CHAPTER 15 Understanding Current Technology
Back in the day, lawyers didn't have to be proficient with technology because there wasn't any. Okay that is a little glib, but as recent as 20ish years ago, many lawyers didn't have computers on desks.
Cell phones were more of a novelty than a necessity. Law firms devoted large parts of their office to word processing departments and couriers who would hand deliver documents both locally and afar.We know this because we lived this. Today, the practice of law could not be more different from a technological standpoint. While few lawyers are tech geeks (we see you, future IP lawyers), it doesn't mean you don't have to be proficient in a variety of technologies to make your path as successful as possible.
In more blunt terms: don't be the technology luddite that is always struggling to keep up. Technology has two main uses in the law. First, it's used as a communications platform enabling you to provide better customer service. Second, it's an efficiency platform that allows your service to be delivered in the most cost-effective manner to your clients or save you and your organization time in completing your tasks.
This book isn't about teaching you how to use technology. That would be a very helpful, but immensely boring book to write, so we aren't the people to do it. Rather, we are going to clue you in on key technologies you should be comfortable with and the reasons for it.
We won't insult your intelligence and assume you can work a smartphone, text, and email like the best of them. What you might not know a ton about is cloud computing and storage. Services like Dropbox, Box.net, Azure, iCloud, and Amazon Web Services allow for secure online storage of documents. If you haven't used these services, you should check them out.
You'll also want to know how you use your employer's particular document management system, eDiscovery platform, LexisNexis, Westlaw, and other bespoke software platforms.
Tread lightly when a client requests to communicate in a way you don't normally utilize. Communication channels like Slack or even Facebook Messenger are more and more popular with younger clients all the time. Our word of advice: only communicate on secure platforms that are approved by your employer. And try to minimize the number of channels so you don't miss anything. As discussed often in this book, however the practice of law is a service business, so you may ultimately need to defer to the client.
As for social media, keep in mind a few things. First, if you are on social media channels, consider what you have on those channels. Old tweets and pictures of beer party days may not be appropriate in your new profession. Before you start work (and ideally before you even interview for a job), review all of your social media content and make sure it is appropriate. If not, remove it immediately. You should assume that clients and colleagues will want to connect on social media, and you will be hard pressed to say no to them.
If you aren't on social media, make sure you at least understand what each major platform does. Depending on your position, you may have client social accounts you'll want to monitor to ensure they don't get into trouble.