TechnoLawyer: TechnoLawyer

The 2006 TechnoLawyer @ Awards is shaping up to be the most competitive ever with all 23 categories still in play. Below you'll find the raw vote status report as of today. Voting doesn't end until May 19th.

If you have not yet voted, please do so soon. When you vote, you'll receive free of charge the TechnoLawyer E-Discovery Cheat Sheet written by e-discovery expert Dennis Kennedy. So far downloads of the cheat sheet are running three times the number of votes, which means people are sharing it with their friends. Please vote today and get your own copy.

1. Favorite TechnoLawyer Contributor of 2005
Greg Krehel, Rick Borstein, and Seth Rowland are in first place in a three-way tie. Dennis Kennedy, Jeff Lisson, Ross Kodner, and Yvonne Renfrew are close behind. Which TechnoLawyer contributor do you enjoy reading the most? Your vote could tip the balance in this worthy category.

2. Legal Technology Consultant Of The Year
This lifetime achievement @ Award is wide open. Please vote for your favorite independent legal technology consultant. Please do NOT vote for those listed on the ballot. These past winners are NOT eligible.

3. Favorite Legal Web Site
FindLaw.com has a small lead over DiscoveryResources.org and Law.com, both tied for second. LexisNexis.com is two votes away in third. Your vote can make all the difference in this @ Award category.

4. Favorite Legal Blog (Blawg)
AlextronicDiscovery, DennisKennedy.Blog, and ScotusBlog are tied for first place, but this category is still up for grabs. Let us know which blawg you like best.

5. Favorite Accounting Solution
QuickBooks sits comfortably in first place with PCLaw in second and Billing Matters, Elite, and Tabs3 tied for third. A lot can change in this category in the next 16 days.

6. Favorite Case/Practice Management Solution
Time Matters has edged past Amicus Attorney for first place. AbacusLaw, Client Profiles, and ProLaw are tied in third. It looks like this race will go down to the wire as usual.

7. Favorite Document Assembly/Automation Solution
HotDocs/HotDocs Pro has settled into it's annual first place lead with no one else in sight. But victory is by no means assured with 16 days of voting left.

8. Favorite Document Management Solution
A close race! WORLDOX pulls into first, just ahead of Time Matters in second. Hummingbird DM, Interwoven Worksite and Summation Blaze/iBlaze round out third place with a three way tie.

9. Favorite Document Security Solution
Get out the vote! Adobe Acrobat and Metadata Assistant are tied for first. Second and third place are anyone's for the taking.

10. Favorite Electronic Discovery Solution
Fios Prevail is beating Concordance for first place. iCONECT and LexisNexis Applied Discovery are just a few votes behind in third. Anything can happen between now and May 19th.

11. Favorite Legal Forms Solution
ProDoc is just a few votes ahead of West Legal Solutions Plus with no one in third place (yet).

12. Favorite Legal Knowledge Management Solution
CaseMap has jumped into first place with West KM tied in second. Third place is up for grabs. Your vote could help a product bring home the gold!

13. Favorite Legal Research Tool
A tight race with WestLaw taking first place, just two votes ahead of LexisNexis in second. Loislaw.com inches into third place, one vote ahead of QuickLaw in fourth.

14. Favorite Legal-Specific Tech Support
CaseSoft has taken an early lead in this popular category, forcing LexisNexis to settle for second. Time Matters and WORLDOX are tied for third place. Show your favorite tech support team you care by sending in your vote.

15. Favorite Litigation ASP
Hardly anyone has voted in this @ Award category. Don't be shy. Tell us your Favorite Litigation ASP ASAP!

16. Favorite Litigation Support Solution
CaseMap sits comfortably in first place over Summation Blaze/iBlaze in second. iCONECT, Concordance, and Visionary are tied for third. This hotly contested race is way too close to call!

17. Favorite Online CLE Provider
West LegalEdcenter is beating out Fios and LexisNexis Mealeys, tied in second place. Kroll Ontrack occupies third.

18. Favorite Practice Area Solution
CaseMap bounds into first place, over ProDoc in second, and Collier TopForm Bankruptcy in third. Victory remains 16 days away so vote today!

19. Favorite Time-Billing Solution
This @ Award category positively sizzles with competition. Timeslips slips into first place, only three votes ahead of Billing Matters in second. PCLaw/PCLaw Pro and QuickBooks Pro aren't far behind in their third place tie.

20. Favorite Transcript Management Solution
TextMap jumps into first place with LiveNote in second and RealLegal E-Transcript in third, and Ringtail Legal in fourth. Who will win? That's up to you.

21. Favorite Trial Presentation Solution
TimeMap has a small lead over Sanction with TrialDirector close behind in third place.

22. Favorite New Legal Product of 2005
TimeMap 4 is the only new legal product making a difference so far, but we know other products were launched last year. Will they make a showing? Time will tell.

23. Favorite Technoreleases of 2005
CaseSoft (whose CEO writes every TechnoRelease) sits atop this final category with Fios in second, and LexisNexis in third. Send in your vote today.

Stay tuned for the next status report on May 10th.

About TechnoLawyer @ Awards
The most comprehensive set of awards in the legal market, the TechnoLawyer @ Awards recognize customer loyalty. Every year, TechnoLawyer members vote for their favorite blogs, products, services, and Web sites in a variety of categories. In addition, four @ Awards pay tribute to individuals — TechnoLawyer of the Year, Favorite TechnoLawyer Contributor, Legal Technology Consultant of the Year, and Blawgger of the Year. Only TechnoLawyer members may vote in the @ Awards. Join TechnoLawyer now.

Recently we asked TechnoLawyer members to take a survey about some new initiatives. We also asked how we could better serve you. Boy did we receive an earful. Below you'll find some of the comments we received along with my responses.

"Keep up the good work. I particularly enjoyed your publishing the critical post about cookies. That guy has failed to keep up with the times. By now, everyone should know the need for cookies at a secure Web site and understand that they are not evil."

I'm glad someone other than me doesn't view cookies as evil!

"Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by the number of mailings from TL. I realize I can change preferences, but by and large I enjoy all the articles."

Well, I'm glad you know about your My TechnoLawyer page. As for the rest of you, keep in mind that you can easily manage your newsletter subscriptions.

"I get too many e-mails from TechnoLawyer on a daily basis. I would like them combined into one daily e-mail."

That's impossible because we publish self-contained newsletters — and I can assure you that you'll never receive more than one issue of a newsletter on a given day. Instead, what you need to do is manage your subscriptions on your My TechnoLawyer page.

"I've got to admit that I really dislike the practice of having articles published only in the TechnoLawyer Archive. I don't have a subscription to the archive. I also admit that I am too cheap to buy one. I try to support TechnoLawyer advertisers whenever possible and to give TechnoLawyer credit as the source of learning about the advertiser. I understand that you need a revenue source, but I really HATE not having access to articles that I'd like to read because they are available only through the archive."

"I am generally satisfied, but would rather see more of the articles in the free section."

Just to be clear, we publish virtually all of our content for free in our newsletters. The only content exclusive to the TechnoLawyer Archive are a handful of Posts each week that the contributors clearly wrote quickly — these Posts tend to not contain as much detail as the Posts we include in our newsletters. But I admit that even a very short Post can contain invaluable information.

With TechnoLawyer Archive subscriptions starting at $9, I personally think it's affordable even for individuals let alone law firms. That said, an increasing number of bar associations provide a free year of TechnoLawyer Archive access to their members. If your bar association has at least 1,000 members, ask the powers that be to contact me. Participating bar associations don't pay us, but we require that they inform their members about the benefit. There's no point in providing a benefit that no one knows about, which is often the case with bar association benefits.

"The majority of items addressed in TechnoLawyer are geared toward big firms with large IT budgets."

"Obviously a very good resource for solos and small firms, and some tips and issues apply to everyone involved in legal technology."

Interesting how people reading the same newsletters can reach opposite conclusions.

"Allow newsletters to be formatted for printing."

Your best bet is to subscribe to the ASCII version of our newsletters. This way, you can remove the line breaks and print a version that will look like a typical word processor document.

"Overall, I like Technolawyer and think you are doing a great job. The only constructive criticism I might offer is to make the comment process more transparent. Currently, all comments go through TechnoLawyer before they are available for review, which creates the appearance of censorship and/or bias towards your advertisers."

We never edit your Posts. Instead, we just act as a conduit. Obviously, we reserve the right to not publish a submission, but we seldom exercise that right — just once last year I think. Basically, if you take the time to write it, we'll publish it unchanged.

The reason your submissions have to go through us is because we built a content management system that enables you to contribute via e-mail instead of through some Web interface that would require you to login. In other words, we do the hard work so you can have it easy — there's nothing easier than sending an e-mail message.

"The e-mails are also hard to read — I wish the graphics were better and there wasn't so much clutter. I also wish that paid ads were on the side like on most blogs or Google."

I suspect you receive our ASCII version. We also publish our newsletters in HTML. In the HTML version, the ads do indeed appear along the side. To switch from ASCII to HTML (or vice versa), just log into your My TechnoLawyer page.

"Free beer?"

Actually, we did provide free booze to New York area TechnoLawyer members at our BlawgWorld launch party on November 30, 2005. We hope to make it an annual event.

"It's hard to criticize the job you do when it's free."

Isn't it amazing how many valuable services we receive for free on the Internet? It's kind of like the early days of television when it was 100% ad supported (nowadays, most of us pay for cable or satellite so free TV is a myth).

"I very much enjoy TechnoLawyer. I have been able to find many good tips."

Thank you!

About TechnoEditorials
A TechnoEditorial is the vehicle through which we opine and provide tips of interest to managing partners, law firm administrators, and others in the legal profession. TechnoEditorials appear first in TechnoGuide, and later here in TechnoLawyer Blog. TechnoGuide, which is free, also contains exclusive content. You can subscribe here.

I'll be in Chicago this week. I won't have time to attend TechShow because I'm giving a presentation at MarketingSherpa's Email Marketing Summit, but I will attend several TechShow-related events in the evening. I'll be at LexThink Lounge Wednesday afternoon and The Dinner Thursday night. I hope to see you at one of these events! (Both events are sold out.)

About TechnoEditorials
A TechnoEditorial is the vehicle through which we opine and provide tips of interest to managing partners, law firm administrators, and others in the legal profession. TechnoEditorials appear first in TechnoGuide, and later here in TechnoLawyer Blog. TechnoGuide, which is free, also contains exclusive content. You can subscribe here.

Coming March 24, 2006 to Fat Friday: Kevin Thompson reviews his new Acer Travelmate C200 Tablet PC, Kevin Grierson adds his two cents to the attorney-client e-mail debate, Larry Kasoff shares his five favorite Web sites, Meg Spencer Dixon writes in with an important correction regarding Neil's review of the Tanita BC533 scale, and Edward Brooks tests our publishing limits — see what he dared us to post. Don't miss this issue.

How to Receive this Newsletter
Published on Fridays, Fat Friday is a weekly newsletter that features a grab bag full of genuinely useful product reviews and tips on a wide variety of topics. Like all of our newsletters, it's free. Please subscribe now.

TechnoFeature: Review: The SmartDraw Legal Solution
By Jill Bauerle

TechnoScore: 4.8 (Rated by 4 Users)
1 = Lowest Possible Score; 5 = Highest Possible Score
www.smartdrawlegal.com

Introduction

SmartDraw.com's SmartDraw Legal Solution enables legal professionals without any design expertise to create professional-looking graphics to persuade clients, judges, juries and even opposing counsel. The SmartDraw Legal Solution includes more than 1,000 templates and 50,000 images for accident reconstructions, crime scenes, maps, medical diagrams, Gantt charts, organizational charts, timelines, and more.

Though just a year old, the SmartDraw Legal Solution has the feel of more mature software thanks to the fact that it was built atop SmartDraw, a business graphics program launched in 1994 and now at version 7. According to the company, more than half of the Fortune 500 use SmartDraw.

Pricing for the SmartDraw Legal Solution starts at $449 with discounts and volume licensing available. You can also find it bundled with other legal software from time to time. It comes with a 30-day money back guarantee.

For this review, we interviewed four SmartDraw Legal Solution users who rated it and discussed its use in their practice as well as its pros and cons. What did they think? Read on to find out.

TechnoLawyer is a peer-driven network for those who manage law firms and implement technology within law firms.

The International Legal Technology Association (ILTA) is a peer-driven network for those who manage law firms and implement technology within law firms.

Don't you think it's about time TechnoLawyer and ILTA teamed up?

Beginning today (March 1, 2006), all ILTA members who join TechnoLawyer using the special sign-up page we've created will receive a free one year TechnoLawyer Archive subscription (a $65 value).

If you already belong to both ILTA and TechnoLawyer, fear not — you too are eligible. Just contact our customer service department with the coupon code, which you can obtain by visiting our sign-up page via ILTA's Web site.

ILTA marks the sixth legal organization to offer free TechnoLawyer Archive access to its members. We're particularly excited about this relationship because every ILTA member has an interest in legal technology.

I'd like to thank Randi Mayes, ILTA's Executive Director, for her enthusiasm in bringing this benefit to ILTA's members.

Here is a list of all organizations offering TechnoLawyer Archive access to its members:

Canadian Bar Association
Cincinnati Bar Association
International Legal Technology Association
Oklahoma Bar Association
Texas State Bar
Washoe County Bar Association

To add your organization to this list, please contact us.

No, I'm not opening for Green Day. On April 20-21, 2006, MarketingSherpa will hold its Email Marketing Summit 2006 at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare in Chicago.

I'll be among the speakers at the conference. The title of my seminar is: Serial Storytelling and the Complex B2B Sale. Learn more and register.

It just so happens that the Email Marketing Summit overlaps with the ABA's TechShow at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers. Therefore, if I don't see you at the Email Marketing Summit, perhaps I'll see you at TechShow. Learn more and register.

Also, on the eve of TechShow, I plan to attend LexThink Lounge, a casual gathering of legal technology experts at a chic bowling alley that serves gourmet food and cocktails. Learn more and register.

Please let me know if you'd like to meet. If I hear from enough of you, perhaps I'll set up a happy hour on Friday night for TechnoLawyer members.

About TechnoEditorials
A TechnoEditorial is the vehicle through which we opine and provide tips of interest to managing partners, law firm administrators, and others in the legal profession. TechnoEditorials appear first in TechnoGuide, and later here in TechnoLawyer Blog. TechnoGuide, which is free, also contains exclusive content. You can subscribe here.

I started TechnoLawyer when I turned 30. Back then, people like Wells Anderson, Dennis Kennedy, Ross Kodner, etc. were the young guns of legal technology. These pioneers continue to educate thousands of legal professionals here in TechnoLawyer and at trade shows like the just-finished LegalTech. But I'm growing concerned by the lack of new faces. Where are the new young guns of legal technology? Jason Havens is one. Who else will carry the torch? And who will preside over TechnoLawyer when I step down someday?

About TechnoEditorials
A TechnoEditorial is the vehicle through which we opine and provide tips of interest to managing partners, law firm administrators, and others in the legal profession. TechnoEditorials appear first in TechnoGuide, and later here in TechnoLawyer Blog. TechnoGuide, which is free, also contains exclusive content. You can subscribe here.

The industry's largest trade show celebrated its 25th anniversary last week. In two days, I met with 18 legal vendors, dined out four times, and attended a low-key happy hour and a raucous nightclub. Here are my notes:

• The biggest change this year was the roped off Bridges Bar in the Hilton Hotel. Those without access complained, and those with access rejoiced. I guess it depended on your point of view.

• The WiFi hotspot on the third floor didn't work reliably. Fortunately, the Wolters Kluwer executive trying to give me a demo of CCH @Hand 2.5 was able to use his wireless modem.

• The exhibit hall seemed busier than I've ever seen it before. I heard a rumor about 11,000 attendees. However, one legal vendor remarked that the crowd seemed static (same faces every year).

• I personally witnessed salespeople make unsolicited pitches to exhibiting vendors — a practice that ALM Media should outlaw. Vendors pay a lot to exhibit at LegalTech. I met with legal vendors last week, but only with those that set up meetings with me in advance. All of my meetings took place away from the exhibit booths (except for Litera).

• Rob Robinson has uploaded some LegalTech photos to Flickr.

• On the first night of LegalTech, ALM held its annual awards ceremony. Read about the winners.

• ALM doesn't hand out best of show awards, however, so Matt Homann filled the void and bestowed this honor on the o-Ya search appliance. Don't miss Matt's upcoming LexThink Lounge if you plan to attend ABA TechShow. Being an avid bowler, I hope to attend.

• As I mentioned, I had about 18 meetings. Mostly, I discussed TechnoLawyer (which you already know about) and learned about forthcoming products (which I cannot yet talk about). Here's what I can disclose: CaseCentral announced bundled pricing for its litigation services, CCH's @Hand 2.5  and the LexisNexis Toolbar may change the way lawyers conduct legal research, and LexisNexis has teamed up with the Wall Street Journal.

• The third annual Best of Breed party at at Strata sponsored in part by CaseSoft and Dataflight was the best one yet — a great crowd (250 people) and great food (brie-pear dumplings, coconut chicken skewers, chocolate strawberries, cannoli, etc.). Before the party, I dined at Pinch with my colleague Sara Skiff and her husband Eric. After dinner, we "evaluated" a possible location for the next TechnoLawyer party.

• More Schmoozing: Breakfast at Norma's on Monday with Julia Wotipka and Mary Mack of Fios and several bloggers, lunch at Redeye Grill on Monday with JoAnna Forshee of Envision, lunch at Beacon on Tuesday with Les Hansen and Andrew Cummins of Gavel & Gown, and dinner at Bellini on Wednesday with Scott Rosen and Greg Miller of Network Box. Finally, Dennis Kennedy's informal happy hour at the Bridges Bar (before it became a VIP lounge) on Sunday night enabled me to meet Jim Calloway who recently secured free TechnoLawyer Archive access for every Oklahoma lawyer.

Congratulations to ALM for raising the bar yet again with its biggest LegalTech ever. Here's to another 25 years!

About TechnoEditorials
A TechnoEditorial is the vehicle through which we opine and provide tips of interest to managing partners, law firm administrators, and others in the legal profession. TechnoEditorials appear first in TechnoGuide, and later here in TechnoLawyer Blog. TechnoGuide, which is free, also contains exclusive content. You can subscribe here.

To date, BlawgWorld, an eBook we published on November 30, 2005, has been downloaded 19,702 times!

As I reported previously, BlawgWorld was well-received by bloggers and non-bloggers alike. However, a small number of bloggers have criticized the eBook. One of them even deemed it a "failed project."

Fortunately, most of the criticism resides in one place — Evan Schaeffer's Legal Underground blog. For a month, we watched the attacks pile up. Now that the activity has died down, I responded to all the criticism in one fell swoop.

Check out the entire thread, including my response, and feel free to add your own two cents.

About TechnoEditorials
A TechnoEditorial is the vehicle through which we opine and provide tips of interest to managing partners, law firm administrators, and others in the legal profession. TechnoEditorials appear first in TechnoGuide, and later here in TechnoLawyer Blog. TechnoGuide, which is free, also contains exclusive content. You can subscribe here.