Law Technology Today From the ABA Legal Technology Resource Center
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It occurred to me yesterday that, with all of the focus on the newest and the best technology, that we may be losing out on great functionality from the things we now take for granted. And with “throwback Thursday” (#tbt) now becoming a hashtag trend, I thought I’d also throw it back, to when we were so excited about our smartphones’ functionality. Don’t lose sight of opportunities for case organization and business development that are literally always at your fingertips.
Smartphones. We all have them and most of them have at least somewhat similar functionality. In a jam, you can record a statement on your phone, you can videotape a client or a witness, you can take a photo of a deponent to remind yourself of how they will present at trial two years down the road. You can take notes if you don’t have any paper and you can do legal research, on the internet or on an app.
Gchat. I know some law firms restrict access to personal email, but sometimes I get new cases from friends and colleagues because they send me a gchat during the day to get my thoughts on whether or not they should send a client to us. In this world, connectivity is everything, and gchat is just another great way to stay connected with your friends. So long as you continue to let them know what type of legal work you do, you will be the first one they reach out to, whether it’s via phone call, text, email, or even gchat. Stay online.
Facebook. More and more, I get the sense that Facebook’s time has passed, and that people are moving on to Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter and whatever other social networks are out there. But, even if your firm doesn’t have a Facebook presence, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be continuing to post. Amongst the photos and articles you share, you should be weaving in some of your professional life, too. Facebook remains the single greatest and fastest way to reach a large number of people. Blogging, or posting about particularly noteworthy legal wins, belong on your personal Facebook page. It’s a great way, yes, to market your law practice, but it’s also a great way of keeping in touch with friends and letting them know what you do at that office all day. Maybe it’s not the coolest social media available to us anymore, but you shouldn’t let your presence lapse.
Lunch. Finally, the art of a great business lunch. Without a doubt, especially among the younger crowd, dining a deux is becoming outdated and, possibly, uncomfortable. We tweet at each other, we don’t talk to each other. Which is why good old-fashioned one on one attention with a colleague, mentor, or any other business contact is like finding a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. Surprising and altogether welcome. Break out your old-fashioned AmEx and treat someone to your company.
Maybe at lunch, you can discuss the latest and greatest available legal technology.
