As most readers know, I write a column for NYC-based TechnoLawyer called SmallLaw (formerly known as, no joke, “Crazy Mazy”). Anyhow, as TechnoLawyer’s intrepid Chicago reporter I’ve written about the ABA TechShow since 2008; and before that for this blog.
Here are the 12 videos we shot at this year’s TechShow. Feel free to subscribe to my YouTube Channel for more legal tech news and check out my TechnoLawyer pieces as well.
Last week legal SaaS pioneer Clio did something extraordinary; they acknowledged the 800 lb. gorilla that I had been pointing out for 2 years. Yes, I’m talking about Google Apps. And yes, this is one more sign that if the Mohammad won’t go to the SaaS mountain then the mountain must come to Mohammad. Which is exactly what Clio did.
I have pushed for complete Google Apps/Clio integration since day 1. Even as Clio launched at the ABA Tech Show 2 years ago I could see that it was made for Google Apps and vice verse. Sadly, it seemed as if nobody at Clio agreed. Or at least they didn’t share my faith that the marriage would be worth the time, the pain, or the expense … until now.
What does this mean to small firms and solos? To begin with, if like me you’ve been experimenting with alternatives in an effort to break the iron grip of overpriced desktop-based systems, you’ve probably managed to scatter contacts, addresses, appointments, and documents across a range of applications like Net Documents, Google Apps, Zoho, Outlook, Word, Excel, and CRM apps such as those hosted by Salesforce.com. That means fragmentation, lack of interoperability, lack of real-time updates … in other words, a mess. But you can now consolidate that information onto Clio or Google Apps (both provide easy loading features for data), then share it effortlessly and permanently. Other features you can now take advantage of include these
Naturally this is not the last time Clio or another SaaS provider will bow in Google’s direction; or even Microsoft’s. Office 2010 has made a number of strides in online functionality that may yet tip the scales in the company’s favor. Beyond that, the next advancements in bringing lawyers’ desktops and browsers together may come from any of the many innovators in this field including Zoho, Zimbra, OpenOffice, etc. Only time will tell. But it will sure be fun to watch.
Thought I’d share some choice video from TechShow 2009 featuring all 4 of the Best of Show winners that I wrote up in TechnoLawyer, plus interviews with some of my heroes such as Bob Ambrogi, Jay Funeberg, and Kevin O’Keefe, as well as sightings of legal blogging all-stars like Dennis Kennedy and Tom Mighelle. I’m still excited.
See related videos here and find me on YouTube as practicehacker.
We're the ABA Damnit! We own you!
This was my 10th year at ABA Technology Show in Chicago. This year was particularly cool. Here’s why:
Meeting The Heavies: To me, seeing people like Dennis Kennedy, Tom Mighelle, Bob Ambrogi, Jim Calloway, Kevin O’Keefe, Brett Burney, Andy Atkins, Jay Foonberg (!) and the rest of my pretend blog friends … I mean pretend LinkedIn friends … is like reconnecting with long lost relatives. Exciting and a little intimidating. But all of them were really great and down to earth. Except that Kennedy. Such a prima donna. I kid, I kid.
Meeting Canadians: Who can forget meeting the Great Librarian of Upper Canada! Beat that. Then there was Phil of the Future (my name for him), Steve Matthews (nice guy), Brett Burney (I think he’s Canadian), Dominic Jaar (vive la Quebec libre!), the boys from Clio (or as I called them, the Booth Babes), and a host of other talent from the Great White North. It was great to meet you all: now go back where the ice doesn’t melt until July.
Technology Becoming Accepted: This year for the first time in memory I noticed a preponderance of grey hairs and the careful gait of partners scoping out potential buys for their offices. This was not the brash, flash-in-the-pan TechShow of the late-90′s in which the Internet was decried as a fad.
SaaS, Saas, and more Saas: Software as a service was all over the place, and by next year it will be pervasive. This year I was knocked out by the number and variety of kick-ass SaaS providers at the show including Clio, RocketMatter, and VLO Tech. Clio was my hands-down favorite for a number of reasons – I intend to use it in my own practice. Whatever your cup of tea, the idea of throwing away the IT department in favor of the Cloud is gaining traction fast.
Less is … Less: One lamentable fact about this year’s show – there was less of it than I’ve seen in a long time. Another casualty of the economy I’d say, but we shouldn’t overlook the fact that many legal technology vendors have been slaves to profit instead of boosters for innovation and the slow economy is making it painfully apparent what a royal screw job they’ve been giving lawyers all these years. Many players couldn’t make it ? Good riddance to bad company.
Other than that however, it was a great experience as always and one that I heartily recommend to one and all. If you haven’t been to TechShow, go there. If you have, come back. A splendid time is guaranteed for all.
For more coverage see my SmallLaw Column in TechnoLawyer.
Check out Twitter coverage of TechShow.
As always, I’d love your thoughts. E-mail me at mhedayat[at]mha-law.com or tweet me @practichacker.
ttyl 
AI – Advanced IT/Security
CR – Client Relationships
ED – E-Discovery
GG Going Green
IN – Internet
LF – Large Firm / Corporate Counsel
LT – Litigation
MA – Mac Track
MO – Microsoft Office
MT – Mobile Technology
PO – Paperless Office
RM – Records Management
RT – Roundtables
SSI – Solo / Small Firm I
SSII – Solo / Small Firm II
SM – Show Me How
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TechnoLawyer ABA Techshow
