State of the Art of Information and Practice Technology
Even though our attorneys practice in three offices, we have always operated as "one firm." To support this management and operations philosophy, our technology infrastructure is set up to maximize the utilization of the Firm's integrated local and wide area networked computer and telecommunications systems, enabling both offices to work together seamlessly.
Our offices are linked via a robust wide area network that provides attorneys working on the same matter, regardless of location, easy access to our document management system and other digital resources. This technology enables us to effectively staff large matters and cope with crisis situations by engaging as many of the Firm's attorneys as needed without incurring travel expenses.
The Firm's implementation of its technology infrastructure takes into consideration the real possibility of business interruption due to many types of disaster scenarios. We have redundant systems, plans and procedures in place, and continue to improve and enhance them to ensure the continuation of our services to our clients.
Use of Technology
All attorneys in the Firm have stable remote access options. We use home PCs and Blackberry handheld devices extensively for electronic mail (Microsoft Exchange/Outlook), document creation and management (Microsoft Word 2003/iManage Interwoven), and legal research. Our attorneys can remotely access all the resources on our network from home computers, any time of the day or night.
Electronic Mail Connections
We can establish secure email connections with clients, which are used to transmit messages and documents. While we have the capability to send and receive both unencrypted and encrypted internet email, we encourage the establishment of server-based encryption of internet email using the S/MIME internet standard. Once established, it provides seamless, transparent and "on-the-fly" encryption, decryption, and digital signature of electronic mail messages and attachments such as Microsoft Office files. This allows our clients to securely review, annotate, and revise documents electronically, thereby improving efficiency.
Electronic Billing
We often submit billing data in various electronic formats, including the LEDES format. The Firm is committed to using electronic billing methods whenever appropriate. We transmit billing data either 1) directly to our clients' systems, or 2) through third parties. Depending on client preference, we have transmitted data via Tripoint/DirectInvoice, Tymetrix, Examen, Allegient Systems and Litigation Advisor.
Practice Technology
Litigation support is the primary focus of the Firm's Practice Technology department. The Firm's Practice Technology department is led by a Director and implemented by senior paralegals, document clerks and other technologists, all of whom are focused on providing systems consulting services to the Firm's attorneys and clients. We often are involved in matters where systems design and development and technology consulting methods are used to address unique information management challenges found within and around our clients' legal problems. Along with the Firm's attorneys and Information Technology department, the Practice Technology staff can interact with our clients' legal and IT staff to help develop appropriate procedures and documentation necessary to create and implement solutions, irrespective of pending litigation or ongoing transactions.
The Firm's Flexible Extranet Service: CaseInteractive and DealInteractive
Case and DealInteractive represent the Firm's secure extranet content and application platform where clients can log into a secure website and view documents. This platform can host complex case and transaction management sites, as well as simple and secure document collaboration sites. These document sharing and project coordination sites are as easy for our clients and co-counsel to use as they are for the Firm's attorneys and staff. A simple internet connection is all that is needed.
Traditional Litigation Support
The Practice Technology department also utilizes many industry leading tools, such as Concordance database software, Opticon document image management software, and LiveNote transcript management software to organize materials and manage the discovery phase of litigation matters. The tools are designed to reduce costs to the client and improve overall case management and efficiency. Further, when appropriate, we work with our clients to engage and manage leading third-party service providers to handle large document management and processing systems.
Large Document Review and Production Support
The Firm is uniquely equipped and staffed with attorneys and Practice Technology staff to handle very large document production and review projects. Various types of document requests are handled internally with the latest techniques, equipment, and software to ensure timely, secure, and cost effective review and production of all appropriate documents.