LexisNexis will announce tomorrow the release of a new product called “Firm Manager.” I’ve seen the beta version of the product (and am on its Advisory Board). It looks like it will be a leading contender in the practice management arena. Lexis has put a lot of effort, and that means money, to help the small firm (1-9) think electronically as lawyers think in their real world. One of the exciting elements of this product is that the company will listen not only to its Advisory Board, but also to the lawyers who use the product, both in the soon to be expanded beta test and afterward. They are serious about listening to their customers. And while their pricing of the product is yet to be determined, I know the range .. all I can say is that it will be affordable.
Lexis has enabled me to make a special offer to those whom I believe will be interested in working with this product as part of the extended beta group. If you’re reading this blog and are either a coaching or consulting client of mine, or are on my electronic newsletter list, and want to have this very special offer (one not available elsewhere), contact me directly.
An interesting display of exhibits. A lot of energy and fervor. Almost too much to really spend time to discern what each exhibitor has to offer. E-Discovery is still here, but not so prominent. The third level is without exhibitors, something new in my experience. This suggests that either the economy is still bad for small technology firms or there has been so much consolidation that there are fewer companies in existence, each one a little larger, though, than they would otherwise have been. And, of course, we know that LexisNexis and West Thomson-Reuters continue to gobble up good, small companies to add to their offerings. ALM, the organizer, and LexisNexis, the major sponsor, have done a great job in the presentation and organization of this event. Well worth attending if in the area. Others coming will be TechShow (ABA in Chicago) and LegalTech West in Los Angleles, if you missed this one.
When you read the news, or when you thumb through a catalog, you are exposed to new ideas and suggestions you might not have thought about before. When you shop or read the news on the internet, you are focused on the one item or idea you started with. That is limiting.
Thus, there is a place for both. For example, catalogs create need by suggesting items you weren’t thinking about; the Internet is better at fulfilling the need once it’s identified by allowing you to shop for lower prices and faster delivery.
Don’t throw away the baby with the bath water. Newspapers are important. The problem is that if too many people flee the use of the newspaper, they may not be able to pay their investigative reporters. Then, we’ll rely on citizen-reporters, a scary thought.
Likewise, use of the internet (social media, etc.) by law firms is only one tool in the marketing arsenal. It may reach more people; it may be less expensive (though I question this); and it may be faster to create. But, traditional methods of creating relationships and reaching your target market should not be abandoned.
As mentioned in a previous post, my wife and I traveled to Costa Rica over the New Year holiday. It was quite an experience, one we’ll obviously remember for a long time. Attached is a photograph taken of us just before we boarded the craft to take us down river into the Rain Forest, a unique place. We were lucky; it rained hard during the evening, “rain drops dropping on my head” as the song says, but only mildly during the days when we could see the birds and other animals in full color.
Back from a great adventure to Central America, Costa Rica to be specific! It was a great time. Joined by my cousin, we spent 10 days traveling from one side of the country to the other, experiencing a variety of different environments. Our trip was like tasting various appetizers rather than eating one entry.
Following are several of my impressions:
This is a country of beauty and contrasts. Poverty and crime is apparent in the cities while there is exquisite beauty and serenity in the countryside. "Pura vida" is the country’s motto, meaning "life is good."There are major resorts (such as J.W. Marriott) on the Pacific Coast, taking advantage of the scenery and water for surfing and other water sports. The Coast area has been in constant development over the last 20 years, attracting many Americans for vacation and retirement.
The Rain Forest on the other side of the country is a rich eco-system and nationalization of much of these areas are designed to protect the country’s and world’s future. The power and influence of Google was demonstrated recently. In the northeast part of the country, part of the Rain Forest area, Google’s map drew the boundary between Nicaragua and Costa Rica south of the line that has been deemed to be the boundary between the two countries. (According to our guide.) Nicaragua moved its army to claim, and has continued to claim, a significant segment of this territory. Despite Google later admitting its error, Nicaragua still refuses to withdraw.
Costa Rica dissolved its army in 1948. Several countries offered to send military forces to help Costa Rica, but the country has rejected this … preferring instead to seek a peaceful solution. Let’s hope they succeed.
The country’s literacy rate is among the highest in the world. With this, there is a focus on the country’s people and their well-being. Their health system is available to all. The challenges for the future of Costa Rica are the same as those of all developed countries including an aging population, economics of social security, etc.
LitigationWorld, a new newsletter, will begin tomorrow, Monday, January 10, 2010. I’ve seen the first issue and commend it to you for your consideration if you have any involvement with litigation.
The editor says that each future issue will select the best litigation tips from articles and the minds of top litigators and consultants who share them only with paying clients.
LitigationWorld will unearth these tips every Monday; you’ll receive a brief but useful tip relating to electronic discovery, litigation strategy, or litigation technology. In addition, each issue will contain links to the most important litigation articles published on the Web during the previous week so that you won’t miss anything important.
This is the second Interview Ed has done with Erik Pelton. Erik is founder of Erik M. Pelton & Associates, PLLC, a boutique trademark law firm in Falls Church, Virginia. Erik has been named a Top 10 trademark filer by NameProtect’s Trademark Insider two times and is the creator of Apptorney: IPSM, an iPhone® application for intellectual property attorneys (www.apptorney.com). This conversation centers around the topic of branding for law firms.
As mentioned in a previous post, my wife and I traveled to Costa Rica over the New Year holiday. It was quite an experience, one we’ll obviously remember for a long time. Attached is a photograph taken of us just before we boarded the craft to take us down river into the Rain Forest, a unique place. We were lucky; it rained hard during the evening, “rain drops dropping on my head” as the song says, but only mildly during the days when we could see the birds and other animals in full color.