Why You Need to Know Tech

The Law Librarian Blog links to a new study performed by the New York Law Journal, which ranks legal tech companies. I don't know about the applicability of most systems, as none of the systems I used even received a ranking.

However, I do know that technology in law firms is getting more important. For law students, knowledge about, and hands-on experience with a variety of systems is key.

I hire law students to come help me in my office. I think it's beneficial for them, and me. Their experience with technology was somewhat similar to mine during law school - absolute zero (check out this rant post about technology). Sadly, law schools don't prepare you for the harsh reality that you're going to have to work with technology in order to succeed.

Here are some questions to accurately gauge your law-tech knowledge:

1. What is practice management/case management software? Do you know and understand what this term means, and how law firms use the various programs? 
2. Can you name some practice management/case management systems? 
3. What is the difference between using practice management/case management systems and Windows/Mac folders?
4. Do you know what a server is, and how it functions in a workplace environment?
5. Do you know what a network is?
6. Do you know how to save files to a server versus your system's hard-drive?
7. What is the required method for submitting documents to (most) federal court?
8. Do you know how to remove metadata from a document in Microsoft Word? I don't use WordPerfect, but I understand that program automatically (or nearly) eliminates the metadata.
9. Do you know how to use styles, tables, and other formatting techniques to process your documents?
10. Do you know how to use your word processor's comment/change tracking features to collaborate?
11. Do you know how to remove metadata from an Adobe PDF?
12. Er...Do you know how to create a PDF document?
13. Do you know how to create a PDF "package" of documents to send to other people?
14. Can you use Acrobat's redact features to remove information from a document?
15. Do you know how to send a fax? Do you know that you still need to dial long distance (i.e. add country code plus area code) when sending a long-distance fax?
16. Do you know how to send an email?
17. Do you know how to attach a file to the document?
18. Do you know how to burn a CD?
19. Do you know how to use social media?
20. What are some of the popular note-taking programs?
21. Do you know how to research case law without LexisNexis or Westlaw passwords?
22. Do you know if your state publishes cases and court dockets on a centralized system? FYI, Oklahoma has OSCN that offers Oklahoma cases and court dockets.
23. Do you know how to use your state's online case systems?
24. Do you know how to backup your system?
25. Do you know how to use the internet for more than checking Facebook and playing games?

As you can see, the number of possible, and simple, tech questions could continue. The fact though, is that law students need to start preparing themselves to deal with these types of programs.

One of the easiest ways is to actually purchase the program, and use it. Many companies offer discounts for students. These prices are for full versions of the program. Note, there are some restrictions on using the program, so check the licensing agreement. Some schools freely distribute the programs to their students under their educational licensing agreements with the manufacturers. This could save you hundreds of dollars.

My hope is that you'll take your educational experience to the next level. Law school gives you the academic information you'll need, but you're going to need to rely on yourself for the techno-know-how.