Hello again everyone and welcome to another edition of “Ten Things You Need to Know as In-House Counsel.” This is one of my favorite posts of the year because every August for the past eight years (really?) I have written about “cool tech” for in-house lawyers – and this year is no exception![1] Once again, I have been scanning the (virtual) horizon for the most useful technology that will – hopefully – make you more productive, make your life easier, or may just be fun and interesting. If you have been reading my books, this blog, or my LinkedIn posts over the years, you know that I am a big fan of technology as a way to increase productivity and enhance the value of the legal department. The good news is that the technology needed to make this happen does not have to be overly complicated or expensive. In fact, I deliberately try to find low-cost – or free – solutions that are easy to adopt and use. As usual, I make no promises or warranties of any kind, implied or express (sorry, just covering my bases here – you can’t be too careful, especially with the ABA breathing down my neck about some book I’m “supposed” to be sending their way soon). I can assure you, however, that I get nothing for recommending the technology below. I just think these are all useful tools and worth checking out. So, with no further ado, this edition of “Ten Things” sets out my cool tech for in-house lawyers in 2023:
cool tech for in-house lawyers
Ten Things: “Cool Tech” for In-House Counsel (2022 Edition)
Well, it’s August and that means lots of things. If you live in Texas, it means you are seriously regretting your decision to move here because it is just stupid hot and humid. Apparently, housing lots in Hell are sold out as Texans look to move someplace cooler. August also means it is time for my annual “Cool Tech” blog – one of my favorites. Somehow, this is the eighth year in a row where I will share technology and tech-related ideas that can make life easier (or a smidge better) for in-house counsel. If you want to check out past editions of my “Cool Tech” blog, here you go:
There is a lot of great technology discussed in these past editions and they are worth reading to find a gem or two that works best for you.
You probably know that I am a bit of a technology geek. Not that I have any special powers (I am as afraid of screwing something up as you are), but rather because I wholeheartedly believe that technology can make an in-house lawyer’s job easier, improve the capabilities of the legal department, and help show the value generated by the legal team. In my “Cool Tech” posts, I generally try to discuss technology that is free (or very low cost) and adds immediate value. While I think e-billing systems, matter management systems, document management systems, electronic signatures, and so forth, are table stakes for legal departments today, that is not my focus here. If you do want to read about this type of big tech (and all in-house lawyers should), I suggest you check out this really cool fairly new site, LawNext. LawNext is a comprehensive directory of legal technology products and buyer’s resources.[1] I also recommend the CCBJ 2022 Directory of Leading Legal Technology and Project Management Solutions available here. But, with one exception, we’ll stay small and focused, i.e., technology you can buy and start using today, much of which is free. As always, I received nothing for recommending this technology to you. I just think in-house lawyers will find the technology useful. But, enough yapping, let’s get to the fun stuff. Here is my Cool Tech for In-House Lawyers 2022 Edition:
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Ten Things: Cool Tech for In-House Counsel (2021 Edition)
It’s August and that means three things: it’s very hot here in Texas, the Nebraska Cornhuskers have already lost a football game, and it’s time for my annual “Cool Tech” for in-house counsel blog post. As you can imagine, I am pretty excited about the last one. Not so much the first two. Regardless, this is the seventh year in a row where I will be sharing technology and tech-related ideas that can make life easier for in-house counsel (well, at least better). If you want to check out past editions (and I hope you do), you can find them here:
If you have followed this blog and my posts on LinkedIn, then you already know that I am a big believer in the power of technology to improve the capabilities of the legal department and, more importantly, help show the value generated by the legal team. That said, for my annual Cool Tech edition I generally try to discuss technology that is free (or very low cost) and adds immediate value. So, if you are looking for an evaluation of e-billing systems, matter management systems, document management systems, electronic signatures, and so forth, you’re at the wrong movie. If you do want to read about this type of “big tech’ (and all in-house lawyers should), I suggest the annual LawGeex 2021 contract technology buyer’s guide or Deloitte’s technology in the legal department guide.[1] Packed with great information, they are both free! But, for today’s purposes, we’ll stay small and focused, i.e., technology you can buy and start using today, some of which is free. As usual, I received nothing for recommending this technology to you. I just think in-house lawyers will find the technology useful. I also realized as I was writing this that because I am spending so much time working from home (thanks Delta variant), a lot of my suggestions work especially well for your home office. And with that, let’s dig into Cool Tech for In-House Lawyers 2021 Edition:
Ten Things You Need to Know as In-House Counsel® 