LAW 253 - CHAPTER 1

Law and Technology Uses in the Legal Profession

Hardware

The physical components of a computer system

Software

A list of instructions for the computer to follow that is stored in the computer’s memor

computer

An electronic device that receives processes, outputs, and stores data or info

Information Technology

details involved w/ development, maintenance, and use of computer systems, software, and network uses for processing and distributing data

Desktop (computer)

A device designed for regular use at a single or stationary location, often with all components that fit on top or near a desk due to its size or power requirements

Laptop (computer)

portable, personal computer, also known as a notebook. carries out the same functions as desktop.

Wireless network

network where users can access the internet without the use of fixed cables

Smart Device

electronic gadget that can connect, share, and interact with its user; despite size, it typically has enormous computing power

Central Processing Unit CPU

microprocessor; brains of computer

operating system

software used to control the computer and peripheral equipment

Random Access Memory (RAM)

area on computer workspace that stores information and data for processing by the computer’s CPU

Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP)

allows you to make voice calls using broadband internet connection v. regular phone line

Voice Recognition

software that converts spoken words to text

Videoconference

virtual meeting using network or internet to connect two or more people in different locations and share data by electronic means

Server

computer or computer program that manages access to centralized resource or service in network

Online Collaboration

using the internet to conduct meetings and share documents

Workstation

computer that runs a desktop operating system and connects to network

thin client

computer terminal that resembles a desktop but has limited capabilities and relies on a network for resources to operate programs

Drivers

group of files that enable one or more hardware devices to communicate w/ computer’s operating system. Allows the computer to send and receive data correctly to the hardware device

end-user license agreement

license agreement between software creator and user

backup

copy of user’s hard disk or other strorage device can be restored if the hard disk is damaged or lost. Backup utility programs allow users to schedule times to ensure reoccurring backups to protect the data

Uninterruptible Power Supple (UPS)

A device that provides backup power when the electrical power fails or drops to an unacceptable voltage level.

Virus

A destructive program that harms data, hard drives, operating systems, and computer programs.

Remote Collaboration

A process in which two or more parties work together on common documents and other resources regardless of their location.

Compatibility

In technology, the ability of the computer hardware to effectively operate the application software and communicate with software updates.

Firewall

A computer security system (hardware and software) designed to block unauthorized access.

Outsourcing

A decision to have independent outside parties handle the business’s workload and production responsibilities.

Local Area Network (LAN)

A computer network that interconnects computers within a limited area such as a residence, school, laboratory, university campus or office building. 

Wide Area Network (WAN)

A network that covers a large geographic area and includes other networks; a “network of networks.”

Hot Spot

A place where a wireless Internet connection is available.

1980s

• electric type writer

• collating copy machine

lack of knowledge =

• Ethical nightmare for law practice

• Must understand technology

  • client info is protected

  • ensures public info does not violate ethical rules

computer v. technology

• Computers receive, process, store, and transmit data

  • phones, electronic watches, fitness trackers, car media sources, etc.

  • more powerful than Apollo 11 computers

• Technology = design, construct, operating, and programming computers

smart phone data processing

• tracks geolocation w/out input

• retains info; develops resources

passive data

things like map directions, receiving text messages w/ time and date info

• data is synced across dvices; ensurese meeting is reflected

kilobyte (K)

1000 bytes

Megabyte

1,000,000 bytes

Gigabyte (GB)

1,000,000,000 bytes

Terabyte

1,000,000,000 bytes

petabyte

1,000,000,000,000 bytes

processor chip

• performs arithmetic coomputations & logic functions

• Speed of processing and computer = bits or bytes a chip can process

• more bits processed = faster computer is

peripheral devices

• additional equipment connected to computer (performs special functions)

  • auxiliary storage devices

  • external hard drives

removeable devices

• flashdrives/thumb drives

• immediately acesses computer through USB port/copy large files from one system to another

input devices

• mouse, keyboards, printers, copiers, scanners

communication devices

• exchanges information

• wifi, modems, VoIP, etc.

three basic softwards

• system

• utility

• application

operating system software

• Instruct computer hardware that ties hardware and software together

application softward

• Instructs the computer to perform specific functions/tasks

  • word processing, spreadsheet, presentation software

utility software

• Manage either hardware/software aspects

  • Some are part of the operating system; some are separate

  • compression software (winzip), backup programs

• some are designed to protect computer from viruses/malware

why are backups important?

• Create hard drive copies; invaluable when the computer crashes/corrupts

• UPS is important during voltage drop/power outages

most common applications

• word processing

• pdf creation

• spreadsheets

• office/case management

• timekeeping

  • billing programs

litigation support programs

• Used for discovery and computer-assisted legal research

• Presentation software for trials

  • uses cloud-based, downloaded software, and/or web-based access as storage

document management software

• Organizes, controls, distributes, and allows extensive searching of electronic documents

  • found in networked environments

• Extensive search capabilities; allows users to add a profile to every document; easy search

zoom court

• conduct meetings over internet = bad and unsecure

• limited program

• zoom became common; connected outside world

  • used in court system

  • expanded to court hearings

  • time + cost savings = online hearings and meetings = good

trends

• portable devices = success

• Expansion of electronic filing + discovery

  • Federal and state requirement

• legal organization develop internal systems

  • produce, store, search, and handle production of electronic info

electronic filing

• sounds easy; kinda daunting

• standardization, control, security, establishment of hardware/software

  • many implemented filing; many are entering implementation

cloud computing

• relatively new; old as the internet

• westlaw = cloud computing

• web-based email = cloud

affects of cloud computing

• use hosted software applications

  • not downloaded; access via internet

  • stores info on host computers; ensure user has the latest version

  • eliminates download and insallation

  • store documents + other daa

issues with cloud

• how secure is data stored

• what law firm’s liability for breaches of confidentiality

courtroom demonstrations

• display of evidence

• master controls = judge bench

  • controls monitors, sounds, cameras

• offers out-of-state witnesses ability to testify

social meida

lawyers and law firms make websies

• some use facebook, twitter, etc for market and network

• some have blogs

vehicle for incompetence + malpractice

• user fails; anticipates/discover error

• results in legal malpractice and breaches

  • legal research inadequately performed

  • new docs are prepared w/ old info from other clients

malpractice

• improper forms/templates

  • proofreading/review oversight cases client major financial losses

attorney responsibility

• work product

• prepared by/with assistance; end product has errors; attorney is responsible

• error/incompetent work = client harm = discipline/malpractice claim

when should equipmentquipment be updated

• software creates features; takes more RAM + processors

• software has numerous features, graphics, and animation

• hardware is expanding capacity; software updates automatically

• depends on needs

1980s updaating

• computers stored 5,000 words of text

• operated form floppy disks/hard disks

• data saved on additional disks

1990s updating

• computer hardware developed w/ larger internal drives

• allowed programs to be loaded w/in, data saved into system

• software + hardware updates were frequent

two-year upgrade

• Depends on office budget and software needs

• System and software could last long time

• Updates every 18 months to three years

• Review software updates and hardware requirements; do not compromise minimum needs

CONFIDENTIALITY

• compromise = ineffective representation and malpractice

• internet provide offers secutiy features

• Symantec and Norton offer protection on computers

outside cloud servies are used

• encryption

• boxcryptor for protection method

networking

• essential for communication

• reliable network = access to courts and clients

networking outside of office

• requires router and service providers

• wired network - higher speeds

• wifi is efficient; monitored regularly

• dual-band = public and private netowkrs

• allows clients to access internet

• hot spot = security issue

virtual private network (VPN)

• additional security

1. What are the minimum computer hardware and software requirements for today’s law office?

hardware:

• windows 10/11, mac OS

• intel core i5, apple m-series

• 8-16 GB of RAM

• 250-5000 GB storage

minimum computer software requiremetns

software:

• office 365 or smth equivalent

• adobe acrobat/pdf convertor/editor

• up-to-date antivirus/anti-malware

• legal case management, billing, time tracking software

• modern browsers

How has technology and technological competency impacted the legal profession? Make sure to provide examples.

• faster case law searches

• past ruling analysis = ruling

• e-discovery

• virtual courts

• automatic documentation

• security concerns

Should all areas of technology be used in the legal profession (like voice recognition software and videoconferencing)? Explain why or why not. Make sure to provide examples.

yes; some benefit legal profession

• AI shouldn’t be used predominantly though

  • can be inaccurate

  • leads to plagarism

  • damages environment

  • etc.

4. What are technology issues that can affect the practice of law? Make sure to provide examples.

• poor internet

• crashes w/ out backup

• file corruption

• breaches of attorney-client or confidentiality

• security concerns/hacking