For anyone who grew up watching “Perry Mason” (and I suppose “L.A. Law” or “Boston Legal” fans can relate, too), the role of the attorney and his/her loyal secretary seemed to encompass the entire professional landscape in a law firm. With great joy, I’ve learned that there’s actually a cast of thousands of dedicated, smart professionals who support those lawyers as part of the well-oiled machine that provides great client service.

It’s fitting that this issue of the magazine heralds the annual observance of Professional Legal Services Week (PLMW runs the first week of October), an initiative launched by the Association of Legal Administrators a few years ago. PLMW recognizes the roles of the many professionals who make the “show” go on without a hitch. And I’m delighted to salute many of those roles within this publication. You’ll find a little something for everyone here; and there’s great content that focuses on improving your professional standing regardless of your specific role.
 
I applaud the many contributors from our member and vendor ranks who’ve shared their insight and best practices learned over their journeys along the many paths of professional development.

Have you hugged your legal professional today? Enjoy!

Randi Mayes
Executive Director

ILTA’s Law2020^® initiative is proving to be a real catalyst for thought-provoking content as we collectively anticipate and embrace the changes that are afoot in our firms and law departments. It’s an exciting time, and I am deeply appreciative of the many contributors who’ve shared their visions and their real-world experiences while riding the wave of change.

We celebrate the branding of our Law2020^® concept by incorporating the colors of our logo in the design; this magazine will surely stand out on your bookshelf when lined up with the other three issues for the year.

It’s full speed ahead to 2020, and I’m glad to know that the ILTA community is leading the charge.


Randi Mayes
Executive Director

My career as a communications technologist reached its high point when my firm’s 2400-baud modem made its squawking debut three decades ago. I’ve been comfortably resting on my laurels (and my move to the management side of the house) since those days, and I’m ever so thankful that others support my increasing demands for constant connectivity, immense bandwidth and easy mobility.

With the convergence of communications technologies, the emergence of tools that address both business and entertainment needs, the benefits and drawbacks of explosive social media and a very device-savvy (and hungry) population, the telecom guru at your firm has to move at the speed of sound.

I applaud ILTA’s Communications Technologies Peer Group Steering Committee who stepped up to the plate with ideas, experts, authors and content galore; and you’ll find information inside that spans the vast telecom spectrum. I salute our many contributors for allowing us to tell the telecom tale in our magazine.

I want to put a ding in the universe.
–– Steve Jobs


Randi Mayes
Executive Director

With the ubiquity and variety of information (and misinformation) that’s available across media of all types, it’s easy to imagine the changes that are already occurring in how we learn and how we teach. We are challenged with rapidly changing technology landscapes; multiple generations side-by-side in the workforce, each with a different optimal learning environment; and changes within our law firms, as a result of economic pressures and/or changes that occur naturally over time.

What a wonderful learning opportunity this issue of Peer to Peer presents to its readers. I’m appreciative of the many contributors who’ve provided their proven strategies or their views of the future. Read and learn.

With great clarity, I could envision this issue of the magazine when the theme was locked in last November. Leadership — what a wonderfully apt and engaging topic for the ILTA universe.

There is no shortage of literature on the topic of leadership; in fact, you’ll find two book reviews in this edition. And the cinematic treatment of leadership runs deep and wide; look for many movie references as you peruse the content. Despite the vast array of mythology, lore and knowledge surrounding leadership, it remains a very abstract concept, highly dependent on situations, cultures and “tribes.” As I made connections with our authors and contributors, it was clear to me that we each have some very personal encounters that imprint leadership traits on our psyches. It’s the rich person who can mine those imprints, learn from them and nurture them into true leadership.

I was smitten with a particular article pitch from Gina Buser, CEO of Traveling Coaches. She touched on three traits of leadership: courage, heart and brains. Who wouldn’t think of “The Wizard of Oz?” — conceptualizing the cover art has never been easier. Thanks, Gina!

There is something for everyone here. Read, learn, enjoy. Know that ILTA is in extraordinarily good hands with our abundant array of leaders. Pay it forward!

John Alber, Technology Partner at Bryan Cave, reached out to me within hours of the conclusion of last year’s ILTA conference to propose an in-depth look at the law firm of the future. His enthusiasm first reached my BlackBerry while I was awaiting my flight home. Fueled by his own passion for leading change, John saw an opportunity for ILTA to educate our members and support them through the ten years ahead, as John predicts a sea change in law firms. Thus was born Law2020.

With a small bit of trepidation, I began to outline the possible content for this publication, our magazine that launches the Law2020 initiative across several years and multiple media. Who are the visionaries? How can we paint a picture of the future that is engaging and instructive? And what about that future –– what exactly is in store as we mark the years between now and 2020?

My contributors came through with flying colors. John’s article and case study set the stage for Law2020 and provide a starting point from which we’ll grow our vision, expand our educational offerings and provide thought leadership over the next ten years. I appreciate David Hill’s “curmudgeonly-crafted” article, which provides a thought-provoking view of the future that is different from John’s. The many folks who will be instrumental in leading us toward a solid future are bylined in this edition of Peer to Peer, and I salute them all.

As with all things ILTA, the future’s so bright, you gotta wear shades!

With too few exceptions, today’s headlines seem to bring us “one more thing” to worry about. Natural disasters and malice of the human variety are reason enough for every business to give thoughtful consideration to disaster preparedness and recovery plans. The legal profession, in particular, has even more pressure to be vigilant; lawyers are subject to high levels of risk related to conflict of interest, client confidentially and custodianship of records. Complying with laws and regulations, ever changing and ever more punitive, gets tougher every day. Even if all these worries went away tomorrow, there is the ongoing potential for lost revenue and lost business from hardware failures, power outages, computer viruses, and on and on. What’s a firm to do?

Our authors have our backs; they’ve got expertise and practical experience in walking the tightrope with attorney departures and lateral hires; they know a thing or two about shoring up firewalls and virus protection; they give us first-hand reports on business continuity plans for firms large and small; they challenge IT professionals to learn more about the business of law in order to create continuity and recovery plans that are strategic.

It’s risky business, certainly; but the challenges can be met by savvy professionals, and this issue of our magazine is sure to make you smarter. What you don’t know CAN hurt you.


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While dining on the patio of a local restaurant the other evening, I was envious of the nearby patron and the “flying insect repellent” app residing on his iPhone. I had the daily special and some annoying flies. He had the good technology.

And there’s the rub –– what’s cool and entertaining, and now only ninety-nine cents away, is the bane of the mobile support personnel at the firm. There is more technology contained within your BlackBerry than was present on the first lunar landing module a mere four decades ago and, perhaps, just as much at risk.

Our authors weigh in on how their firms are meeting the challenges imposed by the convergence of personal entertainment and corporate applications on those tiny, powerful devices. Whether you’re looking for the perfect mate in the way of a smartphone, doing research to bolster your firm’s mobile support policies, or considering a fleet of netbooks for your team, there’s something for everyone herein, thanks to our knowledgeable authors.

As we close out this year in print, my resolution for the year ahead (aside from celebrating economic recovery) is to deliver the highest quality content to you, our cherished members and vendor constituents. And that’s content that’s written by you!

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Conceptualizing the cover art for this issue of Peer to Peer brought to mind several metaphors for professional development, but none resonate as strongly for me as “growth.” Like a plant that requires nourishment and proper climate to support a deeper root structure, greater height and expanse, and finally a blossoming and germination, so, too, there is a path of growth and maturation for anyone who seeks deeper knowledge, richer experiences, broader exposure and greater responsibilities. Jonas Salk said, “The reward for work well done is the opportunity to do more.” And so it goes along the path of professional development, with the ultimate goal, in my view, of mentoring others toward greater possibilities.

There are numerous inspirational quotations around leadership and professional development, and I’ll slip in a favorite of mine (and the second quote for the intro, in case you’re counting) from Adlai Stevenson: “It’s hard to lead a cavalry charge if you think you look funny on a horse.” Our contributors offer sage advice on how to feel really good on that horse. They might have a few tips for the horse, too. Applying project management tools to professional development; working with a professional coach; moving from the mindset of trainer to performance coach — these are just a few of the concepts our authors explore. Enjoy their words of wisdom, often grown from seeds planted by those who blossomed before them.

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Feature Articles:

We've been proponents of doing more with less long before the phrase "bailout plan" became part of our vernacular. Necessity is not only the "mother of invention," it's also the big daddy of innovation. And that's what you'll read about in this issue of Peer to Peer. Our contributors are abundant and knowledgeable, and they address innovative ways to do more with less, to keep your staff motivated and to position you and your employer for a smooth landing when the turbulence abates. Web 2.0, SaaS, cloud computing, virtualization - these are just a few of the technologies that facilitate innovation. The bylines in this issue could be a roll call for ILTA's Open Source Software Peer Group, and we appreciate the significant direction by Mark Manoukian and his Steering Committee in rallying the OSS experts among us. As you take advantage of the great information flowing freely within, reflect on the power of our community to connect and share. ILTA has always been a great stimulus package.

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Feature Articles:

A focus on sustainability of resources, relationships and businesses is vital to our future. Many thanks to the authors and contributors who’ve shared their success stories and views on sustainability initiatives, which come in many flavors. With all due respect to Kermit the Frog, turns out it is easy being green.

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The theme of this issue of Peer to Peer - Risk Management - is particularly meaningful in our current economic climate. When coffers are flush with cash, we are often saved from making hard choices, especially with respect to the "security/convenience equation." It is easy to squeeze security initiatives when faced with difficult cost decisions. The authors in this issue will help you weigh these decisions and bring valuable insight to the table when considering your options.

While the concept of "foreign countries" is relative, the need for today’s firms to keep pace with globalization is universal. New technologies - from cloud computing to ERM systems - can help, but many IT professionals are still trying to figure exactly how they apply. In this issue, we examine the pitfalls and challenges IT professionals face when supporting a globally expanding law firm. More important, we offer advice and anecdotes from your peers who have learned from experience. As always, we thank each of our authors for their contribution.

The court's the source that has the force,
And EDD is your recourse.
Precision is the goal, of course.
The judge, you need not dread.

The authors’ work we can endorse;
So read each piece with no remorse.
The FRC must be enforced . . .
It’s all about the Fed.

Much like Mr. Potato Head, project management can have many faces.  Different methodologies exist in the growing field of PM, and putting slight spins on these methodologies is equivalent to changing Mr. Potato Head's features until you have the perfect face.  And once that face is built, it’s important to document how it was done, determine who is best at repeating the process and where all the parts fit in the overall scheme.

We gratefully thank our authors for sharing their knowledge and expertise, and for putting a smile on our faces.

Mobile, remote and wireless technologies are all over the map, literally!  And that's the goal.  Enabling our users to work anytime, anywhere is paramount these days.  Whether it's an attorney accessing an exhibit from a courtroom down the street, or a secretary in Beijing entering time at the home office is Toledo, these technologies are what make our organizations run.  Our authors look at areas from the in-office experience and WAN considerations, to setting up for trial and dictating via PDA.  Thanks to them for keeping us "wired."

There are so many methods and tools to aid collaboration, it can be difficult to determine what will work best in your organization.  Client needs, your organization's culture and, of course, money are just some of the factors that play a part in how you choose to collaborate.  We gratefully acknowledge our authors for looking at the many aspects of collaboration - SharePoint, workflow solutions, wikis and more - and for collaborating with ILTA’s editors in sharing their expertise.

The training challenge today is determining and implementing the best of all worlds.  Firm culture and, of course, resources play an integral part in the process.  Is instructor-led training adequate for your firm?  Should you consider establishing a firm university?  Is e-learning the holy grail for ensuring that your users are always "up to speed?"  How do you determine if your training plan is successful?  Thanks go to our authors for teaching us some new tricks.  We trust you can take home a "straight-A" report card.

Filling out a document profile is the easy part of DM.  It starts getting tricky when determining who needs access, what information needs to be harvested, where documents should be stored and what search tool is the most effective.  Our authors tackle these issues and offer tactics to conquer this ever-broadening field.  This issue of Peer to Peer differs from others in that we have asked some vendors in the DMS space to specifically address their products.

Today's HR professional is faced with so many issues that are critical to the management of an organization.  Communication, motivation, culture, structure, recruitment, training, politics, assessment, appraisals and technology are just some of many issues that must be undertaken.  Our thanks to our authors for offering their ideas, suggestions and processes to help you tackle some of these issues and show you how technology can help share the burden.

Thomas Henry Huxley once said, "The rung of a ladder was never meant to rest upon, but only to hold a man's foot long enough to enable him to put the other somewhat higher."  He must have been thinking about business process and workflow.  The key to a good business process is to keep it moving upward.  Reassessing and improving a process brings efficiency, saves money and mitigates risk.  Thanks go to our authors for telling us how.

"The world is so fast, there are days when the person who says it can't be done is interrupted by the person who is doing it."  This anonymous quote sums up the progress made with collaboration tools - intranets, extranets and portals.  There are so many ways and tools to aid in sharing information, the question, "Can it be done?" is the easy part - "Yes!"  The hard part is determining what and how much information needs to be shared, with whom, and which tools best fit the culture and pocketbook of your organization.

We gratefully acknowledge our authors for looking at the many aspects of collaboration — planning, security, aesthetics, usability and tools — and for collaborating with ILTA's editors in sharing their expertise.

There are so many factors in creating and implementing a BC/DR plan, it's like constructing a building.  Do you start the process by looking at a specific type of disaster or at a critical component of your normal business operations?  The answer is "yes" to both.  The key to planning any project is to start small.  Build one part (and test it, of course), and you've got the building blocks for the next part of the project.  We extend our gratitude to our authors, who collectively provide a strong foundation to the BC/DR planning process, and excellent individual blocks as well.  These individual blocks - pitfalls you may encounter, success factors to consider, teleworking as a viable option for your organization and securing your client's corporate record books - just need a little mortar to secure their place in the building.

Many thanks to our authors for contributing their expertise to this issue:  Bob Dolinsky, John Hall, Atlas Lee, Gary Levine, Skip Lohmeyer and Cathy Planchard.

Facilities management can mean more than managing the mailroom, copy center and conference rooms.  It can also mean creating an inviting work space (and taking that space "on the road") and effectively managing a physical move.  Thanks to our authors, we can walk around the Peer to Peer facility and open the door to considerations for a library, conference center or training room makeover, flip the switch and shed some light on ways to ease the burden of a move with good planning and good use of technology, and open the window on how to achieve an "in-office" feel when working out of the office.  Walk around, and enjoy your stay!

This issue of Peer to Peer takes a sharp turn from technology and focuses on you, your goals and your professional development. Charting your course to reach your professional goals often involves some serious self-evaluation and the help of a mentor. Our authors offer up their own approaches to professional development, and we know you’ll find something of value herein.

We are secure in the knowledge that you'll find many illuminating gems in this issue of Peer to Peer.  With gratitude, we acknowledge the contributions of our many member and vendor authors who answered the call to address issues surrounding the ever-popular topic of security.  Read, learn and practice safe computing.

In keeping with the theme of this issue, the “Road to Success is Paved with Good PM,” here's our project charter:  We are providing you a variety of articles on the subject, authored by experts from our member and vendor population, which we trust will educate and entertain you.

If General Patton were in command of the war on spam, he might say something like this to his IT troops:

Listen, you IT people, this stuff that some sources sling around about you wanting out of this war on spam, not wanting to fight, is a bucket of computer chips.  IT people love to fight, traditionally.  All real IT people love the sting and clash of battle.  You are here for three reasons.  First, to defend your firms and your users.  Second, for your own self respect, because you would not want to be anywhere else.  Third, you are here because you are fighters, and you like to fight.  So now, you sons and daughters of software developers, you know how I feel.  I will be proud to lead you wonderful people into battle anytime, anywhere.  That’s all.

We trust the articles in this issue of Peer of Peer will help lead you and your organization successfully in your continuing war on spam.

Growing business and remaining competitive in a demanding and changing legal environment is one of your firm’s key business challenges.  And a significant part of this challenge is how most efficiently and effectively to manage your records to protect and defend your clients and your firm.  Thus, records management — the collection, organization, control and access to critical information within an organization — is an indisputably important strategic issue for your firm, one that demands significant time and knowledge gathering.  Of course, the very thing that RM seeks to ease and tame — the crushing volume of paper and electronic documents — may make it difficult for you (or your firm’s current or potential records manager) to have the time to get up to speed. We hope the articles in this issue of Peer to Peer will serve as an easy-to-digest primer.

In the majority of today's workplaces, any new task or project involves Web-based research and access to internal content and project systems.  And thanks to today's abundance of Web-based tools for both desk jockeys and road warriors, "paperless" workflow is posible for everything from the creation, capture and classification of assets to their searching, sharing, business processing and mobile access.  Web-based document management is something that we can all get our teeth into — and in these nine articles we give you plenty of tasty information to feast upon.

In the legal community, the name Microsoft engenders a wide range of opinions and emotions in the hearts and minds of IT professionals about this ubiquitous company, its products, even its founder.  But one feeling is both universal and ceaseless:  the feeling that MS products are a relentlessly moving target that's always being updated, always being changed, always being debugged and always having to be learned and relearned.  In light of this, perhaps we should have added four words to the theme of this issue of Peer to Peer:  "What's New and Coming at Microsoft ... As You Read This!"

The eight articles in this issue come from IT pros who are in the trenches every day with MS products, so they offer an incredible amount of knowledge and experience that we believe will be invaluable to you in your own trenches.

For this issue we chose the open-ended theme "IT Potpourri" in order to give our members and vendors the opportunity to share their knowledge and experience on subjects that hadn't fit neatly into any of the year's previous Peer to Peer themes.  And as you can see by the titles of the 11 articles below, our contributors came through with a wide range of subjects of interest to IT professionals and others in law firms and legal departments.

That's exactly what the combination of voice, video and data on a single, integrated communications network is—a convergence that can provide a harmony of benefits for law firms—including convenience, cost savings, increased bandwidth, security and more. The seven articles in this issue cover the subject in detail—from why to adopt the technology to how to do so, plus case studies of actual installations that have proved extremely successful.

Firms and legal departments are faced with incredible demands to produce documents and information during the discovery process, and the methods by which the legal team goes about that business are changing. Computer forensics is more than a buzz-word; it’s a reality.

With the avalanche of unsolicited e-messages crushing and the job of filtering out objectionable content and malicious code daunting, the need to organize and retain e-mail messages as data is burgeoning. We providing some insight and guidance in this issue with our focus on e-mail message management.

Business-savvy law firms and legal departments are smart to keep a keen eye on the return on investment of any technology project, and we’ve got the experts to tell us all about it in this issue. 

Many on our listsevrs were eager to hear what others were doing in the realm of strategic planning, and a few brave souls tried to spark a conversation by throwing out their own concepts of proactive rather than reactive planning. When we approached our vendor and consultant community to solicit their expertise on the topic, they were not shy about offering their observations on the process.

In our ultra-connected world, wireless solutions are becoming more commonplace, and many firms are struggling with various issues that are particular to the wireless breed. Fortunately, the feasibility of migrating many applications and procedures to the wireless world is making headway.

What firm or company is not faced with the reality of a tighter economy, possible staff reductions, restrictions on travel and overall belt-tightening in 2002? The articles in this white paper address concerns in that area from varied perspectives.

Hardly a soul in the ILTA world has been untouched by the threat, if not the process, of Mergers and Acquisitions. You’ll get good advice from several angles.