Six legal technologies that should be obsolete

The list: copiers, fax machines, dictaphones, typewriters, Blackberrys, and Windows XP.

I must confess that I rely on #1 - copiers - on a daily basis.

I also must confess that I sort of miss typewriters, or at least the process of using a typewriter to write. (Now, I do have access to a typewriter in my office - it's an IBM Selectric - to type on forms that I can't get a PDF of online). But back to the writing process: Typewriters were sort of permanent, like an early PDF. In order to use one, your thought had to be pretty complete, or you knew you'd have to edit the pages you types, and then re-type them.

I hand wrote all my exams, which made the writing process more interesting, since I couldn't use "copy, paste" to re-organize my thoughts, while other exam takers with their laptops could edit while typing. But I think the handwriting process was important: It made me write a short outline on the exam book or note paper, then fill out the outlines as I wrote. If I'm stuck now, while writing a brief or whatnot, I will still resort to writing longhand, then typing (but not on a typewriter) the notes I wrote. I know it's very old school, but the multi-step process seems to solidify my thoughts better.

Article here via the lawyerist.

Is understanding technology a lawyer's job? Or the paralegal's job?

Lawyers are often behind on technology. It's a fact.

It’s not our fault, though — law school taught us from the very beginning to focus only on the theory of law as if practical skills never existed. Just look at the bar exam and ask yourself how many times have you or anyone you have ever known ever had to challenge POTUS’s ability to appoint major Cabinet members without congressional approval? How many of you practice criminal law and live in a state that has adopted provisions of the Model Penal Code? Those are mandatory law school classes and a good portion of the MPRE and possibly essay portion of your bar exams.

On the other hand, how many times have you had to draft billing entries so they aren’t cut by the client?

Article here (via Above the Law). 

If you're an attorney and think you can "get away" with just shoving technical responsibilities onto the shoulders of your support staff, think again. The ABA has changed the Model Rules to include technical know-how as part of the attorney's job.

The importance of typing well for lawyers

I know I've been droning on and on about how note-taking is better done by hand. But this is about how to write your thoughts from what were hand written notes into something you would submit to court. Which must be done on a keyboard aka touch typing.

Article here.(via the lawyerist)

From the article:

For lawyers and anyone else who makes a living from words, the ability to type fast is an essential — not optional — skill. Unlike notetaking, which is better done by hand, one of the keys to writing well is eliminating any bottlenecks between your brain and the page.

Legal Technology: What a solo law practice needs

What does a solo law practice need, in terms of technology?

Read this article for one lawyer's opinion (via the Lawyerist). It's a fairly complete list, and covers a lot of law-specific technology needs

My office set up ideally has: 2 cell phones (I have one for work and one for non-work); a printer, a wireless connection, a laptop, some spreadsheets (I am trying to move to Quicken but haven't yet), some specific software (I bought Marginsoft's "Support 2014" to calculate child support & spousal support), and (eek!) some notebooks for tracking my time (not recommended, I know.)

Some legal "technology" that should be obsolete

Still clinging to "technology" like fax machines, and copiers? The lawyerist argues that you should let it go.

Article here.

On a personal note, I know of many typewriters being used by attorneys. And I am often asked - by courts, clients, and opposing counsel - if I have a fax (which I don't).