The Law Firm of Tomorrow Today - Video Archive
Recorded at the 2013 NYSBA Annual Meeting

4.0 MCLE Credits (2.0 ethics, 2.0 areas of professional practice/law practice management)

Advances in software, technology and access to information via the Internet, have revolutionized the way corporate America conducts business. Law fi rms of all sizes have adapted to these advances adopting computers, word processing software and provide access to the Internet. However, few fi rms have truly leveraged these advances to gain effi ciencies in their practice, become more competitive, increase fi rm profi tability and meet client expectations by adding value to the client’s business through knowledge sharing, pro-active counseling and effi ciency, while reducing their costs.

The program will look at issues raised by the Report of the Task Force on the Future of the Legal Profession and how to implement some of the recommendations of the report. Attend this program to learn how your fi rm can begin to incorporate elements of the law fi rm of the future into your law practice today. This program will review the traditional law fi rm model identifying the impact of failing to taking advantage of the latest methodologies, technologies and information management and where failure to understand these issues result in a breach of professional responsibility. Panelists will explore the strategic imperatives necessary to position your fi rm to be healthy and competitive while protecting your firm. Topics that will be covered include knowledge management (“KM”), matter management, process management and project management techniques as well as technologies to ensure your fi rm runs effi ciently, safely and cost effectively such as cloud computing, enterprise search and tools to improve the effi ciency and accuracy of large E-discoveries. Panelists will also discuss how these new methodologies and technologies impact attorney ethics and professionalism.

Program Agenda

Welcome and Introductions
Marion Hancock Fish, Esq., Hancock Estabrook, LLP

The Law Firm of Tomorrow Today and the Practice of Law in the Electronic Age - Where Are We Now and Where are We Headed
Attorneys should have sufficient knowledge of technology to avoid ethical violations. Law firms big and small adopt new technologies and processes to streamline their workfl ow and manage their matters. Program moderators will set the stage providing an overview of the current law firm model, the practice of law in the electronic age, ethical challenges and ways to remain competitive in the future.

(0.5 MCLE Ethics Credit)

John C. L. Szekeres, Esq.
Anastasia V. Boyko, Esq., Practical Law Company, Inc.


Incorporating Elements of the Law Firm of the Future into Your Law Practice Today – Law Firm Management Strategies, Technology Advancements and Ethical Concerns
Panelists will discuss important areas that fi rms should focus on today and why they are important to position the firm to be competitive in the future and will address the ethical and professional responsibility issues raised by adopting or not adopting the areas discussed. Learn why process management and project management to track and manage costs and improve efficiency are critical to a well-functioning firm. Understand knowledge management and how knowledge sharing is fundamental to making lawyers more effective in their practice and why clients expect fi rms to have effective knowledge management. Why cloud computing is compelling and the implications from a strategic perspective. Why the latest software tools, smart phones and tablets are necessary to the functioning of a fi rm with the advent of fl exible work arrangements and the focus on work/life balance.

(1.5 MCLE Ethics Credits)

Panelists:
John C. L. Szekeres, Esq.
Janet D. Callahan, Esq., Hancock Estabrook, LLP
Kenneth L. Gartner, Esq., Lynn, Gartner, Dunne & Covello, LLP
Michael S. Kraft, Esq., Kraft & Kennedy, Inc.
Brian Donnelly, Director of Educational Techology and Lecturer in Law, Columbia Law School

Is Your Firm Making the Best Use of Modern Technology –  Implementing Productivity Tools to Remain Competitive and Increase Efficiency
Building upon the discussion in the first panel, the second panel will cover ways your firm can make the best use of modern technology.  Panelists will discuss specific ways your firm can implement tools to remain competitive and increase efficiency.  Get information about productivity tools, billing and calendaring software, technology applications for smart phones and tablets, “portable law firm in a box” technology providing data, communications, and software as a bundle in the cloud.

(1.5 MCLE Credits in Areas of Professional Practice/Law Practice Management)

Anastasia V. Boyko, Esq.
Joey Silberfein, Esq., Naomi Beard & Associates
Jack Newton, CLIO
John R. McCarron, Jr., Esq.
John C.L. Szekeres, Esq.

Bringing It All Together – The Future of the Legal Profession and Firm Management
Managing employees, flex-time and day to day operations of the law firm of the future . . . changes and best practices

(0.5 MCLE Credits)

Deborah Epstein Henry, Esq.
Founder & President, Law & Reorder,
A Division of Flex-Time Lawyers LLC

This archived webcast is a video online program that you will view and listen to on your computer screen.

This program was recorded on January 24, 2013 at the New York State Bar Assocation Annual Meeting.

Co-sponsored by the Law Practice Management Committee, the Committee on Attorney Professionalism, the Electronic Communications Committee and the Lawyer Assistance Committee of the New York State Bar Association.

For more information about Law Practice Management resources, visit www.nysba.org/LPM.