April 7, 2007 by Dan Siegel.

So, what do I use in my office? That’s the question I’m always asked. I have a lot of answers.

My office is managed with Legal Files, a superb case management program I use (after testing 7 others, including many major names). While I like Time Matters, and recommend and support it, Legal Files is still a slight bit better for my needs. It isn’t perfect, however, and I wish it had Time Matters’ “formattable clipboard” and its “Packages” feature, but overall it wins by a nose.

In addition, I use Adobe Acrobat Professional 8 all the time, and Case Map, Time Map and Live Note have become keys to keeping my law practice going and growing. I don’t love Time Slips or Quick Books, but they work, so I’m not changing. I’m also in the process of integrating Hot Docs with both businesses. On the other hand, I still rely on a host of “non-legal” but key programs. Thus, I also use Word, Word Perfect X3 (the best word processor I’ve ever used), Access, and an array of other more common software.

Let’s start a dialogue — What are your favorites? Let me (and everyone else) know.

That should be fun.

Posted in Software, Random Thoghts | Print | 4 Comments »

April 7, 2007 by Dan Siegel.

People who know me know that I love computers and software, and that my technology business, Integrated Technology Services, LLC, is just fun for me. It’s like getting paid to play. But it’s still a business, and after a year and half, it’s still a learning process. What have I learned? Some companies treat you nicer than others. Some of the big companies just want to squeeze out the little guy (like I could possibly kill their businesses) while others embrace the little guy. One example is Lexis-Nexis, a monolith no doubt, but a company that has embraced my business and knows that as I succeed, so does it.

I’m now a Certified Independent Consultant (CIC) for Time Matters and am in the process of becoming a CIC for Hot Docs. The people have generally been really nice, and they are committed to working with me. The same goes (10X over) for the wonderful people at Case Soft (they make Case Map, Time Map, etc., and I support them all). They have always been a pleasure to deal with, even after Lexis-Nexis bought them.

On the other hand, other companies get bought out and the first thing they do is try to eliminate me. One company immediately ended my reseller agreement (I made about $50 commission per license) and raised their prices so high that most of my clients — solos, small and mid-size firms — probably aren’t going to buy their product anymore. Do they care? No. They say the number-crunchers told them what to do.

Posted in Integrated Technology Services, A Little Ranting, Software | Print | No Comments »

April 7, 2007 by Dan Siegel.

That’s right, there’s another legal education seminar, the Managing Partner Development Institute, but I’m a partner (shall we say “co-founder”) of this one. Along with PBA Law Practice Management guru Ellen Freedman (whose brainchild this is), Attorney David Sorin, and law firm PR maven Mary Beth Pratt, we’re creating the first, and only, conference designed to educate managing partners and managing partner wannabes in firms from 2 to 50+ lawyers how to do their jobs better/more efficiently and, hopefully, more profitably. The Institute is June 1 and 2 at Normandy Farm in Blue Bell. We have an exciting, intense program planned, and expect that this is just the firm of many to come (along with other services like listserves, podcasts, etc.). Interested? I hope so. Just go to www.managingpartnerinstitute.org for more information, and to register. I’d love to see you there.

Dan

Posted in Manging Partner Institute | Print | No Comments »

April 7, 2007 by Dan Siegel.

It’s taken some time to get going, but I’m pleased to announce that Legal Tech Blog is live — and alive. That’s right, or should I say, “that’s write.” Rather than only author periodic columns about technology and the practice of law, which are limited by space (and deadlines), I’m happy to unveil Legal Tech Blog, where I can share my views with others, and learn from them as well. So, join in, have fun, tell me what you think, and let’s enjoy technology together.

Dan Siegel

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