MEDIA REVIEWS

The 2009 Solo and Small Firm Legal Technology Guide:
Critical Decisions Made Simple

By Sharon D. Nelson, Esq., John W. Simek, and Michael C. Maschke
American Bar Association $84.95

This book is the second edition of an exhaustive guide to legal technology providing advice about what is necessary for sole practitioners or small firms to enhance their practice at a reasonable cost. It covers everything a sole practitioner or small firm needs to know from a technological standpoint, including information about computers, monitors, printers, scanners, servers, operating software, security software, remote access, billing software, and much more.

It makes specific product recommendations in each category of technology discussed, and provides information about where those products can be purchased and their cost. Depending on preference for a PC or Mac computer, it directs the reader to a single business-grade computer and components that the authors think will best meet sole practice or small firm needs. It also provides some practical advice on what not to get when purchasing a new business-grade computer and other technology equipment.

Additionally, it educates the reader on some of the most expensive decisions that the sole practitioner or small firm will have to make about its computer technology, including whether or not to invest in a server, and provides a recommendation on the best servers for different sized operations. It also contains recommendations on the best security devices and security software to protect the sole practitioner or small firm’s computer system, confidential work product, and client data from malicious network traffic, viruses, spam, and worms. It discusses several recent technological advances, including voice recognition software, and provides several recommended options that enable attorneys to stay connected with access to their email, calendar, appointments, and files. And, it includes a list of utilities that a sole practitioner or small firm might find useful, some of which are available at no cost.

The book is perfect for attorneys who do not have time to learn about the latest computer technology and related gadgets, and prefer to have a technology expert tell them exactly what they should buy for their sole practice or small firm at a reasonable cost. The book will give the reader the information necessary to obtain better consultation about technology needs when necessary.

Jane Ray of counsel to Nelson S. Ebaugh, P.C. in Houston.

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