Using Computers in the Law Office

by ROPER

• ISBN13: 9780766804548
• ISBN10: 0766804542
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-12-30
• Publisher: Thomson Delmar Learning

Summary

This book teaches the myriad computer skills legal assistants need in order to help make law offices and other legal organizations run smoothly. From case management and docket control software to litigation support software and legal timekeeping and billing, this is the definitive book on computer usage for legal professionals. Readers also will find that this teaching tool becomes a handy reference manual in the professional setting.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. xiii
Computers in the Law Office	p. 1
Chapter Objectives	p. 1
Introduction to Computers and the Law	p. 1
Elementary Computer Concepts	p. 4
How Computers Can Help the Legal Assistant	p. 5
Summary	p. 13
Internet Sites	p. 14
Key Terms	p. 14
Problem-Solving Exercises	p. 14
Computer Hardware	p. 15
Chapter Objectives	p. 15
A Computer System: An Overview	p. 15
How Computers Operate	p. 16
System Unit Components	p. 17
Peripheral Devices	p. 19
Size Classifications of Computers	p. 27
Local and Wide Area Networks	p. 32
Ethical Considerations	p. 35
Internet Sites	p. 38
Summary	p. 39
Key Terms	p. 39
Problem-Solving Exercises	p. 40
Computer Software	p. 41
Chapter Objectives	p. 41
Introduction to Computer Software	p. 41
Operating System Software	p. 43
Common Operating Systems	p. 46
Utility Software	p. 48
Application Software	p. 49
Kinds of Application Software	p. 50
Software in a Law Firm Information System	p. 58
Ethical Considerations	p. 58
Internet Sites	p. 64
Summary	p. 65
Key Terms	p. 65
Problem-Solving Exercises	p. 65
Case History: Betsy Horn, CLA, Experienced Litigation Legal Assistant and Network Administrator, of Harris, Finley and Bogle, P.C., Ft. Worth, Texas	p. 67
Windows	p. 70
Chapter Objectives	p. 70
What Is Windows?	p. 70
Windows Concepts	p. 72
Windows 3.1	p. 75
Windows 95/98/2000	p. 76
Internet Sites	p. 82
Summary	p. 83
Key Terms	p. 83
Problem-Solving Exercises	p. 83
Hands-on Exercises: Microsoft Windows 95/98/2000	p. 84
Word Processing	p. 91
Chapter Objectives	p. 91
What Is Word Processing?	p. 91
Typewriters Versus Word Processors	p. 92
The Word Processing Cycle	p. 92
Word Processing Systems	p. 94
Word Processing Programs	p. 95
Word Processing Fundamentals	p. 96
Word Processing in the Legal Environment	p. 114
Ethical Considerations	p. 116
Internet Sites	p. 118
Summary	p. 118
Key Terms	p. 119
Problem-Solving Exercises	p. 119
Hands-on Exercises: Corel WordPerfect for Windows 8/9	p. 120
Hands-on Exercises: Microsoft Word 97/2000 for Windows	p. 140
Spreadsheet Software	p. 159
Chapter Objectives	p. 159
What Is a Spreadsheet?	p. 159
"What If" Analysis	p. 161
Spreadsheet Structure and Organization	p. 162
Spreadsheet Fundamentals	p. 164
Spreadsheet Planning	p. 177
Spreadsheets in the Legal Environment	p. 179
Ethical Considerations	p. 188
Internet Sites	p. 189
Summary	p. 190
Key Terms	p. 190
Problem-Solving Exercises	p. 191
Hands-on Exercises: Microsoft Excel 97/2000 for Windows	p. 192
Database Management Systems	p. 202
Chapter Objectives	p. 202
What Is a Database?	p. 202
Database Structure	p. 204
Introduction to DBMS Programs	p. 205
DBMS Functions: An Overview	p. 207
Database Planning and Design	p. 208
Creating a Table	p. 212
Entering and Editing Data	p. 214
Creating Forms	p. 214
Searching, Sorting, and Querying the Database	p. 215
Creating Reports	p. 221
Types of DBMSs	p. 221
DBMSs in the Legal Environment	p. 223
Ethical Considerations	p. 229
Internet Sites	p. 230
Summary	p. 231
Key Terms	p. 231
Problem-Solving Exercises	p. 231
Hands-on Exercises: Microsoft Access 97	p. 233
Hands-on Exercises: Microsoft Access 2000	p. 242
Telecommunications, Computer-Assisted Research, and CD-ROM Databases	p. 250
Chapter Objectives	p. 250
Telecommunications	p. 250
Computer-Assisted Legal Research	p. 252
CALR: On-Line Legal Databases	p. 253
CALR Search Query Techniques	p. 254
Legal Information Services	p. 258
Increased Productivity on CALR Systems	p. 269
Other Information Services	p. 270
Telecommunications and Computer-Assisted Research in the Legal Environment	p. 271
CD-ROM Legal Databases	p. 274
Ethical Considerations	p. 277
Summary	p. 279
Internet Sites	p. 280
Key Terms	p. 281
Problem-Solving Exercises	p. 281
Hands-on Exercises: Westlaw	p. 282
Hands-on Exercises: Lexis-Nexis Xchange	p. 286
The Internet and Electronic Mail	p. 289
Chapter Objectives	p. 289
Introduction to the Internet	p. 289
World Wide Web	p. 289
Connecting to the Internet	p. 294
Electronic Mail	p. 310
Ethical Considerations	p. 314
Internet Sites	p. 318
Summary	p. 318
Key Terms	p. 319
Problem-Solving Exercises	p. 319
Hands-on Exercises: Netscape Navigator	p. 320
Hands-on Exercises: Microsoft Internet Explorer	p. 323
Litigation Support Software	p. 326
Chapter Objectives	p. 326
Document Management	p. 326
Why Litigation Support?	p. 330
Manual Litigation and Support Methods	p. 331
Computerized Litigation Support	p. 332
Types of Computerized Litigation Support Systems	p. 333
The Litigation Support Process	p. 340
Fundamentals of Computerized Litigation Support	p. 343
Litigation Support Tips	p. 348
Questions and Fears about Computerized Litigation Support	p. 349
Ethical Considerations	p. 351
Internet Sites	p. 352
Summary	p. 352
Key Terms	p. 353
Problem-Solving Exercises	p. 353
Hands-on Exercises: Summation Blaze	p. 354
Legal Timekeeping and Billing Software	p. 361
Chapter Objectives	p. 361
Introduction to Timekeeping and Billing	p. 361
Manual Versus Computerized Billing Systems	p. 362
The Computerized Timekeeping and Billing Process	p. 365
Kinds of Legal Fee Agreements	p. 367
Legal Expenses	p. 375
Timekeeping and Billing for Legal Assistants	p. 375
Functions of a Successful Billing System	p. 378
Fundamentals of Computerized Timekeeping and Billing	p. 379
Integrated Accounting, Billing, and Timekeeping	p. 386
What to Look for in Timekeeping and Billing Software	p. 387
Ethical Considerations	p. 388
Internet Sites	p. 390
Summary	p. 390
Key Terms	p. 391
Problem-Solving Exercises	p. 391
Hands-on Exercises: Timeslips for Windows	p. 392
Case History: A Small Law Firm: Dickson and Pope, P.A.	p. 406
Calendaring, Docket Control, and Case Management Software	p. 408
Chapter Objectives	p. 408
Calendaring, Docket Control, and Case Management Definitions	p. 409
Introduction to Docket Control	p. 409
Manual Docket Control	p. 412
Types of Computerized Docket Control Systems	p. 412
Overview of Computerized Legal Docket Control	p. 414
The Docket Cycle	p. 421
Using a Word Processor for Docket Control	p. 423
Case Management	p. 423
Ethical and Malpractice Considerations	p. 425
Internet Sites	p. 429
Summary	p. 430
Key Terms	p. 430
Problem-Solving Exercises	p. 430
Hands-on Exercises: Abacus Law Docket Control	p. 431
Specialized Legal Software	p. 437
Chapter Objectives	p. 437
Introduction to Legal-Specific Software	p. 437
Where to Find Legal-Specific Software	p. 437
Overview of Some Legal-Specific Programs	p. 439
Issues to Consider When Purchasing Legal-Specific Software	p. 447
Internet Sites	p. 451
Summary	p. 453
Key Terms	p. 453
Problem-Solving Exercises	p. 453
Presentation Graphics Software	p. 454
Chapter Objectives	p. 454
Overview of Presentation Graphics Software	p. 454
Creating Presentations	p. 456
Presentation Graphics in the Legal Environment	p. 463
Internet Sites	p. 464
Ethical Considerations	p. 464
Summary	p. 464
Key Terms	p. 465
Problem-Solving Exercises	p. 465
Hands-on Exercises: Microsoft PowerPoint 97	p. 466
Hands-on Exercises: Microsoft PowerPoint 2000	p. 474
Glossary	p. 483
Index	p. 495
Table of Contents provided by Syndetics. All Rights Reserved.