Using Computers in the Law Office

by Roper, Brent D.

• ISBN13: 9781401809423
• ISBN10: 1401809421
• Edition: 4th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-08-07
• Publisher: Cengage 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	xi
1 COMPUTERS IN THE LAW OFFICE	1	(20)
Chapter Objectives	1	(1)
Introduction to Computers and the Law	1	(3)
Elementary Computer Concepts	4	(1)
How Computers Can Help the Legal Assistant	5	(10)
Legal Technology Trends	15	(2)
Legal Ethics and Computer Technology	17	(1)
Summary	18	(1)
Internet Sites	19	(1)
Key Terms	19	(1)
Questions and Exercises	20	(1)
End Notes	20	(1)
2 COMPUTER HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE	21	(44)
Chapter Objectives	21	(1)
A Computer System: An Overview	21	(1)
System Unit Components	22	(3)
Peripheral Devices	25	(9)
Size Classifications of Computers	34	(5)
Local and Wide Area Networks	39	(4)
Hardware and Software Security /Ethical Considerations	43	(5)
Introduction to Computer Software	48	(1)
Operating System Software	49	(1)
Windows Operating System	50	(1)
Utility Software	51	(1)
Application Software	52	(1)
Kinds of Application Software	53	(4)
Software in a Law Firm Information System	57	(1)
Summary	57	(3)
Internet Sites	60	(1)
Key Terms	61	(1)
Questions and Exercises	62	(2)
End Notes	64	(1)
3 WORD PROCESSING	65	(112)
Chapter Objectives	65	(1)
The Word Processing Cycle	65	(2)
Word Processing Systems	67	(1)
Word Processing Programs	68	(1)
Word Processing Fundamentals	69	(21)
Word Processing in the Legal Environment	90	(3)
Ethical Considerations	93	(4)
Summary 96 Internet Sites	97	(1)
Key Terms	98	(1)
Questions and Exercises	98	(1)
End Notes	99	(1)
Hands on Exercises: Microsoft Word 2002 for Windows	100	(30)
Hands on Exercises: Microsoft Word 2000/97 for Windows	130	(25)
Hands on Exercises: Corel WordPerfect 9/10	155	(22)
4 SPREADSHEET SOFTWARE	177	(52)
Chapter Objectives	177	(1)
What is a Spreadsheet?	177	(2)
"What if" Analysis	179	(1)
Spreadsheet Structure and Organization	180	(2)
Spreadsheet Fundamentals	182	(14)
Spreadsheet Planning	196	(2)
Spreadsheets in the Legal Environment	198	(10)
Ethical Considerations	208	(1)
Summary	209	(1)
Internet Sites	210	(1)
Key Terms	210	(1)
Questions and Exercises	211	(1)
Hands on Exercises: Microsoft Excel (All Versions)	212	(17)
5 DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS	229	(59)
Chapter Objectives	229	(1)
What is a Database?	230	(2)
Database Structure	232	(1)
Introduction to DBMS Programs	233	(3)
DBMS Functions: An Overview	236	(1)
Database Planning and Design	236	(6)
Creating a Table	242	(3)
Entering and Editing Data	245	(1)
Creating Forms	245	(1)
Searching, Sorting, and Querying the Database	246	(6)
Creating Reports	252	(1)
Types of DBMSs	252	(3)
DBMSs in the Legal Environment	255	(6)
Ethical Considerations	261	(2)
Summary	263	(1)
Internet Sites	264	(1)
Key Terms	264	(1)
Questions and Exercises	264	(1)
Endnotes	265	(1)
Hands on Exercises: Microsoft Access 2002/2000	266	(14)
Hands on Exercises: Microsoft Access 97	280	(8)
6 LEGAL TIMEKEEPING AND BILLING SOFTWARE	288	(59)
Chapter Objectives	288	(1)
Introduction to Timekeeping and Billing	288	(1)
Manual versus Computerized Billing Systems	289	(3)
The Computerized Timekeeping and Billing Process	292	(2)
Kinds of Legal Fee Agreements	294	(9)
Legal Expenses	303	(1)
Timekeeping and Billing for Legal Assistants	303	(4)
Functions of a Successful Billing System	307	(1)
Fundamentals of Computerized Timekeeping and Billing	308	(9)
Integrating Timekeeping and Billing, Accounting, and Case Management	317	(1)
What to Look for in Timekeeping and Billing Software	318	(1)
Billing from the Corporate and Government Perspective	319	(1)
The Ethics of Timekeeping and Billing	319	(8)
Internet Sites	327	(1)
Summary	328	(1)
Key Terms	328	(1)
Questions and Exercises	328	(2)
End Notes	330	(2)
Hands on Exercises: PC Law	332	(12)
CASE REVIEW: Committee for Public Counsel Services v. Lookner, 47 Mass.App.Ct. 833, 716 N.E. 2d 690 (1999).	344	(1)
CASE REVIEW: In the Matter of Lloyd Clareman, 219 A.D.2d 195, 640 N.Y.S.2d 84 (1996).	345	(2)
7 CASE MANAGEMENT AND DOCKET CONTROL SOFTWARE	347	(47)
Chapter Objectives	347	(1)
Calendaring, Docket Control, and Case Management	347	(2)
Introduction to Docket Control/Case management	349	(2)
Manual Docket Control	351	(2)
Types of Computerized Docket Control Systems	353	(1)
Overview of Computerized Legal Case Management and Docket Control	353	(7)
Advanced Case Management Features	360	(4)
The Docket Cycle	364	(1)
Ethical and Malpractice Considerations	365	(4)
Internet Sites	369	(2)
Summary	371	(1)
Key Terms	371	(1)
Questions and Exercises	371	(1)
End Notes	372	(1)
Hands on Exercises: Amicus Attorney	373	(19)
CASE REVIEW: Columbus Bar Assn. v. Foster 779 N.E.2d 755 (Ohio 2002)	392	(2)
8 LITIGATION SUPPORT SOFTWARE	394	(107)
Chapter Objectives	394	(1)
Information and Documents to be Tracked in Litigation	394	(5)
Why Litigation Support?	399	(2)
Manual Litigation and Support Methods	401	(1)
Overview of Computerized Litigation Support	402	(3)
Types Of Computerized Litigation Support Systems	405	(17)
The Litigation Support Process 419 Searching and Retrieving Litigation Support Data	422	(2)
Litigation Support Tips	424	(2)
Questions and Fears About Computerized Litigation Support	426	(1)
Ethical Considerations	427	(1)
Internet Sites	428	(1)
Summary	428	(1)
Key Terms	429	(1)
Questions and Exercises	429	(1)
End Notes	430	(1)
Hands on Exercises: Summation iBlaze	431	(35)
Hands on Exercises: CaseMap	466	(27)
Hands on Exercises: TimeMap	493	(8)
9 THE INTERNET AND ELECTRONIC MAIL	501	(48)
Chapter Objectives	501	(1)
Introduction to the Internet	501	(7)
Use of the Internet in Legal Organizations	508	(4)
Searching and Finding Information on the World Wide Web	512	(5)
Performing Legal Research on the Internet	517	(9)
Problems with Researching on the Internet	526	(1)
Legal Organization Web Pages	526	(2)
Legal Organization Intranets	528	(1)
Electronic Mail	528	(6)
Ethical Considerations	534	(3)
Internet Sites	537	(1)
Summary	537	(1)
Key Terms	538	(1)
Questions and Exercises	538	(1)
End Notes	538	(1)
Hands on Exercises: Microsoft Internet Explorer	539	(5)
Hands on Exercises: Netscape Navigator	544	(5)
10 COMPUTER-ASSISTED LEGAL RESEARCH AND CD-ROM LEGAL DATABASES	549	(28)
Chapter Objectives	549	(1)
Introduction To Computer-Assisted Legal Research and CD-Rom Databases	549	(1)
Computer-Assisted Legal Research	550	(1)
CALR: On-Line Legal Databases	551	(2)
CALR Search Query Techniques	553	(4)
Legal Information Services	557	(1)
WESTLAW	557	(5)
LEXIS-NEXIS	562	(3)
Other Services Available from CALR Fee-Based Service Providers	565	(1)
LOISLAW	565	(1)
Increased Productivity on CALR Systems	565	(1)
CD-ROM Legal Databases	566	(3)
Ethical Considerations	569	(2)
Summary	571	(1)
Internet Sites	572	(1)
Key Terms	572	(1)
Questions and Exercises	572	(1)
End Notes	573	(1)
Hands on Exercises: WESTLAW	574	(3)
11 THE ELECTRONIC COURTHOUSE, AUTOMATED COURTROOM, AND PRESENTATION GRAPHICS	577	(40)
Chapter Objectives	577	(1)
The Electronic Courthouse	577	(2)
The Automated Courtroom	579	(2)
Overview of Presentation Graphics and Trial Presentation Software	581	(1)
Creating Presentations with Generic Presentation Graphics Software	582	(8)
Presentation Graphics in the Legal Environment	590	(1)
Ethical Considerations	591	(1)
Summary	591	(1)
Internet Sites	592	(1)
Key Terms	592	(1)
Questions and Exercises	593	(1)
End Notes	593	(1)
Hands on Exercises: Microsoft PowerPoint 2002	594	(8)
Hands on Exercises: Microsoft PowerPoint 2000	602	(8)
Hands on Exercises: Microsoft PowerPoint 97	610	(7)
12 SPECIALIZED LEGAL SOFTWARE	617	(15)
Chapter Objectives	617	(1)
Introduction to Legal-Specific Software	617	(1)
Where to Find Legal-Specific Software	617	(2)
Overview of Some Legal-Specific Programs	619	(9)
Issues to Consider When Purchasing Legal-Specific Software	628	(1)
Internet Sites	629	(2)
Summary	631	(1)
Key Terms	631	(1)
Questions and Exercises	631	(1)
APPENDIX A WINDOWS	632	(25)
Chapter Objectives	632	(1)
What Is Windows?	632	(1)
Windows Concepts	633	(3)
Windows 95/98/2000/XP	636	(7)
Internet Sites	643	(1)
Summary	643	(1)
Key Terms	644	(1)
Questions and Exercises	644	(1)
End Notes	644	(1)
Hands on Exercises: Microsoft Windows XP/2000/ME/98/95	645	(12)
APPENDIX B DEPOSITION - SMITH V. EZ PEST CONTROL	657	(15)
GLOSSARY	672	(9)
INDEX	681