TechnoLawyer: TL NewsWire

Today's issue of TechnoLawyer NewsWire covers intelligent scheduling software (see below), a free office suite, and a time-billing program for Mac OS X. Don't miss the next issue.

Balance for Your Balancing Act
By Taeho Lim

Got too much to do? Get in line and join the club pal. Better yet, break free and take control of your life. That's the promise of Life Balance, "The To Do List for Real Life" from Llamagraphics. Life Balance is intelligent scheduling software. Just tell Life Balance what you care about and the program can help you prioritize what matters the most and set your schedule accordingly.

Life Balance uses "fuzzy logic math techniques" to help you better manage your schedule. Specifically, depending on your priorities, how much time and effort you want to put into each task, and how much you actually get done each day, Life Balance will make recommendations about your schedule.

Life Balance offers a number of other unique features as well. For example, the outliner can group your smaller tasks into larger projects. You can also quickly switch around the tasks in your project with a simple click and drag of your mouse. Most importantly, you can literally work on your matters one step at a time with a feature that adds only the next step to your to-do list after you have finished the previous one. Seeing the next task instead of every task keeps you focused and prevents you from feeling overwhelmed.

Life Balance can automatically schedule routine tasks that it notices, provide alerts for impending deadlines, integrate with your Palm OS device, and create pie charts that break down how you spend your time. In the Life Balance User Community you can share tips for best using the software.

Life Balance works with Mac, Windows, and your Palm. The Palm-compatible version costs $39.95 while the Mac and Windows versions cost $64.95 each. You can also purchase a Mac+Palm or Windows+Palm bundle for $79.95. Learn more about Life Balance.

How to Receive this Newsletter
Published on Wednesdays, TechnoLawyer NewsWire is a weekly newsletter that enables you to learn about new technology products and services of interest to legal professionals. Like all of our newsletters, it's free. Please subscribe now.

Today's issue of TechnoLawyer NewsWire covers timeline creation software (see below), PDF software for power users, and redaction software. Don't miss the next issue.

One Click Timeline Charts
By Taeho Lim

Every picture tells a story. So does every litigator. A timeline enables lawyers to tell their stories visually — much like a picture does. Seeing is believing as they say. Regardless of whether a series of events transpired seconds, minutes, hours, or years apart, seeing them all in sequence in a timeline can have a tremendous impact on clients, jurors, judges, or colleagues.

Progeny Software designed Timeline Maker Professional 2.0 so that even computer novices can quickly create professional-looking timelines. To start, you simply enter events and then select the type of chart you want with one click. The event entry screen uses a table interface similar to a spreadsheet. A built-in legal spell checker corrects any typos. Alternatively, you can import events from other applications to further expedite the process of creating a timeline.

Once you've quickly mastered the basics, you can change the appearance of your chart with one click by selecting from the built-in library of graphic themes and styles. You can also define your own style by adding your logo and using your firm colors.

In addition to smartening up your timeline, you can enhance the events within it as well. For example, you can include photos, audio and video clips, and add links to PDF files or Web sites. You can also color code events to make them easier to follow (e.g., one color for your client and another color for the opposing party).

The purpose of a timeline is to show it to others. To help you do that, Timeline Maker Professional features a wealth of output options. You can print timelines on any printer at any size. You can export a timeline as a graphic (JPG, GIF, BMP, PNG), or in PDF or HTML format. You can also integrate your timeline into any PowerPoint presentation with one click.

The built-in presentation viewer enables you to show your timeline using Timeline Maker Professional itself. And the "Package for Sharing" feature creates a .zip file that you can send to anyone for output or viewing with all the files intact. The free downloadable "Timeline Maker Viewer" means that others can view your timeline without owning a copy of Timeline Maker Professional.

Timeline Maker Professional runs on Windows 2000, XP, and Vista. You can try it for free for 30 days. Pricing starts at $195 for a single-user license. The price drops significantly with each new user you add. Licenses come with unlimited free support and a 60 day money back guarantee.  Learn more about Timeline Maker Professional 2.0.

How to Receive this Newsletter
Published on Wednesdays, TechnoLawyer NewsWire is a weekly newsletter that enables you to learn about new technology products and services of interest to legal professionals. Like all of our newsletters, it's free. Please subscribe now.

Today's issue of TechnoLawyer NewsWire covers a "getting things done" Web application (see below), a utility for creating a table of authorities in Microsoft Word, and an online office suite. Don't miss the next issue.

What Is Your Next Action?
By Taeho Lim

Back in law school, you may have used mnemonics and acronyms like IRAC to help you with exams. Now apivision.com has a new acronym for lawyers looking to organize their daily routines and long-term projects: Nozbe, which stands for N(ext Action) O(rganize and Process) Z(ero Problems). Simply put, Nozbe aspires to keep busy attorneys like you looking ahead at all times

The first set of features for Nozbe revolves around looking at your Next Action. Nozbe enables you to quickly jot down digital notes and tasks and add them to your schedule. Next, you can group your tasks and notes into projects and matters. Move tasks and notes between projects as necessary and arrange your folders based on your preferences. Finally, just as pro athletes always say they play the season "one game at a time," Nozbe enables you to designate a certain task as the main one you need to complete next.

Nozbe also provides features to help you Organize and Process your work. Group your tasks under "contexts" so you know what to do next and where to do it. For example, you can designate what you need to do at Home, at the Office, or what Errands you need to run. In addition, Nozbe enables you to attach pertinent files to your projects. Finally, Nozbe provides a number of ways to access your account, including printing your to-do lists on A4, pocket, and wallet-sized paper, and logging in via iPhone and other smartphones as well as iGoogle and Netvibes. Mac users can download a Dashboard widget.

If Nozbe sounds like a system for David Allen's Getting Things Done that's because it is. Overall, Nozbe claims to make it easy to share and delegate work, as well as edit your actions. In addition, the API enables you to connect Nozbe to your existing applications. Those in need of further guidance can contact Nozbe founder Michael Sliwinski personally.

Nozbe offers a free account for up to 5 projects, a $4.95/month Basic account for 30 projects, a $9.95/month PRO account for 100 projects, and the high-end Super! account for $14.95/month for 1,000 projects. Learn more about Nozbe.

How to Receive this Newsletter
Published on Wednesdays, TechnoLawyer NewsWire is a weekly newsletter that enables you to learn about new technology products and services of interest to legal professionals. Like all of our newsletters, it's free. Please subscribe now.

Today's issue of TechnoLawyer NewsWire covers a secure online storage service (see below), software that can digitize your paper forms and send the data into your legacy applications, and a practice management program for Mac users. Don't miss the next issue.

Three Steps to a Paperless Office
By Taeho Lim

You can never be too thin. That's a lie. Just ask Esther Canadas. You can never be too rich. That's also a lie if you don't want fame along with your fortune. You can never have enough storage or too little paper. Bingo!

File123's eponymous online service promises the most elusive of all technology promises — the paperless law office. As its name implies, File123 boils the storage process down to three steps: transfer digital files from your computer via upload or email, scan, or fax your paper documents, and then organize and back up your vault contents.

The functionality of File123 revolves around its searchable, sortable, sendable, and secure online file repository. To search for the file you need, enter a keyword and File123 looks for that term(s) and lists the relevant files. Add more files via fax, scan, email, or Web browser, or just drop them into File123's network drive application. When you need to share files, choose what you want to send and either email your recipients an attachment or a link that leads to a secure download page on the Web.

File123 also features a "Dashboard" from which you can add files, review recent account activity, and manage your folders. You add, delete, and reorganize folders just as you would on your Mac or PC — just drag and drop files and folders. Finally, File123 features 256-bit browser security to ensure that no one but you can access your storage vault.

A File123 account gives you 1 GB of free storage. Upgrading to a 10 GB account costs $4.95/month. Other plans exist for those who need even more storage since, after all, you can never get enough. No word on an unlimited plan though. Learn more about File123.

How to Receive this Newsletter
Published on Wednesdays, TechnoLawyer NewsWire is a weekly newsletter that enables you to learn about new technology products and services of interest to legal professionals. Like all of our newsletters, it's free. Please subscribe now.

Today's issue of TechnoLawyer NewsWire covers a litigation document review application (see below), a new legal accounting and billing program, and an online service that helps you schedule meetings more efficiently. Don't miss the next issue.

Your Ticket Out of the Document Gulag
By Taeho Lim

Back in the day, law firms that handled document-intensive cases would often lease an entire floor just to house the documents. Associates would dread being assigned to such cases as it meant spending all their time in these document gulags instead of in their plush offices. With the advent of eDiscovery, these floors have gradually disappeared, but document review remains a dreaded task because the number of documents has increased.

Inspicio from Altep aims to streamline the document review process. Inspicio is a Web-based solution that enables you to review documents from anywhere. According to Altep, Inspicio features high-level navigability, flexibility, and powerful analytical tools that help ensure accurate and efficient review.

Inspicio features a spacious "data repository" in which you can store document collections for multiple matters. Inspicio supports hundreds of different file formats so you can open files right away in their native format without having to convert them.

As you review documents, you can use Inspicio's tagging technology to organize them. For example, mark a file with "Responsive," "Privileged," "Jones Deposition," etc. You apply tags by simply checking a box. You can apply a tag to one document at a time or multiple documents simultaneously.

Inspicio also enables you to search across all documents in the application for any matter. You can use "Basic Search" for simple searches and "Query Builder" to conduct more complex, custom searches with the Inspicio interface.

Inspicio's advanced reporting helps you keep track of document collections and progress on projects and matters. The ToDo List function enables you to plan a review and assign its components to members of the team.

Regarding security, Inspicio features "user domains" and "access levels" to determine who can see, create, access, or edit certain files. In addition, you can track every user action in any part of the application. Finally, Inspicio has its own messaging system so you can communicate with other users. Messages stay within Inspicio to preserve confidentiality. Learn more about Inspicio.

How to Receive this Newsletter
Published on Wednesdays, TechnoLawyer NewsWire is a weekly newsletter that enables you to learn about new technology products and services of interest to legal professionals. Like all of our newsletters, it's free. Please subscribe now.

Today's issue of TechnoLawyer NewsWire covers a comprehensive eDiscovery suite (see below), a new case management program for small law firms, and a Web-based intranet/extranet application. Don't miss the next issue.

All-In-One eDiscovery and Document Review
By Taeho Lim

Wouldn't it be nice to tap into every type of document analysis or search tool available today? If you want to do that with your eDiscovery cases, you have two choices — use multiple single-function programs and hope you can get them to integrate with one another, or use a single multiple-function program that does everything. If the latter approach sounds better to you, check out Discovery360 from InterLegis.

Discovery360 aims to streamline the eDiscovery process by providing the functionality of multiple eDiscovery applications in one convenient package. Its functionality includes: eDiscovery culling and processing, document attribute and conceptual clustering, natural language search, Boolean search, similarity matching, metadata filtering, email threading, proactive relevancy alerts, native or TIFF review, real-time reviewer reporting, on-the-fly productions, bulk issue coding, and more.

With all these tools in one application, Discovery360 simplifies each of the steps in the eDiscovery process, enabling you to cull and process documents, store, manage, analyze, review, and produce them as needed.

For example, the new "DataMapper" module enables case administrators to cull relevant documents using a wide range of criteria — keywords, custodian, date ranges, concepts, relevant metadata, or just about anything else you specify. Culling can eliminate 20-80% of irrelevant files depending on the situation. DataMapper can find and eliminate duplicates, and can also run "What If" scenarios so that you can get a sense of how many documents a certain decision would remove before actually doing so. DataMapper provides real-time reports throughout the process, all the while giving you control of your data and saving money too.

Once you have your data set in place, Discovery360 makes all document attributes searchable, including keywords, concepts, all metadata, timelines, and document relationships. During this process, Discovery360 also places documents into concept folders, identifies and groups email threads and similar documents (near duplicates), etc. — all aimed at reducing your workload. You can also add relevant paper documents to the mix to maintain a single, normalized database. Learn more about Discovery360.

How to Receive this Newsletter
Published on Wednesdays, TechnoLawyer NewsWire is a weekly newsletter that enables you to learn about new technology products and services of interest to legal professionals. Like all of our newsletters, it's free. Please subscribe now.

Today's issue of TechnoLawyer NewsWire covers a new network scanner (see below), robust e-discovery software, and search engine technology for your Web site. Don't miss the next issue.

Smaller, Faster Network Scanner
By Taeho Lim

The copy machine revolutionized legal practice, enabling lawyers to share documents. Nowadays, digital copiers enable lawyers to convert paper documents into digital files over their network. But several problems remain — the price and size of these machines limit their deployment throughout a law firm, and they tend to have inscrutable user interfaces.

Canon's just-released ScanFront 220 and 220P network scanners address these shortcomings. Measuring just 12.2x9.21x6.22 inches, you can place these compact scanners just about anywhere. And with an MSRP of $1,995 and $2,195 respectively (and lower street prices), you can place them in more locations, including your office if you scan a lot of documents.

As for the interface, can you say touchscreen? A large 8.5 inch screen consumes most of the ScanFront 220's face. The screen displays four main buttons that enable you to scan to email, shared folders, an FTP server, or a USB flash drive that you've inserted. Simple and straightforward.

You can store email addresses and other scanning destinations in the ScanFront 220 or access any shared LDAP address book. The ScanFront 220 also supports groups for distributions to multiple recipients. Using a Web browser, you and your colleagues can set up your own private address books and groups. That's also how your network administrator sets up user accounts, adjusts scanner settings, etc.

The ScanFront 220 can scan up to 26 pages per minute.  Resolution ranges from 100 to 600 dpi. The scanner has an automatic document feeder as well as a manual feed. It can scan in black and white, grayscale, or color, and features built-in duplexing. The ScanFront 220 has a daily duty cycle of 1,000 scans.

You can save scanned files in PDF format and encrypt them with a password if you wish. For added security, you can set the ScanFront 220 to securely wipe its memory after each scan.

The ScanFront 220P differs from the 220 in two respects. It features biometric fingerprint authentication for convenient login (both models also feature more traditional password login). Also the ScanFront 220P has an "Ultrasonic Double Feed Detector," which means it can handle a stack of different paper weights and sizes without any misfeeds.  Learn more about ScanFront 220 and 220P.

How to Receive this Newsletter
Published on Wednesdays, TechnoLawyer NewsWire is a weekly newsletter that enables you to learn about new technology products and services of interest to legal professionals. Like all of our newsletters, it's free. Please subscribe now.

In today's issue of TechnoLawyer NewsWire, technology journalist and freelance writer Taeho Lim covers a comprehensive online service for litigators, and a "back office" accounting and time-billing program and "front office" case management program that integrate with each other. Don't miss the next issue.

Below you'll find one of the three articles from today's edition:

Empower Your Front Office
By Taeho Lim

What's in your front office? A receptionist, comfy leather sofa, and a coffee table with some magazines and newspapers? Nice. But I wasn't asking about that front office. I mean your digital front office — the one you use for interacting with your clients and managing your calendar and matters.

What's that? You don't want to show it to me? Sure, I understand. You may want to take a look at the just-released Lexis Front Office powered by Time Matters 9.0.

Understanding that email remains the killer app, LexisNexis has reengineered Lexis Front Office powered by Time Matters 9.0 integration not just with Outlook, but Microsoft Exchange Server. So if you want to migrate to Windows Vista and Exchange 2007 or add a BlackBerry Enterprise Server, go right ahead.

Come to think of it, better managing your matters so that you can stop and smell a few roses before you push up the daisies is also a killer app. The new "Task Panel" enables you to find what you need quickly. Similarly, enhanced "Triggers" should also make life easier. For example, when you change a contact from "prospect" to "client," Lexis Front Office powered by Time Matters 9.0 can send an alert to your assistant to begin the client intake process.

Also new in Lexis Front Office powered by Time Matters 9.0 is the ability to create five user-defined record types. Thus, in addition to creating contacts, appointments, tasks, matters, etc., you can create anything else your firm needs to track such as assets, damages collected, etc. LexisNexis has also beefed up the number of colleagues you can associate with a matter, event, etc. — it's now 100, up from 6.

Other new features include a more powerful search tool for conflict checking and other searches, a customizable personal journal for reviewing your matters, events, tasks, etc., auto-completion when searching for contacts and matters, an improved and updated CaseMap link, and smart archiving that warns you about incomplete items.

Lexis Front Office powered by Time Matters 9.0 is easier to set up than ever before, thanks to seven new wizards and five default security profiles (you can create more if needed). It integrates tightly with new Lexis Back Office powered by Billing Matters 9.0 or Lexis Back Office powered by PCLaw 9. Learn more about Lexis Front Office powered by Time Matters 9.0.

How to Receive this Newsletter
Published on Wednesdays, TechnoLawyer NewsWire is a weekly newsletter that enables you to learn about new technology products and services of interest to legal professionals. Like all of our newsletters, it's free. Please subscribe now.

In today's issue of TechnoLawyer NewsWire, technology journalist and freelance writer Taeho Lim covers a comprehensive online service for litigators, and a "back office" accounting and time-billing program and "front office" case management program that integrate with each other. Don't miss the next issue.

Below you'll find one of the three articles from today's edition:

The Bigger the Better When It Comes to Integration
By Taeho Lim

When you're big, it's easier to find partners that want to team up with you. No, this statement does not mean that heavy or tall people have an easier time starting law firms. We're talking strategic alliances between large companies.

Take LexisNexis, for example. Its Lexis Back Office powered by PCLaw 9 has a bevy of new features, many of them linked to key alliances with other industry leaders. For example, want to process credit card payments within Lexis Back Office powered by PCLaw 9? No problem, thanks to integrated credit card processing powered by PPI.

Want integrated payroll as well? LexisNexis has partnered with ADP for that service. When you run payroll, ADP automatically generates all the appropriate entries in Lexis Back Office powered by PCLaw 9. You can either print payroll checks or take advantage of direct deposit. This integration also enables you to print W-2s and 1099s, and file federal and state tax returns electronically or via mail (your choice).

LexisNexis also seems to have emphasized ease of use in the latest version. The new "BillFlow Manager" provides a centralized tool for all client billing activities, enabling you to more accurately and quickly generate and send out bills.

Of course, to generate bills, you must track your progress on work. Lexis Back Office powered by PCLaw 9 can track any portion of an hour and provides automatic timers. You can synchronize a timer to track the time you spend in applications such as Microsoft(R) Word, Outlook(R), LexisNexis Total Practice Advantage, and more. Lexis Back Office powered by PCLaw 9 also provides tools for task-based billing. No matter how you bill, entering a matter number automatically retrieves lawyer and billing rate information.

For those of you in the corner office, Lexis Back Office powered by PCLaw 9 features beefed up reporting, including new sorting and filtering options that can identify your most profitable clients, staff and practice areas.

Also, if trust accounting requirements keep you up at night, Lexis Back Office powered by PCLaw 9 should provide some relief with its built-in safeguards to prevent overdrafts, as well as reports that provide an audit trail for all transactions.

Lexis Back Office powered by PCLaw 9 tightly integrates with Lexis Front Office powered by Time Matters 9.0 and LexisNexis Total Practice Advantage. Prices start at $400 per user. Learn more about Lexis Back Office powered by PCLaw 9.

How to Receive this Newsletter
Published on Wednesdays, TechnoLawyer NewsWire is a weekly newsletter that enables you to learn about new technology products and services of interest to legal professionals. Like all of our newsletters, it's free. Please subscribe now.

In today's issue of TechnoLawyer NewsWire, technology journalist and freelance writer Taeho Lim covers a comprehensive online service for litigators, and a "back office" accounting and time-billing program and "front office" case management program that integrate with each other. Don't miss the next issue.

Below you'll find one of the three articles from today's edition:

Soup-to-Nuts Litigation Software and Services
By Taeho Lim

What's worse than multiple logins? Not much, that's for sure. LexisNexis Total Litigator provides an "end to end" litigation solution that directs you to the appropriate legal resources and tools for each step in your case. By tying together virtually all of LexisNexis' research and litigation services, you'll only have to login once no matter what you need to do.

When you log into your account using any Web browser, LexisNexis Total Litigator organizes the home page based on the typical steps in litigation: Early Case Assessment, Draft/File/Serve, Discovery, Research, Gather Intelligence, and Trial Preparation.

Below each step, you can access corresponding tools and resources. In "Early Case Assessment," you can research companies, witnesses, judges, arbitrators, lawyers, jury instructions, demographics, jury verdicts, and dockets. Total Litigator also points to software tools like LexisNexis CaseMap, TimeMap, and NoteMap that may come in handy at this stage.

"Draft/File/Serve" enables you to download forms, search for briefs, pleadings, and motions, retrieve court documents via CourtLink, serve process, file documents electronically via LexisNexis File & Serve, and verify citations and automate brief drafting with Shepard's Link, StyleCheck, BriefCheck, and Full Authority.

"Discovery" provides similar forms and research services focused on discovery issues. You can also sign up to receive free case summary alerts so that you can stay on top of this rapidly changing field. If you use Applied Discovery, you can access your account through Total Litigator by linking the two services. This step also points to software programs like Concordance.

"Research" provides access to LexisNexis' bread and butter — its vast legal research services, including cases, statutes, agencies, court rules, news sources, and of course Shepard's. You can also enter a citation to quickly find a court opinion, statute, etc. "Gather Intelligence" enables you to find experts, public records, copyrights, trademarks, patents, and much more. Trial Preparation provides access to LexisNexis resources such as Matthew Bender's collection of opening and closing statements.

LexisNexis Total Litigator also provides email alerts to keep you updated on docket activity, relevant changes in the law, and important facts pertaining to your case. In addition, you can conduct freeform searches in which you can combine sources. Learn more about LexisNexis Total Litigator.

How to Receive this Newsletter
Published on Wednesdays, TechnoLawyer NewsWire is a weekly newsletter that enables you to learn about new technology products and services of interest to legal professionals. Like all of our newsletters, it's free. Please subscribe now.