QQw-unsplash-2200x1467.jpg 2200w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/12/markus-spiske-iar-afB0QQw-unsplash-1100x733.jpg 1100w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/12/markus-spiske-iar-afB0QQw-unsplash-550x367.jpg 550w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/12/markus-spiske-iar-afB0QQw-unsplash-367x245.jpg 367w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/12/markus-spiske-iar-afB0QQw-unsplash-734x489.jpg 734w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/12/markus-spiske-iar-afB0QQw-unsplash-275x183.jpg 275w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/12/markus-spiske-iar-afB0QQw-unsplash-825x550.jpg 825w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/12/markus-spiske-iar-afB0QQw-unsplash-220x147.jpg 220w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/12/markus-spiske-iar-afB0QQw-unsplash-440x293.jpg 440w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/12/markus-spiske-iar-afB0QQw-unsplash-660x440.jpg 660w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/12/markus-spiske-iar-afB0QQw-unsplash-184x123.jpg 184w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/12/markus-spiske-iar-afB0QQw-unsplash-917x611.jpg 917w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/12/markus-spiske-iar-afB0QQw-unsplash-138x92.jpg 138w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/12/markus-spiske-iar-afB0QQw-unsplash-413x275.jpg 413w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/12/markus-spiske-iar-afB0QQw-unsplash-688x459.jpg 688w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/12/markus-spiske-iar-afB0QQw-unsplash-963x642.jpg 963w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/12/markus-spiske-iar-afB0QQw-unsplash-123x82.jpg 123w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/12/markus-spiske-iar-afB0QQw-unsplash-110x73.jpg 110w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/12/markus-spiske-iar-afB0QQw-unsplash-330x220.jpg 330w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/12/markus-spiske-iar-afB0QQw-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/12/markus-spiske-iar-afB0QQw-unsplash-600x400.jpg 600w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/12/markus-spiske-iar-afB0QQw-unsplash-207x138.jpg 207w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/12/markus-spiske-iar-afB0QQw-unsplash-344x229.jpg 344w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/12/markus-spiske-iar-afB0QQw-unsplash-55x37.jpg 55w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/12/markus-spiske-iar-afB0QQw-unsplash-71x47.jpg 71w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2019/12/markus-spiske-iar-afB0QQw-unsplash-90x60.jpg 90w" sizes="(max-width: 377px) 100vw, 377px" style=" max-width: 100%; height: auto; "><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">markus-spiske-iar-afB0QQw-unsplash</figcaption></figure>



<p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-wilkins/">Stephanie Wilkins</a> recently wrote an excellent article entitled, <a href="https://www.law.com/legaltechnews/2023/02/15/is-attorney-e-discovery-incompetence-the-elephant-in-the-room/?kw=Is%20Attorney%20E-Discovery%20Incompetence%20the%20Elephant%20in%20the%20Room?%20%7C%20Legaltech%20News&amp;utm_source=email&amp;utm_medium=enl&amp;utm_camp">“Is Attorney E-Discovery Incompetence the Elephant in the Room?”</a>  In it, Wilkins notes a recent Report from eDiscovery Today, a website paper from EDRM, commentary by several exerts, and several recent examples that all evidence the glaring ignorance of so many lawyers about e-discovery issues:</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image" style=" max-width: 100%; height: auto; "><img alt="" style=" max-width: 100%; height: auto; "></figure>



<ul>
<li>The e-Discovery paper cites a Survey of 400 e-discovery leaders. 23.4% of them say lack of eDiscovery competence was the number one challenge they face, significantly ahead of all other issues.</li>



<li>The EDRM paper notes the importance of lawyers’ to use AI with e-discovery. But numerous commentators lament its lack of use by practitioners.</li>



<li>Reports of weekly e-discovery mistakes made by lawyers stemming from the lack of understanding of how to handle basic ESI.</li>



<li>The explosion of data and data sources compound the potential diasters from e-discovery mistakes</li>
</ul>



<p></p>



<p>Wilkins concludes that this lack of competence is the elephant in the room that no one wants to talk about. The big question, particularly given the available tools and data explosion, is why. Why are so many practitioners so far behind? </p>



<p></p>



<p>Wilkins offers several theories, from shame to apathy to a lack of education in law school about the subject. All of these certainly contribute. But, based on my experience in a mid-size firm, there are additional, more impactful reasons that are harder to overcome. </p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p>It’s just a production issue, not a legal one for lawyers.</p>
</blockquote>



<p>The first is the perceived time required to learn and better understand e-discovery. Nonbillable time. So many lawyers hear and look at e-discovery and the issues it brings, and their eyes just glaze over. Too much to learn. Too much to understand. Not enough time to learn it all, especially if that time is nonbillable as basic learning would be. So they stick their heads in the sand, especially in cases where the amount in issue is not enough to justify tackling the problems. It’s just a production issue, not a legal one for lawyers.</p>



<p></p>



<p>Add to this the fact that all too often, the lawyers on the other side of a case don’t know much more than their adversaries. So they aren’t inclined to push the issue either. Both sides view it as just not worth the time or trouble.</p>



<p></p>



<p>Or many firms have managed to find (or designate) lawyers or legal professionals in their firms as the e-discovery “experts” to handle the problem. Got lots of ESI that you have to deal with? Call Joe. He’s the firm expert. And to show you how seriously many firms view e-discovery issues, Joe will often be a long-time employee or nonequity partner. He or she is not considered valuable enough to join the equity ranks. Or we refer the issues to a young associate. They know all about all this digital stuff, right?</p>



<p></p>



<p>Another option used by lawyers is to wash their hands of e-discovery entirely and hire an outside vendor to deal with the issue. </p>



<p></p>



<p>But there are huge problems relying on others to deal with our e-discovery issues. Far too often, Neither Joe nor the vendor really knows the case like the lawyers handling it. They don’t know the strategy. They don’t know the client (Joe and vendors often aren’t invited to client meetings). They don’t know what the vision and desired outcome of the case is. </p>



<p></p>



<p>So they aren’t in the position to make good strategy calls that so many e-discovery issues involve. Their roles are considered to be that of technicians instead of real lawyers. </p>



<p></p>



<p>And because they aren’t as invested as the lawyers in the outcome, they may not go that extra mile or offer the best advice. They aren’t as invested in successful outcomes as the lead lawyer and the firm is.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p>The supervisory ethical obligations of the lead lawyer are often lost in the process and ignored.</p>
</blockquote>



<p></p>



<p>Finally, as discussed below, the supervisory ethical obligations of the lead lawyer are often lost in the process and ignored. </p>



<p></p>



<p>The bottom line is that too many lawyers think that e-discovery is not a legal issue at all. It’s just a production issue. Before ESI became predominant, we often shipped the paper document ns out to a vendor for production or left them to paralegals. So let’s do the same with ESI. It’s not something I, as an important big shot lawyer, need to lower myself to deal with. So we don’t demand competency in ourselves or our litigation associates. Neither we nor our law schools (by and large) train or teach our lawyers about the subject. As with too many things in legal, lawyer hubris stands in our way.</p>



<p></p>



<p>And, as mentioned, our lack of competency has some serious ethical overtones that are often ignored as well. A good description of the connection between our competency and supervisory duties as lawyers, for example, can be found in a Californian ethics opinion.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/ethics/Opinions/CAL%202015-193%20%5B11-0004%5D%20(06-30-15)%20-%20FINAL1.pdf">California Formal Opinion 2015-193</a> talks about three noteworthy and ethical points:</p>



<p>1. It recognizes that almost every case involves e-Discovery or could. That required some knowledge of e-discovery.</p>



<p>2. It confirms that the lack of technical knowledge concerning e-discovery may run afoul of the competency obligations. This is true even if the attorney is highly experienced warns California.</p>



<p>3. It recognizes that if the lawyer in charge may lack technical knowledge of e-discovery, they can meet their duties by associating with another lawyer or a vendor. But the lawyer still has supervisory responsibilities. The way the California Bar Association defines this supervisory duty is telling:</p>



<p>“[A]n attorney [can] meet the duty of competence through association with another lawyer     or consultation with an expert… This consultation or association, however, does not absolve an attorney’s obligation to supervise the work of the expert…, which is a non-delegable duty belonging to the attorney who is counsel in the litigation, and who remains the one primarily answerable to the court. An attorney must maintain overall responsibility for the work of the expert they choose…The attorney must do so by remaining regularly engaged in the expert’s work, by educating everyone involved in the e-discovery workup about the legal issues in the case, the factual matters impacting discovery, including witnesses and key evidentiary issues, the obligations around discovery imposed by the law or by the court, and of any relevant risks associated with the e-discovery tasks at hand. The attorney should issue appropriate instructions and guidance and, ultimately, conduct appropriate tests until satisfied that the attorney is meeting his ethical obligations prior to releasing ESI.”</p>



<p>The latter is a high standard for the supervising lawyer to meet. I seriously doubt whether most lawyers using other lawyers or vendors van today meet this.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p>E-discovery is a core competency</p>
</blockquote>



<p>Each of the California Bar Association’s points would suggest that lawyers have ethical responsibilities requiring e-discovery competency. This competency seems to be sorely lacking across the board.</p>



<p>So for substantive and ethical reasons, lawyers need competency that the typical options they employ don’t provide. And as data gets more numerous and the issues more complex, it will only get harder. Those lawyers hiding behind hubris, an unwillingness to invest time to learn, and taking the easy way out by using others they think are somehow lesser simply won’t fly.</p>



<p>E-discovery is a core competency. My advice: dive into e-discovery with both feet now and learn what you need to know. Before your adversary or the Judge beats you over the head with what you don’t know.</p>



<p></p>


Why are lawyers incompetent when it comes to e-Discovery: Hubris. Time. Perceived easier options. Stephanie Wilkins recently wrote an excellent article entitled, “Is Attorney E-Discovery Incompetence the Elephant in the Room?” In it, Wilkins notes a recent Report from eDiscovery Today, a website paper from EDRM, commentary by several exerts, and several recent examples that... Continue Reading

Why Are Lawyers So Darned Incompetent With E-Discovery? Three Reasons

<p></p>



<p>I spent this week at the <a href="https://www.techshow.com">ABA TechShow</a>, which is put on by the Law Practice Division of which I am current Chair. The Show was a rousing success.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized" style=" max-width: 100%; height: auto; "><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-880x372.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-4679" width="384" height="161" srcset="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-880x372.jpg 880w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-320x135.jpg 320w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-240x101.jpg 240w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-768x324.jpg 768w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-40x17.jpg 40w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-80x34.jpg 80w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-160x68.jpg 160w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-1100x462.jpg 1100w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-550x231.jpg 550w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-367x155.jpg 367w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-734x310.jpg 734w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-275x116.jpg 275w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-825x347.jpg 825w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-220x93.jpg 220w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-440x186.jpg 440w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-660x279.jpg 660w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-184x78.jpg 184w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-917x387.jpg 917w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-138x58.jpg 138w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-413x174.jpg 413w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-688x291.jpg 688w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-963x407.jpg 963w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-123x52.jpg 123w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-110x46.jpg 110w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-330x139.jpg 330w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-300x127.jpg 300w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-600x253.jpg 600w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-207x87.jpg 207w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-344x145.jpg 344w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-55x23.jpg 55w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-71x30.jpg 71w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-128x54.jpg 128w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651.jpg 1184w" sizes="(max-width: 384px) 100vw, 384px" style=" max-width: 100%; height: auto; "></figure>



<p>Lots of hoopla about new artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT, generative AI, neural networks, and large language models. <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/pablo-arredondo/">Pablo Arredondo</a>, CEO of <a href="https://casetext.com">Casetext</a>, and I presented on the topic. Well, Pablo presented; I just tried to stay out of the way. Pablo is one of the few people who can talk about these tools in a way that even I can understand it. </p>



<span id="more-4676"></span>



<p>His company this week announced a new AI tool called <a href="https://casetext.com/blog/casetext-announces-cocounsel-ai-legal-assistant/">CoCounsel</a>. According to Casetext, CoCounsel offers skills to handle both routine and sophisticated legal tasks—legal research memo drafting, deposition preparation, document review, and more. </p>



<p>CoCounsel and other new tools can read and write (At least in our (human) way of thinking. I know it’s not exactly what they do, but it’s what they seem to do). They can understand your questions the way we usually pose them and then respond back with intelligent answers. Want research done? Ask the program about it, and it will spit out an answer. Want some background information about something? Ask the tool, and it will provide it.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-full" style=" max-width: 100%; height: auto; "><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="225" height="225" src="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/1517704205902.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-4677" srcset="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/1517704205902.jpeg 225w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/1517704205902-40x40.jpeg 40w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/1517704205902-80x80.jpeg 80w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/1517704205902-160x160.jpeg 160w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/1517704205902-220x220.jpeg 220w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/1517704205902-184x184.jpeg 184w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/1517704205902-138x138.jpeg 138w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/1517704205902-123x123.jpeg 123w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/1517704205902-110x110.jpeg 110w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/1517704205902-207x207.jpeg 207w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/1517704205902-55x55.jpeg 55w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/1517704205902-71x71.jpeg 71w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/1517704205902-54x54.jpeg 54w" sizes="(max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px" style=" max-width: 100%; height: auto; "></figure>



<p>Of course, all the discussions and announcements strike fear in many lawyers and legal professionals. This fear is often borne of misunderstanding what the tools can and can’t do and concern that robots may take over what we do. There is so much information, hype, and miscommunication about these programs. It’s hard to get your arms around what these programs can and can’t do.</p>



<p></p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p>The natural reaction of many lawyers may be to throw up their hands and say forget it.</p>
</blockquote>



<p></p>



<p>And the natural reaction of many lawyers may be to throw up their hands and say forget it. I’m just going to ignore all the hype and keep practicing like I always have. After all, there’s been talk of AI before, but nothing really came of it. </p>



<p>But sticking your head in the sand this time may be a mistake. It feels different. And after seeing what CoCounsel can do, I think it is different this time.</p>



<p><strong>What’s The So What?</strong></p>



<p>So why should lawyers pay attention to the new tools and scope out what they can and can’t do. Five reasons. </p>



<ol>
<li>These tools can do certain things better and faster than we humans can. Things like automating certain repetitive and time consuming tasks. AI tools can Analyze large data sets quickly and efficiently, quicker and better than humans. This in turn can help us see patterns and trends.The tools can Initially handle certain routine tasks (subject, of course, to human review). They can do the tedious kind of grunt work many of us had to do as young lawyers. Tasks that took time and for which we could often bill but tasks that did not necessarily require a legal education.</li>



<li>Yes, having a machine do these tasks takes away from some of what we may have historically done. But that gives us more time to do the things machines are not good at or capable of, like formulating strategy. Resolving ambiguous information. Determining the best possible outcome, which after all, is what our clients are really after. And for us litigators, creating persuasive stories either in a courtroom, in a mediation, or even with our own clients. Marshaling facts in a certain way to make our points. Let’s face it. We are in the business of persuading other humans, not computers. These are things that most of us became lawyers to do. AI can give us more time to do what we are good at and what we are trained to do. </li>



<li>There is also an ethical consideration for the use of AI and automation. Most of us are familiar with <a href="https://www.americanbar.org/groups/professional_responsibility/publications/model_rules_of_professional_conduct/rule_1_1_competence/comment_on_rule_1_1/?login">Comment 8 to Model Rule 1.1.</a> That Rule requires us to represent our clients competently. Comment 8 to 1.1 mandates that we be cognizant of the risks and benefits of technology relevant to our practices. The Rule and Comment suggest that before you run out and use a tool like ChatGPT, you better know its risks. You need to understand the chances that what it tells you while persuasive may be flat wrong. You need to have some idea how these programs and large language models work, at least from an overall conceptual standing. And there is another applicable Rule that we often forget about. <a href="https://www.americanbar.org/groups/professional_responsibility/publications/model_rules_of_professional_conduct/rule_1_5_fees/">Model Rule 1.5</a> prohibits us from charging unreasonable fees. AI tools can reduce costs by automating certain tasks. At some point, if not already, not properly using AI and computers to do certain work may result in an unreasonable fee. It’s unreasonable to charge for humans doing work a computer can do better. </li>



<li>For lawyers who are solo or in smaller firms, these tools can make you more competitive with larger firms. Using machines to do some of the work on a matter lets you do what you do best. And make no mistake. The larger firms are using these tools. The behemoth global law firm <a href="https://www.allenovery.com/en-gb/global">Allen and Overy</a> recently announced the creation of <a href="https://www.harvey.ai">Harvey</a>. Harvey uses technology to enable lawyers to create legal documents or perform legal research by providing simple natural language instructions. And more sophisticated clients are already expecting us to use tools that can save time and money.</li>



<li>Being familiar with these tools and generally how they work allows us to be proactive with our practice. It enables us to better see where our practice  and the world is going rather than being reactive once it gets there. And that can shape how and what we charge for, how and to whom we market, and who we hire and for what. </li>
</ol>



<p>Shows like TechShow provide a great opportunity to learn about the risks and benefits and applicability of AI products.</p>



<p><strong>Will Robots Replace Us Lawyers?</strong></p>



<p>There are often cries and worries that robots and AI will replace lawyers. But that’s misguided, at least for the foreseeable future. As discussed above, there are things we do that machines can’t. And may never will. Strategy. Outcomes. They lack the human judgment, intuition, and creativity that are essential for more complex legal tasks.</p>



<p></p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p>The lawyers that will be replaced are the ones that don’t use these tools.</p>
</blockquote>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized" style=" max-width: 100%; height: auto; "><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/possessed-photography-zbLW0FG8XU8-unsplash-1-880x686.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-4573" width="348" height="271" srcset="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/possessed-photography-zbLW0FG8XU8-unsplash-1-880x686.jpg 880w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/possessed-photography-zbLW0FG8XU8-unsplash-1-320x249.jpg 320w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/possessed-photography-zbLW0FG8XU8-unsplash-1-240x187.jpg 240w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/possessed-photography-zbLW0FG8XU8-unsplash-1-768x598.jpg 768w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/possessed-photography-zbLW0FG8XU8-unsplash-1-1536x1197.jpg 1536w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/possessed-photography-zbLW0FG8XU8-unsplash-1-2048x1595.jpg 2048w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/possessed-photography-zbLW0FG8XU8-unsplash-1-40x31.jpg 40w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/possessed-photography-zbLW0FG8XU8-unsplash-1-80x62.jpg 80w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/possessed-photography-zbLW0FG8XU8-unsplash-1-160x125.jpg 160w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/possessed-photography-zbLW0FG8XU8-unsplash-1-2200x1714.jpg 2200w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/possessed-photography-zbLW0FG8XU8-unsplash-1-1100x857.jpg 1100w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/possessed-photography-zbLW0FG8XU8-unsplash-1-550x428.jpg 550w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/possessed-photography-zbLW0FG8XU8-unsplash-1-367x286.jpg 367w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/possessed-photography-zbLW0FG8XU8-unsplash-1-734x572.jpg 734w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/possessed-photography-zbLW0FG8XU8-unsplash-1-275x214.jpg 275w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/possessed-photography-zbLW0FG8XU8-unsplash-1-825x643.jpg 825w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/possessed-photography-zbLW0FG8XU8-unsplash-1-220x171.jpg 220w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/possessed-photography-zbLW0FG8XU8-unsplash-1-440x343.jpg 440w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/possessed-photography-zbLW0FG8XU8-unsplash-1-660x514.jpg 660w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/possessed-photography-zbLW0FG8XU8-unsplash-1-184x143.jpg 184w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/possessed-photography-zbLW0FG8XU8-unsplash-1-917x714.jpg 917w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/possessed-photography-zbLW0FG8XU8-unsplash-1-138x107.jpg 138w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/possessed-photography-zbLW0FG8XU8-unsplash-1-413x322.jpg 413w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/possessed-photography-zbLW0FG8XU8-unsplash-1-688x536.jpg 688w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/possessed-photography-zbLW0FG8XU8-unsplash-1-963x750.jpg 963w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/possessed-photography-zbLW0FG8XU8-unsplash-1-123x96.jpg 123w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/possessed-photography-zbLW0FG8XU8-unsplash-1-110x86.jpg 110w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/possessed-photography-zbLW0FG8XU8-unsplash-1-330x257.jpg 330w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/possessed-photography-zbLW0FG8XU8-unsplash-1-300x234.jpg 300w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/possessed-photography-zbLW0FG8XU8-unsplash-1-600x467.jpg 600w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/possessed-photography-zbLW0FG8XU8-unsplash-1-207x161.jpg 207w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/possessed-photography-zbLW0FG8XU8-unsplash-1-344x268.jpg 344w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/possessed-photography-zbLW0FG8XU8-unsplash-1-55x43.jpg 55w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/possessed-photography-zbLW0FG8XU8-unsplash-1-71x55.jpg 71w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/possessed-photography-zbLW0FG8XU8-unsplash-1-69x54.jpg 69w" sizes="(max-width: 348px) 100vw, 348px" style=" max-width: 100%; height: auto; "><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/possessed-photography-zbLW0FG8XU8-unsplash-1.jpg</figcaption></figure>



<p></p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p></p>
</blockquote>



<p>And much of what we do involves interpersonal relations. Communicating with other human beings with care and empathy. Providing reassurance and guidance in ways that invoke trust. Building relationship. That a machine can’t do</p>



<p>And for us litigators, there is another reason it will be difficult for machines to replace us. As I said before, we are in the business of creating and telling persuasive stories. Marshaling facts in creative and persuasive ways. We tell our stories not to computers but to other humans. </p>



<p>Certainly, partnering with AI tools will help us tell our stories and make our judgments. It will give us more time. It will provide us with better insights. Partnering with AI will help us be better and more effective lawyers, Just like we have seen in so many other businesses and professions. For a good description of this partnering, see Paul Daugherty and H. James Nelson’s book<em><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Human-Machine-Reimagining-Work-Age/dp/1633693864"> Human + Machine</a></em>.</p>



<p>And as I mentioned in a <a href="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/2022/12/legal-ai-a-lawyers-new-best-friend/">recent post</a>, as Richard Susskind puts it, clients increasingly want us to achieve best outcomes. AI can help us do that by identifying and reducing the uncertainty associated with the various options. But picking the best one will still be a peculiarly human one.</p>



<p>So will AI replace lawyers? No. But as my good friend Pablo Arendondo recently put it, “the lawyers that will be replaced are the ones that don’t use these tools.”</p>



<p>And that’s a very good reason to be familiar with what’s out there.</p>


I spent this week at the ABA TechShow, which is put on by the Law Practice Division of which I am current Chair. The Show was a rousing success. Lots of hoopla about new artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT, generative AI, neural networks, and large language models. Pablo Arredondo, CEO of Casetext, and I presented... Continue Reading

AI, Generative AI, ChatGPT, Robot Lawyers: Why Should I Care? Are Robots Going to Replace Us ?

<p>I recently listened to <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-poor-36399014/">Stephen Poor</a>‘s podcast entitled <em><a href="https://overcast.fm/+rd-n0Iv88">Pioneers and Pathfinders</a></em>. I am a regular listener and find it to be always enlightening. (Poor is Chair Emeritus of the large and innovative law firm, Seyfarth Shaw). This past week, Poor’s guest was <a href="https://www.iltanet.org/people/john-alber">John Alber,</a> a former partner at Bryan Cave and its Strategic Innovation Partner for many years. Alber was one of the first chief innovation officers in a big law firm, so his experience in that regard, I thought, would be pretty revealing. And he didn’t disappoint. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized" style=" max-width: 100%; height: auto; "><img decoding="async" src="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/Screenshot-2023-03-13-at-10.46.49-AM-738x740.png" alt="" class="wp-image-4712" width="252" height="252" srcset="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/Screenshot-2023-03-13-at-10.46.49-AM-738x740.png 738w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/Screenshot-2023-03-13-at-10.46.49-AM-320x321.png 320w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/Screenshot-2023-03-13-at-10.46.49-AM-240x240.png 240w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/Screenshot-2023-03-13-at-10.46.49-AM-768x770.png 768w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/Screenshot-2023-03-13-at-10.46.49-AM-40x40.png 40w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/Screenshot-2023-03-13-at-10.46.49-AM-80x80.png 80w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/Screenshot-2023-03-13-at-10.46.49-AM-160x160.png 160w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/Screenshot-2023-03-13-at-10.46.49-AM-550x550.png 550w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/Screenshot-2023-03-13-at-10.46.49-AM-367x368.png 367w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/Screenshot-2023-03-13-at-10.46.49-AM-734x736.png 734w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/Screenshot-2023-03-13-at-10.46.49-AM-275x276.png 275w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/Screenshot-2023-03-13-at-10.46.49-AM-220x221.png 220w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/Screenshot-2023-03-13-at-10.46.49-AM-440x441.png 440w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/Screenshot-2023-03-13-at-10.46.49-AM-660x662.png 660w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/Screenshot-2023-03-13-at-10.46.49-AM-184x184.png 184w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/Screenshot-2023-03-13-at-10.46.49-AM-138x138.png 138w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/Screenshot-2023-03-13-at-10.46.49-AM-413x414.png 413w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/Screenshot-2023-03-13-at-10.46.49-AM-688x690.png 688w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/Screenshot-2023-03-13-at-10.46.49-AM-123x123.png 123w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/Screenshot-2023-03-13-at-10.46.49-AM-110x110.png 110w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/Screenshot-2023-03-13-at-10.46.49-AM-330x331.png 330w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/Screenshot-2023-03-13-at-10.46.49-AM-300x301.png 300w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/Screenshot-2023-03-13-at-10.46.49-AM-600x601.png 600w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/Screenshot-2023-03-13-at-10.46.49-AM-207x208.png 207w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/Screenshot-2023-03-13-at-10.46.49-AM-344x345.png 344w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/Screenshot-2023-03-13-at-10.46.49-AM-55x55.png 55w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/Screenshot-2023-03-13-at-10.46.49-AM-71x71.png 71w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/Screenshot-2023-03-13-at-10.46.49-AM-54x54.png 54w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/Screenshot-2023-03-13-at-10.46.49-AM.png 820w" sizes="(max-width: 252px) 100vw, 252px" style=" max-width: 100%; height: auto; "></figure>



<p></p>



<p>I have <a href="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/2021/01/legal-product-and-service-providers-think-differently/#more-3669">written</a> several times about the frequent disconnect between legal tech providers and law firms. Part of this disconnect comes from the lack of knowledge on the tech companies’ part as to how law firms really work. </p>



<p></p>



<p></p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p>The real power in law firms resides with the lawyers</p>
</blockquote>



<p>Unlike a business (or even the selling tech companies’ business), most law firms are still de facto managed on a consensus basis by lawyers. Certainly, many firms do indeed have business people in critical roles and a managing partner or committee. But the real power in law firms resides with the lawyers. The fact is individual partners produce the revenue of the firm. They originate the business; they bill the lion’s share of the hours. The economic reality is that the partners’ income and profit are directly affected by changes and tech purchases. So they still have a lot of clout in what gets used and decided.</p>



<p></p>



<p>So if you are selling to law firms, you have to convince—one way or the other—a group of partners that the product is worthwhile. Then you have to be sure they use the product lest it is relegated to the dumpster. Add to this that because firms are run on consensus bases, most big tech decisions are made or at least must be approved by several committees. Committees made up mostly of lawyers. And while the business people in law firms have some say, they often don’t have the final say. Lawyers have the last word, and the tech sellers often don’t get to talk to them. Add to the mix that lawyers are skeptics by training and independent by nature.</p>



<p></p>



<p>So it’s challenging to make headway.</p>



<p></p>



<p>But Alber introduced another problem that I had yet to really think through. Alber says in addition to the above issues, most lawyers—particularly successful ones—have their own way of doing things. Their own work processes. Their own tools that each thinks are ideally suited to their particular practice. Trying to convince all these special snowflakes to adopt a unified system, work process, or tech is an exercise in futility. They don’t see the value and worry that innovation will affect their revenue or production costs. And since they bring in the revenue and the lateral market is so hot, firm leadership is often unable and unwilling to force change on those who don’t want it.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized" style=" max-width: 100%; height: auto; "><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/1671742334970-740x740.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-4713" width="274" height="274" srcset="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/1671742334970-740x740.jpeg 740w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/1671742334970-320x320.jpeg 320w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/1671742334970-240x240.jpeg 240w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/1671742334970-768x768.jpeg 768w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/1671742334970-40x40.jpeg 40w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/1671742334970-80x80.jpeg 80w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/1671742334970-160x160.jpeg 160w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/1671742334970-550x550.jpeg 550w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/1671742334970-367x367.jpeg 367w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/1671742334970-734x734.jpeg 734w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/1671742334970-275x275.jpeg 275w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/1671742334970-220x220.jpeg 220w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/1671742334970-440x440.jpeg 440w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/1671742334970-660x660.jpeg 660w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/1671742334970-184x184.jpeg 184w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/1671742334970-138x138.jpeg 138w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/1671742334970-413x413.jpeg 413w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/1671742334970-688x688.jpeg 688w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/1671742334970-123x123.jpeg 123w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/1671742334970-110x110.jpeg 110w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/1671742334970-330x330.jpeg 330w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/1671742334970-300x300.jpeg 300w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/1671742334970-600x600.jpeg 600w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/1671742334970-207x207.jpeg 207w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/1671742334970-344x344.jpeg 344w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/1671742334970-55x55.jpeg 55w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/1671742334970-71x71.jpeg 71w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/1671742334970-54x54.jpeg 54w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/1671742334970.jpeg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 274px) 100vw, 274px" style=" max-width: 100%; height: auto; "></figure>



<p></p>



<p>Alber’s solution is instructive to firm leadership and legal tech marketers. He did not go to firm leadership or even practice groups with innovation and tech proposals. Instead, he first went to individual lawyers. He would convince and cajole a partner with a book of business into trying out something he thought might help. He would show them how the tech fit their particular practice. If successful, that lawyer would more often or not mention it to others, and gradually through some wins, Alber would enhance firm wide change. He recognized that forcing change on a room full of powerful independent skeptics wouldn’t work.</p>



<p></p>



<p>This concept, of course, has implications for selling and marketing legal tech. But for all the reasons above, that’s not how it works. All too often, legal tech marketers focus on the firm. They make the mistake of thinking law firms buy and embrace tech like other businesses. </p>



<p></p>



<p>While law firms may buy and pay for the tech, the individual lawyers decide what they think will work with their practice. Individual lawyers choose what to embrace and use and what not to. That’s why it’s so hard to get lawyers to use tech that a law firm purchases without buy in across the board. The individual lawyers just don’t see the value to their practice. The value has yet to be demonstrated to them in concrete ways that affect their individual bottom lines.</p>



<p></p>



<p></p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p>It’s helpful to think of individual lawyers in a firm as individual entrepreneurs. They have their own line of business: it’s their business, </p>
</blockquote>



<p>Tech marketers would do well to look at individual lines of lawyers’ business and tailor pitches to those lines. Why a tech product might work and be valuable for a wills and estates lawyer differs from why it might benefit a litigator. It’s helpful to think of individual lawyers in a firm as individual entrepreneurs. They have their own line of business: it’s their business, they treat it as such, and they make the decisions with respect to it. Each one is different, just like each business in the non-legal world is different.</p>



<p></p>



<p>Yes, tech marketers often don’t have access to individual lawyers. But they can reiterate to those they do have access to the need to achieve small victories with individual lawyers. They can explain why tech might be valuable to individual lawyers and lines of business. And why the tech fits the peculiarities of a particular practice area. They can give examples of why and how other lawyers in a specific field use the product to their benefit. They can demonstrate value: value to the individual lawyers and their practices.</p>



<p></p>



<p>Slow going? Yes. But it fits with the way law firms really work.</p>


I recently listened to Stephen Poor‘s podcast entitled Pioneers and Pathfinders. I am a regular listener and find it to be always enlightening. (Poor is Chair Emeritus of the large and innovative law firm, Seyfarth Shaw). This past week, Poor’s guest was John Alber, a former partner at Bryan Cave and its Strategic Innovation Partner... Continue Reading

When It Comes to Tech, Lawyers in Law Firms Are Entrepreneurs

<p></p>



<p>Last week was the <a href="https://www.techshow.com/">ABA TECHSHOW 202</a>3 in Chicago. I am partial to this show–it’s my favorite of the legal technology shows I attend. It’s my favorite not only because it’s put on by the ABA <a href="https://www.americanbar.org/groups/law_practice/">Law Practice Division</a>, of which I am the current Chair (Yes, I know. I can’t be impartial about this). But it was my favorite even before I became Chair or commenced a leadership position in the Division. I have written about TECHSHOW several times, <a href="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/2022/03/techshow-2022-its-a-wrap/">here</a>, <a href="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/2022/02/techshow-2022-game-on/">here</a>, and <a href="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/2018/08/ilta-techshow-legalweek-future-really-big-conference/">here.</a></p>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized" style=" max-width: 100%; height: auto; "><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-880x372.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-4679" width="320" height="135" srcset="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-880x372.jpg 880w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-320x135.jpg 320w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-240x101.jpg 240w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-768x324.jpg 768w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-40x17.jpg 40w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-80x34.jpg 80w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-160x68.jpg 160w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-1100x462.jpg 1100w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-550x231.jpg 550w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-367x155.jpg 367w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-734x310.jpg 734w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-275x116.jpg 275w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-825x347.jpg 825w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-220x93.jpg 220w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-440x186.jpg 440w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-660x279.jpg 660w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-184x78.jpg 184w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-917x387.jpg 917w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-138x58.jpg 138w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-413x174.jpg 413w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-688x291.jpg 688w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-963x407.jpg 963w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-123x52.jpg 123w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-110x46.jpg 110w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-330x139.jpg 330w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-300x127.jpg 300w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-600x253.jpg 600w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-207x87.jpg 207w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-344x145.jpg 344w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-55x23.jpg 55w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-71x30.jpg 71w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651-128x54.jpg 128w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/IMG_7651.jpg 1184w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" style=" max-width: 100%; height: auto; "></figure>



<p>TECHSHOW is geared more toward smaller firms and solo lawyers. There is less high-power selling and nerd speak. There is more education, training and discussion. There is space for more substantive discussions and learning from vendors. People are less interested in sales and more interested in learning. </p>



<span id="more-4688"></span>



<p>Indeed, one of the best things about TECHSHOW is that it’s an opportunity to get a lot of information about tech products in one place. To see some and use the products in the exhibit hall. </p>



<p></p>



<p>Unlike other shows, this one is geared toward those who need it the most: lawyers and legal professionals who need hands-on information. Information not filtered by sophisticated nerd speak from those who are never in a courtroom.</p>



<p></p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p>The Law Practice Division itself is all about serving and helping its members and the bar as a whole</p>
</blockquote>



<p></p>



<p>The Law Practice Division itself is all about serving and helping its members and the bar as a whole. This vibe-service and helping—is present throughout every TECHSHOW.</p>



<p></p>



<p>The 2020 TECHSHOW was the last big legal tech show before everything shut down. The 2021 TECHSHOW was virtual as the pandemic continued to rage. The 2022 Show was part live, and part virtual. By the 2022 Show, people were just beginning to cautiously ventur out of their foxholes, rub their eyes, and feel comfortable being around people again. And TECHSHOW 2023 has mirrored the rise and, hopefully, the last gasp of the covid pandemic.</p>



<p></p>



<p>But TECHSHOW 2023? If there was ever a back to normal celebration, this seemed to be it. You can see this by the numbers alone. A 56% increase in the number of full conference registrations. A whopping 76% increase in vendors exhibiting on the exhibit floor. A standing room only start up alley competition. Full educational sessions. </p>



<p></p>



<p>But the numbers are only part of the story. There were lots of people congregating on the exhibit hall floor and in hallways in general. Talking to one another. Laughing. </p>



<p></p>



<p>Lots of people seeing each other for the first time since 2020. Lots of hugs. Lots of random and informal meetings and discussions about tech and where the profession is going. Lots of energy. Lots of “buzz.” People just being grateful to be back in person again.</p>



<p></p>



<p>The educational sessions themselves were well done and well attended. A great mix of the fresh—lots of ChatGPT related sessions—and more traditional– “how to do things sessions.” The litigation track, for example, featured<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/pablo-arredondo"> Pablo Arredondo</a> in one session. Pablo discussed his company’s (<a href="https://casetext.com">Casetext</a>) new large language model product in one session. Pablo also patiently explained to all of us how these models work and the benefits and risks of things like ChatGPT. But the litigation track also featured <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tara-cheever/?trk=public_profile_samename-profile">Tara Cheever</a> and <a href="https://burneyconsultants.com">Brett Burney</a> in some other sessions. Tara and Brett presented hands on, practical training on how to effectively and seamlessly use many available trial technology persuasion tools. </p>



<p></p>



<p>And the other tracks seemed similar. A good mix of the cutting edge and tried and true practical education. </p>



<p></p>



<p>The two Keynotes featured some of the best minds in the industry. Industry leaders who discussed things like the benefits and risks of regulatory reform relating to law firm ownership. And who debated and the future of the profession.</p>



<p></p>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized" style=" max-width: 100%; height: auto; "><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/Ambrogi_2011-1-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-4698" width="285" height="285" srcset="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/Ambrogi_2011-1-1.jpg 400w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/Ambrogi_2011-1-1-320x320.jpg 320w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/Ambrogi_2011-1-1-240x240.jpg 240w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/Ambrogi_2011-1-1-40x40.jpg 40w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/Ambrogi_2011-1-1-80x80.jpg 80w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/Ambrogi_2011-1-1-160x160.jpg 160w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/Ambrogi_2011-1-1-367x367.jpg 367w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/Ambrogi_2011-1-1-275x275.jpg 275w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/Ambrogi_2011-1-1-220x220.jpg 220w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/Ambrogi_2011-1-1-184x184.jpg 184w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/Ambrogi_2011-1-1-138x138.jpg 138w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/Ambrogi_2011-1-1-123x123.jpg 123w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/Ambrogi_2011-1-1-110x110.jpg 110w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/Ambrogi_2011-1-1-330x330.jpg 330w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/Ambrogi_2011-1-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/Ambrogi_2011-1-1-207x207.jpg 207w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/Ambrogi_2011-1-1-344x344.jpg 344w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/Ambrogi_2011-1-1-55x55.jpg 55w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/Ambrogi_2011-1-1-71x71.jpg 71w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/Ambrogi_2011-1-1-54x54.jpg 54w" sizes="(max-width: 285px) 100vw, 285px" style=" max-width: 100%; height: auto; "></figure>



<p>And in keeping with the collegial and “learning with good friends” vibe, we kicked off the show by honoring <a href="https://www.lawnext.com">Bob Ambrogi</a>. Bob has been writing tirelessly about legal tech and teaching and serving the legal tech community for so many years. It was fitting that TECHSHOW 2023 kicked off with recognition of someone who has been so committed to the profession. And committed to making us all about the benefits and risks of legal tech. While the recognition may have <a href="https://www.lawnext.com/2023/03/so-this-happened-and-for-once-i-had-no-words.html">left Bob speechless</a>, I can’t think of anyone who has done more for legal tech and law practice.</p>



<p></p>



<p>Oh, and by the way. The small intimate taste of TECHSHOW dinners returned this year. These dinners let small groups get together with a knowledgeable host to, again, talk and learn. </p>



<p></p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p>We, as lawyers, have an ethical duty to keep abreast of the benefits and risks of relevant technology. We at LP take this duty very seriously </p>
</blockquote>



<p>Notice I have used the phrase “risks and benefits” several times. I did that purposefully because the phrase is used in <a href="https://www.americanbar.org/groups/professional_responsibility/publications/model_rules_of_professional_conduct/rule_1_1_competence/comment_on_rule_1_1/?login">Comment 8 to Model Rule 1.1</a> on lawyer competency. Comment 8 says that we, as lawyers, have an ethical duty to keep abreast of the benefits and risks of relevant technology. We at LP take this duty very seriously and strive to aid our members and the bar as a whole in satisfying that duty. That is, in part, what TECHSHOW is all about: teaching and learning in a safe, friendly setting.</p>



<p></p>



<p>I think this year’s TECHSHOW more than achieved that goal. Thanks to TECHSHOW Board chairs <a href="https://chaselaw.nku.edu/about/administration/jeannine-abukhater-lambert.html">Jeannine Lambert </a>and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/gyitsakalakis/">Gyi Tsakalakis </a>and the entire Board for making this possible. And thanks to a great staff at the ABA, led by Zach Bambacht, who ensured that all the details were covered and support provided.</p>



<p></p>



<p>Legal tech journalists <a href="https://www.lawnext.com/2023/03/this-was-not-your-grandparents-aba-techshow.html">agree</a>: TECHSHOW was a really great Show and a joyous celebration for us all.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized" style=" max-width: 100%; height: auto; "><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/image1-2048x1536.jpeg-1-880x660.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-4696" width="497" height="373" srcset="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/image1-2048x1536.jpeg-1-880x660.webp 880w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/image1-2048x1536.jpeg-1-320x240.webp 320w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/image1-2048x1536.jpeg-1-240x180.webp 240w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/image1-2048x1536.jpeg-1-768x576.webp 768w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/image1-2048x1536.jpeg-1-1536x1152.webp 1536w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/image1-2048x1536.jpeg-1-40x30.webp 40w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/image1-2048x1536.jpeg-1-80x60.webp 80w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/image1-2048x1536.jpeg-1-160x120.webp 160w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/image1-2048x1536.jpeg-1-1100x825.webp 1100w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/image1-2048x1536.jpeg-1-550x413.webp 550w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/image1-2048x1536.jpeg-1-367x275.webp 367w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/image1-2048x1536.jpeg-1-734x551.webp 734w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/image1-2048x1536.jpeg-1-275x206.webp 275w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/image1-2048x1536.jpeg-1-825x619.webp 825w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/image1-2048x1536.jpeg-1-220x165.webp 220w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/image1-2048x1536.jpeg-1-440x330.webp 440w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/image1-2048x1536.jpeg-1-660x495.webp 660w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/image1-2048x1536.jpeg-1-184x138.webp 184w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/image1-2048x1536.jpeg-1-917x688.webp 917w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/image1-2048x1536.jpeg-1-138x104.webp 138w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/image1-2048x1536.jpeg-1-413x310.webp 413w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/image1-2048x1536.jpeg-1-688x516.webp 688w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/image1-2048x1536.jpeg-1-963x722.webp 963w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/image1-2048x1536.jpeg-1-123x92.webp 123w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/image1-2048x1536.jpeg-1-110x83.webp 110w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/image1-2048x1536.jpeg-1-330x248.webp 330w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/image1-2048x1536.jpeg-1-300x225.webp 300w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/image1-2048x1536.jpeg-1-600x450.webp 600w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/image1-2048x1536.jpeg-1-207x155.webp 207w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/image1-2048x1536.jpeg-1-344x258.webp 344w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/image1-2048x1536.jpeg-1-55x41.webp 55w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/image1-2048x1536.jpeg-1-71x53.webp 71w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/image1-2048x1536.jpeg-1-72x54.webp 72w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/image1-2048x1536.jpeg-1.webp 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 497px) 100vw, 497px" style=" max-width: 100%; height: auto; "><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Six of our Legaltech Week panelists having a good time at TECHSHOW 2023</figcaption></figure>


Last week was the ABA TECHSHOW 2023 in Chicago. I am partial to this show–it’s my favorite of the legal technology shows I attend. It’s my favorite not only because it’s put on by the ABA Law Practice Division, of which I am the current Chair (Yes, I know. I can’t be impartial about this).... Continue Reading

ABA TECHSHOW 2023: A Joyous Celebration.  A Rousing Success

Lots of questions and unease surround the use of ChatGPT in the classroom and education. The issue may be particularly acute for law schools and professors. Law schools are charged with teaching core legal concepts that (should) equip students to practice law.  Many law school professors reportedly question how they can do that if students can have the... Continue Reading

Should ChatGPT Be In Law School?

<p>Last week, I posted on the issue of whether law schools should be teaching students how to use tools like ChatGPT. After I posted this, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-lau-740b7b8b/">James Lau</a>, well known legal tech author, and former Chief Legal Officer, pointed out to me that Open AI, <a href="https://openai.com/research">GPT-4 Technical Report</a>, 14 March 2023, states, “In particular, our usage policies prohibit the use of our models and products in the contexts of high risk government decision making (e.g., law enforcement, criminal justice, migration, and asylum), or for offering legal or health advice.” (page 6)</p>



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https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/possessed-photography-zbLW0FG8XU8-unsplash-1-184x143.jpg 184w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/possessed-photography-zbLW0FG8XU8-unsplash-1-917x714.jpg 917w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/possessed-photography-zbLW0FG8XU8-unsplash-1-138x107.jpg 138w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/possessed-photography-zbLW0FG8XU8-unsplash-1-413x322.jpg 413w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/possessed-photography-zbLW0FG8XU8-unsplash-1-688x536.jpg 688w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/possessed-photography-zbLW0FG8XU8-unsplash-1-963x750.jpg 963w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/possessed-photography-zbLW0FG8XU8-unsplash-1-123x96.jpg 123w, 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https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/possessed-photography-zbLW0FG8XU8-unsplash-1-71x55.jpg 71w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2022/12/possessed-photography-zbLW0FG8XU8-unsplash-1-69x54.jpg 69w" sizes="(max-width: 243px) 100vw, 243px" style=" max-width: 100%; height: auto; "></figure>



<p>.</p>



<p>I was generally aware of this prohibition (or disclaimer, depending on your point of view) but failed to mention it in my post. The problem is that I used the term ChatGPT like we often use the term Kleenex. Kleenex is the name of a brand of tissue paper, but there are other brands of tissue paper as well. But we often use the word Kleenex when we really mean tissue paper.</p>



<p></p>



<p></p>



<p>I was guilty of using the term ChatGPT similarly. ChatGPT is the public open generative AI tool developed by <a href="https://openai.com">OpenAI.</a> It searches data from all public areas to provide its answers. ChatGPT is a sort of “brand” of generative AI. But it is not the only one. And other generative AI tools work differently and, importantly, use different and more limited data. <a href="https://casetext.com">Casetext’s</a> product, CoCounsel, for example, is an AI tool tailored for use by lawyers. It thus promises to be more accurate than ChatGPT, in part because the data it uses is more limited to legal sources.</p>



<p></p>



<p></p>



<p>Not only are there other stand alone generative AI products being developed, but developers are applying OpenAI’s product to more limited data sets to improve its accuracy and reduce its errors (hallucinations). This allows the AI product to be more focused on the needs of particular users.</p>



<p></p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p>I fear many lawyers and legal professionals hear generative AI and think that ChatGPT is the only product</p>
</blockquote>



<p></p>



<p></p>



<p>All well and good, except I fear many lawyers and legal professionals hear generative AI and think that ChatGPT is the only product. The one they should use for any and all purposes. This week at <a href="https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&amp;ai=CstdU3KoZZNzMCtXVvdMPrtKw2Av3iZykb4q23sKWEJnr4OUBCAAQASC5VGDJxqmLwKTYD6AB5LCkiwPIAQHIA9ggqgRfT9DPj0H16YWg6Mdr_A1zOHv2AJydAAKtD-FbO8PJK0xdWRfBymnCVbA6RHVjtd0Zi4aHC0Hc-9pWgaDpPpZ1riIPtBnu9ulPIMxl3TRJxtMxUVFraZYWU8N965eTwgjABNL3vPqFBIAFkE6IBYStyO9GoAZmgAeEz9t0iAcBkAcBqAemvhuoB7masQKoB_PRG6gH7tIbqAf_nLECqAfK3BuoB7uksQKoB9imsQKoB5GqsQKoB9uqsQKoB9CqsQKgCNm4qQSwCAHSCBcQAiCEAzIEg-CADjoCAAJCAQRI0ezzKpoJI2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmV2ZW50Lmxhdy5jb20vbGVnYWx3ZWVrsQlup3IymrVqybkJbqdyMpq1asn4CQGYCwGqDAIIAbgMAdoMCAoDIOkBEgEC6AwGqg0CVVOCFA4IAhIKbGVnYWwgd2Vla4gUAsgUnpTjgsvOt74E0BUB-BYBgBcBkhcJEgcIARADGKwC4BcC&amp;ae=2&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiWuvK6iu39AhUVkYkEHQjMDCkQ0Qx6BAgHEAE&amp;nis=2&amp;dct=1&amp;cid=CAASFORoHVnmALZT14zBaxqGuty1Hw7E&amp;dblrd=1&amp;sival=AF15MEAXIl8cQmlRJJWVpEK4O1rzE39fjetxteknqPFHdauXxC7mL-2plDbFzFxmVrnWRp3YyTFpo4j4UjZrkOIBiz7fSw8xmTywiImqmh7g7cf1QM7OOYbn8EKo428UrhDMQ2GwlCfSl23d3ff4AkIbtYJdUCd_lbeZY72ZX5MOuP0qaNV9dwFy9K9On8pALJUhUVgR6CsJ&amp;sig=AOD64_20T8KvOnkP-DQVlJIHoBbvCDg7Vg&amp;adurl=https://www.event.law.com/legalweek%3Futm_source%3Dmkt%26utm_medium%3Dads%26utm_campaign%3Dlegalweek2023%26utm_id%3Dgooglesearch%26utm_content%3Dpaidsearchcampaign">LegalWeek 2023</a>, the results of a survey done by <a href="https://www.lexisnexis.com/en-us/gateway.page">LexisNexis</a> were released. (The full Report will come soon). These results suggest that there may be uninformed lawyers who believe that the hyped ChatGPT is something they should be using. And they may unknowingly rush to use it.</p>



<p></p>



<p>The Survey was based on the responses of over 4,100 lawyers, law students, and consumers (1,176 were lawyers). According to the Survey, 86% of the lawyers said they were aware of generative AI such as ChatGPT. 51% had either already used it or were planning to. 84% believe it will increase lawyers’ efficiency. It’s hard to believe that many lawyers have taken the time to understand how generative AI works and the differences among the various products.</p>



<p></p>



<p>Since ChatGPT is the generative tool that has received the most publicity, many of the respondents may be doing what I did. Using and thinking of ChatGPT as shorthand for generative AI without realizing that there are now and will be various generative AI programs. In a rush to use what everyone seems think is a great tool, the temptation may be for lawyers to jump to the public ChartGPT. But that public model is not exactly the best for what lawyers want to achieve. The error rate and hallucinations for ChatGPT are still high and, as the developers said, can’t be relied on where accuracy is essential.</p>



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<p>Another problem with using ChatGBT without understanding it: lawyers need to know when and how to use it and other generative AI tools. As the OpenAI developers noted, ChatGPT should not be relied on for “legal advice.” As lawyers, we can better see the line between helpful background information and pure legal advice. But that line, even to us, is blurry. And I’m not sure whether our understanding as lawyers of what is or isn’t legal advice may differ from those who are not lawyers. Like the ChatGBT developers. And as Lau astutely pointed out to me, lawyers might need to consider whether their malpractice insurance extends to the use of ChatGPT, particularly given the position of OpenAI on legal use. </p>



<p>And, of course, there are confidentiality issues with using a public generative tool like ChatGPT. ChatGBT looks at all available information to formulate responses. If a lawyer supplies confidential information in asking ChatGPT a question, that material is no longer confidential. It can be seen and used by others who also use ChatGPT. By providing client information to ChatGPT, a lawyer may have breached confidentiality obligations. And may waive the privilege.</p>



<p></p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p>At the very least, lawyers contemplating using any generative AI tool need a baseline understanding of the tool. </p>
</blockquote>



<p></p>



<p>At the very least, lawyers contemplating using any generative AI tool need a baseline understanding of the tool. They need to know what it does, and what data it’s looking at. At an opening panel this week at LegalWeek, a Panel of experts in a session entitled, <a href="https://www.event.law.com/legalweek/2023-agenda?utm_campaign=legalweek2023&amp;utm_source=mkt&amp;utm_content=paidsearchcampaign&amp;utm_medium=ads&amp;utm_id=googlesearch">Reshaping the Legal Profession: Thriving in the Age of Generative AI &amp; ChatGPT</a><strong>, </strong>identified several things a lawyer should know in using generative AI:</p>



<p>Can the results be trusted?</p>



<p>Can the system explain how the result was reached?</p>



<p>What are the impacts of interactions between the human with the tool?</p>



<p>Who are the major players in the space (and how different)?</p>



<p>What has the experience with the tool been?</p>



<p></p>



<p>Bottom line, the need for lawyers to understand the risks and benefits of all technology has never been greater. This need is especialy true for generative AI. And the role of law schools in facilitating that recognition has also never been higher. Law schools need to ensure that students know the need to assess benefits and risks. To understand what the program is looking at, its bias, and its accuracy. They need to be sure lawyers know how to assess the validity of what the generative AI tools are telling them. And learn how to effectively and accurately use the tools.</p>



<p></p>



<p>So if I misled anyone about what ChatGPT can do, I am sorry. But I stand by my original thesis. Law schools have a responsibility to teach students about the need to understand risks and benefits of technology. And help them know what to do with tech tools like generative AI.</p>


Last week, I posted on the issue of whether law schools should be teaching students how to use tools like ChatGPT. After I posted this, James Lau, well known legal tech author, and former Chief Legal Officer, pointed out to me that Open AI, GPT-4 Technical Report, 14 March 2023, states, “In particular, our usage... Continue Reading

ChatGPT 4: Do Lawyers Know Just Enough to Be Dangerous?

<p></p>



<p>For the first time since I have attended LegalWeek, it didn’t snow. (LegalWeek is the legal tech conference for Biglaw. The products are marketed toward a big law audience). While the lack of snow sounds inconsequential, just as the weather for this LegalWeek was different, we may be on the cusp of fundamental change in the legal industry.</p>



<p>There was lots of chatter and, well, hype about ChatGPT and generative AI. Tools that allow people to ask a question or for a task to be done and get a result. An AI tool that can write articles and memoranda for you. </p>



<p>And everyone seems to think generative AI is going to change the profession immediately. Many claim that the conversational ability of ChatGPT and other generative AI tools will make it so powerful that it will disrupt the legal industry.</p>



<p>Of course, it’s been claimed for years that this technology or that technology will change legal. That AI tools and automation will eliminate or reduce the amount of work needed to be done or being done by lawyers. </p>



<p>But each time this kind of sea change has been predicted, it doesn’t happen, at least on the scale that everyone thinks. And yes thing this time, it does feel different both because of the conversational ability and the potential power of the tools. So we will see.</p>



<p><strong>The Logical Implications of AI Adoption by Legal</strong></p>



<p>But it’s important to think of the logical implications that full scale adoption of many of these tools might have. The unintended consequences. I’m a big fan of technology, but we can’t ignore the consequences both as practicing lawyers and journalists.</p>



<p>The common refrain is that these tools will eliminate much of the scut work that lawyers, especially younger lawyers, have traditionally done. That these tools will allow lawyers to focus on what they do best. Strategy, vision, legal advice, prediction, seeking outcomes, etc. As a result, the theory goes, technology tools will not replace lawyers. They will just change the nature of what legal professionals do.</p>



<p>But let’s think about this argument and where it might take us logically ( I know, logic doesn’t always apply to the legal industry and law firms)</p>



<p>The elephant in the room is that by eliminating work that lawyers have done —even if it’s drudgy—the number of lawyers needed to provide legal services the old way will be reduced. And that’s bad news, especially for law firms.</p>



<p></p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p>The expansion of law firms and the explosion in profitability over the last 50 years have been based on billable hour and leverage concepts.</p>
</blockquote>



<p>The business model for many law firms remains the billable hour. And because there are only so many hours in a day, law firms needed to leverage work to be really profitable. You can bill more hours to a file if two lawyers work on a project. Or 3. Or 10. The expansion of law firms and the explosion in profitability over the last 50 years have been based on billable hour and leverage concepts.</p>



<p><strong>One Lawsuit One Lawyer</strong></p>



<p>But with automation and generative AI, you may not have work to leverage. Let’s face it, in most cases. The lead lawyer is the one who strategizes and envisions. If the rest of the work can be done by computers, then the notion of “one lawsuit, one lawyer” (to paraphrase an old <a href="https://www.texasranger.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/History-Just-One-Riot.pdf">Texas Ranger</a> saying) can become a reality. And those teams of associates and paralegals? No longer needed. Or better put, clients may no longer want to pay for their work when a machine can do it.</p>



<p>One of the panelists at LegalWeek opined that with generative AI, we would all become editors instead of writers. That’s a change, but let’s face facts, it takes less time to edit than to draft a document, Less time for law firms means fewer billable hours. Less need for lawyers</p>



<p>It’s analogous to what happened to legal assistants (formerly known as secretaries). When I was a young lawyer, your legal assistant (secretary) typed all our work. Busy partners sometimes had two secretaries to do all their work. But with the advent of word processing, all that changed. Most lawyers I know now type their own work. Legal assistants and secretaries? Few and far between. Technology rendered much of what they did obsolete. Law firms responded by eliminating these positions.</p>



<p>And make no mistake. Having senior lawyers able to do more on cases efficiently will inevitably lead to better work. The lead lawyer, knows the client best, sets the strategy and understands the best outcome. If that lawyer can use a computer to find documents, do research, and the like—tasks that have been done by any associates —the result is better. I know in the later years of my career, I was able to rely less on other lawyers and paralegals to do work, and with computers, I could do it myself. To do the proverbial more with less. My partners weren’t happy, but my client sure was. </p>



<p></p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p> Can law firms continue to pull in as much revenue and profit without the leverage model? </p>
</blockquote>



<p>And this may be the model for the future. Wait, you say. Those other lawyers and paralegals can now do other things like strategy etc. There’s only one problem. I hate to say it, but in my experience, there weren’t that many legal professionals with the ability and knowledge to do that vision thing. That didn’t know how to do it or didn’t want to. That’s why they weren’t lead lawyers on significant cases. Yes, the role of the nonvisionary lawyer may change, alright. Like secretaries, they may not be needed any longer.</p>



<p>And there is another danger. If the leverage model is dying, then the lead lawyer-the strategist-should be worth a lot more. That lawyer may be more valuable, but the big question will be whether clients will be willing to pay more. Can law firms continue to pull in as much revenue and profit without the leverage model? One lawsuit, one lawyer may mean less money.</p>



<p><strong>What About Alternative Fees?</strong></p>



<p>But you say, if leverage dies will the billable hour model die with it? Perhaps. But that doesn’t solve the problem of too many lawyers and not enough work. The backbone of profitability from alternative fees hinges on doing more with less. That’s how you make money with them. So when you move to an alternative fee model, you must embrace technology and automation if you want it to be profitable. And at least at present, most law firms are not culturally able to embrace alternative fees, doing less with more. Compensation and advancement are tied to doing more, not less. It’s a hard pivot. </p>



<p>And clients have been slow to adopt the concept too. It’s ingrained in law firm culture. The result of pivoting to an alternative structure is not easy. If firms don’t pivot, clients will nevertheless demand more for less. If you do pivot, your profitability hinges on doing more with less. Either way, the leverage model-the goose that laid the golden egg—may be gone.</p>



<p><strong>Will This Really Happen?</strong></p>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized" style=" max-width: 100%; height: auto; "><img decoding="async" src="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/david-moum-nbqlWhOVu6k-unsplash-493x740.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-4757" width="197" height="296" srcset="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/david-moum-nbqlWhOVu6k-unsplash-493x740.jpg 493w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/david-moum-nbqlWhOVu6k-unsplash-213x320.jpg 213w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/david-moum-nbqlWhOVu6k-unsplash-160x240.jpg 160w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/david-moum-nbqlWhOVu6k-unsplash-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/david-moum-nbqlWhOVu6k-unsplash-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/david-moum-nbqlWhOVu6k-unsplash-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/david-moum-nbqlWhOVu6k-unsplash-40x60.jpg 40w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/david-moum-nbqlWhOVu6k-unsplash-80x120.jpg 80w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/david-moum-nbqlWhOVu6k-unsplash-320x480.jpg 320w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/david-moum-nbqlWhOVu6k-unsplash-2200x3300.jpg 2200w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/david-moum-nbqlWhOVu6k-unsplash-1100x1650.jpg 1100w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/david-moum-nbqlWhOVu6k-unsplash-550x825.jpg 550w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/david-moum-nbqlWhOVu6k-unsplash-367x551.jpg 367w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/david-moum-nbqlWhOVu6k-unsplash-734x1101.jpg 734w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/david-moum-nbqlWhOVu6k-unsplash-275x413.jpg 275w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/david-moum-nbqlWhOVu6k-unsplash-825x1238.jpg 825w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/david-moum-nbqlWhOVu6k-unsplash-220x330.jpg 220w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/david-moum-nbqlWhOVu6k-unsplash-440x660.jpg 440w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/david-moum-nbqlWhOVu6k-unsplash-660x990.jpg 660w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/david-moum-nbqlWhOVu6k-unsplash-880x1320.jpg 880w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/david-moum-nbqlWhOVu6k-unsplash-184x276.jpg 184w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/david-moum-nbqlWhOVu6k-unsplash-917x1376.jpg 917w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/david-moum-nbqlWhOVu6k-unsplash-138x207.jpg 138w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/david-moum-nbqlWhOVu6k-unsplash-413x620.jpg 413w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/david-moum-nbqlWhOVu6k-unsplash-688x1032.jpg 688w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/david-moum-nbqlWhOVu6k-unsplash-963x1445.jpg 963w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/david-moum-nbqlWhOVu6k-unsplash-123x185.jpg 123w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/david-moum-nbqlWhOVu6k-unsplash-110x165.jpg 110w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/david-moum-nbqlWhOVu6k-unsplash-330x495.jpg 330w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/david-moum-nbqlWhOVu6k-unsplash-300x450.jpg 300w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/david-moum-nbqlWhOVu6k-unsplash-600x900.jpg 600w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/david-moum-nbqlWhOVu6k-unsplash-207x311.jpg 207w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/david-moum-nbqlWhOVu6k-unsplash-344x516.jpg 344w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/david-moum-nbqlWhOVu6k-unsplash-55x83.jpg 55w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/david-moum-nbqlWhOVu6k-unsplash-71x107.jpg 71w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/david-moum-nbqlWhOVu6k-unsplash-36x54.jpg 36w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/03/david-moum-nbqlWhOVu6k-unsplash-scaled.jpg 1707w" sizes="(max-width: 197px) 100vw, 197px" style=" max-width: 100%; height: auto; "><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@davidmoum?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">David Moum</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/weather-diaster?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a></figcaption></figure>



<p>Will this be our dystopian future? All too often, pundits have predicted a wholesale change in the legal industry. But it didn’t happen. Lawyers are slow to change. In house clients-who often worked for law firms before they went in-house—are slow to demand change. And, of course, inherent skepticism of lawyers of all things but especially technology may limit or at least slow change. </p>



<p></p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p>Logic suggests that in the long term, having work done by computers instead of lawyers will inevitably lead to less need for lawyers</p>
</blockquote>



<p>And, of course, one lawsuit, one lawyer may be a great business model if there are more cases. But technology may endanger even that. Technology, data analytics, and AI may work to reduce the number of disputes, not increase them. </p>



<p>We can only hope that new legal issues like privacy, increased ip cases and compliance requirements, and issues flowing out of AI may fill in the gaps. If it does, then the demand for really good lawyers could increase and drive up their value exponentially. But will increased caseload yield greater revenues than those produced by the leverage model? </p>



<p>Is the sky falling? Bill Gates famously said we overestimate the effect of technology in the short term but underestimate the long range impact. And logic suggests that in the long term, having work done by computers instead of lawyers will inevitably lead to less need for lawyers. And perhaps the demise of the leverage model that has made so many lawyers so wealthy.</p>



<p>Yes, change in legal is slow. But I’m not sure I would advise my grandkids to become lawyers. </p>


For the first time since I have attended LegalWeek, it didn’t snow. (LegalWeek is the legal tech conference for Biglaw. The products are marketed toward a big law audience). While the lack of snow sounds inconsequential, just as the weather for this LegalWeek was different, we may be on the cusp of fundamental change in the legal... Continue Reading

LegalWeek 2023: A Sea Change in the Profession?

I came across an article on LinkedIn recently by a former partner of mine. Rob Hickey is an outstanding litigator here in Louisville. While Rob is a defense trial lawyer, his article details some tips for plaintiffs’ lawyers based on his years of experience trying cases and litigating. The article also has some good tips... Continue Reading

Guest Post: Ten Tips for Being a More Effective Plaintiff Personal Injury Lawyer (From a Defense Lawyer)

<p><em>Widespread use of generative AI by lawyers and legal professionals will occur when AI tools can be applied to specialized and often private data bases.</em></p>



<p></p>



<p>There has been a lot of hype about <a href="https://openai.com">ChatGPT</a> of late, but according to<a href="https://www.lawnext.com/2023/03/few-legal-professionals-using-or-planning-to-use-generative-ai-so-far-lexisnexis-survey-finds.html"> various reports</a> including one by <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=&amp;cad=rja&amp;uact=8&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjStaW4y5r-AhWTMEQIHZx2AA0QFnoECBMQAQ&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lawnext.com%2F&amp;usg=AOvVaw2Fu3YgxCBqpgreVhuLXs9K">Bob Ambrogi</a>, the legal community’s reaction has been somewhat ho-hum. And there are some reasons for that. </p>



<p><strong>Use of ChatGBT By Legal</strong> <strong>Professionals</strong></p>



<p>ChatGBT uses a public database–the internet–to derive its answers. At the risk of oversimplification, ChqatGPT works by predicting what word will follow another phrase or word. Hence, using all publicly available information to make this prediction could result in some limited or specialized content, being missed or misinterpreted. But this specialized content is often that needed to answer a legally related inquiry. </p>



<p>The result: the system hallucinates a response that may not be correct. (It’s been <a href="https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2023/04/why-ai-chatbots-are-the-ultimate-bs-machines-and-how-people-hope-to-fix-them/">postulated</a> that hallucination is the wrong term and that confabulation is a more accurate term). And for legal, incorrect but persuasive answers is a killer. Lawyers and legal professionals are also concerned about confidentiality. The concerns that whatever they put into ChatGPT could become publicly available.</p>



<p>These factors discourage lawyer use, particularly by those knowledgeable about how ChatGPT works. I also think the fact ChatGPT has been overhyped, like other legal tech that didn’t live up to the hype, makes lawyers skeptical. </p>



<p>But widespread use of generative Ai (ChatGPT is generative AI) by lawyers may occur when the tools are applied to more limited and specialized databases. Applying generative AI to limited databases will reduce the hallucination. It will allow the system to focus not on everything but on what is particularly relevant to a query. And if generative AI is applied to a private database, it reduces the risk of a confidentiality breach and lends itself to more specialized uses.</p>



<p><strong>The</strong> <strong>New Generative AI Tools</strong></p>



<p>These concepts are what’s behind <a href="https://casetext.com/?utm_creative=&amp;utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=paidsearch&amp;utm_campaign=brand-research&amp;utm_content=_&amp;utm_term=casetext%20co-counsel&amp;hsa_acc=1447382923&amp;hsa_cam=19749619180&amp;hsa_grp=146520618637&amp;hsa_ad=649786144508&amp;hsa_src=g&amp;hsa_tgt=kwd-1969665058532&amp;hsa_kw=casetext%20co-counsel&amp;hsa_mt=p&amp;hsa_net=adwords&amp;hsa_ver=3&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwocShBhCOARIsAFVYq0gUTyV2XgtmflIVbaVsrUGakrMB9QsPCZYOJ-Epn6l_8eiqcuWHNFcaAjZNEALw_wcB">Casetext’s CoCounsel </a>product, for example. CoCounsel applies generative AI to its own data and, by default, keeps all inquiries and responses siloed. By doing so, it can more accurately answer legally related queries and do things lawyers, in particular, need to have done. Things like legal research and even initial deposition preparation. </p>



<p>And recently, <a href="https://www.disco.ac">Disco</a>, a prominent e-discovery provider, announced a generative AI product called <a href="https://csdisco.com/discovery/cecilia">Cecilia. </a>Disco claims that Cecilia that can significantly raid with e-discovery. Cecilia is designed to allow lawyers to ask questions and receive answers with specific citations to supporting evidence. Cecilia is designed to cite evidence drawn only from the user’s private documents.</p>



<p>The beauty of these applications is that it shortcuts the work process. A typical e-discovery work process consists of formulating a question about the evidence in a case, crafting bullion searches to try to identify documents related to that question, reviewing the documents obtained to find evidence, and then answering the question based on the evidence. </p>



<p>Generative AI platforms like Cecilia may be able do this for you. A lawyer or legal professional can ask the ultimate question and get an AI-generated direct answer with evidentiary citations. These answers could be the starting point for further exploration and document review. As Cecilia gets more sophisticated, legal professionals might be able to use it for such things as identifying gaps in production sets. Or finding evidence that supports your desired finding under jury instructions.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p>Using specialized data sets will also enable AI tools to do jobs that lawyers need to have done quickly and efficiently</p>
</blockquote>



<p>Generative AI tools that use more limited data sets to respond to inquiries get better results. Using specialized data sets will also enable AI tools to do jobs that lawyers need to have done quickly and efficiently. Deposition preparation. Ferreting our key documents. Doing first drafts. </p>



<p>These tools will also allow the lead lawyer on the case—the lawyer that knows the case, the strategy, and the client the best–to do actual queries. These are the lawyers that know what they are looking for and why. As a result, these more experienced lawyers can formulate the most effective questions. With all generative AI products, the better and more focused the question, the better the response. As <a href="https://csdisco.com/leadership/kevin-smith">Kevin Smith</a>, Disco’s Chief Product Officer put it when I talked to him about Cecilia, “the more senior attorney knows how to express the question better than most”.</p>



<p>And law firms and in-house legal will ultimately use generative AI inquiries on their own internal data as well. Many large law firms still need help accessing past efforts, for example. Labeling and characterizing past efforts takes time no one has and can’t be billed. But there is a wealth of knowledge and data within those past efforts. With generative AI, accessing past efforts may be just a question away. And to the extent a firm has a cultural way of doing things (which many firms swear they do), the response will reflect that culture.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized" style=" max-width: 100%; height: auto; "><img decoding="async" src="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/florian-klauer-mk7D-4UCfmg-unsplash.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-4775" width="160" height="235" style=" max-width: 100%; height: auto; "><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@florianklauer?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Florian Klauer</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/mk7D-4UCfmg?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a></figcaption></figure>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p>AI tools will do alter the landscape much the like how word processing altered how lawyers work and who does what</p>
</blockquote>



<p>But make no mistake. These generative AI tools will replace ways of working and work processes. These AI tools will do alter the landscape much the like how word processing altered how lawyers work and who does what. Before word processing, lawyers verbally provided information to secretaries. The secretaries took down the information and converted it to text. They then gave the results back to the lawyer for handwritten revisions. It was a time consuming and labor intensive process.</p>



<p>Today, most lawyers type their own first drafts and do edits themselves. This change fundamentally changed the law office and its dynamics. And sadly, it reduced the need for legal secretaries. Generative AI will do the same thing but perhaps on a broader scale. And it will impact the need not only those who work for lawyers but lawyers themselves.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized" style=" max-width: 100%; height: auto; "><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-8-23-at-2.17-PM-880x562.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-4774" width="392" height="250" srcset="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-8-23-at-2.17-PM-880x562.jpeg 880w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-8-23-at-2.17-PM-320x204.jpeg 320w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-8-23-at-2.17-PM-240x153.jpeg 240w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-8-23-at-2.17-PM-768x490.jpeg 768w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-8-23-at-2.17-PM-1536x980.jpeg 1536w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-8-23-at-2.17-PM-2048x1307.jpeg 2048w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-8-23-at-2.17-PM-40x26.jpeg 40w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-8-23-at-2.17-PM-80x51.jpeg 80w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-8-23-at-2.17-PM-160x102.jpeg 160w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-8-23-at-2.17-PM-1100x702.jpeg 1100w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-8-23-at-2.17-PM-550x351.jpeg 550w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-8-23-at-2.17-PM-367x234.jpeg 367w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-8-23-at-2.17-PM-734x468.jpeg 734w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-8-23-at-2.17-PM-275x176.jpeg 275w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-8-23-at-2.17-PM-825x527.jpeg 825w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-8-23-at-2.17-PM-220x140.jpeg 220w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-8-23-at-2.17-PM-440x281.jpeg 440w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-8-23-at-2.17-PM-660x421.jpeg 660w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-8-23-at-2.17-PM-184x117.jpeg 184w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-8-23-at-2.17-PM-917x585.jpeg 917w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-8-23-at-2.17-PM-138x88.jpeg 138w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-8-23-at-2.17-PM-413x264.jpeg 413w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-8-23-at-2.17-PM-688x439.jpeg 688w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-8-23-at-2.17-PM-963x615.jpeg 963w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-8-23-at-2.17-PM-123x78.jpeg 123w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-8-23-at-2.17-PM-110x70.jpeg 110w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-8-23-at-2.17-PM-330x211.jpeg 330w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-8-23-at-2.17-PM-300x191.jpeg 300w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-8-23-at-2.17-PM-600x383.jpeg 600w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-8-23-at-2.17-PM-207x132.jpeg 207w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-8-23-at-2.17-PM-344x220.jpeg 344w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-8-23-at-2.17-PM-55x35.jpeg 55w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-8-23-at-2.17-PM-71x45.jpeg 71w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-8-23-at-2.17-PM-85x54.jpeg 85w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-8-23-at-2.17-PM.jpeg 2167w" sizes="(max-width: 392px) 100vw, 392px" style=" max-width: 100%; height: auto; "></figure>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p>Great lawyers want great technology</p>
</blockquote>



<p></p>



<p>The real question is not whether lawyers should use the public ChatGPT and, if so, how. The question is how generative AI models can be made to use private data and provide lawyers with the real assistance they need. The lawyers, law firms, and vendors that see the potential of these tools will be the real generative winners in the future.</p>



<p>Smith put it best: “Great lawyers want great technology.” These lawyers will drive how generative AI will impact legal.</p>



<p></p>



<p>Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@florianklauer?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Florian Klauer</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/mk7D-4UCfmg?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a></p>


Widespread use of generative AI by lawyers and legal professionals will occur when AI tools can be applied to specialized and often private data bases. There has been a lot of hype about ChatGPT of late, but according to various reports including one by Bob Ambrogi, the legal community’s reaction has been somewhat ho-hum. And... Continue Reading

Generative AI In Legal Needs Specialized Applications

<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized" style=" max-width: 100%; height: auto; "><img decoding="async" src="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-19-23-at-4.17-PM-880x600.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-4786" width="617" height="420" srcset="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-19-23-at-4.17-PM-880x600.jpeg 880w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-19-23-at-4.17-PM-320x218.jpeg 320w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-19-23-at-4.17-PM-240x164.jpeg 240w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-19-23-at-4.17-PM-768x524.jpeg 768w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-19-23-at-4.17-PM-1536x1048.jpeg 1536w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-19-23-at-4.17-PM-40x27.jpeg 40w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-19-23-at-4.17-PM-80x55.jpeg 80w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-19-23-at-4.17-PM-160x109.jpeg 160w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-19-23-at-4.17-PM-1100x750.jpeg 1100w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-19-23-at-4.17-PM-550x375.jpeg 550w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-19-23-at-4.17-PM-367x250.jpeg 367w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-19-23-at-4.17-PM-734x501.jpeg 734w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-19-23-at-4.17-PM-275x188.jpeg 275w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-19-23-at-4.17-PM-825x563.jpeg 825w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-19-23-at-4.17-PM-220x150.jpeg 220w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-19-23-at-4.17-PM-440x300.jpeg 440w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-19-23-at-4.17-PM-660x450.jpeg 660w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-19-23-at-4.17-PM-184x126.jpeg 184w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-19-23-at-4.17-PM-917x626.jpeg 917w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-19-23-at-4.17-PM-138x94.jpeg 138w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-19-23-at-4.17-PM-413x282.jpeg 413w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-19-23-at-4.17-PM-688x469.jpeg 688w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-19-23-at-4.17-PM-963x657.jpeg 963w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-19-23-at-4.17-PM-123x84.jpeg 123w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-19-23-at-4.17-PM-110x75.jpeg 110w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-19-23-at-4.17-PM-330x225.jpeg 330w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-19-23-at-4.17-PM-300x205.jpeg 300w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-19-23-at-4.17-PM-600x409.jpeg 600w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-19-23-at-4.17-PM-207x141.jpeg 207w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-19-23-at-4.17-PM-344x235.jpeg 344w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-19-23-at-4.17-PM-55x38.jpeg 55w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-19-23-at-4.17-PM-71x48.jpeg 71w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-19-23-at-4.17-PM-79x54.jpeg 79w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/04/Image-4-19-23-at-4.17-PM.jpeg 1633w" sizes="(max-width: 617px) 100vw, 617px" style=" max-width: 100%; height: auto; "><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@stonehood?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Stone Hood</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/ZiKTSf8BFj0?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a></figcaption></figure>



<p>Every year about this time, I participate as a faculty member in a training workshop. The workshop designed to teach lawyers how to better use technology in the courtroom, in mediation, or in any setting where they seek to persuade others. We show lawyers of various levels of experience how to use tech to enhance what they are trying to communicate. We limit attendance at the workshop to about 25 people. It’s a 2 ½ day session of intensive training on technology tools. This is followed by the opportunity for each person to give a presentation to the group using the tools about which they have learned.</p>



<p>While we certainly emphasize technology at the workshop, in the beginning, we also stress something else. We always try to impress on students the truism that they must start with the story they want to tell. Based on that story, they can then select the best tech tools to help tell that story. Persuasion is almost always best accomplished by telling a story that communicates what you want the listener to take away and believe. As I have <a href="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/2021/09/want-to-be-a-good-trial-lawyer-watch-gunsmoke/#more-3973">discussed before</a>, storytelling is an essential skill of lawyers and the foundation of what we do.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p>People don’t remember Toy Story for its technology. They remember it because it was a great story.</p>
</blockquote>
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<p>Think about the computer animated movie <em>T<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toy_Story">oy Story</a></em>. Yes, when <em>Toy Story</em> first came out, people marveled at the technology. It was the first full length computer animated movie, and it was terrific. But people don’t remember Toy Story for its technology. They remember it because it was a great story. It was a hit and is still watched by millions because it was a great story about friendship and loyalty. No amount of technology can turn a bad story into a good one. But even a little technology can help tell a good story.</p>



<p>All too often, I see lawyers falling into the trap of thinking they must use the latest and greatest technology for technology’s sake. They try to shoehorn the tech into the story whether it fits or not. The result is the technology detracts from the story and garbles the lawyer’s message. This often happens when trial presentation technicians try to justify their existence by telling the lawyer what the technicians should use in the courtroom. The fact that the technicians, who are not storytellers, determine the tech and then operate it in the courtroom, disrupts the story the lawyer is trying to tell. </p>



<p></p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p>You have to start with the story and work backward to the technology. You can’t start with the technology and try to figure out what your story will be. </p>
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<p>We have all seen the lawyer in the courtroom shouting to a technician, “Pull up that document. No, not that one. The other one. NO THE OTHER ONE”. The story is lost. To paraphrase Steve Jobs, you have to start with the story and work backward to the technology. You can’t start with the technology and try to figure out what your story will be. </p>



<p>In this regard, technology is like images and pictures. Most lawyers (well, good ones, at least) don’t start preparing an opening statement by placing all the photos in a case on a table and then figuring out how to use every one of them in their opening statement. Instead, they pick out the ones that help tell the story. That helps them persuade the jurors. Technology is no different.</p>



<p>To effectively use technology to tell a story and persuade, a lawyer has to start with some knowledge of what tech is available. And they need some sense of how to use it. We spend time in our workshop acquainting students with the tech that could be used. We show them how to use it so that they can visualize its use. So they are not dependent on someone else to recommend what to use or to use it in the courtroom. </p>



<p></p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p>Lawyers are storytellers. And they are individuals.</p>
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<p>Keep in mind that there are more ways to tell a story than one. We see our 25 some odd students tell 25 different variations of stories from the same fact pattern. Almost all of them are good. Most of the time, they show the technology they have learned to highlight their particular story version. And not surprisingly, there are usually some 25 different ways the technology is used.</p>



<p>Lawyers are storytellers. And they are individuals. They tell their stories in ways that fit their individuality. If they use tech for tech’s sake, they chip away at that individuality and personality that makes their stories unique. It is this individuality that makes what they are saying credible. There is the danger of depending on others for technology or using things like ChatGPT to create a story. The story has to be your story, no one else’s.</p>


Every year about this time, I participate as a faculty member in a training workshop. The workshop designed to teach lawyers how to better use technology in the courtroom, in mediation, or in any setting where they seek to persuade others. We show lawyers of various levels of experience how to use tech to enhance... Continue Reading

Technology and Persuasion: It’s All About The Story

If a recent Thomson Reuters Report is any indication, lawyers and law firms plan to approach generative AI like they do most technology. Slowly and with skepticism. The Report, entitled, ChatGPT and Generative AI Within Law Firms, came out on April 17, 2023. Thomson surveyed lawyers in mid-size (30-179 lawyers) to large law firms (more... Continue Reading

Thomson Reuters Report Reveals Standard Lawyer AI Skepticism

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<p>Tomorrow (May 4) is <a href="https://nationaldaycalendar.com/world-password-day-first-thursday-in-may/#:~:text=Each%20year%20on%20the%20first,world%2C%20secure%20passwords%20are%20important.">World Password Day</a>. World Password Day occurs on the first Thursday of May. It was created by Intel several years ago to raise awareness about the importance of stronger passwords and promote better password habits. Passwords are critical gatekeepers to our (and our clients) digital and business records and identities.</p>



<p>I have preached the need for lawyers to be especially mindful of the need for password protection for years. But too often, I am greeted with the response, “I’m just a small-time lawyer. No one would be interested in anything I have. My stuff is not that important.” In other words, security through obscurity. But it doesn’t work.</p>



<p>It doesn’t work because while the bad guys may not care about the substance of what you have in your files, they do care about the information there. It could be personally identifiable information for clients or others. It undoubtedly includes client confidences. It could be health records protected by HIPPA rules. No matter what it is, you, as a lawyer, have an ethical and legal duty to protect all this information. </p>



<p>All too often, lawyers and legal professionals use weak passwords, like a simple 4-digit number. Often that number is 1234. This doesn’t protect you or your information.</p>



<p></p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p>Lawyers also often forget that their mobile devices (smartphones, tablets, even laptops) often have client and private information on them</p>
</blockquote>



<p>Lawyers also often forget that their mobile devices (smartphones, tablets, even laptops) often have client and private information on them. Just like any digital information on a desktop in the office, this information may be considered confidential subject to <a href="https://www.americanbar.org/groups/professional_responsibility/publications/model_rules_of_professional_conduct/rule_1_6_confidentiality_of_information/?login">Model Rule 1.6</a> (duty of confidentiality) and similar state rules. At least one state, <a href="https://news.bloomberglaw.com/legal-ethics/new-york-bar-outlines-attorneys-duty-to-protect-smartphone-data">New York,</a> believes that even information about a client, like a name and address, is confidential. New York reasons, and you have to take steps to protect that information on your mobile devices, including making sure that that information is not shared with app that, in turns, shares that information with a human. </p>



<p></p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p>A data breach has a real financial impact, particularly if you are shut down.</p>
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<p>Satisfying your confidentiality duties starts with good password protection. </p>



<p>It’s not just some pie-in-the-sky ethical issue. It’s also a practical one. If your firm or legal department is breached, you have the duty to notify your clients and take steps to investigate, stop and mitigate the breach. You also have the duty to restore your system so you can adequately represent your client. (For a good discussion of your responsibilities if your system is breached, see <a href="https://www.ele-ment.com/blog/aba-formal-opinion-no-483-data-breaches-and-you">ABA Formal Opinion 483)</a>. None of them does much for client relations. Think also of the disruption in work that this may cause. A data breach has a real financial impact, particularly if you are shut down.</p>



<p>And, oh, did I mention ransomware? The bad guys may ask you to pay them to get your data back. Weak passwords and a data breach pose a real significant threat to you. You may have breached your ethical obligations. You may lose clients. You may take an indirect financial hit to operations. You may have to pay to get the stuff back. All because you like using 1234 as your password. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized" style=" max-width: 100%; height: auto; "><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/05/max-bender-XIVDN9cxOVc-unsplash-880x587.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-4811" width="433" height="288" srcset="https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/05/max-bender-XIVDN9cxOVc-unsplash-880x587.jpg 880w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/05/max-bender-XIVDN9cxOVc-unsplash-320x214.jpg 320w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/05/max-bender-XIVDN9cxOVc-unsplash-240x160.jpg 240w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/05/max-bender-XIVDN9cxOVc-unsplash-768x513.jpg 768w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/05/max-bender-XIVDN9cxOVc-unsplash-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/05/max-bender-XIVDN9cxOVc-unsplash-2048x1367.jpg 2048w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/05/max-bender-XIVDN9cxOVc-unsplash-40x27.jpg 40w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/05/max-bender-XIVDN9cxOVc-unsplash-80x53.jpg 80w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/05/max-bender-XIVDN9cxOVc-unsplash-160x107.jpg 160w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/05/max-bender-XIVDN9cxOVc-unsplash-2200x1468.jpg 2200w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/05/max-bender-XIVDN9cxOVc-unsplash-1100x734.jpg 1100w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/05/max-bender-XIVDN9cxOVc-unsplash-550x367.jpg 550w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/05/max-bender-XIVDN9cxOVc-unsplash-367x245.jpg 367w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/05/max-bender-XIVDN9cxOVc-unsplash-734x490.jpg 734w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/05/max-bender-XIVDN9cxOVc-unsplash-275x184.jpg 275w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/05/max-bender-XIVDN9cxOVc-unsplash-825x551.jpg 825w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/05/max-bender-XIVDN9cxOVc-unsplash-220x147.jpg 220w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/05/max-bender-XIVDN9cxOVc-unsplash-440x294.jpg 440w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/05/max-bender-XIVDN9cxOVc-unsplash-660x441.jpg 660w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/05/max-bender-XIVDN9cxOVc-unsplash-184x123.jpg 184w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/05/max-bender-XIVDN9cxOVc-unsplash-917x612.jpg 917w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/05/max-bender-XIVDN9cxOVc-unsplash-138x92.jpg 138w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/05/max-bender-XIVDN9cxOVc-unsplash-413x276.jpg 413w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/05/max-bender-XIVDN9cxOVc-unsplash-688x459.jpg 688w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/05/max-bender-XIVDN9cxOVc-unsplash-963x643.jpg 963w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/05/max-bender-XIVDN9cxOVc-unsplash-123x82.jpg 123w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/05/max-bender-XIVDN9cxOVc-unsplash-110x73.jpg 110w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/05/max-bender-XIVDN9cxOVc-unsplash-330x220.jpg 330w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/05/max-bender-XIVDN9cxOVc-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/05/max-bender-XIVDN9cxOVc-unsplash-600x400.jpg 600w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/05/max-bender-XIVDN9cxOVc-unsplash-207x138.jpg 207w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/05/max-bender-XIVDN9cxOVc-unsplash-344x230.jpg 344w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/05/max-bender-XIVDN9cxOVc-unsplash-55x37.jpg 55w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/05/max-bender-XIVDN9cxOVc-unsplash-71x47.jpg 71w, https://www.techlawcrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/444/2023/05/max-bender-XIVDN9cxOVc-unsplash-81x54.jpg 81w" sizes="(max-width: 433px) 100vw, 433px" style=" max-width: 100%; height: auto; "><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@maxwbender?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Max Bender</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/hackers?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a></figcaption></figure>



<p>What are some good password practices? Here are several, <a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2018/03/its-national-password-day">courtesy of the FTC</a>:</p>



<p>• Make your password long, strong, and complex. That means at least twelve characters mixed with uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Don’t use common words, phrases, or information in your passwords.</p>



<p>• Don’t reuse passwords used on other accounts. Use different passwords for different accounts so that if a hacker compromises one account, he can’t access the other one.</p>



<p>• Use multi-factor authentication when available. Two-factor authentication requires both your password and an additional piece of information to log in. The second piece could be a code sent to your phone or a random number generated by an app or token. This protects you even if your password is compromised.</p>



<p>• Consider a password manager. People have trouble keeping track of all their passwords, so they use a simple one over and over. Store your passwords in a reputable password manager. These managers are easy-to-access applications that store all your password information. I use <a href="https://1password.com">1Password</a>. It’s easy to use and has to my knowledge, never been compromised.</p>



<p>• Select security questions only you know the answer to. Many security questions ask for answers to information available in public records or online, like your zip code, mother’s maiden name, and birthplace. That is information a motivated attacker can obtain. Don’t use questions with a limited number of responses that attackers can easily guess. And by the way, if you answer all those surveys posted on Facebook, keep in mind that often, that survey is just a ruse to get answers to your security questions.</p>



<p>• Change passwords immediately if there is a breach. If you receive a notification about a possible breach, change that password. And change any account that uses a similar password.</p>



<p></p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p>But you should probably do more than good passwords, at least according to experts in the field. </p>
</blockquote>



<p>These suggestions constitute the bare minimum for lawyers to protect their—and their clients’—confidential information ethically. But you should probably do more, at least according to experts in the field. </p>



<p>Ian Leysen, CEO, CSO, and Co-Founder, <a href="http://www.datadobi.com">Datadobi</a>, which specializes in unstructured data management, for example, says, “We cannot rely on passwords alone. From a business perspective, relying solely on passwords to protect critical data is an especially risky proposition. The next step must be to employ data governance policies that designate what constitutes critical data that must be protected.”</p>



<p>Steve Santamaria, CEO of <a href="https://foliophotonics.com/">Folio Photonics</a>, a data storage company, adds, “One of the most common ways that cybercriminals gain access to our accounts and information is through weak or easily guessable passwords.”</p>



<p></p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p>To truly safeguard our digital assets, we need to employ multiple layers of data protection</p>
</blockquote>



<p>But [having strong passwords] is not enough. Hackers are becoming more sophisticated in their tactics, and relying solely on passwords for protection is like leaving your front door unlocked in a high-crime area. To truly safeguard our digital assets, we need to employ multiple layers of data protection. This includes things like two-factor authentication, encryption, and regular system updates.”</p>



<p>Another expert, Don Boxley, CEO and Co-Founder of <a href="http://www.dh2i.com">DH2i</a>, a data maintenance and security mitigation company, cautions, “While creating strong and unique passwords and regularly changing them is critical, passwords must be considered a first-line, not the only-line, of defense.”</p>



<p>If the experts are saying it and you, as a lawyer, know you have highly sensitive data that, by definition, is confidential, you need to do more. That’s your ethical duty, a duty that doesn’t change just because the information is digital.</p>



<p>Security through obscurity? It’s just an illusion.</p>



<p></p>



<p></p>



<p></p>



<p></p>


Tomorrow (May 4) is World Password Day. World Password Day occurs on the first Thursday of May. It was created by Intel several years ago to raise awareness about the importance of stronger passwords and promote better password habits. Passwords are critical gatekeepers to our (and our clients) digital and business records and identities. I... Continue Reading

Lawyers and Cybersecurity: Security By Obscurity Is Not Security

Stephen Embry

Exploring the intersection of Technology and the Law


<p>With the high number of eDiscovery vendors and the huge amount of ED conferences, webinars, and seminars, you might ask why we would talk about eDiscovery for “the rest of us”.  eDiscovery was initially seen as the exclusive domain of large firms with large cases in Federal court but now the fact is that firms of all sizes must know how to handle electronic discovery efficiently and cost-effectively. </p>



<p>Why? Because, as Craig Ball says, &#8220;That’s where the evidence is&#8221;. In all types of cases. Domestic, criminal, business ventures, SEC investigations, M/A deals  …. eDiscovery is not just for big firms anymore.</p>



<p>80% of the firms in this country are considered ”small” as defined by organizations like the ABA and ILTA. But the majority of vendors spend most of their time pursuing cases with high volumes of data and mutliple users, an attitude that leaves the 80% … the rest of us … searching for solutions.</p>



<p>This book will help you in that search. And now through Oct.1, you can get 50% off the list price of $45.00.  Just go to the <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://gulfltc.org/product/ediscovery-for-the-rest-of-us/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://gulfltc.org/product/ediscovery-for-the-rest-of-us/" target="_blank">Gulf Coast Legal Technology </a><a href="https://gulfltc.org/product/ediscovery-for-the-rest-of-us/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://gulfltc.org/product/ediscovery-for-the-rest-of-us/">shop</a> and use the code 07081956 at checkout.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Cover-JPEG.jpg?ssl=1"><img data-attachment-id="2691" data-permalink="https://technogumbo.blog/2022/09/23/50-off-tom-oconnors-new-e-book-ediscovery-for-the-rest-of-us-one-week-only/cover-jpeg/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Cover-JPEG.jpg?fit=2686%2C3663&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="2686,3663" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Cover-JPEG" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Cover-JPEG.jpg?fit=220%2C300&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Cover-JPEG.jpg?fit=450%2C614&amp;ssl=1" decoding="async" width="450" height="614" src="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Cover-JPEG.jpg?resize=450%2C614&#038;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-2691" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Cover-JPEG.jpg?resize=751%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 751w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Cover-JPEG.jpg?resize=220%2C300&amp;ssl=1 220w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Cover-JPEG.jpg?resize=768%2C1047&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Cover-JPEG.jpg?resize=1126%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1126w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Cover-JPEG.jpg?resize=1502%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 1502w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Cover-JPEG.jpg?resize=1200%2C1636&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Cover-JPEG.jpg?w=900&amp;ssl=1 900w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Cover-JPEG.jpg?w=1350&amp;ssl=1 1350w" sizes="(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></figure>


With the high number of eDiscovery vendors and the huge amount of ED conferences, webinars, and seminars, you might ask why we would talk about eDiscovery for “the rest of us”.  eDiscovery was initially seen as the exclusive domain of large firms with large cases in Federal court but now the fact is that firms […]

50% Off Tom O’Connors New E-Book “EDiscovery For The Rest of Us” …. One Week Only


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Browning.jpg?ssl=1"><img data-attachment-id="2625" data-permalink="https://technogumbo.blog/2022/08/24/remembering-browning-marean-at-iltacon22/browning/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Browning.jpg?fit=2824%2C3554&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="2824,3554" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;SM-G973U&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1661343672&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;4.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;500&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.025&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="Browning" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Browning.jpg?fit=238%2C300&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Browning.jpg?fit=450%2C566&amp;ssl=1" decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="450" height="566" src="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Browning.jpg?resize=450%2C566&#038;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-2625" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Browning.jpg?resize=814%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 814w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Browning.jpg?resize=238%2C300&amp;ssl=1 238w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Browning.jpg?resize=768%2C967&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Browning.jpg?resize=1221%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1221w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Browning.jpg?resize=1627%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 1627w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Browning.jpg?resize=1200%2C1510&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Browning.jpg?w=900&amp;ssl=1 900w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Browning.jpg?w=1350&amp;ssl=1 1350w" sizes="(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></figure>



<p>ILTACON attendees who weren’t at the ACEDS reception sponsored by Everlaw on Monday have been asking me about the toast I gave to Browning as we marked the 8<sup>th</sup> anniversary of his death.</p>



<p>So, for this who weren’t there, above is the picture I brought, a get well card a number of attendees at ILTACON that year signed and sent to him, and here is what I said, at least as best I can recall.</p>



<p>I started by saying that it was especially bittersweet for me to be at ILTACON this year since it was the first year I was here without Gayle. I noted that she particularly loved the Monday night vendor hall reception since she loved any excuse to costume and it reminded me that the first time I ever saw her was at a Halloween party in a restaurant lounge near my apartment in Seattle where she worked. She was wearing a Wonder Woman costume and I thought to myself, “my goodness that woman has a great, ah, tiara.”</p>



<p>Well, we met and became friends, and not long after we moved to first Sacramento and then San Diego on a very large case I was working on. We met Browning at a tech conference held at the Hotel Del Coronado and we all became fast friends.</p>



<p>It was an unlikely seeming friendship. I was a South Boston Irish Catholic working-class Democrat; Gayle was a Seattle rock &amp; roller whose politics were closer to the Wobblies than any other party while Browning was a north shore of Boston Protestant Republican. But we had a shared love of Bob and Ray, the two and only, the Boston-based comic team who had started in radio back in the days before TV took off. Browning and I were both old enough to have grown up listening to the radio for home entertainment and our love of that old technology was our first common bond.</p>



<p>He was a great friend and mentor not just to me but to countless numbers of other people in the field of legal technology. He was never too busy to give advice and was courteous and kind to everyone. His sense of humor was notorious … I remember him saying about a technology expert with whom he disagreed on just about everything, “often wrong, but never uncertain.” … and of course, his list of swear words that he contributed to firms for their use in searching documents for offensive language was legendary.</p>



<p>He was the type of attorney I wanted to be when I was a young man. Learned and articulate without being pompous or overbearing and always polite and cordial. He was a great friend, colleague, attorney and technologist and he will be missed by us all.</p>



<p>I noted several of the people in the room who had been close to Browning and also a few other friends besides Gayle who have left us, including Jim Keane, Nigel Murray and Ross Kodner.  I then finished by raising a glass in a toast with the phrase Bob and Ray used to sign off their radio show. </p>



<p>“ Good night everyone. Write if you get work.”</p>


ILTACON attendees who weren’t at the ACEDS reception sponsored by Everlaw on Monday have been asking me about the toast I gave to Browning as we marked the 8th anniversary of his death. So, for this who weren’t there, above is the picture I brought, a get well card a number of attendees at ILTACON […]

REMEMBERING BROWNING MAREAN AT ILTACON22


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/image-6.png?ssl=1"><img data-attachment-id="2644" data-permalink="https://technogumbo.blog/2022/08/26/iltacon22-wrapup/image-6/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/image-6.png?fit=1744%2C936&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="1744,936" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="image-6" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/image-6.png?fit=300%2C161&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/image-6.png?fit=450%2C242&amp;ssl=1" decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="450" height="242" src="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/image-6.png?resize=450%2C242&#038;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-2644" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/image-6.png?resize=1024%2C550&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/image-6.png?resize=300%2C161&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/image-6.png?resize=768%2C412&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/image-6.png?resize=1536%2C824&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/image-6.png?resize=1200%2C644&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/image-6.png?w=1744&amp;ssl=1 1744w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/image-6.png?w=900&amp;ssl=1 900w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/image-6.png?w=1350&amp;ssl=1 1350w" sizes="(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></figure>



<p>Made it home Thursday nite after one last run thru the exhibit hall and catching uo with folks I missed the first three days. Hard to believe, but as he pointed out in his Pinhawk Law Technology Daily Digest today,  Jeff Brandt wasn&#8217;t one of them. </p>



<p>Jeff felt that &#8221; &#8220;reunion&#8221; dominated the conference&#8221; and I&#8217;d be hard pressed to disagree. It was certainly the dominant unofficial theme this year and overarched all the official proceedings.  If there was ever any doubt that ILTA is a true member driven organization, this meeting dispelled it. </p>



<p>One person I did see everywhere was Doug Austin and he did a great recap of the events with Mary Mack and Kaylee Walstad of the EDRM. You can find the video of that interview on DOugs site, EDiscovery Today.</p>



<p>A special shoutout to Beth Anne Stuebe, ILTA Director of Publications and Press, who provided press passes to the many bloggers present and kept us up to speed with daily morning brefings about the show, it&#8217;s events and vital statistics.</p>



<p>And of course, my friends and colleagues, the real killer B&#8217;s, Craig Bayer and Craig Ball. Never a dull moment, a missed quip or a passed up insightful comment around these two. Thanks guys.</p>



<p>See you all next year back at Orlando.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Disco-party-1.jpg?ssl=1"><img data-attachment-id="2647" data-permalink="https://technogumbo.blog/2022/08/26/iltacon22-wrapup/disco-party-1/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Disco-party-1.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="1024,768" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Disco-party-1" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Disco-party-1.jpg?fit=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Disco-party-1.jpg?fit=450%2C338&amp;ssl=1" decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="450" height="338" src="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Disco-party-1.jpg?resize=450%2C338&#038;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-2647" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Disco-party-1.jpg?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Disco-party-1.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Disco-party-1.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Disco-party-1.jpg?resize=800%2C600&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Disco-party-1.jpg?resize=400%2C300&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Disco-party-1.jpg?resize=200%2C150&amp;ssl=1 200w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Disco-party-1.jpg?w=900&amp;ssl=1 900w" sizes="(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></figure>



<p> </p>


Made it home Thursday nite after one last run thru the exhibit hall and catching uo with folks I missed the first three days. Hard to believe, but as he pointed out in his Pinhawk Law Technology Daily Digest today, Jeff Brandt wasn’t one of them. Jeff felt that ” “reunion” dominated the conference” and […]

ILTACON22 WRAPUP


<p>ILTACON is back!  The oepning night reception which was marveously hosted by Everlaw with opening remarks by inudsutry stalwart Chuck Kellner who serves as Everlaws Strategic Discovery Advisor, had a resunding attendance of just over 1500. The food was excellent, the musical performance tasteful and the ambience was, well &#8230;. There were hugs and tears and just a tremendous atmosphere overall. I saw people I hadn&#8217;t seen in nearly 3 years and everyone was clearly having a wonderful time.</p>



<p>Joy Heath Rush spoke at the press briefing this morning and emphsized the 71 educational sessions, over 3000 total attendees and the largest exhibit hall participation ever by sponsors.</p>



<p>Looking forward to todays activities including the opening of the exhibit hall tonight with the traditional costume theme.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_193410-rotated.jpg?ssl=1"><img data-attachment-id="2586" data-permalink="https://technogumbo.blog/2022/08/22/iltacon22-has-a-great-opening-night/20220821_193410/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_193410-rotated.jpg?fit=3024%2C4032&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="3024,4032" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;SM-G973U&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1661110450&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;4.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;250&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.025&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="20220821_193410" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_193410-rotated.jpg?fit=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_193410-rotated.jpg?fit=450%2C600&amp;ssl=1" decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="450" height="600" src="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_193410.jpg?resize=450%2C600&#038;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-2586" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_193410-rotated.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_193410-rotated.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_193410-rotated.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1152w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_193410-rotated.jpg?resize=1536%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_193410-rotated.jpg?resize=900%2C1200&amp;ssl=1 900w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_193410-rotated.jpg?resize=600%2C800&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_193410-rotated.jpg?resize=300%2C400&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_193410-rotated.jpg?resize=150%2C200&amp;ssl=1 150w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_193410-rotated.jpg?resize=1200%2C1600&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_193410-rotated.jpg?w=1350&amp;ssl=1 1350w" sizes="(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></figure>



<p> </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_185326-rotated.jpg?ssl=1"><img data-attachment-id="2587" data-permalink="https://technogumbo.blog/2022/08/22/iltacon22-has-a-great-opening-night/20220821_185326/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_185326-rotated.jpg?fit=3024%2C4032&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="3024,4032" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.4&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;SM-G973U&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1661108006&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;4.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;500&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0083333333333333&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="20220821_185326" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_185326-rotated.jpg?fit=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_185326-rotated.jpg?fit=450%2C600&amp;ssl=1" decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="450" height="600" src="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_185326.jpg?resize=450%2C600&#038;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-2587" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_185326-rotated.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_185326-rotated.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_185326-rotated.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1152w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_185326-rotated.jpg?resize=1536%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_185326-rotated.jpg?resize=900%2C1200&amp;ssl=1 900w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_185326-rotated.jpg?resize=600%2C800&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_185326-rotated.jpg?resize=300%2C400&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_185326-rotated.jpg?resize=150%2C200&amp;ssl=1 150w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_185326-rotated.jpg?resize=1200%2C1600&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_185326-rotated.jpg?w=1350&amp;ssl=1 1350w" sizes="(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_185636-rotated.jpg?ssl=1"><img data-attachment-id="2588" data-permalink="https://technogumbo.blog/2022/08/22/iltacon22-has-a-great-opening-night/20220821_185636/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_185636-rotated.jpg?fit=3024%2C4032&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="3024,4032" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.4&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;SM-G973U&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1661108196&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;4.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;400&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.016666666666667&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="20220821_185636" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_185636-rotated.jpg?fit=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_185636-rotated.jpg?fit=450%2C600&amp;ssl=1" decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="450" height="600" src="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_185636.jpg?resize=450%2C600&#038;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-2588" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_185636-rotated.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_185636-rotated.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_185636-rotated.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1152w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_185636-rotated.jpg?resize=1536%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_185636-rotated.jpg?resize=900%2C1200&amp;ssl=1 900w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_185636-rotated.jpg?resize=600%2C800&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_185636-rotated.jpg?resize=300%2C400&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_185636-rotated.jpg?resize=150%2C200&amp;ssl=1 150w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_185636-rotated.jpg?resize=1200%2C1600&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_185636-rotated.jpg?w=1350&amp;ssl=1 1350w" sizes="(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_193153.jpg?ssl=1"><img data-attachment-id="2590" data-permalink="https://technogumbo.blog/2022/08/22/iltacon22-has-a-great-opening-night/20220821_193153/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_193153.jpg?fit=4032%2C3024&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="4032,3024" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;SM-G973U&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1661110313&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;4.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;640&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.025&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="20220821_193153" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_193153.jpg?fit=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_193153.jpg?fit=450%2C338&amp;ssl=1" decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_193153.jpg?resize=450%2C338&#038;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-2590" width="450" height="338" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_193153.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_193153.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_193153.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_193153.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_193153.jpg?resize=2048%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_193153.jpg?resize=1200%2C900&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_193153.jpg?resize=800%2C600&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_193153.jpg?resize=400%2C300&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_193153.jpg?resize=200%2C150&amp;ssl=1 200w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_193153.jpg?w=900&amp;ssl=1 900w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_193153.jpg?w=1350&amp;ssl=1 1350w" sizes="(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></figure>



<p></p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_204700-rotated.jpg?ssl=1"><img data-attachment-id="2593" data-permalink="https://technogumbo.blog/2022/08/22/iltacon22-has-a-great-opening-night/20220821_204700/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_204700-rotated.jpg?fit=3024%2C4032&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="3024,4032" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;SM-G973U&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1661114820&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;4.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;640&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.02&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="20220821_204700" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_204700-rotated.jpg?fit=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_204700-rotated.jpg?fit=450%2C600&amp;ssl=1" decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="450" height="600" src="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_204700.jpg?resize=450%2C600&#038;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-2593" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_204700-rotated.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_204700-rotated.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_204700-rotated.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1152w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_204700-rotated.jpg?resize=1536%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_204700-rotated.jpg?resize=900%2C1200&amp;ssl=1 900w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_204700-rotated.jpg?resize=600%2C800&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_204700-rotated.jpg?resize=300%2C400&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_204700-rotated.jpg?resize=150%2C200&amp;ssl=1 150w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_204700-rotated.jpg?resize=1200%2C1600&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220821_204700-rotated.jpg?w=1350&amp;ssl=1 1350w" sizes="(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></figure>


ILTACON is back! The oepning night reception which was marveously hosted by Everlaw with opening remarks by inudsutry stalwart Chuck Kellner who serves as Everlaws Strategic Discovery Advisor, had a resunding attendance of just over 1500. The food was excellent, the musical performance tasteful and the ambience was, well …. There were hugs and tears […]

ILTACON22 HAS A GREAT OPENING NIGHT

The first full day of sessions kicked off with a keynote from Patrick Schwerdtfeger that was curiously lacking in focus on our profession but quickly transitioned into what ILTA does best … educate. Sessions on working with Manged Service Providers, Change Management, a Microsoft company update and a late PM discussion on the annual ILTA […]

MONDAY AT ILTACON22 DOESN’T DISAPPOINT


<p>Great post this week by Doug Austin on his eDiscovery Today blog. Called<strong> Setting Realistic Expectations About AI in eDiscovery: eDiscovery Best Practices</strong>, it covered a new article in <strong><em>ILTA’s Peer to Peer Magazine</em></strong>&nbsp;entitle <strong><em><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="http://epubs.iltanet.org/i/1472128-summer22/75?" target="_blank">The Humans Stay in the Picture: 4 Realities of AI in Modern eDiscovery</a></em></strong>.  The author of that article, Dr. Gina Taranto of ProSearch, made four keys points about AI but one in particlualr caught my eye.</p>



<p>Her third bullet poitn was called &#8220;Humans Stay In the Picture&#8221; and basically said that no matter how sophisticated the technology, you still need planning, training, QC and analysis and that &#8220;Humans are required for all of that.&#8221;</p>



<p>That brought to my mind an article I wrote in 2020 called <strong>&#8220;IS AI THE FIGHT CLUB OF LEGAL TECHNOLOGY?&#8221;</strong>  I&#8217;ve reposted it below and even though some of the surveys and stats are out of date, the emphasis is still the same as what Dr. Taranto wrote. &#8230; let&#8217;s keep the attorney in AI.</p>



<p><br>Artificial Intelligence has become the biggest buzz word in legal technology since, well the last biggest buzzword. ECA, TAR, Blockchain, Analytics, Big Data, Collaboration, Disruption, Innovation.<br></p>



<p>Every 6 months we have a new “big thing” and right now it’s AI. Articles are constantly harping on the rise of the machines that AI portends. Gartner includes AI on their list of the top 10 strategic<br> technology trends of 2019 and even estimates that 80% of emerging technologies will be built on a foundation of artificial intelligence by </p>



<p>In a Law Technology Today <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.lawtechnologytoday.org/2019/04/artificial-intelligence-willchange-e-discovery-in-the-next-three-years/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.lawtechnologytoday.org/2019/04/artificial-intelligence-willchange-e-discovery-in-the-next-three-years/" target="_blank">article</a> , Andrew Ng, Co-Founder of Coursera and Adjunct Professor of Computer Science at Stanford University, says AI is the new electricity. “Just as electricity transformed<br>almost everything 100 years ago,” he explains, “today I actually have a hard time thinking of an industry that I don’t think AI will transform in the next several years.”<br></p>



<p>And in that same article, Ajith Samuel technologist and co-founder of eDiscovery company Exterro, says that using AI will become “frictionless,” meaning that it will be ever more seamlessly integrated into the e-discovery process. He feels that AI will move out of the review phase, earlier in the EDRM, helping legal teams get to the facts of the matter faster, cheaper, and smarter than ever before. Ultimately AI will play an increasing role in orchestrating the e-discovery process, streamlining the process and improving efficiency.<br><br>And let’s not forget the 2015 survey by Altman Weil of 320 firms with at least 50 lawyers on staff which found that 35 percent of the leaders at those firms (responding anonymously) believed some form of AI would replace first-year associates in the coming decade. 20 percent of those same respondents said second- and third-year attorneys could also be replaced by technology over the same period and half said that paralegals could be killed off by computers. (See graphic below)<br></p>



<p>But if we are to believe the latest ILTA survey, that simply isn’t happening. The annual survey of the International Legal Technology Association was released on Nov 5, 2020, and reported answers from 537<br>firms, representing more than 116,000 attorneys and 240,000 total users. With regards to IA, it finds that just over 50% of respondents are not “…presently pursuing any IA option” and only 25% are actively<br>researching an AI option. Respondents with active pilot projects or study groups were 7% and 4% respectively with only 10% reporting an active AI tool deployment. (See graphic <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.iltanet.org/resources/publications/surveys/2019ts?ssopc=1" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.iltanet.org/resources/publications/surveys/2019ts?ssopc=1" target="_blank">here </a>) </p>



<p><br>So, what is going on here? We hear lots of talk about AI but not much actual usage. Part of the problem is, I believe, definitional and actual definitions of AI are in short supply. <br></p>



<p>One recent <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://emerj.com/ai-sector-overviews/ai-in-law-legal-practice-current-applications" data-type="URL" data-id="https://emerj.com/ai-sector-overviews/ai-in-law-legal-practice-current-applications" target="_blank">article </a>broke out AI into 6 categories<br>         Due diligence – Litigators perform due diligence with the help of AI tools to uncover background           information. We’ve decided to include contract review, legal research and electronic discovery in this section.<br>         Prediction technology – An AI software generates results that forecast litigation outcome.<br>         Legal analytics – Lawyers can use data points from past case law, win/loss rates and a judge’s history to be used for trends and patterns.<br>        Document automation – Law firms use software templates to create filled out documents based on data input.<br>        Intellectual property – AI tools guide lawyers in analyzing large IP portfolios and drawing insights from the content.<br>       Electronic billing – Lawyers’ billable hours are computed automatically. (See )<br></p>



<p>And an actual standard (or standards) for AI has been slow to develop with the first just recently published by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) which adopted<br>and published its “Principles on AI” on the Law and AI <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="http://www.lawandai.com" data-type="URL" data-id="http://www.lawandai.com" target="_blank">blog</a>.<br><br>But in all that discussion, where are the AI use propositions for eDiscovery? Well, the problem there is that eDiscovery vendors are traditionally close mouthed about their systems. And since a primary<br>feature of AI as mentioned by Ajith Samuel above is its “frictionless” adoption, then AI implementation is hidden by both design and practice.</p>



<p><br>Legal technology has become more Fight Club than computer lab and AI has become the worst example of that proposition.<br></p>



<p>I’ve written before that all this emphasis on new technology reminds me of my old friend, the late Browning Marean. He was a great fan of the writings of Ray Kurzweil, the technologist and futurist who wrote The Age of The Intelligent Machine. Browning’s favorite Kurzweil was &#8220;The Singularity Is Near: When Humans Transcend Biology&#8221;, which posited that technological advances would irreversibly transform people as they augment their minds and bodies with genetic alterations, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence.</p>



<p><br>I however am more mindful of another tenet of the Singularity, that exponential increase in technologies will lead to a point where progress is so rapid it outstrips humans&#8217; ability to comprehend it. To me we are<br>losing sight of the proposition that people are slow and computers fast, but people are smart and computers are dumb.<br></p>



<p>And in fact, some of today’s greatest minds in technology fell the same way Stephen Hawking has stated, in an op-ed which appeared in The Independent in 2014, “Success in creating AI would be the biggest<br>event in human history. Unfortunately, it might also be the last, unless we learn how to avoid the risks.” His fear? As posted in a separate interview with BBC, it was simply stated: “humans, limited by slow<br>biological evolution, couldn’t compete and would be superseded by A.I.”<br></p>



<p>Hawking recently joined Elon Musk, Steve Wozniak, and hundreds of others in issuing a letter unveiled at the International Joint Conference Buenos Aires, Argentina warning that artificial intelligence can<br>potentially be more dangerous than nuclear weapons. Even Bill Gates has expressed concerns and during a Q&amp;A session on Reddit in January 2015, said “I am in the camp that is concerned about super intelligence. First, the machines will do a lot of jobs for us and not be super intelligent. That should be positive if we manage it well. A few decades after that though the intelligence is strong enough to be a concern. I agree with Elon Musk and some others on this and don’t understand why some people are not more concerned.”<br></p>



<p>Sound far-fetched? Well then, consider it from our perspective as attorneys. What is the ethical dilemma of bestowing legal responsibilities on robots? Does not all this talk of AI undermine our ethical duties to manage our client’s matters if we don’t really understand how these programs work?<br></p>



<p>As far back as 2013, Peter Geraghty (Director of the ETHICSearch, ABA Center for Professional Responsibility) and Susan J. Michmerhuizen (ETHICSearch Research Counsel) wrote an article for Your ABA Enews called &#8220;Duty to Supervise Nonlawyers: Ignorance is Not Bliss&#8221;. Although the article focused on issues with paralegals and support staff, I would suggest that computers also qualify as non-lawyers and the concerns mentioned in the article should apply to them and the technical experts who use them as well.<br></p>



<p>This issue arises constantly when vendors run computer searches of documents and then produce directly to opposing counsel. The non-supervised release of privileged material can be an enormous problem<br>for a firm, so much so that Geraghty and Michmerhuizen noted an excerpt from Comment [3] to Rule 5.3 which states:</p>



<p><br>… Nonlawyers Outside the Firm<br>[3]A lawyer may use nonlawyers outside the firm to assist the lawyer in<br>rendering legal services to the client. Examples include the retention of<br>an investigative or paraprofessional service, hiring a document<br>management company to create and maintain a database for complex<br>litigation, sending client documents to a third party for printing or<br>scanning, and using an Internet-based service to store client<br>information. When using such services outside the firm, a lawyer must<br>make reasonable efforts to ensure that the services are provided in a<br>manner that is compatible with the lawyer’s professional obligations.<br></p>



<p>Keep this in mind when retaining a technical expert or using software to search and produce. Do you really understand what is going on? How much work being done by computers are you actively supervising in a knowledgeable manner? In these days of a duty of technical competence, attorneys cannot simply delegate to others, even their clients, the responsibility of understanding technology. I would suggest that blindly relying on AI or other computer intelligence to make decisions does not rise to that necessary level of understanding.<br></p>



<p>Always remember that technology is a tool and humans use tools not vice versa. The ultimate decision-making about what tool to use and how to use it resides with you, the attorney. As I have said before, we<br>need to keep the attorney in AI. </p>



<p><br>It’s not enough to be aware of AI, we have to understand AI.  As that great technologist Elvis Aaron Presley once said, “A little less conversation, a little more action please.”</p>



<p></p>


Great post this week by Doug Austin on his eDiscovery Today blog. Called Setting Realistic Expectations About AI in eDiscovery: eDiscovery Best Practices, it covered a new article in ILTA’s Peer to Peer Magazine entitle The Humans Stay in the Picture: 4 Realities of AI in Modern eDiscovery. The author of that article, Dr. Gina Taranto […]

CAN WE KEEP THE ATTORNEY IN AI OR IS ALL THE HYPE JUST FIGHT CLUB 2?


<p></p>



<p><strong>ORIGINAL STANDARD</strong><strong></strong></p>



<p>Discussions about electronic discovery have traditionally focused on civil matters because civil cases have historically been more document intensive and thus that discovery process has been more richly nuanced. In addition, when criminal matters do have relevant documents, the discovery standard has been the so-called Brady rule, named after the landmark Supreme Court ruling <em>Brady v. Maryland</em> (373 U.S. 83 (1963) which held that prosecutors are only required to share evidence deemed exculpatory of the defendant.</p>



<p>In 2012, eDiscovery expert Craig Ball wrote in a column called <a href="https://craigball.net/2012/02/23/thoughtful-guidelines-for-e-discovery-in-criminal-cases/">Thoughtful Guidelines for E-Discovery in Criminal Cases</a><em> </em>“… apart from meeting Brady obligations, I think most lawyers regard criminal law as an area where there is no discovery, let alone this new-fangled e-discovery.<em>” </em>More recently<em>, </em>a 2019 <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/02/nyregion/prosecutors-evidence-turned-over.html%20)">article</a><em> </em>in the New York Times mentioned that defense lawyers often called the Brady approach the “blindfold” law because it kept them in the dark and forced them into plea bargains without any knowledge of precisely what documents the prosecutors had in their possession. </p>



<p>But that standard is changing.</p>



<p></p>



<p><strong>CHANGING STANDARD</strong></p>



<p>In 2005, Judge Marcia Pechman of the Western District of Washington had just concluded a white-collar criminal case brought by the government against Kevin Lawrence and his company, Znetix.&nbsp; That case had nearly 1.5 million scanned electronic documents, at the time an extremely high document volume which caused both logistical and budgetary problems for the Court.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Judge Pechman decided to convene a group of attorneys from the U. S. Defenders Office and the US Attorney in Seattle to discuss more efficient and cost-effective ways to deal with electronic documents in large cases.&nbsp; This group included&nbsp;<a href="https://cjastudy.fd.org/sites/default/files/hearing-archives/san-francisco-california/pdf/russaokisan-franwrittentestimony-done.pdf">Russ Aoki</a>, then a&nbsp;<a href="http://www.cand.uscourts.gov/cja/panel-membership">Criminal Justice Act</a>&nbsp;(CJA) Panel attorney and now Coordinating Defense Attorney in complex matters for the Defenders, who had represented Mr. Lawrence.</p>



<p>I was privileged to be the only non-case attorney in the group, which went on to create a set of best practices policies for large document cases and wiretap surveillance evidence. Those policies were in effect in the Seattle federal court as a local rule for many years before other similar groups began meeting around the country. The eventual result of those meetings was a <a href="and%20now%20Coordinating%20Defense%20Attorney%20in%20complex%20matters%20for%20the%20Defenders">protocol</a> released in 2012 by a Joint Technology Working Group of federal criminal practitioners created by the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts (the supervising agency of the U.S. Defenders Office) and the U.S. Attorney General.</p>



<p>Then last year came the culmination of several years of meetings and discussions on this subject in which Atty Aoki was actively involved: an actual rule change.</p>



<p>Effective Dec 1, 2019, Federal Rule of Evidence 16.1 Pretrial Discovery Conference; Request for Court Action was changed to read:</p>



<p>(a) Discovery Conference. No later than 14 days after the arraignment, the attorney for the government and the defendant&#8217;s attorney must confer and try to agree on a timetable and procedures for pretrial disclosure under Rule 16.</p>



<p>(b) Request for Court Action. After the discovery conference, one or both parties may ask the court to determine or modify the time, place, manner, or other aspects of disclosure to facilitate preparation for trial.</p>



<p>Additionally, the note to the new rule references the 2012 Joint ESI Protocol, the first time that protocol has been referenced in a rule.&nbsp; At roughly the same time, the Western District of Washington local criminal rules were amended to also reference the Joint Protocol and specifically use the Meet &amp; Confer task checklist from that protocol. This was the first time either the ESI Protocol is referenced and the checklist used in a local rule. As Attorney Aoki told me, “We know because we looked at every local rule in all 94 jurisdictions.”</p>



<p>At the same time, many states are beginning to undertake similar <a href="https://www.nacdl.org/Content/DiscoveryReformLegislativeVictories">changes</a> to criminal discovery rules. Foremost in that movement has been New York which passed changes which went into effect this month requiring all prosecutorial material to be shared early in the case. For more on the New York changes see this <a href="https://www.americanbar.org/groups/litigation/publications/litigation-news/top-stories/2019/state-overhauls-criminal-discovery-rules/">article</a>.</p>



<p><strong>DRIVERS OF CHANGE </strong><strong></strong></p>



<p>What is driving these changes? More than&nbsp;<strong>90 percent</strong>&nbsp;of documents created today are generated in electronic format, so data size is exploding. At the same time, the diversity of data types continues to increase as <strong>88 percent</strong><strong>&nbsp;</strong>of the US population uses the Internet every day and<strong>&nbsp;91 percent&nbsp;</strong>of adults use social media regularly.</p>



<p>Social media, mobile device content and cloud storage content are all now routinely part of the definition of relevant ESI. &nbsp;See <em>Social Media Evidence in Criminal Proceedings: An Uncertain Frontier</em> from Georgetown Law&nbsp;<a href="https://www.crowell.com/files/Social-Media-Evidence-in-Criminal-Proceedings-An-Uncertain-Frontier.pdf">here</a> as well as a recent&nbsp;<a href="http://www.callawyer.com/2017/08/using-social-media-as-evidence-in-a-criminal-case/">article</a>&nbsp;in California Lawyer by Atty. Robert Hill, an associate at&nbsp;<em>Eisner Gorin LLP</em><em>,</em> a boutique criminal defense firm in Los Angeles.</p>



<p>And even more exotic types of ESI loom in the future of litigation. &nbsp;In a November 2019 <a href="https://www.law.com/legaltechnews/2019/11/20/new-data-types-challenge-e-discovery-to-keep-pace/">article</a> in Law.com, Judge Andrew Peck (Ret.), of counsel at DLA Piper, noted that &nbsp;“There are already news reports of Fitbits and pacemakers being looked at in criminal cases to show that the digital data contradicts the defendant’s story of what happened.” &nbsp;The same article mentions a conversation with Andrew Hessel, president of Humane Genomics, a seed stage company that makes cancer-fighting viruses, in which he discusses data definition of genomic material and the fact that viruses can now be defined so precisely as to allow printing of their data “maps”.</p>



<p><strong>EXCEPTION TO NEW STANDARD</strong><strong></strong></p>



<p>I should note, however, the exception that courts have carved out for material on cell phones. In <a href="https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=9647156672357738355&amp;q=Riley+v.+California&amp;hl=en&amp;as_sdt=6,44"><em>Riley v. California</em></a>, 134 S. Ct. 2473 (2014), the US Supreme Court unanimously ruled that police may not search the cell phones of criminal suspects upon arrest without a warrant. In <em>Carpenter v U.S</em>, No. 16-402, 585 U.S. (2018), the court held in a 5-4 decision that accessing historical records containing the physical locations of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellphone">cellphones</a> without a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Search_warrant">search warrant</a> violates the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution.</p>



<p>Both opinions were authored by Chief Justice Roberts, and both hold that that smartphones and other electronic devices are not in the same category as wallets, briefcases, and vehicles which are subject to a limited initial examination upon arrest. Rather, said Chief Justice Roberts in the Riley opinion, cell phones are “now such a pervasive and insistent part of daily life that the proverbial visitor from Mars might conclude they were an important feature of human anatomy.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>He went on to note that cellphones “are based on technology nearly inconceivable just a few decades ago” when the Court had upheld the search of an arrestee’s pack of cigarettes. Today, he wrote, citizens today have a reasonable expectation of privacy for information on their cell phones noting “Our answer to the question of what police must do before searching a cell phone seized incident to an arrest is accordingly simple — get a warrant.”</p>



<p>Another exception to these developing standards is seizures at the US border.&nbsp; Entry into the US has long been a separate category as many observers argue the US Constitution cannot apply to non-citizens who are still outside the US.&nbsp; That discussion is beyond the scope of this article but a good starting point is a <a href="https://cloudnine.com/ediscoverydaily/electronic-discovery/understanding-ediscovery-criminal-cases-part-five-ediscovery-best-practices/%20.">blog pos</a>t I did on the subject for CloudNine. &nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>CONCLUSION</strong><strong> </strong><strong></strong></p>



<p>In addition to pointing out the clear differences between civil and criminal discovery standards, the secondary point of this article is to note that while criminal defense attorneys have a duty to preserve and produce electronically stored information (ESI) just as their civil counterparts do, that most state and federal criminal discovery is statutory, or rule-based.&nbsp; But constitutional concepts apply in both arenas in order to ensure a fair trial and due process, including the right against self-incrimination and against unreasonable searches and seizures.</p>



<p>For a very good overview of all the issues involved in criminal eDiscovery practice can be found in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/CRIMINAL-DISCOVERY-Pocket-Guide-Judges/dp/1537616986"><em>Criminal Ediscovery: A Pocket Guide for Judges</em></a>, a 2015 publication of the&nbsp; Federal Judicial Center. It focuses on a number of issues and in greater detail than we can cover in this post and is an excellent resource. It is authored by Sean Broderick, National Litigation Support Administrator, Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, Defender Services Office; Donna Lee Elm, Federal Defender Middle District of Florida; Andrew Goldsmith, Associate Deputy Attorney General &amp; National Criminal Discovery Coordinator U.S. Department of Justice; John Haried, Co-Chair, eDiscovery Working Group — EOUSA U.S. Department of Justice and Kirian Raj, Senior Counsel to the Deputy Attorney General U.S. Department of Justice. I highly recommend it.</p>


ORIGINAL STANDARD Discussions about electronic discovery have traditionally focused on civil matters because civil cases have historically been more document intensive and thus that discovery process has been more richly nuanced. In addition, when criminal matters do have relevant documents, the discovery standard has been the so-called Brady rule, named after the landmark Supreme Court […]

ELECTRONIC DISCOVERY IN CRIMINAL CASES

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/ILTACON.jpg?ssl=1"><img data-attachment-id="2533" data-permalink="https://technogumbo.blog/2022/08/03/doug-austin-and-tom-o-chat-about-the-upcoming-iltacon22/iltacon/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/ILTACON.jpg?fit=728%2C142&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="728,142" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1659519818&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="ILTACON" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/ILTACON.jpg?fit=300%2C59&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/ILTACON.jpg?fit=450%2C88&amp;ssl=1" decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="450" height="88" src="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/ILTACON.jpg?resize=450%2C88&#038;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-2533" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/ILTACON.jpg?w=728&amp;ssl=1 728w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/ILTACON.jpg?resize=300%2C59&amp;ssl=1 300w" sizes="(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></figure>


<p class="has-medium-font-size"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">ILTACON22 is less than 3 weeks away and I&#8217;m excited to be attending in person for the first time in three years. Doug Austin will be there as well, and since between the two of us we have attended &#8230;. well, I&#8217;m not going to tell you that, but I&#8217;ll give you a clue. Browning Marean and I used to drive from San Diego to Plam Springs for the VSLUG conference. You do the math.</span></p>
<p></p>
<p class="has-medium-font-size"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">Regardless of exactly how chronologically challenged we are, Doug and I decided to give you our perspective on the conference, the venue and the general buzz around the show. Take a look on the YouTube eDiscovery Channel at the link below and we&#8217;ll see you all in National Harbor.</span></p>
<p></p>


<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsfR1ko8kxU&amp;list=PLx3Vz7GLpbqNdgG21CjfCFrkwnbPphFiB&amp;index=1">Doug Austin of eDiscovery Today talks about ILTACON22 with Tom O &#8211; YouTube</a></p>



<p></p>



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<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DOug-Austin.jpg?ssl=1"><img data-attachment-id="2547" data-permalink="https://technogumbo.blog/2022/08/03/doug-austin-and-tom-o-chat-about-the-upcoming-iltacon22/doug-austin/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DOug-Austin.jpg?fit=217%2C223&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="217,223" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1659522078&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="DOug-Austin" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DOug-Austin.jpg?fit=217%2C223&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DOug-Austin.jpg?fit=217%2C223&amp;ssl=1" decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DOug-Austin.jpg?resize=228%2C234&#038;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-2547" width="228" height="234" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/OIP-1.jpg?ssl=1"><img data-attachment-id="2545" data-permalink="https://technogumbo.blog/2022/08/03/doug-austin-and-tom-o-chat-about-the-upcoming-iltacon22/oip-1/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/OIP-1.jpg?fit=172%2C270&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="172,270" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="OIP-1" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/OIP-1.jpg?fit=172%2C270&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/OIP-1.jpg?fit=172%2C270&amp;ssl=1" decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="172" height="270" src="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/OIP-1.jpg?resize=172%2C270&#038;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-2545" data-recalc-dims="1"/></a></figure>

ILTACON22 is less than 3 weeks away and I’m excited to be attending in person for the first time in three years. Doug Austin will be there as well, and since between the two of us we have attended …. well, I’m not going to tell you that, but I’ll give you a clue. Browning […]

Doug Austin and Tom O Chat About the Upcoming ILTACON22


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/image-5.png?ssl=1"><img data-attachment-id="2564" data-permalink="https://technogumbo.blog/2022/08/08/the-dog-days-of-cle/image-5-2/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/image-5.png?fit=1200%2C628&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="1200,628" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="image-5" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/image-5.png?fit=300%2C157&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/image-5.png?fit=450%2C236&amp;ssl=1" decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="450" height="236" src="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/image-5.png?resize=450%2C236&#038;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-2564" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/image-5.png?resize=1024%2C536&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/image-5.png?resize=300%2C157&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/image-5.png?resize=768%2C402&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/image-5.png?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/technogumbo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/image-5.png?w=900&amp;ssl=1 900w" sizes="(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px" data-recalc-dims="1" /></a></figure>



<p>Louisiana lawyers, do you have your 6 1/2 hours of in-person CLE? For mandatory continuing legal education compliance in 2022, it is required that 6.5 hours of CLE be taken in person. Fulfill the in person CLE requirement at NOBA&#8217;s 6 1/2 Sizzling Summer CLEs for a special rate of $99! </p>



<p>August 18 at the Pontchartrain Convention and Civic Center. Visit <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="http://neworleansbar.org/?fbclid=IwAR2JQiRTOnJseEb6TXZO86AKlHoqYXOk-o2tx6IcZKcVt72MB2NY0N16UPI" target="_blank">neworleansbar.org</a> for details and to register!</p>



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Louisiana lawyers, do you have your 6 1/2 hours of in-person CLE? For mandatory continuing legal education compliance in 2022, it is required that 6.5 hours of CLE be taken in person. Fulfill the in person CLE requirement at NOBA’s 6 1/2 Sizzling Summer CLEs for a special rate of $99! August 18 at the […]

The Dog Days of CLE

ILTACON22 hit its stride with education on full day 4, the penultimate day of the conference. From the opening keynote by Judge Tanya Kennedy of the New York Appellate to multiple sessions during the day, the strength of the conference really showed all day long. And so did Craig Ball who seemed to be everywhere! […]

EDUCATION DOMINATES DAY 4 OF ILTACON22


<p>With the high number of eDiscovery vendors and the huge amount of ED conferences, webinars, and seminars, you might ask why we would talk about eDiscovery for “the rest of us”.  eDiscovery was initially seen as the exclusive domain of large firms with large cases in Federal court but now the fact is that firms of all sizes must know how to handle electronic discovery efficiently and cost-effectively. </p>



<p>Why? Because, as Craig Ball says, &#8220;That’s where the evidence is&#8221;. In all types of cases. Domestic, criminal, business ventures, SEC investigations, M/A deals  …. eDiscovery is not just for big firms anymore.</p>



<p>80% of the firms in this country are considered ”small” as defined by organizations like the ABA and ILTA. But the majority of vendors spend most of their time pursuing cases with high volumes of data and mutliple users, an attitude that leaves the 80% … the rest of us … searching for solutions.</p>



<p>This book will help you in that search. And now through Oct.1, you can get 50% off the list price of $45.00.  Just go to the <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://gulfltc.org/product/ediscovery-for-the-rest-of-us/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://gulfltc.org/product/ediscovery-for-the-rest-of-us/" target="_blank">Gulf Coast Legal Technology </a><a href="https://gulfltc.org/product/ediscovery-for-the-rest-of-us/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://gulfltc.org/product/ediscovery-for-the-rest-of-us/">shop</a> and use the code 07081956 at checkout.</p>



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With the high number of eDiscovery vendors and the huge amount of ED conferences, webinars, and seminars, you might ask why we would talk about eDiscovery for “the rest of us”.  eDiscovery was initially seen as the exclusive domain of large firms with large cases in Federal court but now the fact is that firms [&#8230;]

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The first full day of sessions kicked off with a keynote from Patrick Schwerdtfeger that was curiously lacking in focus on our profession but quickly transitioned into what ILTA does best &#8230; educate. Sessions on working with Manged Service Providers, Change Management, a Microsoft company update and a late PM discussion on the annual ILTA [&#8230;]

MONDAY AT ILTACON22 DOESN&#8217;T DISAPPOINT

Tom O'Connor

A little bit of everything all mixed together


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<p>The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice (ATJ Commission) recently announced that the Motion to Seal Court File in an Eviction Case form suite is available for comment for 45 days, through March 3, 2023.</p>
<p>This new form set is meant to help self-represented litigants request to seal their eviction court files.</p>
<p>The forms and a link to submit comments can be found on <a href="https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/documents-and-forms/draft-forms-for-comments">the Illinois Supreme Court website</a>.</p>
<p>After the public comment period ends, the ATJ Commission will review any feedback or suggestions received and make any necessary revisions.</p>
<h3><strong>What eviction forms are available for comment?</strong></h3>
<p>The proposed new forms include:</p>
<ul>
<li>Getting Started Motion to Seal Court File in Eviction Case</li>
<li>How to File &amp; Send a Motion to Seal Court File in Eviction Case</li>
<li>Motion to Seal Court File in Eviction Case</li>
<li>Order to Seal Court File in Eviction Case</li>
</ul>
<p>The forms direct readers to how-to guides and other helpful resources, including <a href="https://www.illinoislegalaid.org/legal-information/house-apartment">Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO).</a></p>
<p>The forms are ADA compliant and use plain language to make them more easily understandable to the average court user.</p>
<h3><strong>Self-represented eviction cases in Illinois</strong></h3>
<p>Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have increased financial stress for many individuals, leading to potential evictions. To mitigate the number of evictions, several states including Illinois issued various eviction moratoriums and <a href="https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/forms/approved-forms/forms-approved-forms-circuit-court/eviction">rent assistance measures</a>.</p>
<p>ILAO assisted with 33,000 Illinois evictions in 2022, according to their <a href="https://www.illinoislegalaid.org/legal-information/house-apartment">annual report</a>.</p>
<p>The Illinois Supreme Court also reported in their <a href="https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/reports/annual-report-illinois-courts/">2021 Annual Report</a> that, generally, nearly 72,000 new cases were filed by SRLs in Illinois circuit courts.</p>
<p><em>Staying up to date on issues impacting the legal profession is vital to your success. </em><a href="https://www.2civility.org/subscribe/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Subscribe here</em></a><em> to get the Commission’s weekly news delivered to your inbox.</em></p>
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<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.2civility.org/atj-commission-approves-a-new-suite-of-eviction-forms-for-public-comment/">ATJ Commission Approves a New Suite of Eviction Forms for Public Comment</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.2civility.org">2Civility</a>.</p>


The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice (ATJ Commission) recently announced that the Motion to Seal Court File in an Eviction Case form suite is available for comment for 45 days, through March 3, 2023.  
The post ATJ Commission Approves a New Suite of Eviction Forms for Public Comment appeared first on 2Civility.

ATJ Commission Approves a New Suite of Eviction Forms for Public Comment


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<p>New year, new you? Who is ready?</p>
<p>Was anyone else crawling to the end of the invisible finish line of 2022? Maybe it was just me, but I doubt it. We are all part of the legal profession; no one gets a prize at the end of the year for working the fewest number of hours.</p>
<p>I am not here to write about the best self-care routine for 2023 or how to work more efficiently. While I do believe in all of that, if I had the answer, I would not be wiping off the dirt from all of the crawling that I did.</p>
<p>Instead, I am here to ask questions about 2022. I hope that answering these questions helps you, lawyers, set development goals for the year, both personal and professional, so the transition into 2024 will be more of a slow walk than a crawl.</p>
<h3><strong>1. How much effort did you make to maintain important relationships?</strong></h3>
<p>Let’s start with an easy question. If you could gather two friends for dinner right now, who would they be? Now, how much effort did you put into maintaining those two friendships last year? Be honest.</p>
<p>If your answer is not as much as I would have liked, you are in good company. The maintenance work of friendships is necessary but not easy, especially with the hectic schedules attorneys keep. However, an 85-year-old Harvard research study shows that <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/explain/2023/01/01/well/happiness-challenge">strong relationships are what make for a happy life</a>.</p>
<p>I can already hear the excuses (because I am saying them in my head). I am busy at work, there are so many demands on my time, and I am worn out after lawyering all day.</p>
<p>While maintaining relationships may not seem like an obvious development goal for lawyers, our personal and professional connections are extremely important and I challenge us to make the time.</p>
<p>It does not have to be hard. Start with an <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/explain/2023/01/01/well/happiness-challenge">8-minute phone call</a>. Yes, you read that correctly: not a text, a <em>phone call</em>.</p>
<p>Propose a call with a friend or colleague and keep the call to 8 minutes. You will be surprised how much you can cover in this short time. Think of it like you are billing time. We all have 8 minutes. Yes, even the busiest lawyers around.</p>
<h3><strong>2. Do you still believe in your “why”? </strong></h3>
<p>The questions are about to get a little tougher. When you decided to attend law school, you likely did so for a reason. It might have been to help those in need, fight for criminal justice reform, or become a community leader.</p>
<p>Have you revisited <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ss78LfY3nE">this “why</a>” lately? And is it something you still believe in it?</p>
<p>This week, I was fortunate to be part of the Commission on Professionalism’s <a href="https://www.2civility.org/courthouse-professionalism-training/">Courthouse Professionalism Training</a>. I watched about 50 members of the courthouse staff in Markham, Illinois, reflect on why they do the work they do and how they can do it better, particularly with the professionalism needed to administer justice daily.</p>
<p>As a lawyer, it is easy to lose sight of the forest through the trees. You work long and hard hours and get caught up in case after case; it is easy to forget why you do the work you do.</p>
<p>Or, perhaps your reasons for becoming a lawyer have changed and your “why” does not inspire you anymore.</p>
<p>If you need a little inspiration, check out the <a href="https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/f3cf2ca7-e67d-4105-9683-ef91541b33d6/ARTICLE%20VIII%20preamble.pdf">Preamble to the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct</a>. I can see your eyes rolling, but hear me out. It is a good reminder of the important roles that you, as a lawyer, play in our society.</p>
<p>A great example of this is from the Preamble: “…a lawyer should further the public’s understanding of and confidence in the rule of law and the justice system because legal institutions in a constitutional democracy depend on popular participation and support to maintain their authority.”</p>
<p>Now lawyers, think of all of the development goals you could focus on from that sentence alone.</p>
<h3><strong>3. What are you doing to improve the diversity of the legal profession?</strong></h3>
<p><a href="https://www.nalp.org/reportondiversity">NALP released its annual Report on Diversity in U.S. Law Firms</a> this week. I look at this report every year and just shake my head. The lack of diversity in our profession is unacceptable.</p>
<p>NALP Executive Director Nakia L. Gray summed it up well in a <a href="https://www.nalp.org/uploads/PressReleases/NALPPressReleaseDiversityReportJanuary2023.pdf">press release</a>: “The data demonstrates that we are nowhere near achieving the progress one would expect from an industry that has been focused on the issue of diversity for over three decades.”</p>
<p>If your answer to my question “What are you doing to improve diversity in the legal profession?” is not much, I have a suggestion. Join the <a href="https://www.theiilp.com/TalkIntoAction-Flyer">Institute for Inclusion in the Legal Profession’s #TalkIntoAction initiative</a>.</p>
<p>The initiative asks you to engage in a 1-hour discussion about diversity, equity, and inclusion with another professional whose diversity is different from yours.</p>
<p>Some good starting questions may be: Why isn’t the legal profession moving the needle forward on diversity, equity, and inclusion? And what are practical actions that can change this reality?</p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="Reimagining Law: Workplace Equality in the Legal Profession (Part 1)" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JJgAYtbKYIk?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1&#038;origin=https://www.2civility.org" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<h3><strong>4. What do you need to let go of?</strong></h3>
<p>I will end with another easy question. What do you need to let go of from last year? I am guessing the answer may be easy. The hard part, however, is putting it into action.</p>
<p>It is hard because there is a reason you are holding on to it and you need to figure out what that reason is. It may be anger at how a colleague treated you or disappointment at the outcome of a case you worked tirelessly on, day in and day out.</p>
<p>Now ask yourself how you benefit from holding on to this.</p>
<p>As my meditation teacher always reminds me, if your cup is overflowing, nothing new can get in. If you continue to ruminate about the loss of a case, it is going to impact cases moving forward.</p>
<p>By letting go, you free up the space in your mind and have more energy to learn from the situation and create a new and better outcome next time.</p>
<p>Take baby steps, people. Rome was not built in a day, and lawyers will not commit to development goals or change our suboptimal well-being practices overnight. However, I will do my best to take steps so that I am walking (or even jogging) instead of crawling at the end of the year. I hope you will too.</p>
<p><em>Staying up to date on issues impacting the legal profession is vital to your success. </em><a href="https://www.2civility.org/subscribe/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Subscribe here</em></a><em> to get the Commission’s weekly news delivered to your inbox.</em></p>
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<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.2civility.org/4-development-goals-for-lawyers-this-year/">4 Development Goals for Lawyers This Year</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.2civility.org">2Civility</a>.</p>


I hope that answering these questions helps you, lawyers, set development goals for the year, both personal and professional, so the transition from 2023 into 2024 will be more of a slow walk than a crawl.
The post 4 Development Goals for Lawyers This Year appeared first on 2Civility.

4 Development Goals for Lawyers This Year


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							<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-23038 size-large" src="https://www.2civility.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/iStock-1333646341-e1673647058222-1024x576.jpg" alt="New Haven, Connecticut - June 25, 2015: Gothic style building housing the law library at Yale University, best u.s. law schools" width="640" height="360" srcset="http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/iStock-1333646341-e1673647058222-1024x576.jpg 1024w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/iStock-1333646341-e1673647058222-300x169.jpg 300w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/iStock-1333646341-e1673647058222-768x432.jpg 768w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/iStock-1333646341-e1673647058222-1536x863.jpg 1536w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/iStock-1333646341-e1673647058222.jpg 1998w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">U.S. News &amp; World Report said it will amend the methodology used in its ranking of best U.S. law schools after several law schools cited concerns with its criteria. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">More than 20 law schools including Northwestern, Harvard, and Yale, have said that they will stop providing data to U.S. News for the annual rankings because </span><a href="https://www.reuters.com/legal/legalindustry/us-news-world-report-facing-backlash-revamps-its-law-school-rankings-2023-01-02/"><span data-contrast="none">the rankings lack diversity metrics</span></a><span data-contrast="auto">, </span><span data-contrast="none">penalize schools whose graduates pursue advanced degrees or careers in public interest, and encourage schools to favor wealthy students by offering financial aid based on test scores rather than financial need. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">“We make this decision – despite our being ranked highly since these rankings began – due to our deep concerns about numerous aspects of this ranking and the effect that it is having on legal education, the profession, and our society,” Northwestern Law </span><a href="https://news.law.northwestern.edu/us-news-rankings-participation/"><span data-contrast="none">Dean Hari Osofsky said in a November 2022 statement.</span></a><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Osofsky noted that areas that Northwestern prioritizes – like interdisciplinary education, public interest students, and supporting access to legal education for low-income students – weren’t evaluated “effectively and constructively” in the U.S. News approach.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">The updated methodology will </span><span data-contrast="auto">rank law schools using the publicly available data required by the American Bar Association, </span><a href="https://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/college-rankings-blog/articles/2023-01-02/plans-for-publication-of-the-2023-2024-best-law-schools"><span data-contrast="none">U.S. News said</span></a><span data-contrast="auto">. Schools that respond to its survey will receive more detailed profiles. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">There will also be a reduced emphasis on the peer assessment surveys of academics, lawyers and judges, and an increased weight on outcome measures.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<h3><b><span data-contrast="none">Updating the methodology </span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></h3>
<p><span data-contrast="none">U.S. News said the changes are based on recent conversations with more than 100 deans and representatives of law schools, as well as internal research and its iterative rankings review process.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">The main concerns raised by law schools centered on per-student expenditures, the weight of the peer assessment surveys, and indicators of student debt. U.S. News also received feedback that the rankings should place more weight on outcomes, like passing the bar and employment.  </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Some law schools criticized the rankings for discouraging public service careers by undervaluing fellowships. In response, U.S. News said that, for the next year, it will give full weight to certain fellowships and treat all fellowships equally. It will also give full weight to those enrolled in graduate studies in the ABA employment outcomes grid.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">U.S. News said it needs more time to address concerns around factors including loan forgiveness/loan assistance repayment programs, need-based aid, and diversity and socio-economic considerations. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“More data benefits everyone,” U.S. News said. It called on law schools to make public all of the data they provide to the ABA “so that future law students can have fuller and more transparent disclosure.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}"> </span></p>
<h3><b><span data-contrast="auto">Law school reaction </span></b><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> </span></h3>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The updated methodology does not appear to have appeased concerned law schools, including the University of California Law San Francisco and St. John’s University School of Law. Both law schools </span><a href="https://www.law.com/2023/01/06/us-news-ranking-methodology-changes-prompt-another-law-school-to-pull-out/?kw=US%20News%20Ranking%20Methodology%20Changes%20Prompt%20Another%20Law%20School%20to%20Pull%20Out&amp;utm_source=email&amp;utm_medium=enl&amp;utm_campaign=newsroomupdate&amp;utm_content=20230106&amp;utm_term=law"><span data-contrast="none">recently announced</span></a><span data-contrast="auto"> they would no longer participate. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Law school admission consultant Mike Spivey </span><a href="https://www.reuters.com/legal/legalindustry/us-news-world-report-facing-backlash-revamps-its-law-school-rankings-2023-01-02/"><span data-contrast="none">told Reuters</span></a><span data-contrast="auto"> that he expects more law schools to boycott the rankings since they will now be based on ABA data.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“The big thing is it’s all going to be public,” Spivey told the news outlet. “There’s no reason for schools to stay in.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Inside Higher Ed </span><a href="https://www.insidehighered.com/admissions/article/2023/01/09/us-news-changes-approach-law-school-rankings"><span data-contrast="none">shared a statement from</span></a><span data-contrast="auto"> Yale Law Dean Heather K. Gerken that said “having a window into the operations and decision-making process at U.S. News in recent weeks has only cemented our decision to stop participating in the rankings.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The </span><a href="https://www.insidehighered.com/admissions/article/2023/01/09/us-news-changes-approach-law-school-rankings"><span data-contrast="none">outlet also quoted</span></a><span data-contrast="auto"> Megan Carpenter, Dean of the University of New Hampshire’s Franklin Pierce School of Law, who said in a statement that the announcement was “too little, too late, and too vague.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“We should be very concerned that the conversation about the diminished credibility and legitimacy of the U.S. News ranking, initiated by the 20-plus law schools including UNH Franklin Pierce, simply devolves into an exercise about tweaking their monolithic formula,” Carter said. </span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}"> </span></p>
<p><em>Staying up to date on issues impacting the legal profession is vital to your success. </em><a href="https://www.2civility.org/subscribe/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Subscribe here</em></a><em> to get the Commission’s weekly news delivered to your inbox.</em></p>
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<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.2civility.org/us-news-world-report-amends-law-school-rankings-amid-boycott/">U.S. News &#038; World Report Amends Law School Rankings Amid Boycott</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.2civility.org">2Civility</a>.</p>


U.S. News & World Report said it will amend the methodology used in its ranking of best U.S. law schools after several law schools cited concerns with its criteria.  
The post U.S. News & World Report Amends Law School Rankings Amid Boycott appeared first on 2Civility.

U.S. News & World Report Amends Law School Rankings Amid Boycott


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							<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-23077" src="https://www.2civility.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/324842728_836794984784142_4138900238361834860_n-1024x744.jpg" alt="harvard law school trial advocacy workshop erika harold" width="640" height="465" srcset="http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/324842728_836794984784142_4138900238361834860_n-1024x744.jpg 1024w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/324842728_836794984784142_4138900238361834860_n-300x218.jpg 300w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/324842728_836794984784142_4138900238361834860_n-768x558.jpg 768w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/324842728_836794984784142_4138900238361834860_n-1536x1116.jpg 1536w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/324842728_836794984784142_4138900238361834860_n.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /></p>
<p>Last week, Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism Executive Director Erika Harold returned to her alma mater, Harvard Law School, as part of the teaching faculty of the Winter Trial Advocacy Workshop. This is the sixth year that Harold has taught as part of the Trial Advocacy Workshop.</p>
<p>The Trial Advocacy Workshop is an intensive course in trial analysis, skills, and techniques taught over three weeks. Harold taught during the second week, which focused on bench trials.</p>
<p>“We are delighted that Erika joined the teaching faculty of our Trial Advocacy Workshop again this year,” said Ronald S. Sullivan Jr., Director of the Trial Advocacy Workshop and the Harvard Criminal Justice Institute and a Jesse Climenko Clinical Professor of Law. “Erika draws on her experience as a litigator to provide constructive and encouraging insight and guidance to our students.”</p>
<figure id="attachment_23079" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-23079" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-23079 size-medium" src="https://www.2civility.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/325156686_840697560371987_6994220815913605865_n-300x226.jpg" alt="Erika Harold in front of the Harvard Law School Law Library" width="300" height="226" srcset="http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/325156686_840697560371987_6994220815913605865_n-300x226.jpg 300w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/325156686_840697560371987_6994220815913605865_n-1024x770.jpg 1024w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/325156686_840697560371987_6994220815913605865_n-768x578.jpg 768w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/325156686_840697560371987_6994220815913605865_n-1536x1155.jpg 1536w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/325156686_840697560371987_6994220815913605865_n.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-23079" class="wp-caption-text"><em>Erika Harold in front of a library where she spent time as a Harvard Law School student</em></figcaption></figure>
<p>The Trial Advocacy Workshop focuses on a trial lawyer’s task of creating a precise fact picture that reflects the lawyer’s version of the case in the consciousness of fact-finders.</p>
<p>This includes simulated exercises on all aspects of in-court trial practice including opening statements, development of witness testimony on direct and cross-examination, and use of illustrative aids and exhibits in evidence, impeachment, and summations.</p>
<p>Importantly, the Trial Advocacy Workshop provides on-the-spot evaluation and critique of simulated trials by experienced trial lawyers and judges who teach as volunteers.</p>
<p>“It is such an honor to be invited to return to my alma mater, Harvard Law School, as part of the teaching faculty for the Trial Advocacy Workshop,” Harold said. “It is an incredible opportunity to help advise brilliant law students and learn from some of the most accomplished lawyers, judges, and professors in the nation. I am grateful to Harvard Law School and Professor Sullivan for this experience and look forward to bringing what I have learned back to the lawyers and law students of Illinois.”</p>
<p>Harold was appointed as Executive Director of the Commission on Professionalism in 2022. Prior to joining the Commission, Harold was a commercial and civil litigation attorney at Meyer Capel, P.C. in Champaign, Illinois, and a litigation attorney at the Chicago offices of Sidley Austin LLP and Burke, Warren, MacKay &amp; Serritella, P.C.</p>
<p>She graduated from Harvard Law School in 2007, where she won a Boykin C. Wright Memorial Award for appellate advocacy in Harvard Law School’s prestigious Ames Moot Court Competition.</p>
<h3>About the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism</h3>
<p>The Illinois Supreme Court established the Commission on Professionalism under <a href="https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/4aca854c-1934-402b-995c-9b0f5e0f528c/Rule%20799.pdf">Supreme Court Rule 799</a> to promote integrity, professionalism, and civility among the lawyers and judges of Illinois, to foster a commitment to the elimination of bias and divisiveness within the legal and judicial systems, and to ensure those systems provide equitable, effective, and efficient resolution of problems for the people of Illinois.</p>
<p>The Commission achieves this mission through professional responsibility CLE, lawyer-to-lawyer mentoring, legal professionalism programming, educational resources, and more. To learn more, visit <a href="http://www.2civility.org">2Civility.org</a> and follow us on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/2CivilityOrg">@2CivilityOrg</a>.</p>
<h3>Press Contact</h3>
<p>Laura Bagby, Communications Director<br />
312-363-6209<br />
<a href="mailto:laura.bagby@2civility.org">laura.bagby@2civility.org</a></p>
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<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.2civility.org/erika-harold-part-of-harvard-law-school-trial-advocacy-workshop-faculty/">Executive Director Erika Harold Part of Teaching Faculty for Harvard Law School’s Winter Trial Advocacy Workshop</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.2civility.org">2Civility</a>.</p>


Last week, Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism Executive Director Erika Harold returned to her alma mater, Harvard Law School, as part of the teaching faculty of the Winter Trial Advocacy Workshop. This is the sixth year that Harold has taught as part of the Trial Advocacy Workshop.
The post Executive Director Erika Harold Part of Teaching Faculty for Harvard Law School’s Winter Trial Advocacy Workshop appeared first on 2Civility.

Executive Director Erika Harold Part of Teaching Faculty for Harvard Law School’s Winter Trial Advocacy Workshop


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							<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignright wp-image-23092 size-medium" src="https://www.2civility.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/IMG_1083-1-300x300.jpg" alt="Michele M. Jochner" width="300" height="300" srcset="http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/IMG_1083-1-300x300.jpg 300w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/IMG_1083-1-150x150.jpg 150w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/IMG_1083-1.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>
<p>Our <a href="https://www.2civility.org/news-updates/?_categories=lawyer-spotlight-media">Lawyer Spotlight series</a> highlights Illinois lawyers who are demonstrating the ideals of professionalism in their daily lives.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.sdflaw.com/team/detail/michele-jochner/bio">Michele M. Jochner</a>, partner at Schiller DuCanto &amp; Fleck LLP in the Chicagoland area, represents family law clients in complex appellate matters.</p>
<p>Previously, Michele served as a judicial law clerk to two Chief Justices of the Illinois Supreme Court: the late Justice Mary Ann G. McMorrow and the late Justice Charles E. Freeman.</p>
<h3><strong>How has your practice evolved during the last few years?</strong></h3>
<p>After nearly 16 years of service at the Illinois Supreme Court, I joined the internationally-recognized law firm of Schiller DuCanto &amp; Fleck LLP as a partner in 2012, focusing on complex family law cases. That was a major transition, as I now handle all of the appellate matters for our firms’ three offices across Chicago, Lake Forest and Wheaton.</p>
<p>Every day I am thankful to work with the wonderful and talented attorneys at our firm to secure the best possible outcomes for our clients.</p>
<p>The stakes are about as high as they can get when family law issues become contentious: a divorce is a “watershed moment” because day-to-day life will never be the same. It is a wonderful feeling to help clients get through these life-changing circumstances and to start the next phase of their lives with confidence and hope.</p>
<h3><strong>What’s one piece of technology you could not function without?</strong></h3>
<p>There is not just one!</p>
<p>Of course, our phones are our lifelines in so many ways: not only to receive and make calls, but also to review and respond to emails and texts, as well as to conduct research and keep up to date.</p>
<p>Because I do a great deal of writing, I always have my laptop nearby, even when traveling (and I also take a compact printer with me when I travel so that I can edit my work on actual paper).</p>
<h3><strong>How do you manage your well-being? </strong></h3>
<p>Indeed, the practice of law can be all-consuming, especially in an area such as family law, where clients are on emotional rollercoasters and their counsel are regularly in adversary mode.</p>
<p>Getting enough sleep, having a healthy diet, and disconnecting from the job to recharge are the key goals. However, this is often easier said than done. I do my best to keep these goals in mind on a daily basis.</p>
<p>Also, simple things such as listening to music, taking walks, reading non-legal publications, and spending time with family and friends can really alleviate some of the daily stress.</p>
<h3><strong>How do you remain civil in tense situations? </strong></h3>
<p>Think twice and speak once. If we are angry, irritated or frustrated, that can lead to lashing out in the moment.</p>
<p>A better rule is to take a breath and think carefully about the situation. If it involves an email or text, sometimes we can leap to incorrect conclusions about what is said simply due to the lack of context. After you have a moment to reassess and more carefully consider the circumstances, then craft your response.</p>
<p>As the great Maya Angelou observed, people may not remember what you said, but they remember how you made them feel. Civility makes it enjoyable to practice law.</p>
<p>There is no need to add an additional layer of stress by being uncivil and unprofessional. Such conduct only makes the process worse for the parties, counsel and the court. It also results in an unnecessary waste of time and resources if one side is simply being obstructionist or uncooperative.</p>
<p>Civility, in contrast, promotes efficiency as well as confidence and faith in the legal system. Being a strong advocate for your client is different from being uncivil.</p>
<h3><strong>How can attorneys advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession? </strong></h3>
<p>Mahatma Gandhi encouraged us to “be the change you wish to see in the world.” To make this important aspiration a true reality, we all need to do our part by recognizing and overcoming unconscious bias and always being mindful of diversity, equity, and inclusion in seeking out members of our teams and in presenting opportunities for advancement and recognition.</p>
<p>It is important to create an environment that is welcoming and supportive of everyone, and to ensure that all feel respected and that they belong. It is likewise important to encourage young students from diverse backgrounds to become lawyers by creating, supporting, and strengthening pipeline and mentorship projects.</p>
<p>By working together towards these important goals, we can ensure that all in our profession thrive.</p>
<h3><strong>What is an attorney’s role in furthering public confidence in the rule of law?  </strong></h3>
<p>Of course, there are the basics, such as knowing and following the law, meeting all deadlines and keeping clients fully informed.</p>
<p>Professionalism and civility also play key roles in enhancing the public’s confidence because our profession and the justice system are presented at their absolute best.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, however, if this process is tainted with instances of incivility that lead to unnecessary delays and increases in fees and costs, the process can be viewed very negatively due to this bad behavior.</p>
<h3><strong>If you could offer one piece of advice for young lawyers, what would it be? </strong></h3>
<p>Always remember that reputation and integrity are everything. You can never go wrong if you do things by the book, treat others as you wish to be treated and keep your word as your bond.</p>
<p>In this same vein, you must go that extra mile and always be well-prepared for anything you do. Always aim high, do the absolute best that you can, and <a href="https://www.2civility.org/education-cle/">never stop growing</a> as an attorney and as a person.</p>
<p>In addition, treat your clients with respect and dignity, be available to answer questions and keep them informed.</p>
<p>Make the time to become involved in bar associations and with other non-profit groups and activities within the profession and the community. Giving back helps you not only connect with others, but it is also very fulfilling and enjoyable.</p>
<p>Finally, <a href="https://www.2civility.org/mentoring/">find a wonderful mentor</a>! I was blessed with many over the years (including Justices McMorrow and Freeman), and now enjoy being a mentor myself and paying it forward!</p>
<h3><strong>What do you think is the biggest challenge impacting lawyers today?</strong></h3>
<p>A major challenge will be trying to predict what will happen in the future, and how the practice of law will be impacted by those changes.</p>
<p>In early March 2020, who could have predicted the arrival of a global pandemic that would fundamentally transform our entire society, including the practice of law?</p>
<p>The event of Zoom court hearings, the remote practice of law away from the office, and virtual just-about-everything has had a profound impact upon our practice that will be with us as we move forward. This underscores the need for the flexibility and the resiliency to respond to whatever comes next.</p>
<p>In being future-focused, we also must consider additional ways to enhance the public’s access to justice by streamlining the court process to make it less costly and more efficient.</p>
<h3><strong>What do you do for fun? </strong></h3>
<p>As you can tell from my career path, I love writing and lecturing about the law. Therefore, I actually find it “fun” to author articles (I have penned more than 200!) and also regularly speak at CLE programs. It is another way to pay it forward.</p>
<p>I also very much enjoy traveling, including cross-country road trips. Seeing nature up close and personal is a wonderful stress reliever as well!</p>
<p><em>Please note: This Q&amp;A has been edited due to space constraints.</em></p>
<p><em style="font-size: 1.125rem;">Our Lawyer Spotlight recognizes attorneys throughout Illinois who are admired for their professionalism and civility. Check out more interviews with attorneys</em><span style="font-size: 1.125rem;"> </span><em style="font-size: 1.125rem;"><a href="https://www.2civility.org/news-updates/?_categories=lawyer-spotlight-media">here</a>.</em></p>
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<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.2civility.org/lawyer-spotlight-michele-m-jochner/">Lawyer Spotlight: Michele M. Jochner</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.2civility.org">2Civility</a>.</p>


Michele M. Jochner, partner at Schiller DuCanto & Fleck LLP in the Chicagoland area, represents family law clients in complex appellate matters.
The post Lawyer Spotlight: Michele M. Jochner appeared first on 2Civility.

Lawyer Spotlight: Michele M. Jochner


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							<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignright wp-image-23042 size-medium" src="https://www.2civility.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Thomson_Wade_ENV-Web-270x300.jpg" alt="Wade Thomson" width="270" height="300" /></p>
<p>Our <a href="https://www.2civility.org/news-updates/?_categories=lawyer-spotlight-media">Lawyer Spotlight series</a> highlights Illinois lawyers who are demonstrating the ideals of professionalism in their daily lives.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.jenner.com/en/people/wade-a-thomson">Wade Thomson</a> is a litigator and partner at Jenner &amp; Block in Chicago. Wade has specialized in litigating business-to-business disputes in aerospace and aviation. He has also had experience with media law and investigations and compliance.</p>
<h3><strong>How has your practice evolved during the last few years? </strong></h3>
<p>I have always focused on personal relationships in business development because that is something I truly value.</p>
<p>I haven’t changed that focus but I do think it has become even more pronounced during the pandemic. Everyone was facing new challenges and connecting on a personal level was very important.</p>
<h3><strong>What&#8217;s one piece of technology you could not function without?</strong></h3>
<p>The shared calendar app. Scheduling things between family and work has only become more difficult with fewer people in offices, amorphous work hours, and more Zooms.</p>
<h3><strong>How do you manage your well-being? </strong></h3>
<p>What’s stress? <img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/14.0.0/72x72/1f609.png" alt="😉" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /> Seriously, I try a couple things for well-being to keep things in perspective.</p>
<p>I work on pro bono matters. I make it a point to exercise, even when I’m tired and have a lot to do. And when I’m with friends and family, I try to focus on being in the moment.</p>
<h3><strong>How do you remain civil in tense situations? </strong></h3>
<p>Fortunately, I’ve had good mentors who have always told me the very real truth about the legal community being a small one in which reputation matters.</p>
<p>I also find that being uncivil wastes time and resources for everyone.</p>
<p>Finally, life is simply too short and difficult for anything less than treating others kindly and professionally.</p>
<h3><strong>How can attorneys advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession? </strong></h3>
<p>It must be intentional and front of mind.</p>
<p>It doesn’t always have to be headline-grabbing programs (although those are great). Sometimes small changes in routine behaviors or defaults can help, such as making diversity a key consideration in daily staffing decisions, invitations, etc.</p>
<p>These types of changes put the issue front of mind. That ideally makes bigger discussions and actions more likely and effective.</p>
<p>I have gained a lot (and hopefully given something of value) from being a member of Jenner’s DEI committee and have enjoyed personally partnering with and sponsoring diverse attorneys and would encourage others to participate in similar endeavors.</p>
<h3><strong>What is an attorney’s role in furthering public confidence in the rule of law? </strong></h3>
<p>I am always chagrined when I hear lawyer jokes because they often convey a lack of confidence in the profession. But I understand where that distrust comes from.</p>
<p>I believe strongly in the rule of law. For that to work all the practitioners of the law must strive to do it professionally and with fairness, recognizing that our audience is constant and important to the equation.</p>
<h3><strong>If you could offer one piece of advice for young lawyers, what would it be? </strong></h3>
<p><a href="https://www.2civility.org/mentoring/">Locate good mentors</a> (those you may wish to emulate both professionally and personally) and rely on them frequently.</p>
<h3><strong>What do you think is the biggest challenge impacting lawyers today? </strong></h3>
<p>Changes in day-to-day practice (Zoom, work from home, etc.) are altering expectations and boundaries. Some of those changes may be good but the jury is still out—please check back in three to five years!</p>
<h3><strong>What do you do for fun? </strong></h3>
<p>My favorite out-of-office reply I use is “gone fishin’” for a reason. I am easy to please with just about every outdoor activity. Above all though, spending time with family and friends, ideally involving comfort food and red wine.</p>
<p><em style="font-size: 1.125rem;">Our Lawyer Spotlight recognizes attorneys throughout Illinois who are admired for their professionalism and civility. Check out more interviews with attorneys</em><span style="font-size: 1.125rem;"> </span><em style="font-size: 1.125rem;"><a href="https://www.2civility.org/news-updates/?_categories=lawyer-spotlight-media">here</a>.</em></p>
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<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.2civility.org/lawyer-spotlight-wade-thomson/">Lawyer Spotlight: Wade Thomson</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.2civility.org">2Civility</a>.</p>


Wade Thomson is a litigator and partner at Jenner & Block in Chicago. Wade has specialized in litigating business-to-business disputes in aerospace and aviation. He has also had experience with media law and investigations and compliance.
The post Lawyer Spotlight: Wade Thomson appeared first on 2Civility.

Lawyer Spotlight: Wade Thomson


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							<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-23062" src="https://www.2civility.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/322393693_1339106480217319_2494517370606356902_n-e1674080653440-1024x576.jpg" alt="Commission on Professionalism and Commission on Access to Justice at Courthouse Professionalism Training" width="640" height="360" srcset="http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/322393693_1339106480217319_2494517370606356902_n-e1674080653440-1024x576.jpg 1024w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/322393693_1339106480217319_2494517370606356902_n-e1674080653440-300x169.jpg 300w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/322393693_1339106480217319_2494517370606356902_n-e1674080653440-768x432.jpg 768w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/322393693_1339106480217319_2494517370606356902_n-e1674080653440-1536x864.jpg 1536w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/322393693_1339106480217319_2494517370606356902_n-e1674080653440.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /></p>
<p>The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism is pleased to announce that it recently partnered with the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice to lead its 12<sup>th</sup> Courthouse Professionalism Training. The in-person training was held on January 11, 2023, at the Cook County Sixth Municipal District courthouse in Markham, Illinois.</p>
<figure id="attachment_23064" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-23064" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-23064 size-medium" src="https://www.2civility.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Edit-P1200427-300x225.jpg" alt="Presiding Judge Tommy Brewer provides remarks to the Courthouse Professionalism Training participants" width="300" height="225" srcset="http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Edit-P1200427-300x225.jpg 300w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Edit-P1200427-1024x768.jpg 1024w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Edit-P1200427-768x576.jpg 768w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Edit-P1200427.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-23064" class="wp-caption-text"><em>Presiding Judge Tommy Brewer providing remarks to the participants</em></figcaption></figure>
<p>Roughly 40 members of the courthouse working community —including judges, attorneys, deputies, clerks, and administration—participated in the half-day program that asked them to navigate the courthouse experience through the lens of court users.</p>
<p>“Courthouse Professionalism Training is an opportunity for the Commission to engage with the courthouse working community to address professionalism and access to justice challenges that may impact the administration of justice,” said Martin Sinclair, Chair of the Commission on Professionalism. “Thank you to Presiding Judge Brewer, our Commissioner Judge Bonita Coleman, the planning committee, and all of the participants for their active and meaningful involvement.”</p>
<figure id="attachment_23068" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-23068" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-23068 size-medium" src="https://www.2civility.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Edit-P1200496-300x225.jpg" alt="Courthouse Professionalism Training small group session" width="300" height="225" srcset="http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Edit-P1200496-300x225.jpg 300w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Edit-P1200496-1024x768.jpg 1024w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Edit-P1200496-768x576.jpg 768w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Edit-P1200496.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-23068" class="wp-caption-text"><em>Commission Chair Martin Sinclair and Education Manager Dan Davies leading a small group session</em></figcaption></figure>
<p>In preparation for the program, Sixth Municipal District Presiding Judge Tommy Brewer hand-picked court personnel from all sectors of the courthouse to serve on the planning committee. The planning committee worked with Commission Chief Counsel Mark Palmer to pinpoint professionalism challenges specific to the Sixth Municipal District.</p>
<p>The program began with remarks from Presiding Judge Brewer; Judge Bonita Coleman, a Commissioner with the Commission on Professionalism who serves the Sixth Municipal District; Sinclair; and Deputy Director Stephanie Villinski.</p>
<p>Court personnel then acted in a skit illustrating professional and unprofessional behavior that may affect the experience of court users when attending a routine court procedure.</p>
<p>Education Manager Dan Davies followed with a session on active listening. Sarah Song and August Hieber from the Access to Justice Commission then presented on access to justice resources for self-represented litigants and the Court’s Policy on Assistance to Court Patrons, commonly referred to as the Safe Harbor Policy.</p>
<p>Finally, the participants were divided into small groups to discuss challenges specific to their departments and how they might work together to address them.</p>
<figure id="attachment_23069" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-23069" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-23069 size-medium" src="https://www.2civility.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/P1200428-300x225.jpg" alt="Judge Bonita Coleman, Commissioner, providing remarks to participants" width="300" height="225" srcset="http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/P1200428-300x225.jpg 300w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/P1200428-1024x768.jpg 1024w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/P1200428-768x576.jpg 768w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/P1200428-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/P1200428-2048x1536.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-23069" class="wp-caption-text"><em>Judge Bonita Coleman, Commissioner, providing remarks to participants</em></figcaption></figure>
<p>“Thank you to the Commission on Professionalism and the Access to Justice Commission for bringing this impactful program to the courthouse community in Markham,” Presiding Judge Brewer said. “The program has provided us with the unique opportunity to step back and assess the courthouse experience through the eyes of those we serve, providing valuable takeaways that will enable us to deliver efficient and effective services to the people of Cook County.”</p>
<p>Since it was launched in 2015, the Commission has led 12 Courthouse Professionalism Trainings in courthouses across the state, including Rock Island, Waukegan, Quincy, Chicago, and Peoria.</p>
<p>“It was wonderful to bring my work with the Commission on Professionalism to the Sixth Municipal District,” said Judge Coleman. “This training underscores our sense of purpose, ensuring that all those entering the courthouse receive fair and civil treatment under the law.”</p>
<h3>About the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism</h3>
<p>The Illinois Supreme Court established the Commission on Professionalism under <a href="https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/4aca854c-1934-402b-995c-9b0f5e0f528c/Rule%20799.pdf">Supreme Court Rule 799</a> to promote integrity, professionalism, and civility among the lawyers and judges of Illinois, to foster a commitment to the elimination of bias and divisiveness within the legal and judicial systems, and to ensure those systems provide equitable, effective, and efficient resolution of problems for the people of Illinois.</p>
<p>The Commission achieves this mission through professional responsibility CLE, lawyer-to-lawyer mentoring, legal professionalism programming, educational resources, and more. To learn more, visit <a href="http://www.2civility.org">2Civility.org</a> and follow us on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/2CivilityOrg">@2CivilityOrg</a>.</p>
<h3>Press Contact</h3>
<p>Laura Bagby, Communications Director<br />
312-363-6209<br />
<a href="mailto:laura.bagby@2civility.org">laura.bagby@2civility.org</a></p>
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<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.2civility.org/commission-on-professionalism-and-commission-on-access-to-justice-partner-to-lead-courthouse-professionalism-training/">Commission on Professionalism and Commission on Access to Justice Partner to Lead Courthouse Professionalism Training in Markham, Ill.</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.2civility.org">2Civility</a>.</p>


The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism is pleased to announce that it recently partnered with the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice to lead its 12th Courthouse Professionalism Training. The in-person training was held on January 11, 2023, at the Cook County Sixth Municipal District courthouse in Markham, Illinois.
The post Commission on Professionalism and Commission on Access to Justice Partner to Lead Courthouse Professionalism Training in Markham, Ill. appeared first on 2Civility.

Commission on Professionalism and Commission on Access to Justice Partner to Lead Courthouse Professionalism Training in Markham, Ill.


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							<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-23038 size-large" src="https://www.2civility.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/iStock-1333646341-e1673647058222-1024x576.jpg" alt="New Haven, Connecticut - June 25, 2015: Gothic style building housing the law library at Yale University, best u.s. law schools" width="640" height="360" srcset="http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/iStock-1333646341-e1673647058222-1024x576.jpg 1024w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/iStock-1333646341-e1673647058222-300x169.jpg 300w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/iStock-1333646341-e1673647058222-768x432.jpg 768w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/iStock-1333646341-e1673647058222-1536x863.jpg 1536w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/iStock-1333646341-e1673647058222.jpg 1998w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">U.S. News & World Report said it will amend the methodology used in its ranking of best U.S. law schools after several law schools cited concerns with its criteria. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">More than 20 law schools including Northwestern, Harvard, and Yale, have said that they will stop providing data to U.S. News for the annual rankings because </span><a href="https://www.reuters.com/legal/legalindustry/us-news-world-report-facing-backlash-revamps-its-law-school-rankings-2023-01-02/"><span data-contrast="none">the rankings lack diversity metrics</span></a><span data-contrast="auto">, </span><span data-contrast="none">penalize schools whose graduates pursue advanced degrees or careers in public interest, and encourage schools to favor wealthy students by offering financial aid based on test scores rather than financial need. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">“We make this decision – despite our being ranked highly since these rankings began – due to our deep concerns about numerous aspects of this ranking and the effect that it is having on legal education, the profession, and our society,” Northwestern Law </span><a href="https://news.law.northwestern.edu/us-news-rankings-participation/"><span data-contrast="none">Dean Hari Osofsky said in a November 2022 statement.</span></a><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Osofsky noted that areas that Northwestern prioritizes – like interdisciplinary education, public interest students, and supporting access to legal education for low-income students – weren’t evaluated “effectively and constructively” in the U.S. News approach.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">The updated methodology will </span><span data-contrast="auto">rank law schools using the publicly available data required by the American Bar Association, </span><a href="https://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/college-rankings-blog/articles/2023-01-02/plans-for-publication-of-the-2023-2024-best-law-schools"><span data-contrast="none">U.S. News said</span></a><span data-contrast="auto">. Schools that respond to its survey will receive more detailed profiles. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">There will also be a reduced emphasis on the peer assessment surveys of academics, lawyers and judges, and an increased weight on outcome measures.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":240}"> </span></p>
<h3><b><span data-contrast="none">Updating the methodology </span></b><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"201341983":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></h3>
<p><span data-contrast="none">U.S. News said the changes are based on recent conversations with more than 100 deans and representatives of law schools, as well as internal research and its iterative rankings review process.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"201341983":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">The main concerns raised by law schools centered on per-student expenditures, the weight of the peer assessment surveys, and indicators of student debt. U.S. News also received feedback that the rankings should place more weight on outcomes, like passing the bar and employment.  </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"201341983":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Some law schools criticized the rankings for discouraging public service careers by undervaluing fellowships. In response, U.S. News said that, for the next year, it will give full weight to certain fellowships and treat all fellowships equally. It will also give full weight to those enrolled in graduate studies in the ABA employment outcomes grid.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"201341983":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">U.S. News said it needs more time to address concerns around factors including loan forgiveness/loan assistance repayment programs, need-based aid, and diversity and socio-economic considerations. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"201341983":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“More data benefits everyone,” U.S. News said. It called on law schools to make public all of the data they provide to the ABA “so that future law students can have fuller and more transparent disclosure.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<h3><b><span data-contrast="auto">Law school reaction </span></b><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":240}"> </span></h3>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The updated methodology does not appear to have appeased concerned law schools, including the University of California Law San Francisco and St. John’s University School of Law. Both law schools </span><a href="https://www.law.com/2023/01/06/us-news-ranking-methodology-changes-prompt-another-law-school-to-pull-out/?kw=US%20News%20Ranking%20Methodology%20Changes%20Prompt%20Another%20Law%20School%20to%20Pull%20Out&utm_source=email&utm_medium=enl&utm_campaign=newsroomupdate&utm_content=20230106&utm_term=law"><span data-contrast="none">recently announced</span></a><span data-contrast="auto"> they would no longer participate. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Law school admission consultant Mike Spivey </span><a href="https://www.reuters.com/legal/legalindustry/us-news-world-report-facing-backlash-revamps-its-law-school-rankings-2023-01-02/"><span data-contrast="none">told Reuters</span></a><span data-contrast="auto"> that he expects more law schools to boycott the rankings since they will now be based on ABA data.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“The big thing is it’s all going to be public,” Spivey told the news outlet. “There’s no reason for schools to stay in.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Inside Higher Ed </span><a href="https://www.insidehighered.com/admissions/article/2023/01/09/us-news-changes-approach-law-school-rankings"><span data-contrast="none">shared a statement from</span></a><span data-contrast="auto"> Yale Law Dean Heather K. Gerken that said “having a window into the operations and decision-making process at U.S. News in recent weeks has only cemented our decision to stop participating in the rankings.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The </span><a href="https://www.insidehighered.com/admissions/article/2023/01/09/us-news-changes-approach-law-school-rankings"><span data-contrast="none">outlet also quoted</span></a><span data-contrast="auto"> Megan Carpenter, Dean of the University of New Hampshire’s Franklin Pierce School of Law, who said in a statement that the announcement was “too little, too late, and too vague.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“We should be very concerned that the conversation about the diminished credibility and legitimacy of the U.S. News ranking, initiated by the 20-plus law schools including UNH Franklin Pierce, simply devolves into an exercise about tweaking their monolithic formula,” Carter said. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><em>Staying up to date on issues impacting the legal profession is vital to your success. </em><a href="https://www.2civility.org/subscribe/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Subscribe here</em></a><em> to get the Commission’s weekly news delivered to your inbox.</em></p>
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<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.2civility.org/us-news-world-report-amends-law-school-rankings-amid-boycott/">U.S. News &#038; World Report Amends Law School Rankings Amid Boycott</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.2civility.org">2Civility</a>.</p>


<p>U.S. News &#038; World Report said it will amend the methodology used in its ranking of best U.S. law schools after several law schools cited concerns with its criteria.  </p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.2civility.org/us-news-world-report-amends-law-school-rankings-amid-boycott/">U.S. News &#038; World Report Amends Law School Rankings Amid Boycott</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.2civility.org">2Civility</a>.</p>


U.S. News &#038; World Report Amends Law School Rankings Amid Boycott


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							<p>Growing up as a Black girl with a multiracial heritage in central Illinois in the 1980s, race often played a role in my experiences. And in those moments, I felt a sense of otherness.</p>
<figure id="attachment_23108" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-23108" style="width: 225px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-23108 size-medium" src="https://www.2civility.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/JRL-1st-grade-pic-225x300.jpg" alt="Julia Roundtree Livingston in first grade" width="225" height="300" srcset="http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/JRL-1st-grade-pic-225x300.jpg 225w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/JRL-1st-grade-pic-768x1024.jpg 768w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/JRL-1st-grade-pic-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/JRL-1st-grade-pic-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/JRL-1st-grade-pic-scaled.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-23108" class="wp-caption-text"><em>Julia Roundtree Livingston in first grade</em></figcaption></figure>
<p>Whether I was the only brown face in my school, on my extracurricular teams, or in my church, I was hyperaware of racial differences.</p>
<p>I was not the only one who would define my differences; my classmates regularly pointed them out in my appearance—brown skin and protective hairstyles (often braids)&#8211;which was starkly different as compared to theirs.</p>
<p>Like other children, I was often uncomfortable discussing how my background was different. However, as I grew older, I practiced and slowly became more at home talking about race and diversity. But although my confidence grew, I noticed that this was not always the case for others. This bothered me.</p>
<p>So, early on, I aspired to become a positive voice who helped others understand and become comfortable with diversity and inclusion in all of the spaces I occupied. And I have been inspired by that same mission in my career, whether it was in higher education or with CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) in the Illinois courts.</p>
<h3><strong>Creating spaces of inclusion </strong></h3>
<p>My passion for the acquisition of knowledge and desire for discourse led me to teaching positions at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Florida State University, and Richland Community College.</p>
<p>I loved being in classrooms where my peers were committed to reading about, discussing civilly, and even disagreeing about the unique human experience.</p>
<p>As a result, I have sought to recreate the qualities I admired about my jobs in academia – the open-mindedness, inquiry, validation, and celebrations of difference &#8212; in every role I have served in after.</p>
<p>In my estimation, these qualities provide the best chance of creating a healthy and productive work environment. An environment much like what the Commission on Professionalism promotes, where lawyers and judges deliver essential services while respecting the unique value that their clients, coworkers, and opposing counsel offer.</p>
<h3><strong>The art of disagreement</strong></h3>
<p>Teaching in higher education, I quickly learned that the art of civil disagreement is not innate. My students had conflicting mindsets about how to effectively frame an argument and myriad lived experiences to support these discussions.</p>
<p>Helping these students understand and practice civil discourse became a primary goal in my classroom. As a professor of English, I wanted to teach these students that words matter and a well-informed, open, and civil approach was the most effective way to participate in an argument.</p>
<p>I saw firsthand that students who promoted their ideas only to win an argument were much less fruitful than those who communicated to listen, learn, and understand.</p>
<p>In much the same manner, the work of the Commission on Professionalism begs us to be critical thinkers. As individuals who work within or support our legal system, it is our responsibility to discuss tough topics like inclusive workplaces, cultural competency, and implicit bias.</p>
<p>And we must consider how embracing other points of view will provide value to clients – or potential clients &#8212;  from backgrounds that are different from ours.</p>
<h3><strong>My introduction to the courts  </strong></h3>
<p>After my time in higher education, I gravitated toward the nonprofit world. I was appointed as Director of Development at Macon County CASA and was later named Executive Director.</p>
<p>I seek to do good in the spaces that I love. CASA was a wonderful transition because it allowed me to help the Macon County community in which I was born and raised.</p>
<p>At CASA, I oversaw a roster of dedicated volunteers and staff who served as a voice in the court system for approximately 450 children (annually) in foster care in Macon &amp; DeWitt Counties. This work exposed me to the structures and practices of our judicial system.</p>
<figure id="attachment_23109" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-23109" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-23109 size-large" src="https://www.2civility.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/JRL-in-CASA-training-1024x538.webp" alt="Julia Roundtree Livingston conducting a CASA training" width="640" height="336" srcset="http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/JRL-in-CASA-training-1024x538.webp 1024w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/JRL-in-CASA-training-300x158.webp 300w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/JRL-in-CASA-training-768x403.webp 768w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/JRL-in-CASA-training.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-23109" class="wp-caption-text"><em>Julia Roundtree Livingston conducting a CASA training</em></figcaption></figure>
<p>As CASA advocates, we navigated the often contentious interactions between the parents (both biological and foster), caseworkers, lawyers, and anyone else involved in the child’s life, who often didn’t agree on the best next step.</p>
<p>We then made recommendations to the juvenile advocacy (JA) judge based on the facts found in our visits and our interactions with the child victims.</p>
<p>Hands-on training of the volunteer advocates was essential to our operations, and we worked closely with the JA judges and the guardian ad litem (GAL) attorneys to ensure our volunteers were prepared to handle the emotional challenges of working with the victims and the procedural challenges of the court system.</p>
<p>A big part of this was cultural competency. The CASA staff worked to ensure that our volunteers were well-prepared to embrace the different cultures and lived experiences of the child victims, including socioeconomic, racial, cultural, religious, sexual orientation, and more.</p>
<p>We also worked to identify biases that may prevent them from unfairly reacting to their assigned children, their families, and their circumstances.</p>
<p>Through my role, I gained a unique understanding of our justice system, and the challenges of those using and working within it, especially the most vulnerable and traditionally excluded.</p>
<p>I was fortunate to forge strong relationships with members of the bench and bar, regularly communicating with legal and judicial professionals about CASA’s capabilities while also presenting to the Decatur Bar Association on our work.</p>
<h3><strong>Community conversations spark action</strong></h3>
<p>As a lifelong advocate for embracing growth and tough conversations, I recognize that not everyone is comfortable talking about DEI.</p>
<p>My goal has always been to meet people where they are. Effective conversations come from an ability to provide a sense of comfort to all involved and an acknowledgment of the differing realities of each other’s lives.</p>
<p>In my community and throughout Illinois, I have committed to entering these difficult but necessary conversations when I have the chance.</p>
<p>I have participated in community conversations on diversity through my membership on the DDELT (Diversity &amp; Equity Leadership Team) for Maroa-Forsyth School District in Central Illinois, the SJR47 (Senate Joint Resolution) State of Illinois CASA/Children Advocacy Centers Task Force, the CWAC (Child Welfare Advisory Committee) on Racial Equity, and the Illinois CASA Equity Task Force.</p>
<p>I do not believe that just one person or just a few people can be the voice for all diverse communities. Many of us in underrepresented communities carry a personal weight into conversations on DEI.</p>
<p>While I am honored to participate in such conversations, the obligation of the task also creates an emotional weight as each of our voices are different.</p>
<p>I have also been the creator of community conversations. In May 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and while much racial unrest was ensuing, I sought to help my community begin fruitful and educated conversations on racial differences. With an English literature background, my instinct was to create a book club focused on racial discourse.</p>
<figure id="attachment_23110" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-23110" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-23110 size-large" src="https://www.2civility.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/book-club-pic-1024x498.jpg" alt="Julia Roundtree Livingston's book club" width="640" height="311" srcset="http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/book-club-pic-1024x498.jpg 1024w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/book-club-pic-300x146.jpg 300w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/book-club-pic-768x373.jpg 768w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/book-club-pic.jpg 1080w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-23110" class="wp-caption-text"><em>Julia Roundtree Livingston&#8217;s book club</em></figcaption></figure>
<p>With the help of the Community Foundation of Macon County and the United Way of Decatur &amp; Mid-Illinois, my virtual book club “<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/493743551338575">Discourse on Racial Difference:  A Macon County IL Book Club</a>” quickly grew to over 600 statewide members. Together, we committed to listen, learn, inquire, and challenge our understanding of diversity.</p>
<h3><strong>Promoting DEI in the legal profession</strong></h3>
<p>Throughout my career, each experience has afforded me a strong foundation for the work I will take on at the Commission on Professionalism: leading the Commission’s education and advocacy initiatives aimed at promoting DEI in Illinois’ legal and justice systems.</p>
<p>Here are some themes that motivate me:</p>
<ol>
<li>Education in DEI is ongoing and should be consistent.</li>
<li>Every individual needs to work on adopting a DEI lens daily. Whether you are a member of an underrepresented population or part of the majority, we all must put in the work.</li>
<li>Inclusion matters and it is important to commit as a legal community to have tough conversations—and then to take action to make a change.</li>
</ol>
<p>The work of the Commission on Professionalism is intentional, as outlined in Illinois Supreme Court <a href="https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/4aca854c-1934-402b-995c-9b0f5e0f528c/Rule%20799.pdf">Rule 799</a>.</p>
<p>I invite all Illinois attorneys to seek out the Commission’s contributions to fostering DEI in the legal profession in the form of our <a href="https://www.2civility.org/news-updates/">blogs</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/2CivilityOrg">social media</a>, <a href="https://www.2civility.org/education-cle/free-online-cle/">CLEs</a> (both online and presentations<a href="https://www.2civility.org/mentoring/">), mentoring program</a>, and <a href="https://thefutureisnow.2civility.org/">The Future Is Now: Legal Services</a> conference.</p>
<p>I am eager to put my experience—teaching in higher education, leading CASA in the courts, and steering community-based DEI work—to work in support of a more diverse and inclusive legal profession.</p>
<p><em>Staying up to date on issues impacting the legal profession is vital to your success. </em><a href="https://www.2civility.org/subscribe/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Subscribe here</em></a><em> to get the Commission’s weekly news delivered to your inbox.</em></p>
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<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.2civility.org/meet-our-dei-manager-julia-roundtree-livingston/">Meet Our DEI Manager Julia Roundtree Livingston—Educator, Advocate, and Community Leader</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.2civility.org">2Civility</a>.</p>


Growing up as a Black girl with a multiracial heritage in central Illinois in the 1980s, race often played a role in my experiences. And in those moments, I felt a sense of otherness. 
The post Meet Our DEI Manager Julia Roundtree Livingston—Educator, Advocate, and Community Leader appeared first on 2Civility.

Meet Our DEI Manager Julia Roundtree Livingston—Educator, Advocate, and Community Leader


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							<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-22875 size-large" src="https://www.2civility.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/FutureisNow-Logo-2023-full-01-1024x499.png" alt="The Future Is Now 2023" width="640" height="312" srcset="http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/FutureisNow-Logo-2023-full-01-1024x499.png 1024w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/FutureisNow-Logo-2023-full-01-300x146.png 300w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/FutureisNow-Logo-2023-full-01-768x374.png 768w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/FutureisNow-Logo-2023-full-01-1536x748.png 1536w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/FutureisNow-Logo-2023-full-01-2048x998.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /></p>
<p>The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism is pleased to announce that <a href="https://hopin.com/events/the-future-is-now-legal-services-63ae4e10-89c6-4634-84df-4389114d0339">registration is open</a> for its seventh annual The Future Is Now: Legal Services conference. The conference will be held virtually from 12 – 4:20 p.m. CDT on Thursday, April 20, 2023.</p>
<p>Early bird pricing of $30 per ticket will be available through Wednesday, March 15, when the price will increase to $50 per ticket.</p>
<p>The Future Is Now will explore the intersection of legal innovation and professionalism through the lens of delivering legal services to today’s consumers.</p>
<p>Conference speakers will discuss how to prioritize the principles of professionalism—including civility; legal innovation; access to justice; well-being; diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI); and more—and why they matter for the effective delivery of legal services.</p>
<p>The conference will kick off with featured speaker Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis. Chief Justice Theis will be followed by TED-like talks and interactive town hall discussions from legal industry thought leaders including:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Mark Britton</strong>, <strong><em>Advisor to Clio, Clearbrief, and Tangibly; Founder of Avvo.com</em>.</strong> Britton will discuss how to build a client-centered business model that enables attorneys to address the overwhelming number of legal problems that go unmet. (<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/markbritton/">More info</a>)</li>
<li><strong>Nkoyo-Ene Effiong Lewis<em>, Director of Law Practice Management Program, State Bar of Georgia</em></strong>. Effiong Lewis will speak on how lawyers can more effectively serve clients and build their practices by embracing cultural differences and increasing their cultural competency. (<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nkoyoeneeffiong/">More info</a>)</li>
<li><strong>Kara Hardin, <em>Chief Executive Officer, The Practice Lab. </em></strong>Hardin will teach attorneys how to advocate for their mental health and well-being at work, why the “Performance Paradox” impedes legal practice, and how system-based interventions (like trauma-informed lawyering) can promote attorney wellness and overall success. (<a href="https://www.karahardin.com/">More info</a>)</li>
</ul>
<p>Additional speakers will be announced later this month.</p>
<p>An optional “Continue the Conversation” session will be held after the conference from 4:20 – 4:50 p.m. CDT, providing attendees with another opportunity to discuss the topics of the day with fellow participants.</p>
<p>If you are a student or are in need of financial accommodation, please contact Chelsea Woodmansee at <a href="mailto:chelsea.woodmansee@2civility.org">chelsea.woodmansee@2civility.org</a> for a promotional code.</p>
<p><em>Attendees are eligible to receive 4.0 hours of professional responsibility CLE credit, including 1.0 hour of diversity and inclusion CLE credit and 1.0 hour of mental health and substance abuse CLE credit.</em></p>
<p><a class="btn" href="https://hopin.com/events/the-future-is-now-legal-services-63ae4e10-89c6-4634-84df-4389114d0339/">Register Here</a></p>
<h3>About the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism</h3>
<p>The Illinois Supreme Court established the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism in 2005 under Supreme Court Rule 799(c) to foster increased civility, professionalism, and inclusiveness among lawyers and judges in Illinois. By advancing the highest standards of conduct among lawyers and judges, the Commission on Professionalism works to better serve clients and society alike. For more information, please visit <a href="http://2civility.org/">2Civility.org</a> and follow us on <a href="https://twitter.com/2CivilityOrg">Twitter @2CivilityOrg</a>.</p>
<h3>Press Contact</h3>
<p>Laura Bagby, Communications Director<br />
312-363-6209<br />
laura.bagby@2civility.org</p>
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<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.2civility.org/commission-on-professionalism-opens-early-bird-registration-for-2023-fin/">Commission on Professionalism Opens Early Bird Registration for 2023 Future Is Now: Legal Services Conference</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.2civility.org">2Civility</a>.</p>


The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism is pleased to announce that registration is open for its seventh annual The Future Is Now: Legal Services conference. The conference will be held virtually from 12 – 4:15 p.m. CDT on Thursday, April 20, 2023.
The post Commission on Professionalism Opens Early Bird Registration for 2023 Future Is Now: Legal Services Conference appeared first on 2Civility.

Commission on Professionalism Opens Early Bird Registration for 2023 Future Is Now: Legal Services Conference


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<p>Despite increased representation of women, people of color, and those who identify as LGBTQ among associates, progress for Black and Latina partners remains “excruciatingly slow,” according to the <a href="https://www.nalp.org/uploads/Research/2022NALPReportonDiversity_Final.pdf">NALP 2022 Report on Diversity in Law Firms</a>.</p>
<p>Black and Latina women each accounted for less than 1% of all partners in 2022, increasing by less than 0.1 percentage point from 2021.</p>
<p>Conversely, women in general now make up nearly half of all associates and summer associates.</p>
<p>Over the 30 years that NALP has collected data, the representation of people of color at the partner level has increased by less than 10 percentage points and women by less than 16 points, meaning gender and racial parity is unlikely to occur within another 30 years, the report said.</p>
<p>Overall, white men continue to dominate the partner level.</p>
<p>“While the legal industry continues to make measurable gains in the representation of women, people of color, and LGBTQ individuals in the associate and summer associate ranks, it is equally clear that law firm leaders have failed to do the work necessary to break down the systemic barriers that prevent these individuals from joining them in the ranks of partnership,” said Nikia L. Gray, Executive Director of NALP, in the introduction to the report.</p>
<h3><strong>Diversity in law firms increases below the partner level </strong></h3>
<p>Most of the changes in diversity in law firms happened below the partner level. In addition to the continued diversification of summer associates and associates, the percentage of lawyers who are women of color rose above 10% for the first time.</p>
<p>Black associates saw the largest increase in representation by race/ethnicity among associates over the last year, rising by more than half of a percentage point to 5.77% of all associates; Black summer associates increased by 0.7 percentage points to 11.85% of all summer associates.</p>
<p>The percentage of LGBTQ lawyers overall grew by half of a percentage point from 2021 to 2022, the largest year-over-year increase since NALP began tracking these data. LGBTQ summer associates continued to grow by nearly 1 percentage point to 9.37%.</p>
<p>However, only 22.6% of equity partners were women and only 9% were people of color.</p>
<p>This finding is true of firms of all sizes and jurisdictions, though diversity is slightly more prevalent among non-equity partners.</p>
<p>Among all partners, just 4% are women of color.</p>
<p>“By any measure, such abysmal progress is a failure and suggests that little work has been done to examine and change the exclusionary practices that create inequalities and close the partnership ranks to non-Caucasian, non-cisgender male, non-heterosexual lawyers,” Gray said.</p>
<p>However, the report also said that the growing number of women and people of color among summer associates suggests that law firms should see similar diversity increases at upper levels in the coming years, should they retain those lawyers.</p>
<h3><strong>LGBTQ representation reaches new heights</strong></h3>
<p>Representation of LGBTQ lawyers is at its highest level ever and continuing to climb.</p>
<p>Overall, 4.17% of all lawyers identified as LGBTQ. The almost 5 percentage point increase in diversity among summer associates since 2017 suggests that there is still the potential for additional growth in the presence of LGBTQ associates at these firms, the report said.</p>
<p>Representation of LGBTQ lawyers differs significantly by geographic location and firm size, though. Almost half of all LGBTQ lawyers were working in New York City, Washington, DC, Boston, or San Francisco and firms of 101-250 lawyers reported the highest share of LGBTQ summer associates in 2022.</p>
<h3><strong>About the NALP 2022 Report on Diversity in Law Firms</strong></h3>
<p>The report is based on information from the 2022-2023 NALP Directory of Legal Employers (NDLE).</p>
<p>The NDLE is a research database of legal employers—including law firms, government agencies, public interest organizations, and corporations—throughout the United States. The NALP Directory provides specific information on lawyer demographics, practice areas, compensation and benefits, diversity and inclusion practices, and other information about legal employers.</p>
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<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.2civility.org/little-progress-for-black-and-latina-lawyers-at-the-partner-level-according-to-nalp/">Little Progress for Black and Latina Lawyers at the Partner Level, According to NALP</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.2civility.org">2Civility</a>.</p>


Despite increased representation of women, people of color, and those who identify as LGBTQ among associates, progress for Black and Latina partners remains “excruciatingly slow,” according to the NALP 2022 Report on Diversity in Law Firms.
The post Little Progress for Black and Latina Lawyers at the Partner Level, According to NALP appeared first on 2Civility.

Little Progress for Black and Latina Lawyers at the Partner Level, According to NALP


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							<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-23138" src="https://www.2civility.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Edit-P1200454-1024x768.jpg" alt="mark palmer at courthouse professionalism training" width="640" height="480" srcset="http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Edit-P1200454-1024x768.jpg 1024w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Edit-P1200454-300x225.jpg 300w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Edit-P1200454-768x576.jpg 768w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Edit-P1200454.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /></p>
<p>The courthouse is not just a building, it is a critical component of the legal system and a vital public service. It serves as a central hub for the administration of justice in communities and plays a vital role in safeguarding the rights of individuals.</p>
<p>Beyond its bricks and mortar, a courthouse is a place where people can receive legal assistance, resolve disputes, and access justice. However, access to these services can be impeded if they are not administered civilly, effectively, and professionally.</p>
<p>Our sister organization, the Access to Justice Division of the Illinois Courts, has joined us since 2019 to expand the training’s content and purpose.</p>
<h3><strong>Walking in the shoes of court patrons</strong></h3>
<p>The Courthouse Professionalism Training brings together people from every segment of the courthouse working community – a feat we hear is not done often – including judges, attorneys, courthouse security personnel, public defenders, state’s attorneys, clerks, court reporters, and other stakeholders involved in the administration of justice.</p>
<p>Training leaders then ask participants to navigate the courthouse experience through the lens of courthouse patrons for an afternoon. Participants consider whether their daily actions and interactions with patrons are supporting or standing in the way of patrons accessing our justice system, whether they are self-represented litigants, witnesses, victims, family members, or otherwise.</p>
<p>The goal is for those who work in and around the courthouse to understand and appreciate the perspective of court patrons, so they can provide excellent service to all visitors.</p>
<h3><strong>Professionalism and access to justice </strong></h3>
<p>The importance of professionalism cannot be overstated in the courthouse. All staff, including judges, lawyers, clerks, and court security must always conduct themselves in a professional and ethical manner. This includes upholding the principles of impartiality, integrity, and respect for the rule of law.</p>
<p>Courthouse staff must be well-informed, friendly, and helpful, and able to respond to inquiries in a timely and respectful manner. They should also provide visitors with clear and accurate information, including directions, hours of operation, and the procedures for accessing court services.</p>
<p>Soft skills, including strong listening skills, are essential in providing responsive service. This means being attentive to court patrons, understanding their needs and concerns, and responding in a manner that is respectful and empathetic, especially in light of the highly stressful environment of the courthouse.</p>
<p>Overall, listening skills are critical in resolving disputes, mediating conflicts, and providing legal services in a fair and impartial manner.</p>
<h3><strong>Developing professionalism skills</strong></h3>
<p>Delivering the services of the courthouse with civility and professionalism is essential for building public trust in the justice system. During the Courthouse Professionalism Training, participants from all sectors of the courthouse working community talk about the systematic challenges they face in completing their daily tasks, interacting with the public, and serving as the face of the justice system. Many are surprised by the challenges that people from other areas of the courthouse community face and frequently offer solutions and support.</p>
<p>Our team then takes the challenges and perspectives discussed and delivers strategies to improve the courthouse patrons’ experience and strengthen courthouse professionalism.</p>
<p>Professionalism also means that courthouse staff must be knowledgeable about the court’s procedures and processes and able to explain them to the public clearly and concisely.</p>
<p>Another unique part of the training is led by the Access to Justice Division of the Illinois Courts, which helps participants differentiate between what is considered legal information or legal advice, engaging them through scenarios and reviewing the Court handout <a href="https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/ac9f2fcf-00dd-483d-9d28-1615f80e72d4/Deskcard-Info_to_Patrons.pdf">What Information Can I Provide to Court Patrons?</a></p>
<p>The Commission looks forward to continuing to facilitate this training throughout the Land of Lincoln. We hope it continues to support the work of our courts in delivering effective justice and building the public’s confidence in the legal system.</p>
<p>Feel free to contact us at mail@2civility.org if you would like to learn more about the program or bring it to your local courthouse.</p>
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The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism has brought our Courthouse Professionalism Training to courthouses across Illinois since 2015. Our sister organization, the Access to Justice Division of the Illinois Courts, has joined us since 2019 to expand the training’s content and purpose.
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Advancing Professionalism and Access to Justice in Illinois’ Courts


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<p>The ABA Standing Committee on Professionalism is accepting nominations for its annual E. Smythe Gambrell Professionalism Awards.</p>
<p>The awards are given to “exemplary, innovative, and on-going professionalism programs established by law schools, bar associations, courts and other not-for-profit legal organizations that help ensure the maintenance of the highest principles of integrity and dedication to the legal profession and the public.”</p>
<p>Eligible programs include those that enhance civility, access to justice, well-being, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Standing Committee will award $3,500 each to winner.</p>
<p>“The ABA Standing Committee on Professionalism is pleased to recognize programs that are helping to foster the highest principles of professionalism in the legal community,” said Stephanie Villinski, Deputy Director of the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism and Chair of the ABA Standing Committee on Professionalism. “We hope that you will consider nominating a professionalism project or program that is working to promote the ideals of the legal profession in support of the delivery of justice.”</p>
<p><strong><em>Nominations </em></strong><a href="https://www.americanbar.org/groups/professional_responsibility/initiatives_awards/awards/gambrellaward/"><strong><em>are open</em></strong></a><strong><em> until March 31, 2023.</em></strong></p>
<h3><strong>Past Gambrell Professionalism Award Winners</strong></h3>
<p>Named for E. Smythe Gambrell, President of the ABA and American Bar Foundation from 1955 to 1956 and founder of the Legal Aid Society in Atlanta, the Gambrell Professionalism Awards have honored recipients for more than 30 years.</p>
<p>In 2022, the Standing Committee granted the following awards:</p>
<ul>
<li>Texas A&amp;M University School of Law’s Professional Identity Course, which “emphasizes core lawyering values, the self-directed development of interpersonal competencies critical to effective law practice, and the importance of well-being.”</li>
<li>Baylor Law School’s multi-part Leadership Development Program, which emphasizes that lawyers have a “special obligation to their clients and society to act with honesty, integrity, and civility in all matters.”</li>
<li>The University of Mississippi School of Law’s Student Wellness Program, which was built around research supporting recommendations from the ABA National Task Force on Lawyer Well-Being and the principles of the ABA Well-Being Campaign and Pledge. The program promotes healthy habits and lifestyles for students beginning as 1Ls and communicates the relationship between wellness and professionalism.</li>
</ul>
<h3><strong>How to apply</strong></h3>
<p>To qualify, the program must be ongoing, easily replicated, and operational for at least one year prior to the submission deadline. Previous winners are ineligible.</p>
<p>Submitted nominations are maintained and will be considered for two years: the award year of submission and the following award year.</p>
<p>For more information and to submit an application, visit <a href="https://www.americanbar.org/groups/professional_responsibility/initiatives_awards/awards/gambrellaward/">the ABA’s website</a>.</p>
<p>Please contact Briana Morris at <a href="mailto:briana.morris@americanbar.org">briana.morris@americanbar.org</a> with any questions.</p>
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<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.2civility.org/nominations-are-open-for-the-aba-gambrell-professionalism-awards/">Nominations are Open for the ABA’s Gambrell Professionalism Awards</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.2civility.org">2Civility</a>.</p>


The ABA Standing Committee on Professionalism is accepting nominations for its annual E. Smythe Gambrell Professionalism Awards. Nominations are open until March 31, 2023.
The post Nominations are Open for the ABA’s Gambrell Professionalism Awards appeared first on 2Civility.

Nominations are Open for the ABA’s Gambrell Professionalism Awards


<div id="custom-general-copy-block_6e9436cc733d948298ee94db89aa4be4" class="block general_copy background-default block-custom-general-copy alignfull pt-default pb-default">
							
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							<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignright wp-image-23152 size-medium" src="https://www.2civility.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Justice-Elizabeth-M.-Rochford--237x300.jpg" alt="" width="237" height="300" />The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism is pleased to announce that Justice Elizabeth M. Rochford has been appointed as its Supreme Court Liaison. Justice Rochford assumes the role from Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis, who was sworn in as Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice in November 2022.</p>
<p>“The Commission on Professionalism plays an essential role in the administration of justice in Illinois, promoting a culture of civility and inclusion among the state’s legal professionals to foster equitable, efficient, and effective resolution of problems,” said Justice Rochford. “I look forward to working with the Commissioners and Commission staff to advance the ideals of professionalism among Illinois’ lawyers and judges.”</p>
<p>As Supreme Court Liaison, Justice Rochford will oversee the collaboration between the work of the Commission and the Illinois Supreme Court.</p>
<p>“Throughout her career, Justice Rochford has been a leader in issues of professionalism, including ensuring access to justice for groups often neglected by our legal system, fostering diversity in the legal profession, and combatting bias in the courts,” said Martin Sinclair, Chair of the Commission on Professionalism. “We welcome Justice Rochford as our Supreme Court Liaison and look forward to her guidance as we promote professionalism in Illinois’ legal and judicial systems to ensure equitable, efficient, and effective resolution of problems.”</p>
<p>Justice Rochford was elected to the Illinois Supreme Court from the Second Judicial District in 2022. She was appointed as Associate Judge of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit, Lake County, Illinois, in 2012, where she was assigned to criminal matters, family law matters and in probate presiding over decedent’s estates and guardianships of minors and disabled adults.</p>
<p>In response to the Illinois Supreme Court’s Access to Justice mandate, Judge Rochford took the lead in developing and initially presiding over a courtroom dedicated to Self-Represented Litigants in family law.</p>
<p>Before being appointed to the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit, Justice Rochford was an Administrative Law Hearing Officer for Illinois municipalities including Lincolnwood, Skokie, Morton Grove, and Glenview, a Commissioner of the Court of Claims, a solo practitioner in trust and estates and real estate, and Assistant State’s Attorney. She also served as an Adjunct Professor of English for the City Colleges of Chicago.</p>
<p>Justice Rochford has been active in the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA), including serving on the Board of Governors from 2013 – 2022 and as a member of numerous committees and section councils, including Women and the Law, Bench and Bar, Trusts and Estates, and Mental Health. She also served on the Task Force on Lawyers Feeding Illinois (LFI) and was Chair of the LFI kick-off at the 2012 Mid-Year Meeting.</p>
<p>In addition, Justice Rochford has served as President of the Lake County Bar Association (LCBA) and Chair of the Community Outreach Committee, the Trusts and Estates Committee, and the Real Estate Committee.</p>
<p>She was President of the Illinois Judges Foundation (IJF) and is currently Secretary of the Illinois Judges Association (IJA), where she is a former co-editor and regular contributor to the IJA’s publication “The Gavel.”</p>
<p>Justice Rochford is an active volunteer for many organizations including as Co-Chair of the IJA’s “Paging It Forward” literacy initiative, the IJF’s Literacy Initiative, the LCBA Guardianship Help Desk, Volunteer Mediator, the Loan Modification Assistance Program, Volunteer Estate Planners, The People’s Law School, Lawyers in the Classroom, and others.</p>
<p>She has received the ISBA Woman of Influence Award, the IJA Presidential Service Award, the LCBA Access to Justice Award, the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Liberty Bell Award, the Outstanding Diversity Leader Award from the Diversity Scholarship Foundation, and the LCBA Leadership Service Award, among others.</p>
<p>Justice Rochford received her Juris Doctor degree from Loyola University School of Law in Chicago and her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Loyola University of Chicago.</p>
<h3>About the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism</h3>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The Illinois Supreme Court established the Commission on Professionalism under <a href="https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/4aca854c-1934-402b-995c-9b0f5e0f528c/Rule%20799.pdf">Supreme Court Rule 799</a> to promote integrity, professionalism, and civility among the lawyers and judges of Illinois, to foster a commitment to the elimination of bias and divisiveness within the legal and judicial systems, and to ensure those systems provide equitable, effective, and efficient resolution of problems for the people of Illinois.</p>
<p>The Commission achieves this mission through professional responsibility CLE, lawyer-to-lawyer mentoring, legal professionalism programming, educational resources, and more. To learn more, visit <a href="http://www.2civility.org/">2Civility.org</a> and follow us on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/2CivilityOrg">@2CivilityOrg</a>.</p>
<h3>Press Contact</h3>
<p>Laura Bagby, Communications Director<br />
312-363-6209<br />
laura.bagby@2civility.org</p>
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<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.2civility.org/commission-welcomes-justice-elizabeth-rochford-as-illinois-supreme-court-liaison/">Commission Welcomes Justice Elizabeth Rochford as Illinois Supreme Court Liaison</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.2civility.org">2Civility</a>.</p>


The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism is pleased to announce that Justice Elizabeth M. Rochford has been appointed as its Supreme Court Liaison. Justice Rochford assumes the role from Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis, who was sworn in as Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice in November 2022.
The post Commission Welcomes Justice Elizabeth Rochford as Illinois Supreme Court Liaison appeared first on 2Civility.

Commission Welcomes Justice Elizabeth Rochford as Illinois Supreme Court Liaison


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							<figure id="attachment_23155" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-23155" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-23155 size-large" src="https://www.2civility.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/027A-MikvaLaurie-080322-1024x682.jpg" alt="CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 03: Laurie Mikva, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law Director, Clinical Assistant Professor of Law photographed on Wednesday, August 3, 2022 on the Chicago campus of Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois." width="640" height="426" srcset="http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/027A-MikvaLaurie-080322-1024x682.jpg 1024w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/027A-MikvaLaurie-080322-300x200.jpg 300w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/027A-MikvaLaurie-080322-768x511.jpg 768w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/027A-MikvaLaurie-080322-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/027A-MikvaLaurie-080322-2048x1363.jpg 2048w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/027A-MikvaLaurie-080322-469x312.jpg 469w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-23155" class="wp-caption-text"><center><i>Photo credit: Randy Belice for Northwestern University</i></center></figcaption></figure>
<p>Our <a href="https://www.2civility.org/news-updates/?_categories=lawyer-spotlight-media">Lawyer Spotlight series</a> highlights Illinois lawyers who are demonstrating the ideals of professionalism in their daily lives.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.law.northwestern.edu/faculty/profiles/LaurieMikva/">Laurie Mikva</a> is a clinical professor and the Director of the Tenant Advocacy Clinic at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law.</p>
<p>Previously, she worked in Champaign County as a family law attorney at Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation and as an assistant public defender.</p>
<h3><strong>How has your practice evolved during the last few years?</strong></h3>
<p>Currently, my &#8220;clients&#8221; are both the students in my clinic and the tenants who we are representing. Thus, I have to balance the interests of the students with those of the tenants, trying to give the students the best experiential opportunities while providing the clients with the best representation.</p>
<p>I am always looking for new and better ways to teach and supervise the students. Clinical conferences and fellow clinicians have been essential in this endeavor.</p>
<p>As far as representing the tenants, we look to our partner tenant advocate organizations for the latest information on court practices, community resources, remote practice tips, etc. There is always more to learn and ways to improve the services I deliver.</p>
<h3><strong>What&#8217;s one piece of technology you could not function without?</strong></h3>
<p>I am a tech immigrant (the nice way my kids have of saying that I was born long before all of the tech advances) who finds the technology very challenging. I only cope with lots of assistance from the school&#8217;s IT folks, my students, and my children.</p>
<p>That said, having spent most of my career working with clients living in poverty, I am very excited about the many ways technology is being used to help provide access to justice to people who cannot afford a lawyer. I am so pleased that legal aid organizations are on the cutting edge of much of the tech development.</p>
<h3><strong>How do you manage your well-being? </strong></h3>
<p>Exercise is very important to me; I make sure I get a healthy dose of aerobic exercise every day.</p>
<p>Taking time off to spend with family and friends is also key to managing stress. My stress is mostly fear of letting down my students, my clients, or the courts. And I worry a lot about the income gap and justice inequality. While I have some control over the first, I feel very helpless about the second.</p>
<h3><strong>How do you remain civil in tense situations?</strong></h3>
<p>I try to avoid tense situations by being prepared and being on good terms with my adversaries and judges. When tense situations arise, I remind myself that I am a professional and that I am modeling good behavior for my students.</p>
<h3><strong>How can attorneys advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession?</strong></h3>
<p>This is every important to me. Legal academia, like legal practice, has a long way to go.</p>
<p>We are employing practices and strategies to increase diversity among the clinic faculty. We engage in self-reflection about and seek outside education on DEI. We are making a little progress but must do better. Things will not get better without thought, planning and effort.</p>
<h3><strong>What is an attorney’s role in furthering public confidence in the rule of law?</strong></h3>
<p>For me, an important factor in furthering public confidence in the rule of law is to make justice more accessible to all. Thus, attorneys have an important role in narrowing the justice gap by donating time and money to legal aid organizations.</p>
<h3><strong>If you could offer one piece of advice for young lawyers, what would it be?</strong></h3>
<p>Find the time to engage in pro bono legal work. Pro bono cases are a way to gain great experience, feel good about oneself, and promote access to justice.</p>
<h3><strong>What do you think is the biggest challenge impacting lawyers today?</strong></h3>
<p>After closing the justice gap, the biggest challenge is achieving a healthy life/work balance.</p>
<h3><strong>What do you do for fun?</strong></h3>
<p>I run, hang out with friends and family, and read fiction.</p>
<p><em style="font-size: 1.125rem;">Our Lawyer Spotlight recognizes attorneys throughout Illinois who are admired for their professionalism and civility. Check out more interviews with attorneys</em><span style="font-size: 1.125rem;"> </span><em style="font-size: 1.125rem;"><a href="https://www.2civility.org/news-updates/?_categories=lawyer-spotlight-media">here</a>.</em></p>
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<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.2civility.org/lawyer-spotlight-laurie-mikva/">Lawyer Spotlight: Laurie Mikva</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.2civility.org">2Civility</a>.</p>


Laurie Mikva is a clinical professor and the Director of the Tenant Advocacy Clinic at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law. Previously, she worked in Champaign County as a family law attorney at Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation and as an assistant public defender.
The post Lawyer Spotlight: Laurie Mikva appeared first on 2Civility.

Lawyer Spotlight: Laurie Mikva


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							<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-23160 size-medium alignright" src="https://www.2civility.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/ABA-Logo_16-300x225.png" alt="" width="300" height="225" srcset="http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/ABA-Logo_16-300x225.png 300w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/ABA-Logo_16-768x576.png 768w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/ABA-Logo_16.png 800w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>
<p>Professionalism issues were at the forefront of the American Bar Association’s 2023 (ABA) Midyear Meeting, which took place earlier this month in New Orleans.</p>
<p>More than 30 resolutions were considered, covering a myriad of topics from condemning antisemitism to guidelines regarding the use of artificial intelligence in the legal profession.</p>
<p>Notably, many of the resolutions addressed professionalism in the legal profession.</p>
<h3><strong>How the ABA Midyear Meeting works</strong></h3>
<p>As the largest voluntary association for lawyers in the world<a href="https://www.americanbar.org/about_the_aba/">, the ABA’s mission</a> is “to serve equally our members, our profession and the public by defending liberty and delivering justice as the national representative of the legal profession.”</p>
<p>Control and administration of the ABA is vested in the <a href="https://www.americanbar.org/groups/leadership/delegates/">House of Delegates</a>, the association’s policy-making body. The House is made up of 591 members, including state and local bar association delegates, former ABA officers and board members, and ABA section and division delegates.</p>
<p>The House meets twice each year—at the ABA Annual Meeting and the ABA Midyear Meeting—and debates resolutions submitted from many sources, such as ABA standing committees, forums, and commissions, and state and local bar associations.</p>
<p>Resolutions passed by the House of Delegates become official ABA policy and serve as focal points for the ABA’s advocacy efforts.</p>
<p>Many of the resolutions that were passed at the 2023 Midyear Meeting have become ABA policy impacting legal professionalism. Four such policies include:</p>
<ol>
<li>A code of judicial ethics for the justices of the U.S. Supreme Court</li>
<li>The status of law school admission tests</li>
<li>Guidance on LGBTQ-inclusive language</li>
<li>Principles to advance gender equity in the criminal legal profession.</li>
</ol>
<p><a href="https://hopin.com/events/the-future-is-now-legal-services-63ae4e10-89c6-4634-84df-4389114d0339"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-23159 size-large" src="https://www.2civility.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Hear-ABA-President-Deborah-Enix-Ross-speak-at-The-Future-Is-Now-Legal-Services-conference-on-April-20.-1024x394.png" alt="" width="640" height="246" srcset="http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Hear-ABA-President-Deborah-Enix-Ross-speak-at-The-Future-Is-Now-Legal-Services-conference-on-April-20.-1024x394.png 1024w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Hear-ABA-President-Deborah-Enix-Ross-speak-at-The-Future-Is-Now-Legal-Services-conference-on-April-20.-300x115.png 300w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Hear-ABA-President-Deborah-Enix-Ross-speak-at-The-Future-Is-Now-Legal-Services-conference-on-April-20.-768x295.png 768w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Hear-ABA-President-Deborah-Enix-Ross-speak-at-The-Future-Is-Now-Legal-Services-conference-on-April-20..png 1366w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /></a></p>
<h3><strong>1. Code of Ethics for U.S. Supreme Court Justices</strong></h3>
<p>One of the most debated policies at the ABA Midyear Meeting was a proposal for a binding code of ethics for U.S. Supreme Court justices.</p>
<p>In an associated report, the King County Bar Association in Seattle, which brought <a href="https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/house_of_delegates/2023-midyear-supplemental-materials/400-midyear-2023.pdf">Resolution 400</a> to the House, explains that while the justices consult the Code of Judicial Conduct for United States Judges and some statutes impose ethical requirements, there is no binding code of ethics for the justices of the U.S. Supreme Court.</p>
<p>And, according to the King County Bar Association, a binding code of ethics will increase the public’s faith in the impartiality and professionalism of the justice system.</p>
<p>Notably, however, the resolution did not posit the development of any sanctions should the code of ethics be violated.</p>
<p>Some members took issue with this and asked <a href="https://www.abajournal.com/web/article/resolution-400-supreme-court-justices-ethics-code">that the House postpone voting</a> on the resolution until more discussion could be had on the enforceability. Others urged action saying that the U.S. Congress is discussing the topic and it is important that the ABA has a voice in that discussion.</p>
<p>The House <a href="https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/news/2023/mym-res/400.pdf">ultimately decided</a> that the U.S. Supreme Court should adopt a binding judicial code of ethics that is similar to the Code of Conduct adopted by the Judicial Conference of the United States.</p>
<h3><strong>2. The status of law school admissions tests </strong></h3>
<p>Another resolution that led to a spirited debate was removing the LSAT or other standardized test requirements for law school admission.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/news/2023/mym-res/300.pdf">Resolution 300</a>, which was brought by the ABA’s Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar, called for cutting the test requirement in Standard 503. Both proponents and opponents argued that their position would help improve diversity in the legal profession.</p>
<p>Those in favor of cutting the test requirement said that it would lead to an increase in the diversity of applicants and admitted law students, as some data show that standardized tests may disadvantage underrepresented applicants.</p>
<p>For example, a Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) report showed that scores for Black test takers were 11 points lower than the average LSAT scores for White and Asian test takers.</p>
<p>In the absence of standardized tests, <a href="https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/news/2023/mym-res/300.pdf">alternative admissions practices</a> could be developed that do not disadvantage underrepresented applicants in the same way.</p>
<p>However, opponents argued that removing the testing requirement would decrease the diversity of the applicants and admitted law students because an objective admissions indicator would be lost.</p>
<p>Ultimately, Resolution 300 <a href="https://www.abajournal.com/web/article/admissions-test-requirement-for-aba-accredited-law-schools-remains-in-place-for-now">failed to pass</a> the House. This is the <a href="https://www.reuters.com/legal/legalindustry/aba-votes-keep-law-school-standardized-test-requirement-2023-02-06/">second time</a> in six years that this resolution has failed.</p>
<p>However, this is not the end of Resolution 300. The legal education council <a href="https://www.reuters.com/legal/legalindustry/aba-votes-keep-law-school-standardized-test-requirement-2023-02-06/">may still push</a> through the change without the House’s approval.</p>
<h3><strong>3. Using LGBTQ-inclusive language to eliminate bias</strong></h3>
<p>The New York State Bar Association brought <a href="https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/house_of_delegates/2023-midyear-supplemental-materials/401-midyear-2023.pdf">Resolution 401</a> before the House, asking it to adopt a bench card for best practices for judges for “using LGBTQ+ inclusive language and pronouns” in courtrooms.</p>
<p>The bench card demonstrates compliance with recent changes to the ethical and professional rules that govern the conduct of attorneys and judges in New York state.</p>
<p>According to the report accompanying Resolution 401,</p>
<p><em>“As an ethical matter, permitting a judge to force someone to pick an ill-fitting gender pronoun would make people feel unwelcome, distract from the adjudicative process, and undermine public confidence in the judiciary’s impartiality.”</em></p>
<p>The House adopted this resolution. An <a href="https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/house_of_delegates/2023-midyear-supplemental-materials/401-midyear-2023.pdf">example of the bench card</a> can be seen on pages 5 and 6 of the resolution report.</p>
<h3><strong>4. Improving gender equity in the criminal legal profession</strong></h3>
<p>The ABA Criminal Law Section asked the House to adopt “Ten Principles for Gender Equity” in criminal law, based on research, experience, and qualitative and quantitative data from women criminal lawyers across the country.</p>
<p>The principles were laid out in <a href="https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/directories/policy/midyear-2023/501-midyear-2023.pdf">Resolution 501</a> and included recommendations focused on workplace culture, training and mentorship programs, combatting the “flexibility stigma,” and recognizing the impact of trauma and secondary trauma.</p>
<p>The resolution was based on research by the Criminal Justice Section’s Women in Criminal Justice Task Force, which revealed the barriers to hiring, promoting, and retaining women in criminal law.</p>
<p>This resolution was <a href="https://www.abajournal.com/web/article/resolution-501-these-10-principles-will-advance-gender-equity-in-criminal-legal-profession-aba-house-says">overwhelmingly passed</a> by the House.</p>
<p><em>Staying up to date on issues impacting the legal profession is vital to your success. </em><a href="https://www.2civility.org/subscribe/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Subscribe here</em></a><em> to get the Commission’s weekly news delivered to your inbox.</em></p>
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<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.2civility.org/professionalism-takeaways-from-the-aba-midyear-meeting/">4 Professionalism Takeaways from the ABA Midyear Meeting</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.2civility.org">2Civility</a>.</p>


Professionalism issues were at the forefront of the American Bar Association’s 2023 (ABA) Midyear Meeting, which took place earlier this month in New Orleans. More than 30 resolutions were considered, covering a myriad of topics from condemning antisemitism to guidelines regarding the use of artificial intelligence in the legal profession.
The post 4 Professionalism Takeaways from the ABA Midyear Meeting appeared first on 2Civility.

4 Professionalism Takeaways from the ABA Midyear Meeting


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							<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignright wp-image-23166 size-medium" src="https://www.2civility.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/PC2_8255-e1677011026645-300x300.jpg" alt="Azam Nizamuddin" width="300" height="300" srcset="http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/PC2_8255-e1677011026645-300x300.jpg 300w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/PC2_8255-e1677011026645-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/PC2_8255-e1677011026645-150x150.jpg 150w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/PC2_8255-e1677011026645-768x768.jpg 768w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/PC2_8255-e1677011026645.jpg 1152w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>
<p>The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism is pleased to announce that the Illinois Supreme Court has appointed Azam Nizamuddin to serve as a Commissioner on the Commission on Professionalism.</p>
<p>Additionally, Heather Kroencke, Kathleen Pine, and Trisha Rich have been reappointed as Commissioners for terms ending December 31, 2025.</p>
<p>“I am excited to welcome Azam to the Commission and to continue working with Heather, Kathleen, and Trisha,” said Martin Sinclair, Chair of the Commission on Professionalism. “Azam has distinguished himself within the legal community through his involvement and leadership with bar associations and CLE presentations. Likewise, our reappointed Commissioners have made an impact throughout the state by promoting the Commission’s values of professionalism and civility through their work and conduct.”</p>
<p>Nizamuddin is a Managing Partner at Martoccio and Martoccio in Hinsdale, where he practices personal injury, real estate, and family law.</p>
<p>Before joining Martoccio and Martoccio, Nizamuddin served as a trial lawyer and litigator for 18 years for D’Ancona &amp; Pflaum, Regas, Frezados and Harp, and as a solo practitioner. He has also served as General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer of Allied Asset Advisors and NAIT.</p>
<p>Nizamuddin has been an active member of several bar associations. He is a founding member and former president of the Muslim Bar Association. He currently serves as Chair of the Appellate Law Section of the DuPage County Bar Association (DCBA), is the former Chair of the Civil Law Section of the DCBA and the former Editor in Chief of the DCBA Journal, the Brief, and has presented several CLEs on behalf of the DCBA. Nizamuddin is also a member of the Illinois State Bar Association.</p>
<p>Heather Kroencke is a partner at Zanck, Coen, Wright &amp; Saladin, PC in Crystal Lake, where she focuses her practice on estate planning, estate administration, and real estate. She has served on the Commission since 2022.</p>
<p>Kathleen Pine has more than 35 years of experience representing hospitals and physicians in medical malpractice cases in Illinois and Missouri. She was a shareholder at Sandberg Phoenix &amp; von Gontard P.C., retiring in 2022. She was appointed to the Commission in 2021.</p>
<p>Trisha Rich is a partner and Co-Chair of the Legal Profession Team in the Chicago office of Holland &amp; Knight LLP, where she practices litigation, legal ethics, and professional responsibility law. She has served on the Commission since 2017.</p>
<h3>About the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism</h3>
<p>The Illinois Supreme Court established the Commission on Professionalism under <a href="https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/4aca854c-1934-402b-995c-9b0f5e0f528c/Rule%20799.pdf">Supreme Court Rule 799</a> to promote integrity, professionalism, and civility among the lawyers and judges of Illinois, to foster a commitment to the elimination of bias and divisiveness within the legal and judicial systems, and to ensure those systems provide equitable, effective, and efficient resolution of problems for the people of Illinois.</p>
<p>The Commission achieves this mission through professional responsibility CLE, lawyer-to-lawyer mentoring, legal professionalism programming, educational resources, and more. To learn more, visit <a href="http://www.2civility.org/">2Civility.org</a> and follow us on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/2CivilityOrg">@2CivilityOrg</a>.</p>
<h3>Press Contact</h3>
<p>Marin McCall, Digital &amp; Social Media Manager<br />
312-363-6212<br />
marin.mccall@2civility.org</p>
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<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.2civility.org/azam-nizamuddin-appointed-to-the-commission-on-professionalism/">DuPage County Attorney Azam Nizamuddin Appointed to the Commission on Professionalism</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.2civility.org">2Civility</a>.</p>


The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism is pleased to announce that the Illinois Supreme Court has appointed Azam Nizamuddin to serve as a Commissioner on the Commission on Professionalism.
The post DuPage County Attorney Azam Nizamuddin Appointed to the Commission on Professionalism appeared first on 2Civility.

DuPage County Attorney Azam Nizamuddin Appointed to the Commission on Professionalism


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							<figure id="attachment_23155" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-23155" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-23155 size-large" src="https://www.2civility.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/027A-MikvaLaurie-080322-1024x682.jpg" alt="CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 03: Laurie Mikva, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law Director, Clinical Assistant Professor of Law photographed on Wednesday, August 3, 2022 on the Chicago campus of Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois." width="640" height="426" srcset="http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/027A-MikvaLaurie-080322-1024x682.jpg 1024w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/027A-MikvaLaurie-080322-300x200.jpg 300w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/027A-MikvaLaurie-080322-768x511.jpg 768w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/027A-MikvaLaurie-080322-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/027A-MikvaLaurie-080322-2048x1363.jpg 2048w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/027A-MikvaLaurie-080322-469x312.jpg 469w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-23155" class="wp-caption-text"><center><i>Photo credit: Randy Belice for Northwestern University</i></center></figcaption></figure>
<p>Our <a href="https://www.2civility.org/news-updates/?_categories=lawyer-spotlight-media">Lawyer Spotlight series</a> highlights Illinois lawyers who are demonstrating the ideals of professionalism in their daily lives.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.law.northwestern.edu/faculty/profiles/LaurieMikva/">Laurie Mikva</a> is a clinical professor and the Director of the Tenant Advocacy Clinic at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law.</p>
<p>Previously, she worked in Champaign County as a family law attorney at Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation and as an assistant public defender.</p>
<h3><strong>How has your practice evolved during the last few years?</strong></h3>
<p>Currently, my &#8220;clients&#8221; are both the students in my clinic and the tenants who we are representing. Thus, I have to balance the interests of the students with those of the tenants, trying to give the students the best experiential opportunities while providing the clients with the best representation.</p>
<p>I am always looking for new and better ways to teach and supervise the students. Clinical conferences and fellow clinicians have been essential in this endeavor.</p>
<p>As far as representing the tenants, we look to our partner tenant advocate organizations for the latest information on court practices, community resources, remote practice tips, etc. There is always more to learn and ways to improve the services I deliver.</p>
<h3><strong>What&#8217;s one piece of technology you could not function without?</strong></h3>
<p>I am a tech immigrant (the nice way my kids have of saying that I was born long before all of the tech advances) who finds the technology very challenging. I only cope with lots of assistance from the school&#8217;s IT folks, my students, and my children.</p>
<p>That said, having spent most of my career working with clients living in poverty, I am very excited about the many ways technology is being used to help provide access to justice to people who cannot afford a lawyer. I am so pleased that legal aid organizations are on the cutting edge of much of the tech development.</p>
<h3><strong>How do you manage your well-being? </strong></h3>
<p>Exercise is very important to me; I make sure I get a healthy dose of aerobic exercise every day.</p>
<p>Taking time off to spend with family and friends is also key to managing stress. My stress is mostly fear of letting down my students, my clients, or the courts. And I worry a lot about the income gap and justice inequality. While I have some control over the first, I feel very helpless about the second.</p>
<h3><strong>How do you remain civil in tense situations?</strong></h3>
<p>I try to avoid tense situations by being prepared and being on good terms with my adversaries and judges. When tense situations arise, I remind myself that I am a professional and that I am modeling good behavior for my students.</p>
<h3><strong>How can attorneys advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession?</strong></h3>
<p>This is every important to me. Legal academia, like legal practice, has a long way to go.</p>
<p>We are employing practices and strategies to increase diversity among the clinic faculty. We engage in self-reflection about and seek outside education on DEI. We are making a little progress but must do better. Things will not get better without thought, planning and effort.</p>
<h3><strong>What is an attorney’s role in furthering public confidence in the rule of law?</strong></h3>
<p>For me, an important factor in furthering public confidence in the rule of law is to make justice more accessible to all. Thus, attorneys have an important role in narrowing the justice gap by donating time and money to legal aid organizations.</p>
<h3><strong>If you could offer one piece of advice for young lawyers, what would it be?</strong></h3>
<p>Find the time to engage in pro bono legal work. Pro bono cases are a way to gain great experience, feel good about oneself, and promote access to justice.</p>
<h3><strong>What do you think is the biggest challenge impacting lawyers today?</strong></h3>
<p>After closing the justice gap, the biggest challenge is achieving a healthy life/work balance.</p>
<h3><strong>What do you do for fun?</strong></h3>
<p>I run, hang out with friends and family, and read fiction.</p>
<p><em style="font-size: 1.125rem;">Our Lawyer Spotlight recognizes attorneys throughout Illinois who are admired for their professionalism and civility. Check out more interviews with attorneys</em><span style="font-size: 1.125rem;"> </span><em style="font-size: 1.125rem;"><a href="https://www.2civility.org/news-updates/?_categories=lawyer-spotlight-media">here</a>.</em></p>
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<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.2civility.org/lawyer-spotlight-laurie-mikva/">Lawyer Spotlight: Laurie Mikva, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.2civility.org">2Civility</a>.</p>


Laurie Mikva is a clinical professor and the Director of the Tenant Advocacy Clinic at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law. Previously, she worked in Champaign County as a family law attorney at Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation and as an assistant public defender.
The post Lawyer Spotlight: Laurie Mikva, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law appeared first on 2Civility.

Lawyer Spotlight: Laurie Mikva, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law

At a time when the legal profession is struggling to become more inclusive and innovative, four of Illinois’ nine law schools are led by Black women. Their dynamic paths and approaches to leadership demonstrate how legal organizations can better reflect and represent the communities they seek to serve and how leaders can shepherd and shape institutions through periods of unprecedented change.
The post Meet the Black Women Leading Illinois Law Schools appeared first on 2Civility.

Meet the Black Women Leading Illinois Law Schools


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							<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignright wp-image-23226 size-medium" src="https://www.2civility.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Director-Marcia-M.-Meissmall-214x300.jpg" alt="" width="214" height="300" srcset="http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Director-Marcia-M.-Meissmall-214x300.jpg 214w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Director-Marcia-M.-Meissmall.jpg 350w" sizes="(max-width: 214px) 100vw, 214px" /></p>
<p>In honor of Women’s History Month, this <a href="https://www.2civility.org/news-updates/?_categories=lawyer-spotlight-media">Lawyer Spotlight series</a> highlights a remarkable woman who plays a significant leadership role in the administration of justice in Illinois.</p>
<p>Marcia M. Meis serves as the State Court Administrator and Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC). This is a constitutional position (Illinois Constitution, Article VI, sec. 16) that assists the Chief Justice with administrative duties as well as supports the Court in its supervisory authority over all Illinois courts.</p>
<p>Prior to her position with the AOIC, Marcia worked in private law practice and served as an appellate law clerk.</p>
<h3><strong>How has your practice evolved during the last few years? </strong></h3>
<p>The Illinois courts, and by extension the AOIC, have undergone a number of dramatic changes during the past few years, largely driven by the COVID-19 pandemic but also by needs around trending court user issues and their impact on what was the traditional court system.</p>
<p>For example, the pandemic prompted much more routine use of remote capabilities for court proceedings and all the technology needed to make that happen.</p>
<p>As an example of other issues, the dramatic increase in the number of self-represented litigants during the last several years has prompted more work in the realm of access to justice, including language access, standardized forms, and the creation of <a href="https://www.ilcourthelp.gov/hc/en-us">Illinois Court Help</a>.</p>
<h3><strong>How do you manage your well-being? </strong></h3>
<p>I make reasonable plans for what I want to accomplish every day. The breadth of responsibility in this position makes it hard to do this, but it is very important to just prioritize and chip away at the endless stream of issues.</p>
<p>I try to eat well and exercise every day. I am a poor sleeper, but exercise makes it a little bit better. I have tried to meditate, but I am not very good at it.</p>
<h3><strong>How do you remain civil in tense situations? </strong></h3>
<p>My interest is supporting the Supreme Court and the Judicial Branch as a whole, so that helps to keep civility paramount in my mind because my actions, and that of my staff, reflect on the Court.</p>
<p>I also routinely have to make sure I give appropriate consideration to all interests and all sides of an issue to find the best solution. This also helps with civility, because you are accustomed to meeting people where they are and working together to achieve consensus for the best outcomes.</p>
<h3><strong>How can attorneys advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession? </strong></h3>
<p>First of all, take the time to understand DEI issues and the real and persistent challenges that exist. Don’t simply approach it in a “checking the box” kind of way.</p>
<p>Hire and learn from DEI experts who have experience in this space. Review your recruitment procedures and eliminate unnecessary criteria that might rule out otherwise qualified individuals. Support education and engagement efforts to create interest in the legal profession and a pipeline to a career in the law.</p>
<h3><strong>What is an attorney’s role in furthering public confidence in the rule of law? </strong></h3>
<p>Be truthful. Disagree respectfully. Maintain decorum and respect for all in the courtroom, whether in person or remote. Be accountable to your clients and to all justice partners. Acknowledge your errors and fix them.</p>
<h3><strong>If you could offer one piece of advice for young lawyers, what would it be? </strong></h3>
<p>If you don’t really like what you are doing, take the time to explore other opportunities besides the traditional paths. There are many callings that can use your legal skill set. Court administration was never on my radar and it has turned out to be incredibly rewarding.</p>
<h3><strong>What do you think is the biggest challenge impacting lawyers today? </strong></h3>
<p>Speaking particularly from the court side of things, I would say the biggest challenge is how to keep up with the relentless pace of change, especially in the realm of technology. What traditional aspects of the legal system do we keep and what do we modernize so we can best serve the public?</p>
<h3><strong>What do you do for fun? </strong></h3>
<p>Watching my kids play sports, though there is less of that now that two of them are away at college and we have only one at home in high school.</p>
<p>I love to travel, play tennis, run, read, watch movies, do Wordle with my kids, and play with my 1-year old puppy who NEVER runs out of energy.</p>
<p><em style="font-size: 1.125rem;">Our Lawyer Spotlight recognizes attorneys throughout Illinois who are admired for their professionalism and civility. Check out more interviews with attorneys</em><span style="font-size: 1.125rem;"> </span><em style="font-size: 1.125rem;"><a href="https://www.2civility.org/news-updates/?_categories=lawyer-spotlight-media">here</a>.</em></p>
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<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.2civility.org/lawyer-spotlight-marcia-meis/">Lawyer Spotlight: Marcia Meis, AOIC</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.2civility.org">2Civility</a>.</p>


Marcia M. Meis serves as the State Court Administrator and Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC). This is a constitutional position (Illinois Constitution, Article VI, sec. 16) that assists the Chief Justice with administrative duties as well as supports the Court in its supervisory authority over all Illinois courts.
The post Lawyer Spotlight: Marcia Meis, AOIC appeared first on 2Civility.

Lawyer Spotlight: Marcia Meis, AOIC


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							<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-23217" src="https://www.2civility.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/iStock-972704268-1024x683.jpg" alt="Illinois attorney fees" width="640" height="427" srcset="http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/iStock-972704268-1024x683.jpg 1024w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/iStock-972704268-300x200.jpg 300w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/iStock-972704268-768x512.jpg 768w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/iStock-972704268-469x312.jpg 469w, http://civility.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/iStock-972704268.jpg 1254w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" />Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis recently announced amendments to Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct 1.5, titled “Fees,” and 1.15, titled “General Duties Regarding Safekeeping Property.”</p>
<p>The amendments to the rule officially recognize the common types of fee agreements, with the notable additions of:</p>
<ol>
<li>The engagement (or classic) retainer</li>
<li>The security retainer</li>
<li>The special purpose (or advance payment) retainer</li>
</ol>
<p>The amendments were made on March 1, 2023, and become effective July 1, 2023.</p>
<p>The amendments explicitly note that nonrefundable fees and nonrefundable retainers are prohibited, and “any agreement that purports to restrict a client&#8217;s right to terminate the representation or that unreasonably restricts a client&#8217;s right to obtain a refund of unearned or unreasonable fees is prohibited.”</p>
<p>The amendments also include detailed directions for record-keeping and communication with clients regarding fees.</p>
<p>The amendments to the Rules are intended to address existing issues between the legal needs of the public and the lawyers who could serve them, according to a <a href="https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/c68b2392-8509-4476-ab72-7d53dd545286/Illinois%20Supreme%20Court%20Amends%20Rules%20of%20Professional%20Conduct.pdf">press release from the Court</a>.</p>
<p>“These <a href="https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/be30ae40-c75e-4276-8b69-b0478b0b4184/030123.pdf">amendments</a> provide additional guidance for attorneys in a clear, straightforward way,” Chief Justice Theis said in the press release. “They also highlight the importance of providing affordable representation for clients and minimize the potential for fee disputes.”</p>
<h3><strong>Background of Illinois attorney fees</strong></h3>
<p>The case law that precedes these amendments goes back to <em><a href="https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/News/830/Dowling-Revisited/news-detail/#:~:text=In%20it%2C%20the%20Court%20affirmatively,and%20the%20advance%20payment%20retainer.">Dowling v. Chicago Options Associates</a></em>, in which the Illinois Supreme Court ruled that preemptive retainers used by attorneys were acceptable under specific circumstances.</p>
<p>The current iteration of the rules regarding fees incorporates clearer language and modern technology.</p>
<p>A work group of the <a href="https://www.iardc.org/">Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission</a> (ARDC) and <a href="https://ltf.org/">Lawyers Trust Fund</a> (LTF) proposed the amendments. They were then reviewed by the Supreme Court’s Committee on Professional Responsibility and approved by the Court.</p>
<h3><strong>Types of Illinois attorney fees explained </strong></h3>
<p>An engagement retainer is a fixed amount paid by a client to a lawyer to ensure a lawyer&#8217;s availability during a specified period of time or for a specified matter. This type of fee immediately becomes the property of the lawyer, regardless of whether the lawyer ever actually performs any services for the client.</p>
<p>The lawyer may receive separate compensation for the legal services actually rendered.</p>
<p>A security retainer, in contrast, is deposited in a client trust account and used for services actually rendered. The amount of money covers future services and costs the lawyer is expected to perform or incur. This type of fee must be noted as “security retainer” in written agreements.</p>
<p>Finally, a special purpose retainer is “present payment to the lawyer in exchange for the commitment to provide legal services in the future and may be used only when necessary to accomplish some purpose for the client that cannot be accomplished by using a security retainer.”</p>
<p>This type of payment requires a written agreement that notes that it is a special purpose retainer, its reasons for being used, and acknowledgment that the fee immediately becomes the property of the lawyer.</p>
<p><em>Staying up to date on issues impacting the legal profession is vital to your success. </em><a href="https://www.2civility.org/subscribe/" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Subscribe here</em></a><em> to get the Commission’s weekly news delivered to your inbox.</em></p>
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<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.2civility.org/illinois-supreme-court-rules-changes-for-illinois-attorney-fees/">Illinois Supreme Court Announces Rule Changes for Illinois Attorney Fees</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.2civility.org">2Civility</a>.</p>


Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis recently announced amendments to Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct 1.5, titled “Fees,” and 1.15, titled “General Duties Regarding Safekeeping Property.” 
The post Illinois Supreme Court Announces Rule Changes for Illinois Attorney Fees appeared first on 2Civility.

Illinois Supreme Court Announces Rule Changes for Illinois Attorney Fees

Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism