Unit 8: Specialty Software

Reminders Incomplete Request forms due in my Inbox on Monday, June 20th Office hours will be Friday, March 28th from 1-3pm EST Read (portions of) chapters Chapters 10, 11,15 Unit 8 test due Tuesday, June 14 th One discussion board (PowerPoint)

Specialty Software Tailored to unique functions of law office Programs available for different practice areas Used by small and large law offices See the link below for a list of specialty software:

AbacusLaw Calendar Program Legal specialty software that can be used for: -Case management -Calendaring -Contact management -Document management -Time entry -Billing -Calculate deadlines -Client payments and more Starts at $199/ 1user hp (free demo) hp

Abacus Law

Abacus Law: Calendar Day, Week, Month, and Staff Views: Why might you want to see “staff view?”

Abacus Law: Contacts, Events, Matters These are used to organize/find specific info. in various ways:

Abacus Law: Conflicts Check What do you think of this program to conduct conflicts check?

Abacus Law: Call Manager You can also use this program to track phone calls and messages with a record kept:

Abacus Law: Date Calculator Why is the date calculator so important?

Abacus Accounting This program allows you to do all of the following: Browse by files Enter time tickets to record time Record costs, payments, trust deposits, Track pre-bills and actual bills Write checks, maintain a payroll Monitor activity on accounts

Abacus Accounting: Client Payments

Abacus Accounting: Time Tickets What would you use this for?

Timekeeping Software Keeping track of billable and non-billable time For attorneys, paralegals, secretaries and file clerks Some compatible with Smartphones Apps available for Smartphones

LexisNexis Time Matters Access case or client info. Enter time and expenses Web-based service (no cabling or synching required) Works on iPad, Blackberry, iPhone, Android Integrated with Microsoft products Still developing following for cell phone use: -Time, task, event, note, document and records -Alerts and notifications -Ability to access archived records 30-day trial:

Case Management Software Organize and explore facts, people, and issues Create specialty reports and documents, including trial notebook info. Easy search and retrieval of all of the evidence Documents associated with case stored on computer in electronic folders

Prolaw (Westlaw Publisher Product) Integrated with Microsoft Office Suite Features include: - and Electronic File Management-Billing -Westlaw Legal Calendaring Rules-Budgeting -Case and Matter Management-Billing -Firm-wide Reporting-Records Management

Presentation and Trial Graphics Most available presentation graphics software programs are those included in Corel and Microsoft Office suites programs Provide templates of graphics, artwork, and layout as sample that user can easily modify Advantage of these programs is their flexibility. -Can prepare and present graphic presentation electronically, using computer, with or without projector, and print out paper copies for distribution

SmartDraw SmartDraw can be used to create graphics such as: -Timelines -Evidence charts -Legal flowcharts -Patent drawings -Crime scene diagrams Can export software file to Microsoft Office program $197/ 1 user; $895/ 5 users; $1695/ 10 users (free trial)

SmartDraw You can create professional looking charts:

Smartdraw And decision trees – what might you use this for?

SmartDraw: Business Cards (for independent paralegal)

SmartDraw: Web Designs You can even create your own web design!

SAMPLE TIMELINE

SMARTDRAW TIMELINE

Discussion Board Assignment Create PowerPoint presentation to present to hiring members of law firm to make paralegal job application stand out Create 6 slides, highlighting yourself and accomplishments Include at least 4 of the following: - Use a template -Modify the color scheme -Add animation-Add graphics or pictures -Add audio or a narrative -Use two different layouts -Add a table -Change background style

PowerPoint Information & Tips See chapter 15 assigned reading For PowerPoint 2003 tutorial: For PowerPoint 2007 tutorial: For PowerPoint 2010 tutorial: help/CL aspx

Questions?

Reminders Incomplete Request forms due in my Inbox on Monday, June 20th Office hours will be Friday, March 28th from 1-3pm EST Read (parts of) chapters Chapters 10, 11,15 Unit 8 test due Tuesday, June 14 th One discussion board (PowerPoint)

Have a Great Week!