OCTOBER NEWSLETTER

Newsletter Archive

Annually, The American Lawyer conducts a survey of technology used by the 100 largest law firms in the country and publishes the results in its "Amlaw" tech report. It is interesting to compare the survey results from the 100 largest law firms with the technology utilized by Faruki Gilliam & Ireland.

In 1999, 38.9% of the top 100 law firms responding to the survey used notebook computers in lieu of desktop PCS. Assigning notebook computers to each of our attorneys has been FG&I's practice for several years. Our attorneys use this technology to conduct legal and Internet research, edit documents, access litigation materials (review of deposition transcripts and imaged documents), keep electronic calendars and contact information (that can be synchronized with personal digital assistants), access the firm's Internet and Intranet pages, and communicate with clients and others in the firm. In 1999, we upgraded our attorneys to new, faster notebook computers.

Only 19.4% of the firms responding to the Amlaw technology survey provide their attorneys with hand-held PC's or personal digital assistants. As part of this year's upgrade, we made that technology available to anyone who wants to use it, understanding that some lawyers are more technically oriented than others. While on the road, attorneys also have the ability to send and receive e-mail by attaching a modem to their personal digital assistant. We also upgraded to Pentium II processors and Windows NT software. According to this survey, only 4% of the top 100 law firms in the country have made that upgrade.

FG&I has direct technological relationships, via e-mail or voice mail, with several clients. The advantages are evident. In an era when all aspects of commerce are moving more quickly, this technology expedites communication with our clients. Whether it is obtaining the information necessary to finalize an affidavit in support of a temporary restraining order or simply responding to a client question as quickly as possible, we view this technology as essential to our practice.

Given our national practice and our work with other law firms across the country, technology enables us to work more efficiently and cost effectively with those firms. Pleadings and other court filings can be sent electronically, reviewed locally and then filed.

Technology enables our firm to service client needs and provide quality solutions to our client's disputes -- the hallmarks of our practice. Like our clients, we believe that technology is a necessary investment in order to operate successfully in the next century. We have made and will continue to make those investments in order to serve our clients most efficiently.