Section 101 – Presented by Merisa K. BowersTechnology you real ly need, how you need to use i t , and how to get i t for [almost] free.

Section 201 – Presented by Bryan M. GriffithThe next level : automation, use of forms, and video conferencing

Essential Technology for Solo & Small Firm

Practitioners

BASIC HARDWARE

Computer Desktop for the office

Laptop for home

- Consider Refurbished models

- Consider towerless models for cleaner look

- Consider larger screens

BASIC HARDWARE

Dual monitors for desktop cheap, easy, and awesome!

BASIC HARDWARE

Phone the pros and cons of only having a cell phone

Smartphone A “must” today?

Printer What to look for: document feeder in top, ability to

print envelopes, availability of inkScanner/copier for larger jobs

Old models cheap on Craigslist, or often available in office shares

External Hard Drive Is this necessary with cloud-based backups?

BASIC SOFTWARE

Microsoft Office Word Excel PowerPoint etc.

Adobe Reader Consider Adobe Acrobat to create forms Adobe Flash (free)

Basic photo editor (Microsoft Paint, Photoshop, etc?)

Internet browser (IE, Firefox, Chrome)

BASIC INTERNET APPS/DOWNLOADS

FileHippo.com for maintenance apps/updatesDropBoxGOOGLE EVERYTHING

Gmail Google Calendar Google Voice Google Maps Google Drive

Ring Central or other e-fax systemQuickbooks Online for invoicing

BASIC INTERNET APPS/DOWNLOADS

BASIC SECURITY

Two step verification for email Text Message codes Back-up email accounts

Good passwords www.computerworld.com/s/article/82883/Secrets_to_the_best_passwords Avoid predictable keywords (“password” should not appear!) Use keywords related to a theme

Honeymoon Nicknames (meemaw, geepaw) Birth of child (blueeyes, onemorepush, crankyRN, icechips) New car/job/home (bmw7series, sunroof6CDs)

Then mix uppercase, lowercase, numbers i.e. “Honeymoon” Theme:

cancun1014MX

Security code for smartphone

PRACTICE TIPS

FILE ORGANIZATION

PRACTICE TIPS

Excel works fine. Honestly. Business Expense Ledger Income/Account Ledger IOLTA/Trust Ledger Conflict Check Ledger Others?

Accounts Receivables Ledger Closed File Ledger

As a solo/small firm, you need to make sure your information is easy to access and understand if you cannot practice.

FEEDBACK/COMMENTS

What technology do you use that you consider essential?

Is a case management system/software necessary in your practice? Rocketmatter CLIO Briefcase

Questions, comments, thoughts?

THANK YOU! Merisa K. Bowers Attorney at Law LLC

Merisa@MerisaBowersLaw.com(614) 753-2235