Law Technology

Last May, I attended the inaugural "Using Macs in Trial" in Dallas, TX.  It was a great seminar, and it met my number one criteria for any seminar -- it contained many helpful, practical tips that I could immediately implement into my practice.   The subject matter was appropriate for both new and veteran Mac users, and the discussions with the other attendees were insightful as well.

The follow up seminar, cleverly titled "Using Macs in Trial 2", is scheduled for February 29 -- March 1, and it will again be held in Dallas.  This seminar looks to be as good as, if not better than, the one last year, and I urge you to make plans now to attend.  I will be there, and I am looking forward to both the seminar and seeing the friends that I made there last year.

Using Macs in Trial 2  :: Hosted by Foreman, Lewis & Hutchison

Date  ::  Friday February 29, 2008 (afternoon) and Saturday March 1, 2008 (all day)

Location  ::  Embassy Suites Outdoor World At DFW Hotel, Grapevine, Texas

Travel  ::  Recommend that you fly into Dallas/Ft. Worth Airport if possible. Dallas Love field is approx twenty minutes away if you want to rent a car or pay for a cab. 

Cost  ::  $150 for the Seminar and Meals [covers a per person charge for use of meeting rooms at hotel, refreshment breaks, dinner Friday evening (speaker presentation during dinner), lunch Saturday (presentation during lunch), and high speed internet connection in the seminar meeting room.]  The $150 seminar fee must be paid by February 8 so they can adjust the seminar facilities to larger space if needed.  You should send a check to Foreman, Lewis & Hutchison, 611 S Main, Ste 700, Grapevine, Texas 76051 or call 817-336-5533 and ask for Kristy to pay by credit card.

Accommodations  ::  Attendees are eligible for a discounted suite at the rate of $124 per night for Friday and Saturday night.  Reservations can be made online or by calling 972-724-2600 and asking for the MacLaw rate. Accommodations include a breakfast buffet and a cocktail reception. In-room internet is an additional charge. The Hotel has a complementary airport shuttle. The discount rate for hotel rooms will remain available until February 8th, pending availability.

Seminar Topics  ::  The seminar is directed to the use of Macintosh computers in a trial focused litigation practice. Some of the topics will be applicable to general law office use of Macs.  A favorite portion of the seminar last year was an open discussion / sharing of specific practice based problems and solutions. The seminar should be a wonderful tool for both advanced users and those new to or considering a conversion to a Mac based practice. The use of all programs will be demonstrated in a step by step form - bring your MacBook and work along with the speaker.  Topics will include: 

• The Electronic Trial Notebook / File Organization - Circus Ponies Notebook. [Jayson Adams - creator of Circus Ponies is planning to attend! - Worth the trip by itself!] 
• Adobe Acrobat  the less paper practice (there is no such thing as paperless) , scanning, pdf files, bookmarks and annotations, etc. 
• TrialSmart and DepoSmart - trial presentation of exhibits and depositions [John Callis creator of TrialSmart and DepoSmart will present] 
• Recording your own video depositions - Quicktime, iMovie and iDVD and presenting video at trial
• Keynote/Powerpoint presentations - use bulletpoints to bore your jury at your own risk  use anchor images to help tell your story 
• Case Management using Daylight and alternatives
• Technical Tips every litigator should know: internet via cellphone; wireless networking with co-counsel; portable printers and scanners; projectors, image and video file conversions, dealing with a windows based court staff, and lots of other things to make you look like a techno-nerd. 

Continuing Legal Education Credits  ::  The seminar received approval for CLE credit last year from the State Bar of Texas (with reciprocity available in other states per their rules). Similar accreditation will be applied for this year.