In turn, many lawyers in search of knowledge have undergone the conversion experience of adopting a new technology, and that experience indicates that the true challenge lies in converting your firm's people, not its machines, to the new applications that best suit its needs. Much of the new technology has unmistakable appeal. A properly exploited case management system, for example, can serve as central depository for all client and case information, linking calendar dates to documents, matters to clients, and so on. New research tools can quickly search every law book that applies to your practice area. Time and billing software can maximize your time and bottom line.
Organizational peace is only a few installations away.
In an office of more than one person, it is not enough for one lawyer to board the information management train. Once you have chosen the means to get better organized, the question becomes how you can ensure that everyone in your office will employ them. The first step in installing any program is to make sure that the computer you use meets, or better yet exceeds, the program's system requirements. You want to make sure your machines will be able to handle all the applications. Kathy Taylor, president of KeyPoint, which designs case management systems for criminal defense firms, agrees.