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1. Law Firm Automation Frequently Asked Questions
2. Law Office Software
3. Computer Hardware Configuration
4. Other Services
5. Is a Technology Consultant Expensive?
6. Your Best Choice – Legal Technology Institute

The Most-Often Asked Questions About Law Firm Automation
Many law firms are concerned about the cost of automation and whether they will receive a timely return on their investment. Here are the most commonly asked questions about law firm automation:

Will automation help our firm operate more efficiently?
Law firms that automate find that attorney and staff productivity increases. The amount of increased productivity is dependent upon the selected software, the hardware operating the software and the training received by the end user. With computer software designed specifically for the legal profession, your law firm will easily increase its operating efficiency.

Are we using our present system effectively?
Many law firms rely heavily on automation. We will help you determine if your firm is getting the most from its current investment. If not, we will show you how to improve your office productivity using your present system.

How can our attorneys improve time management?
Simple tasks such as reviewing case status and deadlines take an inordinate amount of time. Placing this information on the computer and showing the attorney how to access case-specific information to make informed decisions will significantly improve the attorney's time management.

How can we effectively recover operating expenses?
Law firms often neglect cost recovery and absorb these expenses under firm overhead because it is a time-intensive task. Telephone, postage, copy and fax charges can drain the firm's overhead budget. Computer hardware and software technology exists to help the law firm recover costs and electronically transfer the information directly to the client's bill.

What are the common functions automated in a law firm?
Word processing, timekeeping, billing, accounting, docketing and litigation support are the most common functions automated in a law firm. Electronic mail and group scheduling are common functions found in law firms using local area networks and other multi-user systems.


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Law Office Software

Software selection is crucial for the law firm to realize a significant improvement in office productivity. Our experts constantly keep track of new introductions and updates of software specific to the legal profession. We determine your firm's unique needs and make recommendations to meet those needs.

Business Management Software
Day-to-day law office administration and business tasks are handled by back office software systems, including:

Practice Management Software

Practice management software enhances your productivity by improving time and information management. These programs fall into two categories: those that are specific to your area of expertise (substantive) and those that help you practice law:

Substantive Areas of Law

Tools for Practice

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Computer Hardware Configuration

Our design and development experience in computer hardware and software gives us the unique advantage of understanding how these systems interact. Coupled with our consulting experience with law firms, we understand how law firms can best use computer technology. Therefore, we help maximize your computer investment.

We work with your staff, objectively assessing your present automation systems, including computer hardware, software, and operating systems. After determining your firm's immediate needs and long-range goals, we design a total hardware and software solution to meet those needs.

To ensure a smooth transition, we develop a timely implementation plan that fits your firm's schedule.

We configure systems for:

Our clients use a wide variety of systems, including:

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Other Services

Expert Witness
Our experience in designing computer hardware and software technology qualifies us as expert witnesses. We have helped law firms understand the technology and pinpoint areas of question in computer-related cases. Call us to discuss how we can help you with your case.

Vendor Proposal Evaluation
Perhaps your firm has several vendor proposals in hand. But with constantly changing technology, how are you to know which is the best solution? Do the proposals meet your firm's immediate needs and long-range goals? Would you be paying too much? We deal with computer hardware and software vendors daily. We can help you objectively evaluate proposals and negotiate the price of the total system.

Troubleshooting Computer Problems
We are sometimes asked to handle problems that a computer vendor cannot – or worse, will not – solve. These types of problems usually arise when the vendor has not thoroughly analyzed the law firm's automation needs. We work with the firm and the vendor to resolve these conflicts. If your firm cannot resolve computer problems, call us and we'll take the necessary steps to help correct the problem.

Getting the Most Out of Your Existing System
"I know we're not using our system to its capacity." "What can we do to increase staff productivity with our current investment?" These are questions commonly asked by law firms. Our experts will objectively assess your firm's computer use and assist you in realizing your system's full potential.

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Is a Technology Consultant Expensive?

There is no doubt that computer technology is helping law firms practice law. Why would a law firm seek the help of a technology consultant? When your firm decides that automation will improve your office, you may be uncertain about which form of automation is best. Computer vendors may not be objective about the kind of system best suited for your practice.

Most firms don't have the time, expertise or necessary resources to devote to the task of evaluating software and hardware. The consultant's experience ensures that information from vendors is complete and meets the needs of the firm. A consultant deals with these decisions daily and shares that experience with your law firm.

A consulting firm specializing in law office automation must be experienced in many highly-specialized areas including: word processing, accounting, time management, database applications, computer hardware technology, and evaluation techniques. The consultant will work with the firm and make specific recommendations for automation systems and help select the integrator who can handle the installation. The consultant also should be capable of negotiating the contract with the systems integrator.

Larger firms with in-house computer support departments may need direction for specific legal software or applications on their existing computer systems. They may also question the cost of maintaining larger systems versus the benefits of downsizing. A technology consultant will help the law firm choose applications that will enhance the firm's practice.

A true consultant is independent of all vendors. This independence allows an impartial recommendation for computer software and hardware, giving you the type of system you need, not what the vendor sells.

A Consultant Will Save You Money By:

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Your Best Choice - Legal Technology Institute

The Legal Technology Institute at the University of Florida Levin College of Law is your Best Choice for your law office automation needs:

  1. We are consultants to the legal profession
    Our experience in working with the legal profession enables us to know what is available in software specifically for law firms and how firms use technology to improve their bottom line.

    We do not sell computer software or hardware
    Our advice to your firm is entirely conflict-free. We recommend software and hardware that your firm needs, not just what the vendor sells.

    Our consultants have business and technical degrees
    We understand computer technology and how software works. Andy Adkins, Director of the Legal Technology Institute, is an electronics engineer with years of design and development experience. He holds a Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering.

  2. We are often guest speakers at legal conferences
    We often speak at national, state and local bar meetings. The articles we write concerning computer applications for the legal profession often appear in national legal publications.
    As the consulting arm of the Legal Technology Institute dealing specifically with law office automation, we efficiently and effectively assess your firm's needs and help automate your firm within your automation budget. We develop an implementation plan, ensuring a smooth transition from your firm's present automation to the recommended system. We monitor the implementation plan during installation and training, ensuring the project meets both performance and scheduling objectives.

 

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