KLW Court Reporters Opens Office In New Jersey

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New Jersey State FlagMarlton, NJ – Kaplan Leaman & Wolfe Court Reporters is proud to announce the official opening a new office location in Marlton, NJ as part of the company’s continued expansion in the State of New Jersey.

As a national court reporting agency, Kaplan Leaman & Wolfe has been providing cost-effective court reporting and litigation support services to clients across the United States for more than 40 years.

With the opening of its newest office, which is located at Five Greentree Centre, 525 NJ-73 #104, Marlton, NJ 08053, Kaplan Leaman & Wolfe Court Reporters will continue to serve its growing client base in Camden County, Burlington County and throughout the State of New Jersey.

A Message From The CEO

New Jersery Court Reporter

“The team at Kaplan Leaman & Wolfe Court Reporters has been working with great partners throughout the State of New Jersey for decades,” said the company’s CEO, Gregg Wolfe, in an official statement.

“We are very excited to continue serving our clients in New Jersey with the highest standard of court reporting services and we look forward to developing new strategic partnerships with attorneys, law firms, corporate counsel, insurance companies and other legal professionals throughout the Garden State,” said Wolfe.

Your New Jersey Court Reporting Partner

Court Reporter NJ Marlton Kaplan Leaman & Wolfe Court Reporters - Marlton, NJ

Are you in need  of professional court reporting services or trial support in New Jersey?

With more than 40 years of experience, the team at Kaplan Leaman & Wolfe is proud to offer award-winning legal services to clients throughout the State of New Jersey. We are dedicated to helping legal professionals with a wide variety of litigation services including court reporting, depositions, legal videography, jury consulting, trial preparation, deposition summaries, internet streaming, digital forensics, e-discovery databases, and more.

To schedule New Jersey court reporting services please contact our local office in Marlton, NJ by calling (856) 644-6683.

About Kaplan Leaman & Wolfe Court Reporters

Kaplan Leaman & Wolfe Court Reporting & Litigation Support

Kaplan Leaman & Wolfe Court Reporters is a national court reporting agency providing a wide range of court reporting and litigation support services, as well as cutting-edge technology solutions, for professionals in the legal community.

With more than 40 years of industry experience, KLW’s team of professional court reporters provide reporting services for every part of the litigation process including depositions, trials, hearings, arbitration, conventions, meetings and other legal proceedings.

Company Contact Info:


Kaplan, Leaman & Wolfe Court Reporters – Marlton, NJ
Five Greentree Centre
525 NJ-73 #104
Marlton, NJ 08053
(856) 644-6683

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KLW Expands Pennsylvania Presence With New Office In Harrisburg, PA

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Pennsylvania State FlagHarrisburg, PA – Kaplan Leaman & Wolfe Court Reporters is proud to announce the opening of a new office location in Harrisburg, PA as part of the firm’s continued expansion in the State of Pennsylvania.

As a full-service national court reporting and litigation support firm, Kaplan Leaman & Wolfe has been providing cost-effective litigation services to clients throughout the United States for 40 years.

The company’s newest office location at 2225 Sycamore St #650, Harrisburg, PA 17111 will serve as a regional office for the company’s growing client base in Dauphin County and throughout the State of Pennsylvania.

A Few Words From CEO Gregg Wolfe

Gregg Wolfe, Owner of Kaplan Leman & Wolfe, has been a Federal Court Reporter for more than 30 Years.

“The opening of our Harrisburg office marks our continued commitment to providing court reporting and litigation support services of the highest caliber to our partners throughout the Keystone State,” said Kaplan Leaman & Wolfe’s CEO, Gregg Wolfe, in a company statement.

“We look forward to building upon our existing success in the Harrisburg region by continuing to develop strategic partnerships with attorneys, law firms, corporate counsel, insurance companies and other legal professionals in the area,” said Wolfe.

Contact A Local Court Reporting Agency

Court Reporter PAAre you looking for professional court reporting or litigation support services in Pennsylvania?

The experienced team at Kaplan Leaman & Wolfe is proud to offer award-winning legal services to clients across the State of Pennsylvania. The firm helps legal professionals with a wide variety of legal services including court reporting, depositions, legal videography, jury consulting, trial preparation, deposition summaries, internet streaming, digital forensics, e-discovery databases, and much more.

To schedule court reporting or litigation support services in Pennsylvania please contact the company at our local offices in Harrisburg, PA by calling (561) 266-4146.

About Kaplan Leaman & Wolfe Court Reporters

Kaplan Leaman & Wolfe Court Reporting & Litigation Support

Kaplan Leaman & Wolfe Court Reporters is a national court reporting agency providing a wide range of court reporting and litigation support services, as well as cutting-edge technology solutions, for professionals in the legal community.

With more than 40 years of industry experience, KLW’s team of professional court reporters provide reporting services for every part of the litigation process including depositions, trials, hearings, arbitration, conventions, meetings and other legal proceedings.

Company Contact Info:

Kaplan, Leaman & Wolfe Court Reporters
2225 Sycamore St #650
Harrisburg, PA 17111
(717) 276-0171

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KLW Expands Florida Presence With Local Office In Jupiter, FL

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Florida State FlagJupiter, FL – Kaplan Leaman & Wolfe Court Reporters is proud to announce its continued expansion in the State of Florida with a strategic office location in Jupiter, FL.

As a top-rated national court reporting agency, Kaplan Leaman & Wolfe continues to be a leading provider of court reporting and litigation support services for clients throughout the United States.

With the addition of its Florida office, which is located at 1044 N US Highway 1, Suite 211, Jupiter, FL 33477, the company will continue to grow its presence in Palm Beach County and the State of Florida.

A Message From CEO Gregg Wolfe

Gregg Wolfe, Owner of Kaplan Leman & Wolfe, has been a Federal Court Reporter for more than 30 Years.

“The official opening of our Florida office marks our continued commitment to providing court reporting and litigation support services of the highest caliber throughout the Sunshine State,” said Kaplan Leaman & Wolfe’s CEO, Gregg Wolfe, in a company statement.

“We are excited to build upon our existing success in Florida by continuing to develop new strategic partnerships with attorneys, law firms, corporate counsel, insurance companies and other professionals in the legal industry,” said Wolfe.

As the Owner and CEO of Kaplan Leaman & Wolfe for the past 40 years, Mr. Wolfe has led the company’s impressive growth to become one of the nation’s leading court reporting agencies.

After recently retiring from an impressive 35-year career as a highly-respected court reporter with the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Mr. Wolfe has been focusing on the continued growth and success of Kaplan Leaman & Wolfe.

Contact A Florida Court Reporting Agency Today

Florida hearing reporter JupiterDo you need professional court reporting services in Florida?

The experienced team at Kaplan Leaman & Wolfe is proud to offer award-winning court reporting and litigation support services to clients across the State of Florida. The firm helps legal professionals with a wide variety of legal services including court reporting, depositions, legal videography, jury consulting, trial preparation, deposition summaries, internet streaming, digital forensics, e-discovery databases, and much more.

To schedule court reporting or litigation support services in Florida please contact the company at its local offices in Jupiter, FL by calling (561) 266-4146.

About Kaplan Leaman & Wolfe Court Reporters

Kaplan Leaman & Wolfe Court Reporting & Litigation Support

Kaplan Leaman & Wolfe Court Reporters is a national court reporting agency providing a wide range of court reporting and litigation support services, as well as cutting-edge technology solutions, for professionals in the legal community.

With more than 40 years of industry experience, KLW’s team of professional court reporters provide reporting services for every part of the litigation process including depositions, trials, hearings, arbitration, conventions, meetings and other legal proceedings.

Contact Info:

Kaplan Leaman & Wolfe Court Reporters – Jupiter, FL
1044 N US Highway 1, Suite 211
Jupiter, FL 33477
(561) 266-4146

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Court Reporting Vs. Digital Recording

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Digital reporting, also known as electronic reporting, is a relatively new concept in the court reporting industry which uses audio recording devices to record court proceedings.

The following article covers everything you need to know about digital reporting including the pitfalls of this method and why you should always hire a professional court reporter to handle your court reporting needs.

What Is Digital Court Reporting?

The American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers (AAERT) describes digital court reporting as the “use of professional-level audio recording systems to register court proceedings.”

Essentially, a digital court reporter shows up to the courtroom with audio equipment and presses the “record” button. Once the recordings have been made the audio files are used to create a transcript for the official record.

Risks Associated With Digital Reporting

Caution Sign

In theory, the concept of digital reporting seems like a reasonable method for producing an official record. In practice, however, the digital reporting process is severely flawed and can even leave legal professionals susceptible to a variety of potential risks.

One of the biggest risks associated with the electronic reporting process is the production of inaccurate transcripts. Poor audio quality, malfunctioning equipment, a lack of legal knowledge and a variety of other factors can all jeopardize the integrity of the record.

For example, the quality of the audio can be distorted due to a malfunctioning recording device. Even simple background noises, such as the sound of an air conditioning unit, can severely distort the quality of an audio recording which can make it impossible to create an accurate transcription.

Transcripts made from audio recordings have had chunks of testimony missing because something was inaudible, garbled, the litigant or attorney dropped their voice or have accents hard to discern. In the event that a transcriber cannot hear part of a digital recording they will write “inaudible” in the official record.

Human error can also result in very serious problems in the digital reporting process. For example, if an audio recording device runs out of batteries, or someone simply forgets to press the “record” button, entire sections of the transcript can be lost forever.

Why You Should Always Hire A Court Reporter

Court Reporter Typing

When it comes to real-time disputes about what was said, having a court reporter to read back notes is critical. In complex cases or cases with multiple defendants, getting a daily transcript is crucial for keeping track of each defendant’s testimony, cross-examining witnesses or for planning closing arguments. Digital recording cannot produce instantaneous, real-time transcription; whereas, court reporters are able to provide instantaneous transcripts.

Lawyers tend to forget that when in court they are making a record, and get lost in the heat of the moment. If you were to go to a deposition, court reporters are always reminding lawyers to speak one at a time. The highest level of accuracy is a court reporter slowing everyone down and making sure everyone takes their time.

When you hire a professional court reporter you are ensuring that you receive court reporting of a higher standard. These court reporters have years of training and experience, as well as an intricate understanding of the legal system, which can be critical for properly reporting courtroom proceedings.

Many advocates of digital reporting claim that legal professionals can cut costs by hiring a digital recorder and this may be true. Sending a digital recorder, who may or may not be licensed in court reporting, to a courtroom to press the “record” button will likely be cheaper than hiring a highly qualified professional with years (oftentimes decades) of court reporting experience.

However, experienced professionals in the legal industry understand the importance of hiring a professional court reporter to accurately report and transcribe the proceedings of a trial. When it comes down to a multi-million dollar settlement or a serious verdict in a criminal trial, cutting costs is just not worth jeopardizing the integrity of the record.

Ultimately, the old saying “you get what you pay for” applies to this situation.

Kaplan Leaman & Wolfe Court Reporters & Litigation Support

Gregg Wolfe US District CourtNeed to hire a professional court reporter?

At Kaplan Leaman & Wolfe Court Reporting our team of highly qualified court reporters have the experience needed to accurately report and transcribe courtroom proceedings.

As a national court reporting agency we work with law firms, insurance companies and corporations across the United States to provide court reporting and litigation support services of the highest caliber.

Gregg Wolfe Retires From US District Court For The Eastern District Of Pennsylvania To Focus On Role As CEO of Kaplan Leaman & Wolfe Court Reporting & Litigation Support

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Gregg Wolfe US District CourtKaplan Leaman & Wolfe’s CEO, Gregg Wolfe, has announced his retirement from his 40-year career as a highly-respected court reporter with the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

For five years Gregg worked as a per diem court reporter for the Federal Judges, followed by 35 years working as an Official Court Reporter within the District Court.

“I want to express my deep appreciation for the opportunity to work with so many incredible colleagues during my time at the US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania,” said Mr. Wolfe. “My work here has also allowed me to engage with, and learn from, so many great attorneys, judges and staff over the past 40 years.”

Going forward, Mr. Wolfe plans to focus full time on his role as Owner and CEO at Kaplan Leaman & Wolfe Court Reporters, where he is responsible for the continued growth and success of the company.

Celebrating A Long & Successful Career With The US District Court

Mr. Wolfe’s impressive career with the US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania began in 1978, when he was hired as a freelance court reporter. During this time Mr. Wolfe was responsible for assisting the federal official court reporters with a variety of assignments and depositions.

In 1983, Mr. Wolfe was promoted as an Official Court Reporter to the Honorable Louis H. Pollak, where he went on to report hundreds of trials and hearings over the next decade.

Mr. Wolfe was subsequently hired by the Honorable J. Curtis Joyner in 1992 and had been his court reporter, as well as other judges, until his retirement. He has reported numerous high-profile court cases, all types of civil and criminal trials, as well as Multi-District Litigation Cases.

Turning To The Future

Mr. Wolfe will now focus 100% on operating his national court reporting agency, Kaplan Leaman & Wolfe Court Reporters, where he took possession of an existing company in 1982.

“I am very excited for the opportunity to focus 100% on KLW going forward,” said Mr. Wolfe. “We have an incredible team of very talented people at KLW and it is a great honor to be able to work with them every day to provide our clients with the exceptional service that they have come to expect from us.”

About Kaplan Leaman & Wolfe Court Reporters

Kaplan Leaman & Wolfe Court Reporting & Litigation Support works with law firms, insurance companies and corporations across the United States to provide court reporting and turn-key litigation support of the highest caliber.

“We listen carefully to our clients and then partner with them to assess their needs and to assemble customized solutions.”

Our solution begins with the most qualified court reporters in the business who are meticulously vetted to answer to a higher standard. They are professional, produce flawless transcripts, meet deadlines and they have an intricate understanding of the legal system.

From there, we harness the full spectrum of available technology to enhance and customize each client’s experience. We use our commitment to service, online systems that integrate directly with law firms’ platforms, as well as competitive, transparent pricing so that – from Discovery to Verdict – we are able not just to meet, but to exceed our clients’ high expectations.

KLW is one of the only court reporting agencies in the country where the owner is an experienced Federal Court Reporter.

An Attorney’s Guide To Safe Passwords

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Attorneys often have access to a great deal of confidential information that must be kept secure for clients and colleagues. As many firms are now paperless, important files and documents are often stored electronically, and cybersecurity has become essential. While the need for a secure password may seem obvious, shocking quantities of people have low quality passwords, and reuse the same one on multiple sites. Unfortunately, the use of low quality, unoriginal passwords make you a prime candidate for hackers.password login portal

Cyber safety begins with having secure passwords for all accounts or files. There are three primary hacking methods:

  1. Brute Force: Brute force attacks involve a program that attempts to guess a user’s password by trying various combinations of characters, symbols, and numbers on a keyboard, until finding the correct combination. The best form of protection against a brute force attack is the utilization of a long, complex password. For example, a password that contains letters and numbers, and surpasses 8 characters, will take at least two years to crack.
  2. Guessing: Many people use passwords that include personal information such as their phone number, birthdate, or child’s name, for example. Passwords that contain personal information are not safe, as these are the types of words or numbers that a hacker, particularly one who is or was close to you, will try first. Beyond obvious personal information, many resort to using common phrases, such as ‘password,’ ‘iloveyou,’ ‘12345678,’ and ‘letmein.’ While passwords such as ‘password’ may seem too obvious for anyone to guess, in reality this isn’t the case. Look here for a complete list of the most commonly used passwords.
  3. Trusting the wrong person: The most common method of hacking occurs when one trusts the wrong person with their account information. As a general rule, don’t give out your account information, regardless of how much you trust the person in question. If sharing a password is absolutely necessary, be sure to find a new password when the second party no longer requires access.

Creating A Strong Password

The standards of what constitute a strong password are constantly shifting. While once an eight character password was considered acceptable, experts now suggest expanding length even just one character, to nine.Lock symbol

  • According to the Georgia Institute of Technology, eight character passwords may be cracked in as few as two hours. While increasing the character count to nine is enough to make a difference, experts suggest the safest character count is twelve. As hacking capabilities continue to increase, twelve character passwords put you a few steps ahead.
  • Make sure your password includes an uppercase, lowercase, number, and symbol.
  • While passwords shouldn’t contain personal information, you can turn personal information into an acronym, which may then be used as a password. For example, a phrase such as ‘I’ve lived on Maple Street since March 3, 2008’ could be turned into: Ilomss3/Mar,8. Deriving a password from a factual or memorable phrase may make a seemingly complex combination of characters easier to remember.

General Tips For Maintaining Secure Passwords

Don’t repeat passwords: Regardless of how secure a password may appear, repeating passwords on multiple sites or programs is never a good idea. If a hacker manages to gain access to one account, duplicate passwords ensure they will have access to other accounts as well.

Memorize passwords: With so many passwords, memorization may seem like a terrible chore. However, there is little point in developing complex, hack-proof passwords if they are left lying around for prying eyes. If you must have a written copy of your passwords, keep it somewhere inaccessible to others, such as within your wallet. Even better, store them on a password manager. When using a password manager, you only have to memorize one very strong password, which grants you access to the rest of your passwords. Some password managers also offer additional services, such as password generation.

Don’t share passwords with others: Regardless of how much you may trust someone, it’s never a good idea to share passwords. The more people that know a particular password, the weaker the password.

Change passwords periodically: Passwords should be changed every so often, some suggest as often as every 3 months.

 

An Attorney’s Guide To Social Media

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Over the past years, social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn have become increasing popular, for social media treepersonal as well as business use. Law firms across the country that have seen the benefits of adopting social media as a component of their marketing strategy. When used intelligently, social media can allow you to do the following:

  • establish communication with clients
  • network
  • keep up to date with industry trends
  • show clients you’re an authority in your field

Perhaps most importantly, social media allows you to develop a consistent image amongst all social media platforms, and inform potential clients where your expertise lies. Social media can be the greatest form of advertisement, as people often look to the internet to learn more about a product or service.

Social Media Tips For Law Firms

When dealing with social media for professional use, here are some general tips to keep in mind:

  1. Ensure content written about your firm is accurate and consistent amongst all platforms
  2. Draw the line between personal and professional. While it is ‘social’ media, don’t forget that you are utilizing it for professional purposes. Keep your personal and professional accounts separate.
  3. Develop a plan regarding your online image and reputation. This will enable you to pinpoint a target audience and distribute content according to their interests. Furthermore, this will help you maintain a sense of consistency in your image.
  4. Develop a routine regarding updates and distribution; this will prevent you from slacking off and neglecting certain platforms. The most successful social media is that which is updated with regularity.
  5. On each social media platform your firm utilizes, include links to all other platforms as well.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a platform many lawyers have the most experience with, as it is professionally oriented. LinkedIn allows you to create a company profile for your business, or a personal profile for individual use. As LinkedIn is for professional use, your profile will include basic resume and contact information, as well as links to additional websites or blogs. Through your profile you may establish connections with others based on your professional merits, which can prove useful in building a client base, searching for prospective employees or job opportunities, and establishing business connections that would be unavailable otherwise.

Facebook

Established just ten years ago, Facebook is the largest social networking site, with over one billion users as of 2012. Facebook is a platform on which you may share interesting articles and updates, and build relationships with potential clients. Due to the many users on Facebook, your page has the potential to reach a large audience.

  • Let connections know you may be found on Facebook by sending out an email, or sharing a link on your website, for example. When established connections follow you and begin sharing your content, their connections will take notice and your following will grow.
  • People are more likely to read posts if they are kept short and sweet. If you include a question in your post, users are more likely to engage.
  • Promptly respond to those who comment on posts.
  • Remember users go on Facebook because it is a social networking site. While content shared should be related to your line of work, it shouldn’t be limited to mere advertisements of the services you provide. People are more likely to interact with your firm’s business page because of the interesting and useful content you share, rather than specifically because they wish to follow a law firm. If you build a friendly relationship with users, rather than one strictly business-like in nature, potential clients will think of you when they need a service you provide. It is essential to maintain the balance between social and professional.

Twitter

Twitter is a social networking tool that allows you to share concise messages, not meant to exceed 140 characters. Not only is twitter one of the ten most visited websites, but it’s somewhat less fussy than other platforms as it limits the length of messages. It’s advised to update multiple times throughout the day, but there are various apps that let you schedule posts in bulk.

Google+ (Plus)

Google+ is one of the more recently established social media platforms, but it has seen rapid growth in popularity.

  • Google+ is integrated with Google Places, making it a great place to find local clients.
  • Post regularly and engage with your followers. When sharing an article, include your commentary and even ask questions to encourage communication with followers and potential clients.
  • Communities allow you to find people with similar interests, and add them to your circles. Communities allow you to share specific content with people who would have an interest in that content.
  • Link your website page, Facebook account, and email signature to your google plus page.

 

Which Smartphone Is The Best Pick For An Attorney?

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hand holding smartphone

When smartphones began to gain popularity in the professional realm, BlackBerry devices were the top pick for law firms. Blackberrys allowed lawyers to accomplish more throughout the workday through discreet, efficient communication, the ability to work and access emails from almost anywhere, topnotch security, and more. While these features still prove useful, over the years BlackBerry has seen little innovation compared to competitors such as Apple’s iPhone and Google’s Android, and many expect it to be deemed obsolete within the coming years.

According to the ABA legal technology survey report, in 2013 55% of lawyers in the U.S. used the iPhone, 20% the Android, and 14% the Blackberry. The iPhone and Android offer the same features as the BlackBerry, and more. The iPhone is designed and marketed by Apple, who distributes both the software, iOS, and the hardware. Android, on the other hand, refers simply to the operating system, provided by Google, which may be installed within any variety of smartphones. There is no definitive answer as to which mobile option is the best fit for your firm, as it varies according to specific preferences. Following, we have listed some of the key differences amongst the iPhone and Android.

Mobile Applications

One of the most appealing features that smartphones have to offer are their many applications. Mobile applications expand the functions of a phone, ranging from the ability to access remote desktops, to billing hours and scheduling. While the iPhone and Android both offer many applications, their options differ in important ways.

iPhone: The iPhone offers by far the most applications of any smartphone, at 230,00. For some, the main drawback regarding iPhone apps is that they are only available through the iTunes store, which is moderated by Apple.

Android: Android allow you to access applications from a variety of sources, including the Amazon Appstore, Google store, and individual developers. Unfortunately, allowing downloads from individual developers may pose a security threat, as in the past many have proved malicious. The most secure practice is to download only trusted apps from the Google store or Amazon.

Interface

iPhone: While the iPhone’s interface is very user-friendly and intuitive, there’s little freedom regarding customization. However, iPhones, like Androids, now allow you to create customized folders for the grouping of applications, which integrates some element of customization. For someone with little technology skills or experience, the iPhone may be less confusing and more user friendly.

Android: The Android allows you to customize and entirely change the appearance of you interface. You can organize and add widgets, icons, and shortcuts to your liking. Generally speaking, the Android is far more accommodating to your specific needs and preferences.

Battery Life

While smartphones have many wonderful functions and features that can increase the efficiency of your workday, whether you have an iPhone or an Android they inevitably drain your battery.

Android: The Android offers 6.4 hours of talk time. Many lawyers find it useful that the battery is user accessible, meaning rather than having to charge your phone throughout the day, you can merely switch out the battery.

iPhone: The iPhone offers only 5 hours of talk time, and there is no option of switching out the battery manually. To be safe, you will likely need some manner in which you may charge your phone at the office. However, the iPhone does offer 30 more hours of standby time than the Android.

Security

Android: The Android is an open platform that gives users the ability to customize their devices to their liking. While many users love the freedom this allows, it can also pose a threat in terms of security. To protect your phone from malware and other vulnerabilities, there are applications that you may download to provide your phone with greater security, from companies such as F-Secure.

iPhone: The iPhone is inherently more secure as the manner in which iOS is programmed prevents viruses and malware from harming the device. Furthermore, ‘Find My Phone’ allows you to remotely erase data if your phone gets lost or stolen. When iOS security lapses are discovered Apple typically releases an update to fix it within a timely manner, so updating your device regularly is the best way to remain secure.

Hardware

As mentioned earlier, Google designs Android software and distributes it to various hardware manufacturers, giving users a wide range of options. Over the years, Android devices have seen greater innovation due to competition amongst hardware manufacturers. Androids have larger screens than iPhones, which enhance the computer aspects of the device.

iPhones, on the other hand, have essentially one option to which changes are made with the release of new models, such as the 3, 4, and 5. Overall the aesthetic remains largely the same amongst different models, although the iPhone 5 has a screen that is larger by .5 inches diagonally. The iPhone is made of aluminum and glass, and its sleek appearance is generally considered more satisfying aesthetically.

Which smartphone is the best fit for an attorney?

Even after reviewing the similarities and differences between the iPhone and Android, one cannot simply say if one is better than the other. Both devices allow you to complete tasks with greater efficiency and ease, in the office and at home. The iPhone offers thousands of timesaving applications and top-notch security, while Android allows the freedom of customization and the convenience of a removable battery. Let us know which device your firm prefers.

 

 

The Best Use Of Technology For Your Law Firm

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man holding law firm technologyWith each passing day, the legal industry’s reliance on technology multiplies. If properly utilized, technology can help your law firm’s success in a myriad of ways- from increasing overall efficiency to improving client communication and more.

Make The Most Of Existing Technology

Many believe the incorporation of technology within the law firm is an expensive task, but this isn’t always the case. The internet offers many inexpensive, useful tools that can be a great asset to your firm.

Social Media: As potential clients will first look to the internet when searching for legal information or advice, an effective social media presence is very important. This includes maintaining a Facebook, Google+ page, blog, and any other platform you can think of, such as Instagram or Twitter, as you never know where people will look. Simply having an account is not enough; the most important feature social media can offer is company-client engagement. Update regularly and answer questions in a timely fashion to maintain the interest of your audience. Blog posts should be about more than marketing; anticipate the questions your audience is likely to ask, and answer by creating a blog post regarding the topic. In this way, you can become a reliable, trusted source of information, and people will be more likely to turn to you when seeking legal assistance in the future.

Video Conferencing: While face to face meetings with clients are very important, finding the time within a busy schedule is often difficult, particularly in the midst of travels. However, with so many reliable video chat services available, scheduling a meeting time is less challenging, and the meeting itself won’t be as time consuming for your client. Many attorneys are now using video conferencing technology to host virtual depositions and other important litigation events.

Mobile Applications: There are many applications readily available for your smartphone or iPad that can be extremely convenient in your day to day affairs. Lawyers are buzzing about the following applications:

  1. GoodReader: This application’s utilization of cloud storage allows you to sync files from your computer to your mobile device, making documents and briefs easily accessible on the go.
  2. Black’s Law Dictionary, 9th Edition: Having the world’s most comprehensive law dictionary available at your fingertips is an indispensable point of reference.
  3. LogMeIn: This application allows you to access a remote desktop, such as your work computer, through your mobile device. Forgetting to sync an important document from a remote desktop is no longer an issue.

These are just three examples from hundreds of useful mobile apps for lawyers. When browsing the iTunes App Store, you will find many more.

General Technology Tips

Technology has the potential to greatly benefit your law firm, so don’t let it go to waste. Here are some important tips to keep in mind.

  • Remember that technology is constantly changing and improving. Be conscious of updates, as they foster greater efficiency and quality of work.
  • Be conscious of each employee’s knowledge and familiarity with technology. Even seemingly simple applications can prove troubling upon one’s initial introduction. Though more work at the onset, providing a training seminar may ultimately speed the learning process. Even if an employee has prior knowledge of an application or program, learning the proper way to use it may inform them of the most efficient practices.
  • While calculating your firm’s yearly budget, anticipate for changes in technology and potential glitches.
  • Consider the needs of each individual member of your law firm. When regarding an employee, you should ask yourself what equipment or software will allow him to accomplish a task with the greatest efficiency and ease. The answer will likely be different for each employee, and recognizing this can save you a lot of money, as not everyone needs the same equipment.

 

The Evolution of Court Reporting

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Evolution of court reporting

Court reporting, also known as “court stenography“,  is a process in which a court reporter has to transcribe the spoken or recorded speech recorded during court hearing, depositions and other common official proceedings and then later transcribe this speech into written form.

The court reporter is an important and an essential role of any courtroom process and court reporting dates back thousands of years. In fact, the roots of court reporting date all the way back to 63 B.C., to a man who was a slave by the name of Marcus Tullius Tiro.

Marcus Tullius Tiro was a highly-intelligent slave owned by a Roman philosopher, orator and lawyer. Because of his high-intelligence, he was put in charge of taking dictation and handling his owners financial affairs.

The Skill of Court Reporting

Court reporting requires high-skill and a broad range of learning, as well as accuracy. Training to become a court reporter can take anywhere from two to four years. Person’s interested in becoming a court reporter have the option of either attending a specialized certificate course program offered at a private business school.

Or a future court reporter has the option of earning an associate’s or bachelor’s degree program offered at an accredited college or university. Court reporting is traditionally known as a high-paying and well-respected field. And presently, court reporters are in demand within the United States.

Court Reporting Evolves

From quill pen writing, to voice writing, to voice recognition, court reporting has certainly evolved over the years. Let’s take a look back and just how far the court reporter has come from that quill pen…

Writing Automated: Shorthand writing with a quill or pen was the most widely used and preferred method of pen-writing for court reporting, until the late 19th century and was created by John R. Gregg. In the late 1870s, this quickly changed as Miles Bartholomew introduced the first stenotype machine. By the 1940s, this new machine began to replace the pen all together as it allowed court reporters to work more quickly by typing faster than they could write.

Voice Writing: Voice writing is the concept of taking advantage of a person’s ability to talk faster than they can type. With voice writing, the words spoken in a courtroom or during an official proceeding are recorded and then later played back by the reporter in order to produce a “written transcript.”

Voice Recognition: Voice recognition is the process of producing a written record through a voice recognized computer assisted transcription system. Voice Recognition systems are able to perform speech-to-text translation with an accuracy of 96%, and in real-time.