July 3rd, 2012 by Gwynne Monahan
Mixing Cloud Computing Education with Practicality
A fair number of speaking engagements have revolved around educating solo and small firm lawyers about cloud computing, from what it is to risks and ethical concerns. Our CEO and co-founder, Jack Newton, often gives a presentation on security and ethics of cloud computing. He goes over what cloud computing is, how it differs from desktop software and its benefits. He also reviews security-and-privacy related “best practices” that lawyers need to be aware of prior to entrusting confidential data to “the cloud,” and gives a survey of ethics opinions related to cloud computing.
At the Hawaii State Bar Association Solo and Small Firm Conference, he gave the same educational presentation, and also a more practical one.
As cloud computing has become more readily accepted by state bar associations, and as solo and small firm lawyers use it more and more in their practices, interest has shifted from “what is cloud computing” to “what else can I do in the cloud?” Newton answers that question in his presentation “Putting Your Practice on Cloud Nine.”
He demonstrates how to leverage the cloud to make the law office more effective and efficient, giving an in-depth “how to” on cloud-based services like Google Apps, Dropbox and Clio. From accessing Client and Matter information on the go to sharing documents to time capture and invoicing, cloud computing offers advantages to solo and small firm lawyers that help make their law firms more efficient, and better able to compete and serve clients.
With continued adoption and use of cloud computing applications in the legal industry, cloud computing related presentations are moving from being just about education to mixing education with practicality.
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