Thursday, July 02, 2009
New Sites of Note, 7.2.09

New Web sites and blogs of note for legal professionals:

posted by Robert Ambrogi @ 2:48 PM, , links to this post

Wednesday, July 01, 2009
New Sites of Note, 7.1.09

New Web sites and blogs of note:

posted by Robert Ambrogi @ 8:15 PM, , links to this post


New Sites Offer Help for Laid Of Lawyers

The two major U.S. legal research companies, West and LexisNexis, both separately announced new initiatives and new Web sites to help laid off lawyers as they make the transition to new jobs. I have more details in a post I published today at Legal Blog Watch, West, Lexis Offer Help for Hard Times.

posted by Robert Ambrogi @ 7:30 PM, , links to this post

Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Head-to-Head Review: Casemaker vs. Fastcase

Two legal research services are in a head-to-head competition to win the loyalty of America's lawyers. If you think I'm talking about Westlaw and LexisNexis, think again. This battle is between Casemaker and Fastcase. For my monthly Web Watch column in Law Technology News, I offer a head-to-head review of the two services: Web Watch: Casemaker vs. Fastcase (free LTN registration is required).

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posted by Robert Ambrogi @ 8:28 AM, , links to this post

Monday, June 29, 2009
I Am Now a COLPM Fellow-Elect

I am extremely honored to announce that I have been elected as a fellow in the College of Law Practice Management. The letter I received from COLPM President Edward Flitton explains:
"The COLPM is an honorary organization, unassociated with any bar association, which formally recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the law practice management profession over a period of not less than ten years. Currently, there are just over 200 Fellows from all around the world."
One need only browse the directory of current fellows to understand how honored I am to be in such distinguished company. Until I am formally inducted during the COLPM's annual meeting in September, I am a fellow-elect.

As icing on the cake, this year's annual meeting will be part of a larger, not-to-be-missed event, a two day Futures Conference Sept. 25 and 26 at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Featuring a stellar line-up of speakers, it is described as "a dynamic, interactive conference designed to help you navigate the future of the legal profession."

As for my election as a fellow, I am indebted to Ron Friedmann and Simon Chester for nominating me.

posted by Robert Ambrogi @ 2:24 PM, , links to this post

Friday, June 26, 2009
Podcast: Air France Crash Legal Issues

On May 31, Air France flight 447, out of Rio de Janeiro bound for Paris, seemed to vanish into thin air. A frantic search for passengers and the black boxes turned up some of the bodies and scattered parts, but no black boxes.

This week on the legal-affairs podcast Lawyer2Lawyer, we examine the lega proceedings likely to result from this crash, including what law governs, in what jurisdiction cases may be brought, and what damages survivors are likely to recover.

Helping us understand these issues are two lawyers who are specialists in aviation-related litigation:
You can listen to or download the show from the Legal Talk Network.

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posted by Robert Ambrogi @ 10:11 AM, , links to this post

Thursday, June 18, 2009
How Facebook Fueled My Birthday Karma

Yesterday was one of my most memorable birthdays ever. And it was all thanks to social networking -- and some amazingly thoughtful and generous people. I was going to write a lengthy blog post all about it, but then Molly McDonough at the ABA Journal did it for me.

Read her piece and you will understand why I feel today as if I received the best birthday gift anyone could ever hope for -- the kindness of friends. I asked people to support a Facebook cause, the Massachusetts Bar Foundation, and many responded quickly, some by joining the cause and others by contributing to it.

I am particularly grateful to the people who contributed money. It goes to the MBF to fund programs in Massachusetts that increase access to justice and that enhance the administration of justice. I want to give special thanks to two people whose generosity went above and beyond the call -- Stacy Stern and Tim Stanley, the founders of Justia.

My birthday is over, but your chance to support the MBF continues. I was honored to be elected an MBF trustee last year and I had been a fellow for many years before that, so I know first-hand the good work it supports. It is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year and it is celebrating this milestone with a variety of fundraising and outreach activities. The MBF receives much of its funding from the IOLTA program, and one need only read this New York Times article from earlier this year to understand how hard hit that program has been and how legal services programs are suffering.

posted by Robert Ambrogi @ 10:03 AM, , links to this post

Friday, June 12, 2009
MA Lawyers: Free Guides to Data Privacy Compliance

As of Jan. 1, 2010, Massachusetts lawyers will be required to comply with the Massachusetts Data Privacy Act, a strict new law requiring businesses to encrypt personal data and adopt written policies for data and file storage. The Massachusetts Bar Association, the Massachusetts Law Office Management Assistance Program and Catuogno Court Reporting Services have joined forces to present two free videos on what lawyers must know and do to comply with the law.

In the first video, Rodney Dowell, LOMAP director, discusses the purposes and requirements of the law. In the second, Mark L. Kupsc, president and CTO of HyTech Management LLC, Hingham, Mass., reviews the steps a law firm should take to implement data security.

In addition to the videos, LOMAP's Jared Correia today posted a guide to the Data Privacy Act. It includes links to the act, the relevant statutes and regulations and various other resources helpful in understanding and complying with the law.

posted by Robert Ambrogi @ 8:58 PM, , links to this post