Author: Ron Chichester Archives

Technology answers Technology Competence Questions: What else you can learn at the ABA TechShow

Techie Lawyer in Chicago Hotel (MIU+AI/DALL • E 2)

By Mitch Zoll, Mark Unger, and… ChatGPT

There are several ways that a lawyer can stay competent in technology:

  1. Continuing Legal Education (CLE): Many states require lawyers to participate in ongoing legal education, and many CLE programs now offer courses and seminars on technology and its application in the practice of law.
  2. Professional Development: Attending conferences, such as ABA Techshow, and participating in webinars, can help lawyers stay current with the latest technology and trends in the legal field.
  3. Networking: Joining professional organizations, such as the ABA Legal Technology Resource Center, or attending networking events can help lawyers connect with other legal professionals who are knowledgeable about technology and its application in the practice of law.
  4. Self-study: Lawyers can also stay competent in technology by reading relevant articles, books and blogs to stay current with the latest trends and developments in the field.
  5. Hands-on experience: Lawyers can also stay competent in technology by using relevant software, apps, and tools in their practice, such as e-discovery software, legal research databases, and document management systems.
  6. Hiring outside help: Lawyers can also stay competent in technology by hiring outside help such as IT staff, LegalTech consultants or virtual paralegals for the specific needs of their practice.

It’s important for lawyers to stay up-to-date with technology in order to be able to effectively represent their clients and to be able to navigate the legal landscape of the 21st century.

 

What is ABA Techshow?

ABA Techshow is an annual conference and expo designed for legal professionals to learn about the latest technology and its application in the practice of law. Attending ABA Techshow can help lawyers stay current with the latest tools and trends in the legal field, network with other legal professionals, and gain valuable continuing legal education (CLE) credits. Additionally, the conference typically features keynote speakers and panel discussions on a wide range of topics, providing attendees with valuable insights and perspectives on the intersection of technology and the law. Overall, ABA Techshow is a great opportunity for lawyers to stay informed, stay engaged, and stay competitive in the legal field.

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The content above was written entirely by ChatGPT, the new AI content platform at has the potential to revolutionize the way we obtain and process written information.  Although ChatGPT can only pass portions of the Bar (On LawNext Podcast: Can the AI of GPT-3.5 Pass the Bar Exam? We Find Out | LawSites), it is ready to help provide FAQ responses to your clients’ questions.

But where does ChatGPT fall short? I next asked ChatGPT: “Why am I going to TechShow?” This time ChatGPT was stumped: “I’m sorry, I am an AI and I do not have the information about your personal schedule or reasons why you would be going to the ABA Techshow.”

Luckily, I have the answer to this one. TechShow was the first legal conference I attended when I opened my firm. The information I learned there, and the connections I made, have been invaluable to building a practice that allows me to efficiently serve my clients while balancing the work-life balance I wanted at an attorney. The sessions provided marketing, operations, client service and, of course, technology related information and I have called upon that information every day in the operation of my firm.   The vendor expo has the leading and emerging law firm tech providers there to answer questions and I can learn about and evaluate the best tools for my firm. Finally, I am going back because as Technology evolves and improves, I want my firm to do the same.

Time is running out if you want to join me at TechShow but the discounted rate DEADLINE has been extended to February 25thABA TECHSHOW

Members of Computer & Technology Section can register for ABA TECHSHOW 2023 at an additional special reduced rate of $100 off the standard rate using discount code EP2312 at checkout, but the rate increases soon!

The September Issue of Circuits is in the Wild (so to speak)

The Fall, 2022 issue of Circuits has been published. This issue includes messages from the Chair and the Editor, as well as two featured articles:

  • Cyberstalker Learns a Hard Lesson by Pierre Grosdidier
  • An Introduction to Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act – and how it conflicts with wiretapping laws by Courtney Schmitz

This issue also has three Short Circuits as well as two Circuit Boards.

You can download a copy here.

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.

GraphDoc – A User-Friendly Tool to Generate Your Own Decision Trees

For those of you who use DocAssemble, but dislike writing out all that YAML code, this tool is for you. The law school at Maastricht University developed the tool specifically for use with DocAssemble. It is free (no account necessary), and is available online so you don’t have to install anything. Just go to the website, and start working up your decision tree. At the end, you’ll get YAML code that you can copy/paste to your DocAssemble playground.

The school posted a demonstration which is available at LinkedIn. However, if you want a quick explanation on how to use the tool, merely click the “Load default example” button and you’ll get the idea.

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