What’s New
Compiled by Kathryn
Feather
May/June 2004 Issue
My Favorites
by Carianne Carleo-Evangelist
Paralegal
Snyder & Snyder, Tarrytown, N.Y.
Job Details: I work primarily
with the senior partner, whose practice focuses on real estate leasing
and zoning. I draft documents to send out to either our client, or
possibly the landlord with whom the client is working on a lease. I also
act as a liaison between the client and the senior partner to answer
questions on a timely basis.
Favorite Legal Services:
Automated City Register Information System, the access system for New
York City’s Department of Finance, which provides access to public
records. Because I do a lot of work with leasing on my job, this site is
a real timesaver. Although I still must wait for the report from the
title company to have a guaranteed search, ACRIS prepares me for what is
coming so there are fewer surprises.
Favorite Gadgets: PocketPC by
Toshiba. It allows me to easily track meetings from both the firm
calendar and my own calendar, as well as be reminded of upcoming events.
Additionally, it runs Microsoft Windows CE, so I can use Pocket Word and
Excel while away from my desk and then transfer them to my computer.
Because the firm makes use of Advanced Computer Innovation Inc.’s
WordPort, I don’t have to worry about whether a document is in Microsoft
Word or Corel WordPerfect because I easily can convert between the two.
Favorite Web Sites: I use
FindLaw’s form page (http://forms.lp.findlaw.com/states/ny.html)
for New York State because it saves a lot of time. I don’t have to scour
the Web for a form I don’t have, but can find what I need in moments. I
also use the National Law Journal’s resource for finding court
decisions (www.law.com/jsp/nlj/utility/courtopinions.jsp).
I like the way it’s organized.
Favorite Publications: I read
Law Office Computing (www.lawofficecomputing.com).
I enjoy its software reviews because it helps me stay abreast of new
technology that might make my job easier and allow me to complete my
tasks quickly. Legal Assistant Today helps me stay up-to-date on
the profession since I am relatively new to the paralegal field. I also
read the New York Law Journal, (www.law.com/jsp/nylj/index.jsp)
and Fordham University’s Journal of Corporate and Financial
Law (www.law.fordham.edu/publications).
Favorite Products: I simply could
not live without WordPort. Our office works primarily in WordPerfect,
but often our clients prefer Word. We need to easily convert between the
two without spending a lot of time reformatting the documents.
SOFTWARE
Courtroom Instant Replay
YesVideo Inc. released YesLaw Version 4.0 for managing, editing and
creating deposition videos and transcripts. Version 4.0 allows users to
export clips directly into other programs such as Sanction by Verdict
Systems, Summation and Microsoft PowerPoint. Features include the
ability to create standalone video and audio, produce streaming video
files with corresponding text, e-mail snapshots or compressed video
clips from YesLaw software, search the text of multiple videos within a
deposition, and view page and line numbers on the transcript.
YesVideo Inc.
(800) 910-5009
www.yeslawcd.com
Managing Your Content
Interwoven Inc. released WorkSite Version 8.0, a platform
specifically designed for matter-centric collaboration in law firms.
WorkSite 8.0 allows firms to consolidate all relevant case information,
including documents, e-mails, billing information and contacts, in a
single electronic file that can be accessed internally by various
departments or externally by remote users. Features include practice
group collaboration, providing users with a single online workspace;
e-mail management, which captures e-mail and organizes it by matter;
data centralization, which allows firms to centralize their systems into
one data center; intranets, extranets and support for .NET and knowledge
management. Pricing varies according to firm needs.
Interwoven Inc.
(888) 468-3796
www.interwoven.com
The X File
Gavel & Gown Software Inc. introduced Amicus Attorney X practice
management software, built on the Microsoft SQL database. Features
include new Notes and Search modules, as well as a system for
Internet-based client collaboration, allowing attorneys to grant clients
access to restricted portions of Amicus Attorney. Amicus Attorney X is
available in a Standard Edition for small firms and a Premium Edition
for large firms. Contact Gavel & Gown for pricing and additional
information.
Gavel & Gown Software Inc.
(800) 472-2289
www.amicusattorney.com
Search Solutions
Recommind Inc. announced the release of MindServer Legal, a text
management system developed specifically for law firms. MindServer Legal
provides a concept-based search allowing attorneys to find documents
stored in multiple systems throughout the firm with one search.
MindServer Legal supports more than 100 document formats in more than 30
languages, and can integrate with other document management systems,
intranets and databases, allowing users to access the most recent
version of a document, as well as remotely stored documents.
Recommind Inc.
(510) 558-7899
www.recommind.com
Bankruptcy Updates
Cornerstone Computer Group released an update to its Bankruptcy Plus
software allowing users to electronically connect the program to Online
Credit Reporting Corporation’s reporting service. Bankruptcy attorneys
can download a client’s consumer credit report and load the data
directly into the debtor’s schedules in the Bankruptcy Plus software.
Pricing ranges from $495 to $850.
Cornerstone Computer Group
(800) 397-8238
www.cornerstone-computer.com
HIPAA Requirements
Webley Systems Inc. introduced an Internet-based fax messaging
service addressing HIPAA requirements. CommuniKate Fax service doesn’t
require a fax machine or a separate phone line. Using a unique toll-free
number, customers use their computers and existing e-mail accounts to
receive and send documents. CommuniKate automatically converts documents
into e-mail attachments and then delivers them to the correct e-mail
address. The online control center allows users to determine how
incoming documents should be forwarded and maintains an electronic audit
trail of all documents. CommuniKate Fax is $11.95 per month, plus 8
cents per minute for all inbound and outbound faxes. There is no charge
for e-mail transmissions and no limit to the number of documents that
can be transmitted.
Webley Systems Inc.
(800) 455-6FAX
www.webley.com
Patent Database
MicroPatent released its Mpi-Inpadoc Plus database. This database
allows intellectual property professionals to search, monitor and review
more than 50 million patent records within MicroPatent’s Patent Web
search tool. Database users also have the ability to export legal status
and other bibliographic patent information into Microsoft Excel and
other external services. MicroPatent offers free online training for
this service. Contact MicroPatent for pricing and additional
information.
MicroPatent
(800) 648-6787
www.micropatent.com
Electronic Discovery Web Portal
Discoveryresources.org announced the launch of its Web portal,
giving legal professionals access to electronic discovery resources such
as industry articles, research topics and links, law blog links,
information about legal events, shows and conferences, as well as
newsletter and
mailing lists all in one place.
Discoveryresources.org
[email protected]
www.discoveryresources.org
Product information is summarized
from manufacturers’ press releases. Please send your press release to
Kathryn Feather, James Publishing, 3505 Cadillac Ave., Suite H, Costa
Mesa, CA 92626, or fax it to (714) 751-5508.
BOOKS
Trial Skills Primer
The National Institute for Trial Advocacy released “The Power Trial
Method” by David J.F. Gross and Charles F. Webber. The authors provide
answers to the question: Who has the power in the courtroom to decide
whether you win or lose? Gross and Webber emphasize key methods of
persuasion and presentation. This paperback can be ordered by phone or
on the NITA Web site for $49.95.
NITA
(800) 225-6482
www.nita.org
Constitutional Law
Foundation Press, a division of West, released “Constitutional Law
Stories” edited by Columbia University law professor Michael C. Dorf.
“Constitutional Law Stories” covers 15 cases and offers analysis of
leading federal constitutional law cases by providing behind the scenes
stories, outlining the historical context of each case and defining the
role of government. This title is available online or by phone for
$19.95.
Foundation Press
(800) 328-9352
www.foundation-press.com
HOT PICKS
OCR & Imaging Resources
www.iprotech.com
www.scansoft.com
www.doculex.com
www.imagecap.com
www.legalimagesoftware.com
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