TechnoLawyer Blog: SmallLaw

Coming today to SmallLaw: As we reported, Fujitsu replaced its popular ScanSnap S1500 (and S1500M) desktop scanners with the ScanSnap iX500 earlier this year. In this issue of SmallLaw, estate planning lawyer and scanner connoisseur Chandra Lewnau reviews the ScanSnap iX500 from the perspective of a lawyer in small law firm. From setup to design to new features to scan quality and speed to value, Chandra leaves no specification unexplored. As with all our formal reviews, you'll also find a TechnoScore rating. Also, don't miss the SmallLaw Pick of the Week for a comparative review of four PDF applications, including a comparison chart.

How to Receive SmallLaw
Small firm, big dreams. Written by practicing lawyers who manage successful small firms and legal technology and practice management experts who have achieved rock star status, SmallLaw provides practical advice on management, marketing, and technology issues in small law firms, as well as comprehensive legal product reviews with accompanying TechnoScore ratings. SmallLaw also ensures that you won't miss anything published elsewhere by linking to helpful articles (and podcasts and videos) about solo practices and small law firms. The SmallLaw newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.

Coming today to SmallLaw: How could a much younger company acquire American icon Motorola for $12 billion without any financial impact? Simple — AdWords. Responsible for the majority of Google's revenue, AdWords is the most lucrative advertising vehicle ever invented. Many law firms use it to gain new clients. But like all forms of advertising, you'll waste money if you don't use it properly. In this issue of SmallLaw, family lawyer and online marketing expert Lee Rosen provides 10 tips to get you started, including how to use sophisticated technologies like remarketing. Also, don't miss the SmallLaw Pick of the Week for a review of a free time-tracking cloud application with corresponding smartphone apps.

How to Receive SmallLaw
Small firm, big dreams. Written by practicing lawyers who manage successful small firms and legal technology and practice management experts who have achieved rock star status, SmallLaw provides practical advice on management, marketing, and technology issues in small law firms, as well as comprehensive legal product reviews with accompanying TechnoScore ratings. SmallLaw also ensures that you won't miss anything published elsewhere by linking to helpful articles (and podcasts and videos) about solo practices and small law firms. The SmallLaw newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.

Originally published in the January 31, 2012 issue of SmallLaw: Thought leaders often write in the abstract, making it difficult for law firms to apply their expertise. Time to rethink thought leadership articles. Today in SmallLaw, we begin a series of "tough challenge" columns in which experts tell a story about how a small law firm successfully addressed a tough challenge. In today's first column, document automation and practice management expert Seth Rowland discusses how International Fertility Law Group achieved a seeming paradox — increasing its clientele while simultaneously having its lawyers spend more time with each client. Also, check out this issue's Newsletter Flag, and don't miss the SmallLaw Pick of the Week for Clark Stewart's review of Onlive Desktop for iPad.

How to Receive SmallLaw
Small firm, big dreams. Written by practicing lawyers who manage successful small firms and legal technology and practice management experts who have achieved rock star status, SmallLaw provides practical advice on management, marketing, and technology issues in small law firms, as well as comprehensive legal product reviews with accompanying TechnoScore ratings. SmallLaw also links to helpful articles in other publications about solo practices and small law firms. The SmallLaw newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.

Coming today to SmallLaw: Craigslist — it's not just for selling the junk in your garage anymore. In this issue of SmallLaw, Gadsden divorce lawyer Clark Stewart reveals his secret to successfully marketing your law firm on Craigslist. Of those who contact Clark via Craigslist, 25% become clients while others become ongoing referral sources. In short, Craigslist has become Clark's most effective form of marketing. Also, don't miss the SmallLaw Pick of the Week for tips on how to sell your law firm.

How to Receive SmallLaw
Small firm, big dreams. Written by practicing lawyers who manage successful small firms and legal technology and practice management experts who have achieved rock star status, SmallLaw provides practical advice on management, marketing, and technology issues in small law firms, as well as comprehensive legal product reviews with accompanying TechnoScore ratings. SmallLaw also ensures that you won't miss anything published elsewhere by linking to helpful articles (and podcasts and videos) about solo practices and small law firms. The SmallLaw newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.

Coming today to SmallLaw: The iPad cannot yet practice law on your behalf, but its capabilities expand every day thanks to apps. In this issue of SmallLaw, legal technology consultant Brett Burney reviews the three best iPad document scanning apps he found after an extensive search. These apps can help lighten your load when you're on the road and your scanning needs don't warrant a portable scanner. Brett evaluates the capabilities of these apps, provides tips on how to best use them, and concludes by issuing an iVerdict in which he declares a winner. Also, don't miss the SmallLaw Pick of the Week for the worst law firm web site group photo ever.

How to Receive SmallLaw
Small firm, big dreams. Written by practicing lawyers who manage successful small firms and legal technology and practice management experts who have achieved rock star status, SmallLaw provides practical advice on management, marketing, and technology issues in small law firms, as well as comprehensive legal product reviews with accompanying TechnoScore ratings. SmallLaw also ensures that you won't miss anything published elsewhere by linking to helpful articles (and podcasts and videos) about solo practices and small law firms. The SmallLaw newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.

Coming today to SmallLaw: Cedar Rapids Real estate lawyer Shannon Thompson tried some of the major cloud practice management systems but they didn't suit her workflow needs. So she decided to create her own cloud practice management system. Shannon is not a programmer. In this issue of SmallLaw, you'll learn how Shannon customized and integrated three general business cloud applications to create a practice management system that enables her to manage the client lifecycle from intake to task management to billing to payment and more. Also, don't miss the SmallLaw Pick of the Week for advice on spotting red flags in resumes from job applicants.

How to Receive SmallLaw
Small firm, big dreams. Written by practicing lawyers who manage successful small firms and legal technology and practice management experts who have achieved rock star status, SmallLaw provides practical advice on management, marketing, and technology issues in small law firms, as well as comprehensive legal product reviews with accompanying TechnoScore ratings. SmallLaw also ensures that you won't miss anything published elsewhere by linking to helpful articles (and podcasts and videos) about solo practices and small law firms. The SmallLaw newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.

Coming today to SmallLaw: Everyone's not a comedian. But thanks to blogs, everyone — or at least everyone with a computer and Internet connection — can become a publisher. However, writing requires time. It's hard work. There's no point unless this investment generates clients for your law firm. Family lawyer Lee Rosen writes nearly daily on his Divorce Discourse blog. His investment has paid off. In this issue of SmallLaw, Lee shares his top 10 secrets for success. You can learn these lessons the hard way or you can read this article instead. Also, don't miss the SmallLaw Pick of the Week for the story of a lawyer who switched from BlackBerry to iPhone.

How to Receive SmallLaw
Small firm, big dreams. Written by practicing lawyers who manage successful small firms and legal technology and practice management experts who have achieved rock star status, SmallLaw provides practical advice on management, marketing, and technology issues in small law firms, as well as comprehensive legal product reviews with accompanying TechnoScore ratings. SmallLaw also ensures that you won't miss anything published elsewhere by linking to helpful articles (and podcasts and videos) about solo practices and small law firms. The SmallLaw newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.

Coming today to SmallLaw: The debate about scanners has shifted. Instead of wondering whether they need one, small law firms wonder which one they should buy given the growing number of models in the marketplace. In this issue of SmallLaw, New Jersey lawyer Edward Zohn reviews Ambir's ImageScan Pro 820i desktop scanner. Before setting finger to keyboard to write this review, Ed used the ImageScan Pro 820i for "many weeks." As a result, he explores every aspect of the scanner from its actual speed to its durability to its software and much more. Also, don't miss the SmallLaw Pick of the Week for tips on how to claim and optimize your Yelp listing.

How to Receive SmallLaw
Small firm, big dreams. Written by practicing lawyers who manage successful small firms and legal technology and practice management experts who have achieved rock star status, SmallLaw provides practical advice on management, marketing, and technology issues in small law firms, as well as comprehensive legal product reviews with accompanying TechnoScore ratings. SmallLaw also ensures that you won't miss anything published elsewhere by linking to helpful articles (and podcasts and videos) about solo practices and small law firms. The SmallLaw newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.

Coming today to SmallLaw: After reading today's issue of SmallLaw, it'll probably take you a few days to get the INXS hit song New Sensation out of your head for the second time in your life. However, that's a small price to pay because you'll learn how this band inspired Peoria Illinois business lawyer Joe VanFleet to successfully reengineer his small law firm after the financial crisis. For example, Joe's firm reduced its fees for LLC formation by 78% without sacrificing profits. Not only can Joe compete against any law firm, but also against Legal Zoom and its ilk. And so can your law firm if you apply Joe's advice. Also, don't miss the SmallLaw Pick of the Week for the top 31 iPad apps for lawyers according to Bill Latham of Hytech Lawyer fame.

How to Receive SmallLaw
Small firm, big dreams. Written by practicing lawyers who manage successful small firms and legal technology and practice management experts who have achieved rock star status, SmallLaw provides practical advice on management, marketing, and technology issues in small law firms, as well as comprehensive legal product reviews with accompanying TechnoScore ratings. SmallLaw also ensures that you won't miss anything published elsewhere by linking to helpful articles (and podcasts and videos) about solo practices and small law firms. The SmallLaw newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.

Coming today to SmallLaw: More than 77% of TechnoLawyer members use Outlook. But most of you likely use prior versions. If you're wondering whether you should upgrade to Outlook 2013, you're in luck. In this issue of SmallLaw, law firm technology consultant Ben Schorr takes you on a tour of Outlook 2013's most notable new features. Just as importantly, he discusses the features Microsoft axed. Finally, Ben provides advice on whether or not your law practice should upgrade. Also, don't miss the SmallLaw Pick of the Week for the top 20 mistakes law firm founders make.

How to Receive SmallLaw
Small firm, big dreams. Written by practicing lawyers who manage successful small firms and legal technology and practice management experts who have achieved rock star status, SmallLaw provides practical advice on management, marketing, and technology issues in small law firms, as well as comprehensive legal product reviews with accompanying TechnoScore ratings. SmallLaw also ensures that you won't miss anything published elsewhere by linking to helpful articles (and podcasts and videos) about solo practices and small law firms. The SmallLaw newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.