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LEGALTECH by John J. Cord


The MTLA Technology Seminar: Lessons Learned


On September 19, MTLA held its first annual Technology


Seminar. The event was very successful, and attendees came away with a tremendous amount of information, regardless of their technological skill levels. Here are the highlights:


Use of Graphic Exhibits with 21st Century Technology— James Gentry: MTLA member Jim Gentry of Salsbury, Clements, Bekman, Marder & Adkins, LLC presented on graphic exhibits for trial and mediation. Not only did he en- tertain the audience with a history of courtroom technology (including showing actual footage from the trial of the 1932 Lindbergh kidnapping), but he demonstrated the versatility of PowerPoint to effectively present evidence and argument. Some of the other software tools he recommended include: Sanction (to present documents and other evidence at trial), TimeMap (to create timelines), Easy Street Draw (to diagram collision scenes), SnagIt (screen capture), Adobe PhotoShop 5 (graphics editing program) and Camtasia Studio (to capture audio and video from your desktop).


Technology Expo: During this segment of the seminar, MTLA’s own sponsors described emerging technological trends and products to help our practices succeed. Here is a sampling: • Lextranet (L.A.D. Reporting and Digital Videography): Lextranet is a management system for documents related to a specific case. It features online document hosting, and allows numerous laws firms to work together on the same case to collaborate in an efficient manner. The program maintains and provides access to pleadings, transcripts, correspondence, and even the case calendar.


• TrialWorks: TrialWorks is a case management system for a firm’s entire caseload. It eliminates reliance on paper files, provides documents to any employee who has access to the firm network, and can automatically generate pleadings and correspondence. It organizes all of the documents and events of each case.


• DepoLaunch (Gore Brothers Reporting and Videocon- ferencing): DepoLaunch is a single CD that contains all components of deposition: the transcript (in ASCII, .PDF,


or E-transcript), the scanned exhibits, and the synchronized video files (if the deposition was recorded). Files can be moved from the CD straight to your computer network.


• Digital Dictation and telephone products (McEnroe Voice and Data, Inc.): Attorneys who use dictation no longer have to rely on recorders with microcassette tapes, but can enjoy the benefits of digital dictation (it’s like using an MP3 player instead of a tape player). McEnroe also provides IP phones, wireless conference bridges, and unified messaging (all phone messages, faxes and e-mails go to your e-mail inbox).


• LiveNote (West, a Thomson Reuters Business): LiveNote allows attorneys to see the rough version of a deposition as the deposition is taking place. The transcript can also be beamed realtime to others outside of the deposition room (for example, an expert in another state), who can commu- nicate with the attorney via an embedded instant messaging system. Depositions can also be coded during and after the deposition.


The Paperless Office—Larry Greenberg: President’s Club member Larry Greenberg of the Greenberg Law Offices ex- plained the usefulness of internal case management systems to (1) eliminate reliance on paper files; (2) promote efficiency through file searchability and access; and (3) create security by storing documents in multiple formats in the event of disaster. The components of a paperless office are simple: a high- speed scanner and a case management system (for example, TrialWorks, Needles, Time Matters, Amicus Attorney, Abacus Law, etc…). The system maintains all case-related contacts, calendaring, e-mails and documents (pleadings, transcripts, correspondence, etc.). Everything is located on your network (with a backup system off of your network), so you can access it while in the office, at home, or on the road.


Conclusion: There can be no doubt that technology is here to stay. Every year brings more advances in computing, commu- nication, and data storage. Attorneys must stay on top of these growing trends in order make business easier for themselves, and to better represent their clients.


Fall 2008


Trial Reporter


53


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