Legal Tweets

Richard Susskind's keynote at #ILTA09

KMHobbie: Waiting for Susskind talk on technology, #web20, alternative billing, and technology at #ilta09

• VMaryAbraham: Susskind: What's the "hole in the wall" lawyers deliver? (Black & Decker doesn't sell tools, they sell ways 2 provide hole in wall) #ilta09

• evalio: The future of legal services is knowledge capture and management, and dispute avoidance. #ILTA09 Susskind

• evalio: The future of legal services is knowledge capture and management, and dispute avoidance. #ILTA09 Susskind

• evalio: It's hard to convince a room full of millionaires that their business model is all wrong. #ILTA09 Susskind

• seanabrady: "Clients want more for less" - This is the theme for next 5 - 10 years. #ilta09 Susskind

• evalio: 2 ways to cut costs: efficiency (cut costs) or collaboration (share costs) #ILTA09 Susskind

• seanabrady: Bespoke, for those in the US who dont know, means a high tailored solution. Custom suit, software, or legal service. #ilta09 Susskind

• evalio: Not everything you do will be commoditized, but certain discrete components certainly can be. #ILTA09 Susskind

• CookiesJBW: Richard Susskind #ilta09 re: end of attys - fabulous! What's more likely? An online pet or an online lawyer?

• VMaryAbraham: Susskind believes that fixed fees align lawyers w/ clients. They all want to avoid problems so they work together earlier. #ilta09

• evalio: Focusing only on doing what you do now and making it a bit cheaper/better totally ignores innovation. #ILTA09 Susskind

• seanabrady: "The best way to predict the future is to invent it." #ilta09 Susskind

• evalio: For legal technologists, the challenge now is to create the new business model, not help create a better version of old one #ILTA09 Susskind

The generational divide from #ILTA09

VMaryAbraham: Crossing the Generational Divide -- preso by high energy Jason Dorsey. [Have I had enough caffeine for this???]

• VMaryAbraham: 4 factors that shape a generation: parenting trends, relationship to technology, level of affluence, expected life span. #ilta09

• VMaryAbraham: Problem: Matures R returning 2 the workplace. Boomers R NOT retiring. Gen X is feeling stuck. Gen Y is puzzled. #ilta09

• antneyb: Gen X-ers defining work characteristics: "prove it to me" and loyalty to individuals not organisations. Pfft. Wheres the proof? #ilta09

• jennsteele:Jason Dorsey, "gen y hates powerpoint. It's what boomers use to look high tech" #ilta09

• VMaryAbraham: Gen X and Gen Y view time as a currency. Many value unpaid vacation days! #ilta09

• VMaryAbraham: Matures and Gen Y are most compatible. Gen X and Gen Y have most conflict. #ilta09

• VMaryAbraham: Offer Gen Y outcomes and rewards that they can show their parents and friends. (Facebook and Thanksgiving.) #ilta09

• VMaryAbraham: Gen X and Gen Y together exceed 50% of the US workforce. #ilta09

• VMaryAbraham: Boomers define themselves by what they do during office hours. Gen X and Gen Y define themselves by what they do after work. #ilta09

• farshidk: gen Y is tech-dependent, not tech-savvy. they depend on technology but they don't know how it works, per session in #ilta09

• VMaryAbraham: Boomers define work ethic in hours per week and the work must be seen to be counted. Face time is important. #ilta09

• VMaryAbraham: Gen X are skeptical. They want you 2 "prove it 2 me." Once you prove it, they R very loyal. BUT they R loyal 2 individs not orgs. #ilta09

• VMaryAbraham: Gen X: This is the only generation he feels sorry for b/c they have been waiting & waiting 4 Boomers to retire. #ilta09

• VMaryAbraham: Gen Y values lifestyle and relationship above work. Gen Y will move to another city and then look for a job. #ilta09

• VMaryAbraham: Gen Y is very tech dependent and therefore lack interpersonal skills. They do everything online. #ilta09

• VMaryAbraham: Boomers tend not to talk to good employees -- Boomers stay out of your business and don't want to hear from you. #ilta09

• Jennsteele: Jason Dorsey: For gen y, if you only give annual reviews, change the name to exit interviews. #ilta09

• VMaryAbraham: Adult-olescence applies to Gen Y. They don't become "adults" until they are 30. (This doesn't apply to Gen Ys who are parents.) #ilta09

• VMaryAbraham: Gen Y's sense of entitlement comes from the extremes their parents go to in order to protect their kids. #ilta09

• VMaryAbraham: On 9/11, Gen Y called Mom, Gen X called spouse, Boomers called Gen Y, Matures called kids or grandkids. #ilta09

• VMaryAbraham: The generation has to be old enough to process an event. 9/11 is Gen Y's JFK moment. #ilta09

• VMaryAbraham: Gen X tends 2 B skeptical.They remember Nixon, oil shocks, laid-off parents. They don't believe relationshp w/ Employer = forever. #ilta09

Alternative Billing Session at #ILTA09

VMaryAbraham: At the Alternative Billing Session: Tom Gaines, Jeff Brandt, Jeff Rovner & Eugene ("call me Jeff") Stein. #ilta09

• backofthenapkin: Use tech for profit: still use hourly recording but bill on fix fee. Must chg how associate success is measured. #ilta09

• VMaryAbraham: Brandt: "Technology is rarely the sole cure for any business problem." #ilta09

• VMaryAbraham: Rovner: There are knock-on changes. We used to measure worth by # of billable hours. Now we value results. #ilta09

• VMaryAbraham: Stein: They develop more specialized associates to provided targeted work for clients, rather than jack-of-all-trade associates. #ilta09

• VMaryAbraham: Stein: They changed their staffing model. More paralegals w/ more responsibility. Partners operate like project managers. #ilta09

• VMaryAbraham: Stein: His firm was paid ONLY upon closing = incentive to finish quickly. #ilta09

• VMaryAbraham: Stein: Once they offered a fixed fee, they got more work from the client than was planned. (Work taken from other firms.) #ilta09

• VMaryAbraham: Stein: Once you have a fixed fee arrangement, the firm assumes risk of cost overruns. In exchange, the firm shld ask 4 more work. #ilta09

• VMaryAbraham: Stein: The key is to understand exactly how the work is accomplished, & what discrete pieces R commodities that can B done cheaply. #ilta09

• VMaryAbraham: Stein: Lower fees 2 clients are offset by lower costs of production, so firm retains profitability. #ilta09

• VMaryAbraham: Stein: Ways to reduce client costs = alt billing + lower the firm's cost of production. #ilta09

• bren924: In addition to lost profits on reduced rates, clients are refusing to pay certain disbursements, further reducing prof/partner #ilta09

• VMaryAbraham: Stein: In addition to the discount in rates, there is also a cut in the disbursements clients are willing to pay for. #ilta09

• mikemac29: Speakers talking about subject that hits home as new Lit Supp Mgr, way we've always done things may not be good enough anymore. #ilta09

• VMaryAbraham: Remember: There were flat fees 25 years ago. But clients demanded hourly rates then. Now they want fixed fees. #ilta09

• VMaryAbraham: Gaines: This isn't necessarily the death of the billable hour. We just need to offer alternatives. #ilta09

• mikemac29: Panel sees area of growth for techs with business savvy and leadership skills, right now leadership is in short supply #ilta09

• bren924: Food for thought in the alternative fee discussion? http://bit.ly/3jXFLg (expand) (via @brucecarton) #ilta09

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NYC Social Media Conference for Lawyers 9/21

On September 21, 2009, in New York City I will be a speaker at Social Media: Risks & Rewards.

This comprehensive, dynamic event will explore the inherent challenges of social media and will arm you with the specific tools necessary to protect your company, your intellectual property and your reputation in today’s virtual world.  Find out how to safeguard yourself and your business through insightful sessions focused on:

• The Social Media Sensation: Pressure to Keep up in the Digital Age
• Exposure, Liability and Consequences of Your Business and Social Media
• Develop your Company’s Corporate Policy for Social Media
• Protecting your Company’s Identity in a Virtual World
• Risks from Employees Past, Present and Future
• Safeguarding your Company’s Intellectual Property
• Best Practices for Social Media.

Challenges from Social Media are only one inappropriate “tweet” away.  Register for this timely program today and ensure you understand the inherent perils of the market and construct the proper policies to protect your company and ensure future growth.

I will be on this panel: Your Business and the Social Media Sensation.

There is a discount for friends and family (and blog readers). If you want to attend,  just visit the conference website at www.corpcounsel.com/socialmedia and use the code SPK for $100.00 off.

On September 21, 2009, in New York City I will be a speaker at Social Media: Risks & Rewards.

This comprehensive, dynamic event will explore the inherent challenges of social media and will arm you with the specific tools necessary to protect your company, your intellectual property and your reputation in today’s virtual world.  Find out how to safeguard yourself and your business through insightful sessions focused on:

• The Social Media Sensation: Pressure to Keep up in the Digital Age
• Exposure, Liability and Consequences of Your Business and Social Media
• Develop your Company’s Corporate Policy for Social Media
• Protecting your Company’s Identity in a Virtual World
• Risks from Employees Past, Present and Future
• Safeguarding your Company’s Intellectual Property
• Best Practices for Social Media.

Challenges from Social Media are only one inappropriate “tweet” away.  Register for this timely program today and ensure you understand the inherent perils of the market and construct the proper policies to protect your company and ensure future growth.

I will be on this panel: Your Business and the Social Media Sensation.

There is a discount for friends and family (and blog readers). If you want to attend,  just visit the conference website at www.corpcounsel.com/socialmedia and use the code SPK for $100.00 off.

Facebook fan pages-the future of business or a dead end?

nikiblack: Re: Facebook fan pages. How's everyone feel about being inundated w/ requests to be a fan? I don't see the benefit of fan pages. Am I alone?

• ScottElias: @nikiblack I would think being a "fan" would be something you didn't have to be "invited" to be, no?

• kluper: @nikiblack I don't see any benefit of Facebook fan pages except for free advertising. I ignore all requests.

• btannebaum: @nikiblack when I wrote my e-book, I created a FB page. But a personal FB fan page? Ridiculous, stupid, ego-centric, annoying.

• GrantGriffiths: @nikiblack I think Fan Pages have purpose. Problem is how Facebook allows one to promote the Pages. That is the problem.

• AaronCU95: @nikiblack how about fb friends that want you to be their fan. not their business, or band, but of them. seems a bit strange

• GrantGriffiths: @pauljacobson and @nikiblack You can do that on twitter, email newsletter or in blog post. Not blasting your FB friends.

• TMarieHilton: @nikiblack FB fan pages have potential to be a 'one-stop' shop to combine blog/social media feeds w/ personal interaction, but not there yet

• advocatesstudio: @nikiblack Value is in helping firm/product you might want to support - the pages on Facebook get good google juice.

• pauljacobson: @GrantGriffiths and @nikiblack You're right about the "join my Page" spam ... drives me nuts sometimes

• davidtcarson: @nikiblack Most fan page requests I receive are from lawyers I'm already following on Twitter. And the fan pages have no unique content.

• nikiblack: @davidtcarson Exactly. I simply don't see the point. What am I missing? Seems like ppl jumping on the bandwagon, but no real benefit

• dougcornelius: @nikiblack FB Fan pages. Why limit your audience to those in Facebook? But Facebook search is something to keep an eye on.

• plzfollow: @nikiblack Are you a fan of anything/anyone? If so - you can participate in forums. Otherwise it's like a bumpersticker to show off

• mikefixs: @nikiblack Re fan pgs: I think ppl miss the point: Shouldn't fan = "advocate" or "proponent"? Sory, I'm not a fan of yr biz unless I luv it!

• nikiblack: @DougCornelius I get the search end of things--but do more fans increase your SEO at all?

• legalwellness: @nikiblack I hope my fan page adds value to my fans - I stream my blog there to make it easier to see/comment and I give fan-only discounts

• advocatesstudio: @nikiblack You also can get updates on what is happening with the firm/product/site. Don't see the show off part.

• Bradinator: @nikiblack The fan pages have limited appeal for me. Events and offers I can rarely take advantage of. Inbox cloggers.

• advocatesstudio: @nikiblack Value within FB can create Google value outside FB. Ask @JDTwitt

• nikiblack: @advocatesstudio But I don't see FB as an outright biz tool.FB is about personal connections leading to biz-not blatant biz PR

• nikiblack: -->@advocatesstudio @DougCornelius ppl search Face Book for other ppl, not for businesses. But maybe that will change...

• advocatesstudio: @nikiblack I think it will change, so pays to keep an eye on it for all purposes. For better or worse ;)

• dougcornelius: @nikiblack I just don't know how lawyers and law firms fit into the mix. "Fan" seems like the wrong word.

• nikiblack: @DougCornelius But that businesses jumped on the bandwagon doesn't mean it will work/is effective. Agreed that maybe will work for some biz

• SCartierLiebel: @nikiblack I'm disinclined to do a Facebook page unless I'm going to be offering something unique there. And then it would under #SPU

• JDTwitt: @nikiblack you remark about local wine store using Twitter well (by advertising 15% off). Many FB biz pages offer more than discount

• nikiblack: @JDTwitt But if no one pays attention to FB pages, then do offers matter? Fans do not = attention/eyes.

• AbacusLaw: RT @nikiblack @justia But do # of FB fans affect SEO? Great question. I am curious about the same thing...

• justia: @nikiblack - number of fans does lead to higher FB search rankings, but does not impact Google rankings

• Opveon: @AbacusLaw @nikiblack @justia # of FB fans will increase SEO if each is a separate post that a search engine can index

• Balasubramani: @nikiblack Facebook could do something to make bz pages a lot more useful - disassociate a bz/fan page from an actual person's page

• Opveon: @AbacusLaw @nikiblack @justia but "21 fans of X" won't increase your SEO. Multiple links will + SEO, not necessarily a # following one link.

• nikiblack: FB fan pages will work 4 biz that are part of user's social experience-music, movies, celebrities, food/wine, tech products-not service biz

• akamrt: @nikiblack +point. Is there a limit to what FB can leverage? Limit to what bz can leverage through FB? What causes limits?

• nikiblack: @akamrt Limits when the users refuse to participate in certain ways or stop using FB because other platforms serve their needs better

• RWSJR: @nikiblack Usually agree with you but as long as people choose who they want to follow, there is still room for these. Have some good exps.

• RWSJR: @nikiblack People do business and are source of referrals for those they know or think they know. Properly done FB presence could do this.

• nikiblack: RE: Face Book fan pages-perhaps what I'm saying is that they're a bad idea for service biz like law firms-Better ways to reach your audience

• nikiblack: Re: FB pages, a lawyer just DM'd me and advised that over the last few months she's gotten 3 new client through her FB fan page.

Using online tools to prep a legal case

The fourth episode of lawtechTalk is now available. 

This screencast (a recording of computer screen output along with video of me discussing what is seen) will focus on using online tools to assist you with brain storming and organizing your thoughts for all aspects of a case, from drafting a complaint to preparing for trial. We'll discuss web applications for brain storming, mind mapping, creating flow charts, and time lines, among other things.

This episode is a little under one half hour long and is available for viewing for a limited time at no cost.  Simply contact lawtechTalk for information regarding how to access this screencast.

The fourth episode of lawtechTalk is now available. 

This screencast (a recording of computer screen output along with video of me discussing what is seen) will focus on using online tools to assist you with brain storming and organizing your thoughts for all aspects of a case, from drafting a complaint to preparing for trial. We'll discuss web applications for brain storming, mind mapping, creating flow charts, and time lines, among other things.

This episode is a little under one half hour long and is available for viewing for a limited time at no cost.  Simply contact lawtechTalk for information regarding how to access this screencast.

The fourth episode of lawtechTalk is now available. 

This screencast (a recording of computer screen output along with video of me discussing what is seen) will focus on using online tools to assist you with brain storming and organizing your thoughts for all aspects of a case, from drafting a complaint to preparing for trial. We'll discuss web applications for brain storming, mind mapping, creating flow charts, and time lines, among other things.

This episode is a little under one half hour long and is available for viewing for a limited time at no cost.  Simply contact lawtechTalk for information regarding how to access this screencast.