New and Notable - Practice Management and Technology

Online Article: Strategic Media Placement

Courthouse Libraries of BC — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 10:55:00 GMT

If you agree to be a media interview subject, consider if it’s worth your time. Thus argues lawyer and media-relations consultant Jordan Furlong in Strategic Media Placement.

Furlong asserts:

Being quoted in publications written for lawyers potentially offers your firm “recruitment and lateral hiring advantages” and may increase referrals from other lawyers. These articles, however, aren’t necessarily read outside the legal community.
News publications that are read nation-wide such as the Globe and Mail or New York Times might offer publicity over a larger area. Yet “from law firms’ point of view, 'major media mentions,' in isolation, can’t automatically be assumed to have an effect on a law firm’s brand and business development. They need to serve a purpose.”
A local media outlet may provide better exposure to your target audience, particularly in practice areas such as civil litigation or family law.
Social media is increasing in value.

Furlong concludes by advising you to “be certain why you’re doing it and what you hope to get out of it. Brand management, profile enhancement, business development, referral generation, expertise demonstration — these are all valid reasons for pursuing media exposure, but most won’t apply in every situation. Be strategic in your choice of media placement”

New Book: Finding & Managing Legal Information on the Internet

Courthouse Libraries of BC — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 14:12:00 GMT

Finding & Managing Legal Information on the Internet, by D.P. Whelan.

Presents concepts and tips that help in finding law and other related information online. Discusses web browsers, browser searching, extensions, add-ons and plug-ins, web searching, information sources, monitors and current awareness, e-mail management, research organization and retrieval, and mobile research.

Borrow this book online - we'll mail a book to you anywhere in BC, free of charge.

Check if this book is available at your courthouse library.

CLE Practice Point: HST FAQ

Courthouse Libraries of BC — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 11:21:02 GMT

Rosemary J. Anderson, Terry G. Barnett, and David D. Robertson's HST Frequently Asked Questions is now available online.

The material is from the May 11, 2010 CLE BC course Harmonized Sales Tax in BC. As of June 11, 2010, the course materials are still on order for the Vancouver Courthouse Library.

Alert: Fraud Attempts against Lawyers Becoming Increasingly Sophisticated

Courthouse Libraries of BC — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 11:20:01 GMT

A would-be fraudster is becoming increasingly sophisticated in attempts to defraud family law practitioners. The scam involves a counterfeit cheque and an exchange of emails with documents.

The Law Society of Saskatchewan has posted a file that includes the correspondence, documents, and cheque.

via Slaw (Dan Pinnington)

Online Articles: Smartphone Apps for Lawyers

Courthouse Libraries of BC — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT

CBA's National magazine has recently published the articles Top 10 iPhone Apps for Legal Practitioners and Top 10 BlackBerry Apps for Legal Practitioners.

Technology Tip: Pen that Records and Synchronizes Audio

Courthouse Libraries of BC — Wed, 19 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT

In his "Pen Envy?" post on Thoughtful Legal Management, David J. Bilinsky passes on this tip from Vancouver lawyer Richard Fowler: record witness testimony with a Livescribe PULSE recording pen (www.livescribe.com). Fowler explains:

Essentially I use the pen to make notes of a witnesses testimony and at the same time it records the oral testimony. I can then download to my laptop a copy of my handwritten notes that has the audio synchronized. I can click on any part of the handwritten notes and listen to the audio. This allows me to make sure that my notes, in crucial portions are accurate.

The judge was Madam Justice Arnold-Bailey of the Supreme Court of British Columbia, sitting in New Westminster, BC. The case is R. v. Butorac. I gave an undertaking to the court that I would not use the audio for any other purpose than for preparation and presentation in this trial. I based my request upon the practice directive which gives the media a right to record for the purposes of checking the accuracy of their stories.

Articling Offers Stay Open to Aug. 13 - Vancouver Firms

Courthouse Libraries of BC — Tue, 18 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Downtown Vancouver firms (west of Carrall Street and north of False Creek) making articling offers to first or second-year law students "must keep open all offers of articling positions they make this year until 8:00 am, Friday, August 13" (Law Society of British Columbia).

For more information contact the Law Society of BC Member Services department at 604.605.5311.

via BC Law Watch Blog.

Smart Marketing Moves If a Law Firm Client Merges or Dissolves - Online Article

Courthouse Libraries of BC — Fri, 14 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT

In "Smart Marketing Moves If a Law Firm Client Merges or Dissolves," legal marketer and former attorney Stacy West Clark offers a number of suggestions in the event of restructuring or takeover of a client organization. Her recommendations include the following:

Broaden your Reach within the Industry

Stay in contact with anyone leaving a company; in their new positions, they can offer you widened exposure within their industry.

Build Relationships with New Decision-Makers in the Organization

Ask your existing contacts to introduce you to any new in-house counsel (or others in charge of legal work)

Contact management or general counsel directly, if you cannot arrange an introduction

Offer Value

Offer some free CLE to general counsel or management, particularly if the new parent company is in another jurisdiction

Research the company thoroughly to best determine what legal services they could use

Speak at conferences senior management are likely to attend

Get involved in the same community and charity projects that the organization supports

Canadian Centre for Court Technology

Courthouse Libraries of BC — Thu, 13 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The Canadian Centre for Court Technology "reflects the first collaboration amongst all justice sector participants to develop and implement a vision for technology that will enhance access to justice."

The Centre has announced the Canadian Forum on Court Technology, September 22-23, 2010 in Ottawa.

Keynote speakers are:

The Honourable Madam Justice Louise Charron, Supreme Court of Canada

The Deputy Minister to the Premier of British Columbia, Allan Seckel

The author of The End of Lawyers, Richard Susskind

The Forum's online presence, in addition to its website, so far consists of:

The Canadian Forum on Court Technology Facebook event

The Canadian Forum on Court Technology LinkedIn event

CCCT-CCTJ Twitter hashtag #CFCT

Early-bird conference registration ends June 4.

Suggested Technology for the New Solo

Courthouse Libraries of BC — Wed, 12 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Lawyer Lee Rosen suggests the minimum items needed by anyone considering going solo in the legal world, in his post Essential Technology for the New Solo.

He emphasizes keeping things simple, but recommends buying these:

1. laptop with some basic software
2. laser printer and a scanner
3. smartphone
4. website
5. mailing supplies
6. case management software
7. Microsoft Office (Rosen states a preference for Google Docs, but notes you'll need MS Office to deal with documents from clients and opposing counsel)
8. billing & accounting software
9. a fax account
10. practice-area specific software

Rosen suggests only buying essentials, and points out that it's always possible to make more purchases as needed.