Legal News & Trends

Streamline your practice with case management software

Here is a review of popular case management programs recommended for small- to mid-sized firms by Mutual Software, as reported in a recent Wisconsin Lawyers Mutual Insurance Co. newsletter to policyholders.

Mutual Software, a subsidiary of Minnesota Lawyers Mutual Insurance Co., is an independent consulting firm that is not affiliated with any manufacturers of software products. The organization was created by Minnesota Lawyers Mutual as a free service to its insureds.

Abacus Law by Abacus Data Systems. One of the most respected names in law office software, Abacus Law now is available in Windows™ format. Primarily a calendaring program with case management features, Abacus Law offers automatic docketing using a database of local court rules. See it online or call (800) 726-3339.

AltaPoint Law Office for Windows 95™. AltaPoint has created the first multi-featured law office data and schedule organizer at a rock-bottom price. For a simple, straightforward information organizer that synchronizes your desktop data automatically with the popular Palm Pilot (sold separately), check online.

Amicus Attorney by Gavel & Gown Software. Perhaps the best and most intuitive user-interface of any law office program, you must see this feature for yourself. This popular program is easy to understand with setups that resemble a legal file folder, a calendar, and time sheets, and is feature-rich at an affordable price. Call (800) 472-2289 or download the demo online.

CaseMaster II by Software Technologies Inc. Through its integration with Hot Docs™, this program combines the features of a fully functioning case management program with powerful document assembly capabilities. If you already have the popular Tabs III™ time and billing program by the same manufacturer, check out this program online or call (800) 487-7111.

CLS - Summit by Computer Law Systems Inc. Manufactured by a company widely known for excellent customer support and longevity in the software business, Summit can be customized for adaptation to any practice area. This software is recognized as the first tool to truly integrate the desktop of a practicing professional. CLS is online or call (800) 404-8733.

PerfectLaw. Another "does-it-all" application if you're looking for a case management program that keeps your accounting and time and billing records. This one claims to do it all for less. Find it online or (800) 749-6200.

Time Matters by Data TXT. Despite its low price, this is one of the best case management packages available, a must-see for any law office shopping for new software. Rather than be a "do-all" program, Time Matters was designed to merge well with other popular programs like TimeSlips™ and Microsoft Word for Windows. Call (888) 529-3366 or go online.

"All of the products listed will do a great job organizing a law practice, but a 'best bet' that will give your firm the most for its money has to be Time Matters by Data TXT," says Ulric C. (Todd) Scott III, executive vice president of Mutual Software.

Traveling to Chicago?

Visit the ABA's Museum of Law

The Lindbergh baby kidnapping and murder. The Scopes "monkey" trial. The O.J. Simpson saga. Each of these famous "trials of the century" generated widespread public and press fascination and influenced society's perception of the law, the court system, judges, and lawyers.

In an exhibit opening Sept. 16, "Famous Trials in American History: Cases that Shaped and Shocked the Nation," the ABA's Museum of Law explores the drama, issues, and impact of important cases throughout our nation's history. Artifacts, illustrations, videos, and interactive exhibits will explore sensational trials and trials that defined American law, including Brown v. Board of Education and U.S. v. Nixon. The exhibit also will trace the evolution of media coverage of trials over the past several centuries, from early newspapers to radio, television, and the Internet.

The Museum of Law, which opened in 1996, is located in the American Bar Center at 750 N. Lake Shore Dr. in Chicago. The museum is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. For more information, contact Norman Gross at (312) 988-6222.

Colorado first to offer
statewide electronic filing

Next month, the Colorado civil court system will be the first to implement a statewide electronic filing system. When completed, this Internet-based service will allow the state's civil courts to accept legal filings electronically in civil, domestic, probate, noncriminal juvenile, and water cases. The Colorado Judicial Department hopes to complete the transition to electronic filing by December 2000.

According to Lin Walker at the National Center for State Courts, more than 50 federal, state, and circuit courts use electronic filing on limited or trial bases or with certain types of cases. Delaware, for example, has used electronic filing in asbestos actions and complex insurance cases since 1991. "What's notable about Colorado," says Walker, "is that the electronic filing system is statewide."

Wisconsin's Circuit Court Automation Project (CCAP) helps courts manage case, jury, and financial information, but electronic filing "still is being investigated," says Marilyn Graves, Wisconsin Supreme Court clerk and a member of the court's Web site committee.

ATLA Web site offers family safety resources

Last summer, Katrine Friis, now age two, was in her Cosco™ tandem stroller with her twin brother when the stroller collapsed suddenly, throwing her into the street. Katrine's arm, caught in the stroller's locking system, was fractured and cut.

The Friis family reported the defective stroller to Milwaukee attorney Jay Urban, a member of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA). Urban investigated the strollers and found that Cosco had received 3,000 complaints about the "Geoby Two-Way" tandem stroller without informing the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Urban notified the CPSC, which recalled nearly 60,000 strollers on Feb. 17, 1999.

The Urban and Katrine Friis story, and many others, are told on the Keep Our Families Safe Web site. Created by ATLA, the site provides concerned consumers with news and information on playground and product safety, including recalls, pending legislation, milestone legal cases, and links to other product-safety and health-related sites.

The site also allows visitors to share their stories online, join an email list that provides health and safety updates, and contact Congress on family safety-related developments.

Library provides information on computer viruses and virus hoaxes

More than 45,000 computer viruses - and probably as many virus hoaxes - exist today. McAfee's Virus Information Library offers information on where viruses come from, how they can infect computers and networks, and how to remove them.

The library also contains a database on virus hoaxes, those panicky warnings about computer-destroying attachments that sometimes land in your email inbox. Next time you receive a well-meaning virus warning, check out McAfee's hoax page before you pass the message along.

Ask Jeeves anything!

Sometimes know-it-alls can be helpful. Jeeves, everyone's favorite British butler, now dispenses advice and information. Type your question in natural language, and Jeeves tells you if he can answer the question and gives you results from three other search engines as well. From "How many calories do I burn playing volleyball?" to "Where can I find defense information for the country Finland?" (both actual submitted questions), Jeeves has the answer, or at least knows where to look.