Twelve Ways to Use Your Intranet to Cut Costs

In an era of corporate belt-tightening, intranets can play a pivotal role in helping organisations cut costs. In a new paper called ’12 ways to use your intranet to cut your costs’, the Intranet Benchmarking Forum (IBF) presents some pointers and prominent examples to help organisations use their intranet to drive savings.

Does Outsourcing Put Private Data at Risk?

Late last month the American Bar Association gave the green light to legal outsourcing, provided that firms sending work overseas make sure that everything done beyond U.S. borders is done by the book -- including the protection of confidential information.

The Future of the Law Firm - A report prepared for Eversheds law firm

A recently released report from the Eversheds international law firm discusses some conclusions for the future of the legal profession. One of the elements not really addressed in my reading of the release was the disconnect between lawyers and their clients in large corporate enterprises. Why should this be the case? Why should lawyers and the folks they represent be far apart in their thinking about the profession and how it is being conducted?

The New Economy and the Virtual Law Firm of the Future :: InternetBar.org :: Shaping the future of Online Justice & Collaboration Worldwide

One would not use farm models to manage a factory economy, and one shouldn't use factory models to manage an information economy. One hallmark of the new economy is the need to define business in terms of customers' changing needs. Defining a law firm from the producers' —the lawyer's— point of view is simply no longer workable and will have vast implications for the practice of law and the structure of law firms. Information technology enables an organization to differentiate itself along several critical dimensions: 1) time; 2) space; 3) matter; 4) substitution of electronically-based information service for high-priced labor; 5) elimination of intermediaries through direct contact with the customer; and 6) customization of product or service to the particular needs of the single individual.

Inside the Firm of the Future: Productization versus Commoditization in the Legal Industry

Little has been said about the problem of the perceived commoditization of legal services. It is clear that professional service providers are suffering from a perception that what they do is a commodity. The problem is so pervasive that many professionals actually believe they are a commodity. Here are some of the contributing factors.

Building tomorrow’s legal firm

In the first of a five-part series, Keith Dugdale takes a look at how firms can begin to deal with the rapid changes that will influence their success.

ITWeb :IT will bring change to law profession

The South African legal profession is undergoing significant and permanent change – and much of it is driven by the consumer and business experience of the Internet, says ICT lawyer Reinhardt Buys.

A profession in the throes of transformation

Transformation of the legal profession at various levels, and the issue of racism in the judiciary and the profession was sometimes the focus and often the subtext of many of the discussions at the annual general meetings of four of the six constituent members of the Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) that took place in October. The KwaZulu-Natal Law Society (KZNLS) held its AGM in Durban on 7 October, the Black Lawyers Association (BLA) in Vanderbijlpark on 21 October, and the Law Society of the Free State (LSFS) and the Cape Law Society (CLS) met in Bloemfontein and Port Elizabeth respectively at the end of October.

The legal profession after ten years of democracy

The fruits of ten years of democracy have brought widespread benefits to the traditionally established legal profession in South Africa. The liberation of South Africa, the lifting of sanctions, the opening of world markets and an open free-market economy have placed the country firmly in the global market place. Financial benefits have, as a result, flowed into the established corporate sectors of the economy. The legal profession - particularly the large, old, established, traditionally white law firms - has enjoyed these fruits of globalisation. The expanded clientele, including those who broke the sanctions and those who supported them, have turned almost exclusively to the established large white law firms for their legal work. Some slightly smaller firms have also marketed themselves astutely and cornered some of the nationally and internationally based corporate legal work.

The case for one legal practitioners Act

The forthcoming second draft of the controversial Justice Department issue paper on the rationalisation of the legal profession will canvass the position of prosecutors and public service lawyers as well as paralegals and corporate legal advisers. According to the Department's consultant and author of the first issue paper, Prof Cheryl Loots, prosecutors - whom she regarded as an important branch of the legal profession - had for too long been regarded as public servants. Similarly, paralegals had an important role to play in the delivery of legal services.

A profession grappling with change

The issues of transformation and empowerment in the legal profession, as well as the perceived racism in the judiciary, formed a common thread throughout discussions at a number of annual general meetings held during October and early November (*KwaZulu-Natal attorneys met in Durban on 8 October, the Black Lawyers Association met in Nelspruit on 23 October, the Cape Law Society gathered at the Wilderness on 30 October and Free State attorneys met in Kroonstad on 5 November. The Law Society of the Northern Provinces was due to hold its AGM at Sun City on 20 November, after this issue had gone to press, and the National Association of Democratic Lawyers met earlier this year (see 2004 (Sept) DR 14).

Mabandla promises transformation

Speaking during the debate on the President’s State of the Nation Address, Justice Minister Brigitte Mabandla told Members of Parliament that government is committed to a restructured court system, a transformed judiciary and transformation of the legal sector (see 2008 (March) DR 2). In her speech in February, the Minister told MPs that a variety of stakeholders have, over the past three years, made invaluable contributions towards the transformation of the judiciary in the country. She said members of the attorneys’ profession and the bar have contributed immensely in the drafting of the Legal Services Charter, which will be tabled in Parliament this year (see also 15 of this issue). While legislation on the renaming of High Court divisions has already been put before Parliament for deliberation, the Minister said in her speech she was confident the long-awaited legislation on the restructuring ofSouth African courts will be tabled before the end of the year (see 2008 (March) DR 16). On the Traditional Courts Bill, the Minister told MPs the draft policy on the South African traditional justice system has been completed and will be put before Parliament during the course of the year. In February this year, the Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) also made a written submission to the Justice Portfolio Committee in Parliament on the Jurisdiction of Regional Courts Amendment Bill, which seeks to amend the Magistrates’ Courts Act 32 of 1994. In its submission to the committee, the LSSA called for the upgrade of infrastructure in regional courts and for proper training of judicial officers in order to deal with all the backlogs. ‘To the extent that the existing system might not meet the needs of our society, there must be transformation. Society develops and changes over time and the legalsystem must adapt to meet its needs but, at the same time, care must be taken so that the fundamental rules of justice are not compromised,’ chairperson of the LSSA’s Committee on Magistrates’ Courts, Cape Town attorney Graham Bellairs, said. He added that the LSSA and the legal profession at large support any means to further enhance the system in which access to justice is improved in order to uphold the rule of law. According to Mr Bellairs, access to justice at grassroots level is important to engender belief in and reliance on the country’s justice system. In welcoming the Minister’s speech, Mr Bellairs said the legal profession is generally supportive of the initiative taken in promulgating the Jurisdiction of Regional Courts Amendment Bill.

Legal Services Charter Indaba

The General Council of the Bar (GCB) has opposed the proposed regulation of the legal profession by the legal services charter announced by Minister of Justice Brigitte Mabandla last week. The Justice Department director-general, Menzi Simelane, said the council wanted the profession to be self-regulated, not regulated by the government. - Sunday Times website.

Review of the Regulatory Framework for Legal Services inEngland and Wales

This response to the consultation is made by the City of Westminster and Holborn Law Society. In our area, firms are of all sizes and cover a wide variety of legal services. They probably handle more professional negligence and discipline cases than anywhere else in the country. Many of our members have experience of acting as disciplinary tribunal advocates, and of working in the field of international law. Our approach to this consultation is that the independence and integrity of the legal profession are fundamental to the interests of the consumer."

Transformation of the Justice System - submission

The ability of the public to participate in the legal system depends on access to the system. Access to the legal system depends on the availability of legal services. In South Africa, the distribution of practising lawyers who deliver legal services to the public is skewed as between urban and rural areas, and between the white and black sections of the population. In addition, the high cost of legal services keeps these services out of reach for the majority of the population. The majority who are poor are excluded and alienated from the justice system.

Transformation of the Justice System - submission

THE LAW SOCIETY OF SOUTH AFRICA MAKES THE FOLLOWING SUBMISSION TO THE CONSULTATIVE FORUM ON QUALIFICATION FOR ADMISSION TO LEGAL PRACTICE AND THE REGULATION OF LEGAL PRACTICE WITH REFERENCE TO THE DISCUSSION PAPER ON THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION

Transformation of the Justice System - submission

The General Council of the Bar of South Africa (henceforth 'the GCB') is the federal body for South Africa's nine constituent Bars and their 1614 member advocates ('the Bar'). It welcomes this opportunity to respond to the Discussion Paper on the transformation of the legal profession ('the paper') prepared by the Planning Unit of the Department of Justice.

Discussion - Transformation of the Legal System

In Justice Vision 2000 it was recognised that the legal profession has to be transformed in order to be able to respond properly to the needs of all the people of South Africa and it was stated that the Department of Justice would be giving attention to the transformation of the legal profession. The main challenges identified were the need to make the legal profession representative of the diversity of South African society and the need to make the legal profession more accessible to the public. It is also necessary to effect rationalization to bring the structure of the legal profession and the laws which regulate it into line with the new constitutional dispensation and the rationalization of the High Courts.

Remarks by Stephen Breyer - November 10, 2001

Thank you for the invitation to speak this evening. I am grateful for the opportunity to be in New York. Being here helps me understand what New Yorkers have experienced in the last two months. Two weeks ago, I visited the site of the World Trade Center, where I, like you, experienced a range of emotions. I saw what the near worst of human nature can do. I was moved deeply by the memorials, the flowers, the letters, the teddy bears, the photographs, and the groups of relatives of victims moving through the smoke of the ruins to visit those shrines. I wanted to say to each policeman and fireman whom I saw thank you for doing what you have done and are doing. And when I saw the relief workers, the construction workers, the clearing and the resettling, I realized that they and we will re-create order out of devastation and chaos. The events of September 11 will continue to bring us together as we learn how to respond.

Bar association works to put softer, friendlier face on maligned profession

EmailPrintBar association works to put softer, friendlier face on maligned profession Did you hear the one about the lawyer? Thursday, February 08, 2007 By Joyce Gannon, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette During Tom Loftus' interview four years ago for a position as director of media and public relations with the Allegheny County Bar Association, the organization's board posed this question: 'What are you going to do about lawyer jokes?'

Public Perception of Lawyers | Law Firm Marketing for Small and Solo Attorneys

The American Bar Association published a study in April 2002 on how the public views lawyers. You can download it in its entirely (free of charge) at the ABA’s website. The study is worth downloading as it clearly demonstrates that the public has a negative view of attorneys, even though many are satisfied with their lawyer’s services. Some interesting findings include.

Starting a Law Firm

In order to be successful, a fledgling firm will have to incorporate modern technology into the function of its office. Whether you are looking for the necessary hardware to start your firm off on the right foot, or looking for the latest software upgrades to maximize your office efficiency, the sections below will get you to the latest news and updates for the appropriate legal technology.

Starting a Law Firm

Client selection – and rejection – is the first line of defense against malpractice problems, but it has the added benefit of being a wonderful management tool for law firms. Articulated client selection procedures can: make the practice of law easier because you avoid the stress of a difficult client, minimize problems with fee collections or fee write-offs, and improve office morale by escaping the time and energy consumption caused by unreasonable and over-demanding clients.

Microsoft Professional Services

Microsoft and its partners are committed to improving business performance and to helping professional services firms be more productive.

DennisKennedy.blog: Legal Technology Trends from Montreal - A Report

I've returned from a great trip to Montreal for the Association of Legal Administrator's Conference. I had a great time at the conference and in Montreal.

Top Legal Technology Trends for 2006 » Small Business Trends | small business experts

In his article he identifies six big picture trends, as he calls them, affecting technology use by lawyers.

The New Economy and the Virtual Law Firm of the Future :: InternetBar.org :: Shaping the future of Online Justice & Collaboration Worldwide

One would not use farm models to manage a factory economy, and one shouldn't use factory models to manage an information economy. One hallmark of the new economy is the need to define business in terms of customers' changing needs. Defining a law firm from the producers' —the lawyer's— point of view is simply no longer workable and will have vast implications for the practice of law and the structure of law firms. Information technology enables an organization to differentiate itself along several critical dimensions: 1) time; 2) space; 3) matter; 4) substitution of electronically-based information service for high-priced labor; 5) elimination of intermediaries through direct contact with the customer; and 6) customization of product or service to the particular needs of the single individual.

Working towards a new legal professionalism « Law Students Building a Better Legal Profession

Law Students Building a Better Legal Profession is a group of students from across the country devoted to helping law firms and lawyers recommit to a legal profession devoted to justice and to lawyers as people. We are working to ensuring that practicing law does not mean giving up a commitment to family, community, and dedicated service to clients. By advocating for reforms to law firm structure, we hope to help keep law both a business and a profession to be proud of.

Legal Department Technology Options

One of the realities that we, as corporate counsel, have to deal with is that our companies all have some sort of underlying IT infrastructure. It can range from nothing but a basic network to a sophisticated system incorporating such elements as project management groupware, databases, document management, scanning, integrated messaging, electronic fax management, intranets, and extranets. If your company has this kind of infrastructure, you should always investigate whether you can use these systems and save the trouble of finding and implementing your own systems. Even if you find you want to add something like a practice management system, if that can be integrated with some or all of your existing systems, it is likely to be more efficient to use as many of the tools you already have as possible, rather than trying to take the legal department in a completely different direction. This has the added advantage of improving the odds that your IT department will support what you are doing now and in the future.

I predict... Legal Week, legal news, comment, events and legal jobs

One hundred managing partners — of firms ranging from 100 lawyers to more than 3,000 — were recently asked: what forces already at work within the legal profession have the greatest potential to transform (positively or negatively) your firm’s future in the next three years?

Networks: Opportunity knocks - Legal Week, legal news, comment, events and legal jobs

The rapid emergence of a new wave of highly-coveted emerging markets is providing contrasting challenges to the latest law firm networks. Ed Thornton reports

Brave new world - Legal Week, legal news, comment, events and legal jobs

When it becomes law, the Legal Services Bill (LSB) will be a watershed moment for the legal industry. The legislation, which is currently with the House of Lords, promises to fundamentally alter the shape of the UK legal market. Firms of all sizes, and in particular the small to medium-sized section of the industry, need to be aware of the upheaval that is about to take place and get ready now.

10 big trends for the legal profession - Weblog of futurist, trends and innovation expert Jim Carroll

In the last few years, I've spoken to a variety of professional service firms, including legal organizations. In addition, I've become an expert witness in a number of court cases, include a successful leave-to-appeal to the Supreme Court. During this time, I've come to understand the big trends that the legal profession is faced with in the years to come, and have put together a list of these 10 trends.

Seven Legal Technology Trends for 2007: Widening the Digital Divide in Law Practice

Reacting to changes in Microsoft, forming a business strategy focused on technology, performing audits and cost saving functions, and moving toward collaborative tools and toolboxes - these and several other trends are predicted for 2007. Want to know what to expect?

Four Hot Trends in Marketing : Larry Bodine Law Marketing Blog

The more structured, the higher the results. Some savvy leaders have hired strategic account team experts from industry and are seeing 25 to 75% growth from their strategic clients. The big hurdle still remains compensation. You get that for which you reward. Firms that make all key clients firm clients, versus giving ownership to any one individual for origination, are seeing the strongest results.

Law Firm Marketing for Small and Solo Attorneys

Mark Beese of Holland & Hart LLP points out a number of trends in law firm marketing including.

Benchmarking Study of Small Law Marketing Trends

Among the most notable findings was that small law firms are placing an increased importance on marketing their practice, as reflected by an increase in spending on marketing activities. The study found that the number of small firms surveyed spending 5% or more of their revenues on marketing doubled in the last three years, from 11% of firms in 2002 to 22% of firms in 2005.

Legal profession trends outlook

The CBA is actively involved in an initiative called “Emerging Issues in the Legal Profession”. Actually, some of these “emerging issues” have been affecting us for years. What’s really “emerging” is our profession’s response. Encumbered by demanding professional standards and restrictions, and a long history of expectations regarding the profession of law, we struggle amidst the oft-conflicting forces of change and tradition.

Ethics and the Professions: Blowing the Whistle on Crime - African Security Review Vol 5 No 6, 1996

Whistle-blowing is the disclosure by an employee of confidential information which relates to some danger, fraud, or other illegal or unethical conduct connected with the workplace, be it of the employer or of his fellow employees.'

Unbundling Legal Services

Unbundling, also called discrete task representation or limited services representation, is a practice by which a client hires an attorney to perform only specified tasks agreed upon beforehand by both attorney and client. The concept is not new, but it has received more attention lately for a couple of reasons.

"Seize the Future" Comments

The conference started off with a bang. Our first speaker was Tom Peters. He is a very dynamic nationally known writer, speaker and business consultant. He wanted to acquaint us with the revolution which is taking place in the business community as a result of the internet. These are "bizarre times." Microsoft is worth more than GM, Ford, Boeing, Sears, Lockheed plus seven other Fortune 500 companies. What does this mean?

The 2007 ABA Legal Technology Survey Report

Take a listen to an ABA Book Briefs Podcast highlighting some surprising results from the 2007 ABA Legal Technology Survey.

Electronic Marketing: Harnessing the Web's Whizbang

How do you help clients find their way to your doorstep? Use the Internet's whizbang! This podcast contains many tips and strategies, including website development and search engine optimization, the purchase of keywords on search engines, directory listings (free and paid), electronic newsletters, blogs, podcasts, and much more.

Better than Batman's Belt: Our Favorite Utilities

Holy downloadable data directors! In this edition of “The Digital Edge: Lawyers and Technology” Jim Calloway and Sharon Nelson discuss their favorite software utilities.

Seven Legal Technology Trends for 2007: Widening the Digital Divide in Law Practice

Lawyers and law firms have an uneasy relationship with technology. Never known as "early adopters," lawyers approach technology with wariness and often see technology as a necessary evil. There is, however, a general consensus that, good or evil, technology is a necessity in the modern practice of law.

eLawyering Task Force

"How can I practice law over the Internet?" This web site will help you find answers to that question. The highest leadership of the ABA knows we need a catalyst for lawyers to adapt and flourish in the new technology-driven economic order. The Internet presents us with unparalleled opportunities and powerful new tools to provide legal services. Innovative law firms and web-based companies (many run by lawyers) have already cast off -- successfully -- into these uncharted waters. They have set up web sites that go far beyond a list of partners, practice areas and a map to the law firm.

Build client loyalty: Improve visibility into your workflow, billing practices

Professional services firms today face growing pressure to distinguish themselves from the competition by offering the most superior client services. While vitally important, providing these expert services must also now be blended with a level of attention to client care that is new for some firms.

Blank Rome drives client service with Microsoft collaboration tools

Blank Rome, an Am Law 100 law firm, improves internal collaboration and client service with Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies.

Client Experience Management solutions

To differentiate themselves in an increasingly crowded, global marketplace, professional service firms must anticipate, meet, and exceed rising client expectations. To do so, they need to work closely with their clients to understand needs and service opportunities, and then craft and deliver the kind of superior, personalized service experience that builds loyalty and inspires referrals.

How a virtual workspace brings together a worldwide firm

Like many professional services firms, the international law firm of Hunton & Williams must work diligently to create an environment where its attorneys and partners collaborate effectively.