Solo and Small Firm Lawyer Technology Center
Introduction
The following resources are intended to assist solo and small firm attorneys with regard to technoloogy for use in their law offices. Many legal technology companies now offer products created with the small firm in mind. A small office no longer means being without the tools to manage information, finances and other functions. If additional research is needed, please contact the Legal Technology Resource Center with any questions.
Solo/Small Firm Technology Information Resources
- Building for Success: Technical Solutions to Modern Law Practice
2004 Presentation for the State Bar of Wisconsin. A presentation on better tech planning and buying, and tips on comparison shopping for hardware and software. - What's Hot and Not in Small and Mid-Size Law Firm Technology
November 2003 issue of Law Office Management and Administration Report
A review of trends in legal technology, based on the ABA Legal Technology Resource Center's annual technology survey. - More Bang for Your Technology Buck
December 2002 Presentation for the Central Louisiana Pro Bono Project and the Alexandra Bar Association.
Small law firms and solo lawyers often have technology already that will solve a problem they have, rather than having to buy more. This presentation outlines some of the easy things you can do to manage information and use technology better. - Opening a Solo Practice
October 2002 Presentation for the California State Bar Association
Three panelists gave solos and potential solos thoughts on how to prepare for solo practice. This presentation reflects the technology component of the panel's presentation. - Building a Technology Foundation for Successful Solo Practice
PDF handout prepared for "Opening a Solo Practice" presentation. Networks, communication tools, and law office software, are among the topics discussed. - Tips & Tricks for Leveraging Your Technology
October 2002 presentation for the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis. This presentation focused on how solo practitioners and small firms can get more out of the technology they have and how they can plan better for their legal technology future. It includes tips and practical examples, and statistics from the Legal Technology Resource Center's surveys.
Office Hardware - Purchasing Guidelines
- Things You Should Know Before You Buy
Intimidated by computer jargon? This handy PDF handout demystifies various computer terms and is a valuable study aide for any computer purchase. - CNet At Work
CNet is a leading technology information website. The CNet At Work section provides editorial and user reviews for small business hardware. - PC World
PC World hosts editorial reviews and product guides for all types of hardware.
ABA Membership Advantage Program
The Membership Advantage Program provides ABA members with substantial discounts on many law office necessities.
- Dell
Computers
Dell offers discounts on its desktop, notebooks, printers and other small business products. If you have any questions or are interested in ordering, contact the dedicated sales representative at 1.800.308.3355. - Sprint
Sprint offers significant monthly savings on wireless phone service for ABA members. Just call 1.877.307.3222 for more information. - Xerox
Xerox provides a discount to ABA members on selected printers, copiers, and scanners. Contact the experts at 1.800.Ask.Xerox (extension: law).
Law Office Software Resources
- Log On to Law Office Technology
Are you looking to automate certain office tasks but are unsure where to start? This article is a quick primer on the various types of law office software.
- Case/Practice Management Software
Software that provides attorneys with a shared database containing all case and client specific information. Many versions now support time entry, client billing, and other back office functions. - Practice
Control: A Purchasing Guide for Practice Management Software
This article contains a helpful shopping list for solo practitioners and small firms looking to buy practice management software.
- Case/Practice
Management Comparison Chart
How much does Time Matters cost? Does Amicus Attorney support my version of Windows? These questions and more are answered in this chart. The chart shows features available from a sampling of legal specific practice/case management software packages.
- Time & Billing Software
Software that organizes time management, budgeting, and client billing.- Time and Billing Software Comparison Chart
Need to manage your trust accounts? Is a client demanding bills be sent via e-mail? See what products support these tasks. This chart shows what time and billing products support these and others tasks.
- Time and Billing Software Comparison Chart
Other ABA Resources
Membership in the American Bar Association offers many benefits for solo and small firm attorneys. Discounts on books and products, as well as support from peers, are available to ABA members. Consider joining the ABA as a way to strengthen your practice.
Books
- Flying Solo: A Survival Guide for the Solo and Small Firm Lawyer, Fourth Edition
- How to Start and Build a Law Practice, Fifth Edition
- Law Office Procedures Manual for Solos and Small Firms, Third Edition
Email Discussion Lists
- LawTech
LawTech is a LTRC sponsored e-mail discussion list that focuses on legal technology and its use by the legal profession. - Solosez
Solosez is an e-mail discussion list for solo attorneys sponsored by the ABA General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Section.
E-newsletter
- ABA Site-tation
ABA Site-tation is the LTRC's monthly e-newsletter highlighting new or useful Web sites of interest to attorneys and other legal professionals.
Member Advantage
ABA Sections
- General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm Division - GP Solo's website has many resources for its members. The Division publishes GPSolo Magazine, Solo Newsletter, Law Practice & Trends e-Newsletter, Technology e-Report and the New Lawyer e-Newsletter. The Division also sponsors the extremely active Solosez list serve and web site and produces a monthly CLE teleconference series called the Practice Builders, with topics covering everything from technology to practice management.
- Law Practice Management - Members of the ABA's Law Practice Management Section can gain access to the legal technology articles found on Law Practice Today, the section's monthly webzine.
ABA Annual Technology Survey
The Legal Technology Resource Center administers an annual technology survey to practicing attorneys, covering availability and usage of a wide range of general and legal-specific technologies. The complete survey is published in five volumes that can be purchased individually or in a set. Each volume of the survey begins with a trend report summarizing the findings in that volume. These trend reports are free to ABA members as a PDF download. Click here for more information on the 2007 Legal Technology Survey or to download the free trend reports.
Computer Security Resources
Computer viruses, spyware, and other threats can cripple
your computer and adversely affect your productivity. These article
and presentations will help you protect yourself from these malicious
intruders.
- Attack of the Pernicious Spyware
Spyware, malware, phishing, and other threats abound in the online world. What can you do to protect yourself and avoid the attacks? Read up on ways to protect yourself and your computer.
- The Best Offense is a Good Defense: Protecting Computers from Viruses, Spyware, and other Scary Threats
Computer threats lurk around every corner. Constant vigilance is required in the fight against these unwanted guests. This presentation highlights key features in security software and helpful freeware solutions.
- Destruction May Lurk Behind Your Files
This article outlines some issues that lawyers must address when using always-on Internet connections, including firewall and anti-virus protection.