Latest & Greatest – Paperless in One Hour for Lawyers

By Sheila M. Blackford & Donna S. M. Neff

Published by American Bar Association Law Practice Division (2014)

KF 318 .B53 2014

Joining the other titles in this series, Paperless in One Hour for Lawyers introduces the solo or small-firm attorney to the art of becoming less dependent on paper and becoming more comfortable with the idea of going paperless. Organized as a series of lessons, this book guides the lawyer through the process of transitioning to a digital office. The authors discuss the hardware and software needed to better enable the change, cloud-based storage, and useful apps that will make it easier for lawyers to go paperless. In addition, the authors offer some suggestions on procedures and protocols that allow attorneys to manage the documents that are now stored digitally. They even explain how to create an electronic signature and an authenticated digital signature. (Yes, there is a difference. Check out Lesson 7 for the explanation). Also, because client information will most likely be involved in the transition to go paperless, there is a lesson devoted to ethical considerations. In the back of the book, there is a listing of many useful books, blogs, publications, and websites that could help in the quest to dig yourself out from under all of those paper piles.

So, what are you waiting for? Why drown in all of the paper? Learn to ditch the paper in 60 minutes with Paperless in One Hour for Lawyers.

Ex Libris Juris Recognized by Texas Bar Top 10

We are thrilled to announce that a recent Ex Libris Juris blog post, Learning Tech -- Deliberate Practice and Benefits of Proficiency, was recognized in last week's Top 10 Blog Posts on Texas Bar Today, a publication of the State Bar of Texas. We're grateful for the recognition and very proud to be in the company of so many excellent Texas law blogs.

For more legal tech news, keep following our posts on Ex Libris Juris. Our Tech Tuesday feature brings you a new tech-related post each week, and our Latest and Greatest feature presents recent additions to the the library's collection. Other topics of interest to the Harris County Law Library community are presented throughout the month, including topical information related to our monthly theme -- October is Immigration Law Resource Month -- and news of upcoming library events, one of which, Social Media for Lawyers, is soon approaching. Don't miss it! 

Celebrate Plain Language Day 2016

Since the passage of the Federal Plain Writing Act on October 13, 2010, those who favor and promote the use of clear language have celebrated International Plain Language Day. The Act (Pub. L. 111-274) defines plain language as "writing that is clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field and intended audience." The purpose of the Act is to "improve the effectiveness and accountability of Federal agencies to the public by promoting clear Government communication that the public can understand and use." Although the intention of the law is to increase the clarity of our nation's official documents, communicating in simple language is a worthy goal in all areas, including law. 

At the Harris County Law Library, we have several titles in our collection that will help you simplify and organize your writing. Thinking Like a Writer: A Lawyer's Guide to Effective Writing and Editing is one such title, and several CLE publications address the topic as well, including Exceptional Legal Writing and Legal Writing to Win. Bryan Garner, the undisputed dean of legal writing, is a strong proponent of plain language. His column, On Words, which is published monthly in the ABA Journal, is an exceptional resource for learning about the effective use of language in legal documents. An organization called Clarity, the international association for promoting plain legal language, is another useful source, as is their biannual journal, The Clarity Journal, which is distributed free to Clarity members. Past issues are available through the journal's online archive. 

Reducing the complexity of legal writing is a worthwhile objective, and taking a day to recognize this effort is part of that goal. Join is in observing International Plain Language Day and the commitment to using effective communication in government and law. 

Latest & Greatest – Encryption Made Simple for Lawyers

By David G. Ries, Sharon D. Nelson, and John W. Simek

Published by ABA Law Practice Division

QA 76.9 .A25 N455 2015

Seeking to take the fear out of encryption and what it entails, the authors of Encryption Made Simple for Lawyers set upon the task of proving that encrypting information is not as complicated and difficult as it may seem to those not fully versed in the language of “techspeak”. From its earliest forms, e.g. ciphers and secret decoder rings, encryption has been used to make communications secret and secure, and in this age of cyberterrorism and data breaches, understanding how to encrypt confidential information has taken on even greater importance. The authors begin by explaining, in simple terms, the basics of encryption technology, such as the Data Encryption Standard algorithm, digital certificates, and symmetric and asymmetric encryption before discussing the nuances of encrypting laptops and desktops, smartphones, and portable drives. The authors also stress the need to protect data as it travels through various networks or into the cloud as well as the practicality of securing individual documents.

If you don’t think that you need to encrypt or further secure your documents, you may be mistaken. As the authors readily point out: lawyers have an ethical obligation to keep communications confidential. Encryption Made Simple for Lawyers can help you perform that duty or, at a minimum, convince you that you need to obtain the services of a qualified professional. Don’t wait until a data breach to take action.

Learning Tech -- Deliberate Practice and Beneifts of Proficiency

Last week, on the ABA Journal website, two "Legal Rebels," Darth Vaughn and Casey Flaherty of Procertas (famous for developing the Legal Tech Assessment), co-wrote a column about the necessity of learning how to use technology in the practice of law. "Sorry," they say, "technology isn't easy -- you take the time to learn, or you lose."

No advanced skills are required to conduct a basic Google search or to compose a simple document in Microsoft Word, but for attorneys and other legal professionals, sophisticated tech abilities are a must. As Vaughn and Flaherty say, "We actually need to work at becoming proficient with the standard technology tools of our trade."

Developing technological competency as a lawyer is mandated by the Model Rules of Professional Conduct, and being aware of the limitations and potential risks of technology's applications is just as critical. The adage about 10,000 hours of deliberate practice may not apply, but familiarity with standard issue software and expert-level skill in managing email, manipulating spreadsheets, and conducting advanced legal research is increasingly essential.