The quarterly publication of the International Legal Technology Association
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/34686
As we communicate through ILTA toward , social media-driven technologies and collaborative communications will ensure the focus on the ‘international’ thrives, while business, legal, knowledge management and technology initiatives continue to merge together. ILTA Law2020TM Eric Hunter is the Director of Knowledge Management and Technology at Bradford & Barthel, LLP, where he is currently integrating a cloud-hosted collaboration platform within the firm’s 12-office environment. Eric has written and spoken about collaborative cloud solutions at numerous legal events and conferences and is frequently quoted in articles pertaining to legal cloud computing and SaaS delivery. He is also the recipient of ILTA’s 2010 Distinguished Peer Award for Knowledge Management Champion. Eric can be reached at ehunter@bradfordbarthel.com. Did the SWA, Delta and American Airlines incidents give rise to a debate over [air transportation’s] future? Of course not! Did I stop flying? Of course not! Is cloud computing perfect? Of course not! But unless you refuse to fly until all fuselage ruptures, losses of cabin pressure, and in-flight crane run-ins have been eliminated, common sense, client demands and healthy profit margins dictate that the cloud — with all its imperfections — be judiciously employed by every legal practice that hopes to become and/or remain relevant (and profitable). LESSONS LEARNED BY A NON-TECHIE As a “non-techie,” transitioning to the cloud has been remarkably painless. In fact, as each phase is implemented, I’m repeatedly reminded of Pogo’s observation: “We have met the enemy and he is us,” or, more accurately, the enemies are ME and MY FEAR of CHANGE and the UNKNOWN. We’re all the same, aren’t we? Remember back (way back) to a simpler time when you faced the daunting task of riding a two- wheeler without training wheels? Or moving out of your parents’ home to your own apartment or dorm room? While my children believe these events occurred at least a hundred years ago for me, I certainly recall how the mix of excitement and dread gave me pause just prior to plunging forward into the great unknown. Feelings of dread were repeated within the last two years as our entire law firm (all 12 offices) prepared to plunge (soar?) into the cloud. Much like my experiences from (not) so long ago, I haven’t stopped pedaling and I have never regretted the move. Nervous about taking the plunge? The beauty of cloud computing is that it need not be an all-or-nothing proposition. While the Luddites of the nineteenth century certainly had compelling arguments against automation, and would no doubt point to my SWA flight as “proof” that man should leave flying to the birds, Moore’s law has shown little respect for those proponents of the “good ol’ days.” My clients want/deserve/ need/demand faster, better and less expensive legal services. Cloud computing allows our firm to meet these stringent standards…while maintaining a solid profit margin. ILTA Donald R. Barthel, Esq., is one of the Founding Partners of Bradford & Barthel, a California-based workers’ compensation and defense firm. Don’s legal career has been dedicated to the defense of employers’ rights in the arenas of labor law, employment law and workers’ compensation, and during the last two decades, his practice has exclusively focused on workers’ compensation defense and related matters. In addition to lawyering, Don is passionate about marketing and the intersection of technology and business. He can be reached at dbarthel@bradfordbarthel.com. Peer to Peer the quarterly magazine of ILTA 143