Legal News

Beepless in Mineola: A Firm Cracks Down on Blackberry Use

By Ashby Jones

Ah, we know the type. The Blackberry user for whom having the device in his or her pocket or bag isn’t good enough. Rather, when he or she’s walking the halls, the Blackberry needs to be in hand. At meetings, meals, or even sitting at a barstool — when all alarms and vibrations are shut down — the Blackberry rests on the nearest flat surface, its light a beacon: green, green, green, RED!

We’ve written about these types before, but we’d never before heard of a law firm cracking down on the Crackberry and its addicts. Until now. According to this recent Newsday story, the powers that be at Meltzer, Lippe, Goldstein & Breitstone in Mineola, N.Y., have started calling for a cell-phone and BlackBerry-free zone for major meetings to discuss issues, such as key law changes, that might affect clients or significant internal developments.

The “no-device policy” came about, says partner Ira Halperin, as the steady buzzes and vibrations signaling a new call or e-mail were increasingly interfering with meeting-goers’ focus.

“We like everyone to be connected to clients and to be very responsive to their needs,” he says - but not at the expense of giving full attention to a major issue.

When it comes to more routine meetings, if it’s necessary for someone to respond to an essential call or e-mail, they’re asked step out into the hall to do it.

Says Halperin, “It’s more of a courtesy thing.”

LB readers, we’d love to hear from you on this one. Have any firms instated policies similar to the one put in place at Meltzer, Lippe? Do you agree with Halperin, that there are times when the Blackberry needs to be completely shut down?

Photo: sholden.typepad.com

Full post as published by Law Blog - WSJ.com on April 15, 2008 (boomark / email).