TechnoLawyer: SmallLaw

Originally published in the September 6, 2012 issue of SmallLaw: Facebook. Good God, what is it good for? Oh wait, that's Edwin Starr's "War." Still, Starr, who died a year before Facebook was born, might ask the same question about Facebook. And so might you (especially if you bought the stock). But let's not forget all those potential clients on Facebook. Whether you "like" Facebook or not, you should understand how to use it productively, how to avoid embarrassing mistakes, and how it can generate new business for your law firm. In this issue of SmallLaw, law practice advisor Erik Mazzone provides five Facebook tips for small law firms. Also, don't miss the SmallLaw Pick of the Week for an online calculator for lawyers contemplating starting a law firm.

How to Receive SmallLaw
Small firm, big dreams. Written by practicing lawyers who manage successful small firms and legal technology and practice management experts who have achieved rock star status, SmallLaw provides practical advice on management, marketing, and technology issues in small law firms, as well as comprehensive legal product reviews with accompanying TechnoScore ratings. SmallLaw also links to helpful articles in other publications about solo practices and small law firms. The SmallLaw newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.

Coming today to SmallLaw: For now, Microsoft Word on the iPad remains a dream, not a reality. You live in reality, not a dreamworld. Therefore, you would like a solution now for viewing and editing Word documents on your iPad and iPhone, including redlining (tracking changes). Fortunately, iPad for lawyers expert Jeff Richardson has written a guide for you in this issue of SmallLaw — his first of several. As publisher of iPhone J.D., Jeff has tried virtually every iOS product so you'll benefit from his vast experience. In each guide, you'll learn not only which collection of apps and related products currently work best, but also what to avoid and what shows promise. Also, don't miss the SmallLaw Pick of the Week to learn about four caveats when starting a law firm with one or more partners.

How to Receive SmallLaw
Small firm, big dreams. Written by practicing lawyers who manage successful small firms and legal technology and practice management experts who have achieved rock star status, SmallLaw provides practical advice on management, marketing, and technology issues in small law firms, as well as comprehensive legal product reviews with accompanying TechnoScore ratings. SmallLaw also ensures that you won't miss anything published elsewhere by linking to helpful articles (and podcasts and videos) about solo practices and small law firms. The SmallLaw newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.

Coming today to SmallLaw: When you conduct forensic reviews of German financial documents as part of your law practice, you tend to be detail-oriented and a demanding user of software. Meet New York lawyer Robert Harvey who in this issue of SmallLaw discusses his frustrations with Microsoft Word and other Microsoft products upon which he relies in his practice. You'll probably find yourself nodding in agreement as you read this epic rant, but if you know of a hidden feature that can help Robert and other small law firms please reply and let your fellow SmallLaw subscribers know about it. Also, don't miss the SmallLaw Pick of the Week for 13 useful law practice tips disguised as New Year's Resolutions.

How to Receive SmallLaw
Small firm, big dreams. Written by practicing lawyers who manage successful small firms and legal technology and practice management experts who have achieved rock star status, SmallLaw provides practical advice on management, marketing, and technology issues in small law firms, as well as comprehensive legal product reviews with accompanying TechnoScore ratings. SmallLaw also ensures that you won't miss anything published elsewhere by linking to helpful articles (and podcasts and videos) about solo practices and small law firms. The SmallLaw newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.

Originally published in the August 31, 2012 issue of SmallLaw: Still jotting down random notes on scraps of paper or stickies? What happens when you're not in your office and need some information on a stickie? In this issue of SmallLaw, law firm technology consultant Ben Schorr unveils "Daily Journal," a note-taking technique he recently developed as a result of the questions he often receives from lawyers about Microsoft OneNote. With Ben's tip, you'll transform OneNote into a knowledge management tool available everywhere you go. Also, don't miss the SmallLaw Pick of the Week for a sales tip on how to persuade prospects to retain your law firm.

How to Receive SmallLaw
Small firm, big dreams. Written by practicing lawyers who manage successful small firms and legal technology and practice management experts who have achieved rock star status, SmallLaw provides practical advice on management, marketing, and technology issues in small law firms, as well as comprehensive legal product reviews with accompanying TechnoScore ratings. SmallLaw also links to helpful articles in other publications about solo practices and small law firms. The SmallLaw newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.

Originally published in the August 30, 2012 issue of SmallLaw: Last year in TL Research, lawyer and appellate legal writing expert Joshua Auriemma explained the process he created for his firm's assessment of practice management systems. Today in SmallLaw, Josh reviews the product his small law firm chose Needles. In doing so, he provides not only his thoughts but also those of his colleagues, including the firm's office manager and paralegals. It's rare for a software review to encompass one year of use. Accordingly, this is the definitive review of Needles. Also, don't miss the SmallLaw Pick of the Week for a review of the Canon imageFormula DR-C130 scanner.

How to Receive SmallLaw
Small firm, big dreams. Written by practicing lawyers who manage successful small firms and legal technology and practice management experts who have achieved rock star status, SmallLaw provides practical advice on management, marketing, and technology issues in small law firms, as well as comprehensive legal product reviews with accompanying TechnoScore ratings. SmallLaw also links to helpful articles in other publications about solo practices and small law firms. The SmallLaw newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.

Originally published in the August 21, 2012 issue of SmallLaw: Google's Chrome recently became the world's most popular web browser. Law practice advisor Erik Mazzone is such a big fan, he even uses it on his iPad and iPhone instead of Safari. In this issue of SmallLaw, Erik shares four useful Chrome features and four must-have Chrome extensions, all of which will save you time and one of which will save you money. Increased web browser productivity here you come. Also, don't miss the SmallLaw Pick of the Week for questions to ask before you fire an underperforming employee.

How to Receive SmallLaw
Small firm, big dreams. Written by practicing lawyers who manage successful small firms and legal technology and practice management experts who have achieved rock star status, SmallLaw provides practical advice on management, marketing, and technology issues in small law firms, as well as comprehensive legal product reviews with accompanying TechnoScore ratings. SmallLaw also links to helpful articles in other publications about solo practices and small law firms. The SmallLaw newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.

Originally published in the August 17, 2012 issue of SmallLaw: Early refrigerators lacked freezers. We now take this integration for granted. Software products for small law firms have followed this same path. Clio, a cloud application, is one such product as it offers integrated legal billing, practice management, document management, and more. In this issue of SmallLaw, Oakland lawyer Jeffrey Allen reviews Clio, which he has used for several years. Thus, Jeffrey has a unique perspective, having seen Clio evolve in functionality. Also, don't miss the SmallLaw Pick of the Week for a buyer's guide to VoIP telephone systems.

How to Receive SmallLaw
Small firm, big dreams. Written by practicing lawyers who manage successful small firms and legal technology and practice management experts who have achieved rock star status, SmallLaw provides practical advice on management, marketing, and technology issues in small law firms, as well as comprehensive legal product reviews with accompanying TechnoScore ratings. SmallLaw also links to helpful articles in other publications about solo practices and small law firms. The SmallLaw newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.

Originally published in the August 16, 2012 issue of SmallLaw: Here's an idea for a movie — Paperless in Seattle starring estate planning lawyer Chandra Lewnau. While we finish casting, we present to you the newsletter on which it will be based. In this issue of SmallLaw, Chandra reviews the Canon imageFORMULA DR-C125, a desktop scanner with a unique vertical design that saves desk space. She discusses setting up the scanner, the CaptureOnTouch software, the quality of the scans, and more. Below the review you'll find a brief response from Canon. Also, don't miss the SmallLaw Pick of the Week for a comparative review of three iPad styluses by lawyer Bill Wilson. Now that's an action packed issue of SmallLaw. On second thought, forget the movie. The newsletter is always better anyway.

How to Receive SmallLaw
Small firm, big dreams. Written by practicing lawyers who manage successful small firms and legal technology and practice management experts who have achieved rock star status, SmallLaw provides practical advice on management, marketing, and technology issues in small law firms, as well as comprehensive legal product reviews with accompanying TechnoScore ratings. SmallLaw also links to helpful articles in other publications about solo practices and small law firms. The SmallLaw newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.

Originally published in the August 7, 2012 issue of SmallLaw: In the famous children's game, scissors beats paper. When you grow up and become a lawyer, you realize that it's really a scanner that beats paper. But which scanner? If your small law firm processes a lot of paper, Canon's imageFORMULA DR-M140 looks promising thanks to its specifications and small size. To evaluate how the DR-M140 actually performs, New Jersey lawyer and SmallLaw senior product reviewer Edward Zohn tested the DR-M140 in his law firm for a few months before writing this review and giving the scanner a TechnoScore. In other words, it's the most reliable review of the DR-M140 you'll find. Also, don't miss the SmallLaw Pick of the Week for two essential law firm management tips.

How to Receive SmallLaw
Small firm, big dreams. Written by practicing lawyers who manage successful small firms and legal technology and practice management experts who have achieved rock star status, SmallLaw provides practical advice on management, marketing, and technology issues in small law firms, as well as comprehensive legal product reviews with accompanying TechnoScore ratings. SmallLaw also links to helpful articles in other publications about solo practices and small law firms. The SmallLaw newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.

Originally published in the August 3, 2012 issue of SmallLaw: Life in prison? More like death in prison. Welcome to another installment of "A Lawyer's Life," our ongoing series in SmallLaw in which Gadsden, Alabama lawyer Clark Stewart reflects on ups and downs of his solo practice. In this installment, Clark discusses the downsides of sharing office space with other lawyers, an uplifting story involving his church that brought him a client, and how he helped a client avoid death in prison — plus a review of Notability for voice-tagged note-taking on the iPad. Also, don't miss the SmallLaw Pick of the Week for Lee Rosen's advice on which type of online marketing works best for small law firms.

How to Receive SmallLaw
Small firm, big dreams. Written by practicing lawyers who manage successful small firms and legal technology and practice management experts who have achieved rock star status, SmallLaw provides practical advice on management, marketing, and technology issues in small law firms, as well as comprehensive legal product reviews with accompanying TechnoScore ratings. SmallLaw also links to helpful articles in other publications about solo practices and small law firms. The SmallLaw newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.