Section News

& emerging technology and issues regarding technology

Category: Events Archives

ABA TechShow 2023 – Early Bird Deadline is EXTENDED TO JANUARY 25, 2023

ABA TechShow 2023 Early Bird Deadline is EXTENDED UNTIL January 25, 2023!!!

$100 Off price for Friends in the Computer & Tech Section,

State Bar of Texas

use PROMOTER CODE: EP2312  (links at bottom)

What: The best legal tech show for solos and small to medium firms in the country.

When: March 1-4, 2023

Where: Hyatt Regency Chicago, 151 E. Wacker, Chicago, Illinois

LowdownMark I. Unger w/ Mitchell Zoll

For the first time in several years, ABA TechShow is back in all things “live!” in Chicago, March 1-4, 2023.

If you’ve never been, this is a significant opportunity as there are more legal technology startups and providers than there have ever been in my recollection. In addition, expect massive pushes by those who have gobbled up or been gobbled up as a result of the disruption that occurred during Covid.

All prognostications I’m seeing in the news seem to imply a bad year financially. I truly hope this is not the case, but the key to surviving if not thriving this next year will, IMO, be creating efficiencies. These often come with some of the legal tech solutions offered over the last 10 years and refined over the last 3.

I’ve been fortunate to attend most years over the last 15 and every year is a ramp-up, but this year, I’m expecting really significant things from them. If you go, I hope you soak in as much as possible between the CLE tracks and topics as well as the Vendors on and off the beaten path.

Key tracks include:

I.             Core Concepts

II.            Financial Management

III.          Futures

IV.           Litigation Tech

V.            Operations

VI.           Transactional Tech

VII.         Client Experience and

VIII.        Marketing

Key topics that stand out at first glance

Wed PM:

Start-Up Pitch Competition with Bob Ambrogi Robert Ambrogi (legend of a nice guy and pitches from maybe a dozen startups looking to hit it big w/lawyers and law firms; my favorite part of TechShow).

Thursday + Friday:

Tech Competence: Now that 40 Jurisdictions mandate some form of the ABA trickledown model rule comment regarding technology as a part of competence, this panel boasts 4 well-known though leaders on the subject. As relevant now as it was before Covid, probably more so.

Billing 101 With Tech – I could spend a day talking about this and how practice management systems, apps, snippets and workflows cut my billing entry down to 15-30 seconds per, but why not start with this; this is low-hanging fruit for consultants because with the right tools, it’s basically creating what I call “free money” (that which you can get back in time and money for ‘efficiencizing.’

Using AI and Data Analytics in Litigation

Legal Marketing Trends: Where Should You Spend Your Marketing Resources?

Early and Often: Better Client Communication through Automation – Regina Edwards (“Lawyer on the Beach” FB Group) is on this panel and is, IMO, extraordinary in workflow efficiencies. This will be a no-miss.

The Security Challenge for Microsoft 365: In Plain Language You Can Understand— Ben Schorr is old school, but even previously as a consultant who Microsoft bought, ‘er hired, he’s the best as all things MS; veteran TS speaker, another no-miss.

Web3 and Law Firm Financials

Using AI and Data Analytics in Litigation

Leaving the Law Firm for Greener $$ Pastures

Mac Hacks – With my friend Brett Burney (probably one of the top 5 technology consultants in the country and an overall phenomenal guy; and from Texas originally, to boot.

Practicing with Bots: Where to Draw the Ethical Lines?

Technology Assisted Review – Not sure where we’ll end up, but if dealing with ESI (now which identification and location is mandated under the new Texas mandatory disclosures’ rules), then this might be a good place to start learning. Mostly used with big discovery, we are ripe for a turn towards turnkey, small law solutions. #FingersCrossed

I Didn’t Know PDFs Could Do That – Darla Jackson and Dan Siegel – we all need regular CLE on this every year, myself included

Law Firm Efficiency Overhaul: Optimize Your Tech Stack for Maximum Performance – Including our own Texas Attorney, Alex Shahrestani, this is one for everyone looking to review what software apps you are using and where you can up your game.

Transactional Word Document Automation Workshop, Part 1 (and Part 2 on day 2) Kenton Brice   runs the OU Law School Library currently and more importantly is the Director of Technology Innovation there. He is outstanding and a great person to know and bounce things off of; together with massive veteran knowledge of Ivan Hemmans, Barron Henley and another top 5 pick Paul Unger, this room will be packed.

Follow the above with —

What’s Up with Word for discussion of newer features again with Barron Henley and Ben Schorr.

NFTs and Web3: What are They and How Does Intellectual Property Law Apply?

The market may have cratered, but some of the cryptocurrencies are still around (as is Bitcoin, Ethereum etc.)

Countering the Cyberthreat Tsunami: Start with the Basics

w/ Legend veteran David Ries

Automating the Transactional Client Lifecycle

With Sofia Stefanie Lingos and Andrea Sager, look to this to complement Regina Edwards workflows and presentation tips.

Hacks to Command and Control Your PC

Former TS Chairs Debbie Foster (now part of the biggest legal tech consulting merger of companies I’ve ever seen) and Ivan Hemmans, on legal hacks or shortcuts…these are likely going to be gold at a time when gold is desperately needed.

Designing an A+ Client Experience including another top 5 Catherine Reach

Justice Tech: Using Innovation to Reduce the Access to Justice Gap

No Code, No Problem: Unleash the Power of Automation to Transform Your Law Firm – follow-up from day one

Contract Management Systems

Getting Things Done: Overcoming Procrastination and Implementing Technology to Better Manage Your Time (I’ve got five bucks that says ‘pomodoro’ will be mentioned multiple times). Paul Unger

Data-Driven Tech: What’s your ROI?

Document Management and Compliance

60 in 60

Closing out the sessions, for the first time now on Friday at 4:30 instead of Saturday morning, this is the most entertaining 60 minutes in legal technology (with a couple nods to keynotes in past years including Ben Stein and David Pogue and Lawrence Lessig, among others.

CLE

The ABA will seek 9 hours of CLE credit in 60-minute states, and 10.8 hours of CLE credit for this program in 50-minute states [including 2 hours of Ethics CLE credit in 60-minute states and 2.4 hours of Ethics CLE credit in 50-minute states]

Links:

All information: https://www.techshow.com/

Registration:

https://web.cvent.com/event/0cdb462b-ec0b-4b11-b371-cc1c376dffa7/regProcessStep1

Travel/Accomodations:

https://web.cvent.com/event/0cdb462b-ec0b-4b11-b371-cc1c376dffa7/websitePage:9427a9e4-afa5-4f64-8aa4-a95694b3b74f

#legaltech #Techshow #ABATechshow #Chicago #LegalTechnology #ContinuousImprovement #LegalPracticeManagement

The 6th Annual Technology and Justice for All CLE is on Friday, December 2, 2022

Registration is now open for this year’s Computer & Technology Section CLE. The CLE is in Austin on December 2nd. Seating is limited and prior events at this location have sold out. Speakers include Mitch Zoll, Mark Unger, Natalia Santiago, Judge Xavier Rodriguez, Judge Karin Crump, Charles Mudd, Grecia Martinez, Shawn Tuma, William Smith, Grant Scheiner, and Shannon Warren. Register at https://statebaroftexassections.redpodium.com/cts2022cle.

Key Dates

Sept. 23, 2022.

First virtual CLE seminar. Topic: This Digital Health
Privacy CLE will include discussion on the expanded definition of
“health data” under emerging state laws, how state privacy laws
interact with other health privacy laws, and how attorneys can partner
with business partners to identify new classes of health data.
Speaker: Mason Fitch, Section Council Member.

December 2, 2022.

Annual Technology and Justice for All CLE seminar
(Austin). Topics will include:

Cyber boot camp for new attorneys. Speakers: Mitch Zoll and Mark Unger
Cyber insurance. Speaker: Natalia Santiago, McGriff, Houston
Technology in the courtroom. Speakers: Judges Xavier Rodriguez
and Karin Crump
HR and cyber security. Speaker: Grecia Martinez, Ryan, Dallas
Space law. Speaker: Charles Mudd, the Mudd Law Firm, Houston
Cyber due diligence in M&A. Speaker: S. Tuma, Spencer Fane, Dallas
30 Apps in 30 minutes: Speakers: to be announced

February 24, 2023.

Second virtual CLE seminar. Autonomous vehicles and
their litigation risks. Speaker: Quentin Brogdon, Partner, Crain
Brogdon LLP.

April 28, 2023.

Third virtual CLE seminar. Subject and speaker to be
announced.

5th Annual Technology and Justice for All Webinar (Friday, February 11, 2022)

Dear Colleagues:

The past two years have been an unprecedented time for the adoption of technology by lawyers. From the use of Zoom and other video communication tools by courts, businesses, and individuals to the importance of disaster recovery planning, since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic the practice of law demands a new level of competence in technology for attorneys to meet their duties under Texas Rules of Professional Conduct 1.01 cmt para 8.

Start the new year with a better practice by joining the Computer and Technology Section for our 5th Annual Technology and Justice for All CLE webinar, and earn up to 4.75 hours MCLE credit, including 1.75 hours of ethics credit.

This seminar will be presented by law and technology experts bringing perspectives from a diverse range of practices including cyber law, litigation, government, in-house counsel, and IP. This program will be archived and available for replay for the next 30 days, until March 13, on the CTS Section website. BUT YOU MUST REGISTER AND PAY NOW to take advantage of the archived presentations.

Use the links below to register and view the program agenda.

5th Annual Technology and Justice for All CLE Webinar

When:

Friday, February 11, 2022
9 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. CST


Registration

Section members: $75

Non-section members: $100

Legal Aid Providers/Justice Incubators: FREE

Up to 4.75 hours of MCLE credit, including 1.75 hours ethics

Join the Computer and Technology Section for $25 here and receive the section member price of $75!

Register

Program Agenda


Description:

From using software for automation and efficiency, to privacy and free speech in a digital world, to reaching and ethically representing clients when businesses and individuals are embracing a remote-friendly, on-demand economy and workplace, this course will advance your legal technology skills to make a tech-forward 2022 work for you and your firm. Attendees will learn:

  • How to think like an engineer and work smart, not hard, to harness technology for a more efficient practice
  • What it means to meet your ethical duties to your clients in the Zoom-enabled, smartphone-friendly, cybercrime-ridden practice environment of 2022
  • The latest developments in U.S. and global cybersecurity requirements impacting your firm and your client’s businesses
  • How to use the Texas Bar’s new, attorney-friendly Advertising Review Portal for faster guidance on how to market ethically and effectively
  • Key recent holdings on the application of the First Amendment to social media platforms like Snapchat and Twitter
  • 60 Apps to make your practice and life easier and more successful

Attend live streaming via Zoom on Friday, February 11 and ask presenters questions live via chat OR watch on-demand at your convenience for 30 days after.

A great value: Registrants for this seminar can earn up to 4.75 hours of MCLE credit, including 1.75 hours of ethics credit. It is only $75 for Section members, and $100 for others, including one year of free Computer and Technology Section membership.

Supporting Access to Justice: Registration is FREE for Legal Aid Providers or Justice Incubators.

Register now! Click HERE to register. Whether you’re a digital native or the PEBKAC, this CLE course will leave you better equipped for 2022.

We hope you will be able to join us!

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Rogers, Chair
Computer and Technology Section
State Bar of Texas

Join us on Dec. 11 for the 4th Annual “Technology and Justice for All” CLE: Vaccinating Your Technology Tools for Practice in a Pandemic

The Computer & Technology Section will be hosting (virtually) its 4th Annual “Technology and Justice for All” CLE — Vaccinating Your Technology Tools for Practice in a Pandemic — from 8:45 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. CST on Friday, December 11, 2020. You don’t want to miss this outstanding CLE providing 5.5 hours of continuing legal education credit, including .75 of ethics.

See the full agenda below and you can register online here.

COST

  • $50 for Section members
  • $75 for non-Section members
  • FREE for any legal aid providers or justice incubators

FULL AGENDA

4th Annual Technology and Justice for All CLE: Vaccinating Your Technology Tools for Practice in a Pandemic

8:45 Welcome, Opening Remarks and Announcements
Shawn Tuma, Chair, Computer & Technology Section
William Smith, Course Director; Assistant General Counsel at Business Talent Group LLC, CIPP/E

9:00 Ransomware – a True Existential Threat to Your Practice!   (1 hr / .25 ethics)
Lavonne Hopkins, Sr. Legal Director – Cybersecurity, Product & App Security, IT Security at Dell Technologies
Brett Leatherman, Supervisory Special Agent at the Federal Bureau of Investigation
Shawn Tuma, Co-Chair, Data Privacy & Cybersecurity Practice, Spencer Fane, LLP

10:00 Ethical Considerations for Practicing Remote and in a Pandemic (.5 hr ethics)
Hon. Roy Ferguson, Judge 394th Judicial District Court
Craig Haston, Attorney at Law at The Haston Law Firm, P.C.

10:30 Break

10:45 Trials, Depositions, Hearings, and other Remote Proceedings (1 hr)
Sammy Ford, Trial Lawyer, Ahmad, Zavitsanos, Anaipakos, Alavi & Mensing P.C. or AZA
Tim Shelby, Partner at Ahmad, Zavitsanos, Anaipakos, Alavi & Mensing P.C. or AZA
Monica Uddin, Attorney at Ahmad, Zavitsanos, Anaipakos, Alavi & Mensing P.C. or AZA
Jason McManis, Trial Lawyer for Business and IP Disputes, Ahmad, Zavitsanos, Anaipakos, Alavi & Mensing P.C. or AZA
Paul Turkevich, Attorney at Ahmad, Zavitsanos, Anaipakos, Alavi & Mensing P.C. or AZA

11:45 Break 

12:00 Celebrating 30 Years of the Computer and Technology Section (No MCLE Credit)
Peter Vogel, Cyber, IT, eCommerce, eDiscovery, Arbitrator, Mediator, Trial Lawyer, & Of Counsel at Foley & Lardner

12:45 Break

1:00 U.S. Supreme Court Technology Case Roundup  (1 hr)

Matthew Murrel, Partner at Soltero Sapire Murrell PLLC
Pierre Grosdidier, Senior Assistant City Attorney at City of Houston
Ron Chichester, Attorney at Law at Ronald Chichester, P.C.

2:00 #SoEasyEvenMarkCanDoIt: Practice Management Systems and Virtual Law Practice with Mitchell and Mark (.5 hr)
Mitch Zoll, Founder & Principal at Zoll Firm, PLLC
Mark Unger, Attorney at The Unger Law Firm and Consultant at Muse Legal Technology Consulting

2:30 Expert Panel – Q&A With the Techies  (.5 hr)

3:00 60 Apps in 60 Minutes (1 hr)
Michael Curran, Executive Legal Professional, CEO ➲ Leading Financial & Technology Expertise for Risk Mitigation & Asset Protection
Shannon Warren, Patent Attorney at The Law Office of Shannon Warren, PLLC
Robert Ray, Attorney At Law at TexasAntiSlapp.Com
Al “VirtuAl” Harrison, VP at Harrison Law Office, P.C.

4:00 Closing Remarks and Adjourn
William Smith, Course Director; Assistant General Counsel at Business Talent Group LLC, CIPP/E

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