The Digital Practice of Law, 5th Ed: A Practical Reference Applying Technology Concepts to the Practice of Law

This book has been organized into eight chapters to guide you through the process of automating your practice.

This book is a practical reference for applying technology concepts to the practice of law. This book chapters cover in a comprehensive manner the following areas. Chapter 1 entitled The Necessity for Automating the Practice of Law presents persuasive reasons for the automation of your practice. It is intended to challenge you to begin the visualization of how law will be practiced and to start the strategic planning for this revolution. The focus will be on the reasons for automating your practice , visualizing and implementing the virtual law office.

Chapter 2 is entitled Hardware and Software and provides basic information as to the hardware and software needed to automate your practice. From how much RAM you need for your computer to factors when considering a software upgrade this chapter explains the hardware and software concepts and practical considerations.

Chapter 3 entitled Networking and Group Computing explores the role of computer networking and Intranets in your practice as well as a discussion of the emergence of workgroup computing as we transition into the digital age.

Chapter 4 entitled The Internet and Telecommunications explores the exciting world of the Internet and the role of telecommunications in the practice of law. It explains the different digital information channels and the many modules of the most powerful communication device of all times The Internet. Among the many topics it provides pointers on accessing the Internet, selecting an Internet service provider (ISP), building your web site and a list of Internet sites to assist you in your practice.

Chapter 5 entitled Management and Personnel Technology Considerations focuses on engineering and re-engineering technology from a human resource perspective. Issues such as management support for technology integration, training approaches and competency testing for law firm personnel are discussed.

Chapter 6 entitled Computer Concepts and Legal Applications will discuss computer concepts and their application to the legal profession. It is necessary to understand basic computer concepts in order to integrate them into your practice. Document assembly, databases, full text systems and multimedia are a few of the concepts discussed.

Chapter 7 entitled Using Information Technology (IT) in Your Cases will focus on the office and litigation process on how to integrate IT into your cases. This chapter focuses on the practical steps and considerations of managing the legal and factual details of your case from the perspective of the litigation process.

Chapter 8 entitled Using Multimedia in Legal Proceedings will discuss using computers and technology in legal proceedings to assist you in persuading the trier of fact of your position. It discusses the practical considerations of presenting your case in a digital format and the courtroom issues that may affect your presentation. Techniques and tips on how to present your case and whether real-time reporting should be used are a few of the technology issues discussed.

The Glossary explains explain key computer definitions.

Michael R. Arkfeld
Assistant United States Attorney
District of Arizona
E-mail: Michael@Arkfeld.com

Michael R. Arkfeld is an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Arizona specializing in civil tort litigation. His practice includes multimillion-dollar cases involving personal injury, medical malpractice, wrongful termination, and a host of other tort claims. He has appeared before both federal and state appellate courts and has extensive experience in jury and bench trials. His duties include comprehensive case management plans, investigation and deposing of expert and lay witnesses, pretrial preparation of witnesses and document organization, pretrial filing of documents, and appearances for motion hearings, pretrial conferences, trials, and appellate arguments. During 1996-97 he assisted in the information technology planning and implementation in the Winstar litigation. The Winstar litigation will involve over 100 Department of Justice attorneys, 400 plaintiffs and over 60 of the major law firms in the country with potential liability of twenty billion dollars. ($20,000,000,000).

Since 1985, Michael has incorporated personal computers extensively in his legal practice, and lectures frequently throughout the United States on the use of computers in litigation. His comprehensive approach to using computers in the practice of law includes calendaring, case action plans, full text document management, imaging, document assembly, databases, spreadsheet applications, graphics and computer generated simulations. Michael has authored the book - The Digital Practice of Law (4th Edition).

Michael is a member of the American Bar Association and a member of the Litigation and Law Practice Management Sections. As a member of the Law Practice Management Section he has been on the TechShow Planning Committees since 1996 which is responsible for the general overall planning for the TechShow Conference which annually attracts over 2,800 legal professionals. This includes the substantive program content and recommended speakers. Michael also is an Assistant Editor of the Litigation Applications Newsletter. As a member of the Litigation Section he serves on the Judicial Administration Division committee on the Admissibility of High Tech Evidence in the Courtroom. He recently has been appointed as the Chairperson of the Technology Committee for the Judicial Division of the American Bar Association.

He is also the Chairman of the Task Force on Integrating Technology into the Justice System for the State Bar of Arizona. This task force was formed to take facilitate the integration of technology into the justice system in the State of Arizona. Committee members include representatives from the courts, legislative, executive, state bar and law schools. The mission will be to implement a virtual justice system through the use of technology. Subject areas covered include electronic filing, electronic data on-line services, virtual conferencing, training for bar members, conferences and seminars, communications and other areas which impact the implementation of technology in the justice system such as the Internet.