The Modern Firm, LLC

Brendan Chard, owner of The Modern Firm, LLC spoke today at a Minnesota CLE webcast on using the internet for better client communications.  The discussion covered a wide range of internet technology including law firm websites, blogging and e-mail options.  The core message of the webcast was focused on getting lawyers to realize what can be done on the web to save money, save time and improve client service.

Brendan’s next webcast will be on  May 20th, 2008 on the topic of optimizing a law firm website for maximum search engine results. Linked here

Law firms of every size and discipline face growing exposures with respect to breaches in their computer security and information systems, with increasingly sophisticated attacks occurring more frequently. Due to rapidly changing policy coverages and premium in this area, it is important that you frequently review your firm’s exposures and options for handling them. And just because you don’t handle web-based transactions it doesn’t mean you are insulated from a problem. Certainly, if your firm keeps records or information on-line or stored locally on hard-drives, (more…)

Several weeks ago a friend, the executive director of an organization, confessed that his office is a disaster. Professional journals pile up, phone messages are unanswered. Projects remain half completed. The in-box has become a storage box. Every meeting ends with additional paper and tasks to complete. E-mails arrive fast and furious begging for immediate response. He stated that he used to be very organized and had a handle on everything. Now, things seem to be overwhelming, spinning out of control. He wonders, “Is this just me?” and asks if I have seen this before with other professionals whom I coach. (more…)

Brendan Chard, president of The Modern Firm, will be speaking as part of a panel of experts on the future of law office technology. The WebCast will air live on February 20th at 12:00PM CST.

Brendan will be speaking specifically on new and emerging trends for online technology available to lawyers including online marketing and hosted software services.

For more information see:
http://www.minncle.org/AABuy0.asp?ITEMTYPE=S&ITEMNMBR=123860701

Brendan Chard, President and CEO of The Modern Firm, spoke at the ICLE Solo and Small Firm Conference on Friday, October 19th in Dearborn, Michigan. The topic, Websites and Online Marketing: Make Them Work For You, covers the reasons small law firms should have a website, shares ideas for content and functionality, debunks common website myths and explains how search engines work and rank websites. This is a favorite presentation for Brendan; he has delivered it to audiences in both Michigan and Minnesota.

If you attended the conference, copies of the course materials are available at http://www.icle.org.

There is a growing movement of good people out there called “Life Hackers.” Life hacks are tips and ideas to improve efficiency and get things off your mind, they generally have a technology slant. Some of the best commentary and thoughts on this topic can be found on www.43folders.com.

A few of the tips I’ve found most useful pertain to managing the ever bulging e-mail inbox. 43folders.com recently ran a series of posts called “Inbox Project Zero” I’ve implemented a few of the suggestions in my office and have found them to be very useful. The goal is primarily to put the e-mail user back in charge of their inbox and schedule by lessening the distractions created by e-mail. (more…)

VOIP is destined to be the “way of the future” for telephone communications. With the catchy Vonage commercials, rapid growth of Skype, cable companies pushing “digital phone”, and business phone vendors pushing this latest technology we’ve probably all heard of VOIP.

The following links are interesting articles on VOIP technology, what it is, and the pros and cons. Pay particular attention to the cons as much of it is related to security risks. In the legal profession the standard of care taken to protect privacy is higher than in a residential setting.

What is VOIP?
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/ip-telephony.htm

Security on VOIP
Why VOIP Needs Crypto :: Wired Magazine
A Pretty Good Way to Foil the NSA :: Wired Magazine

Buying VOIP Service
http://money.cnn.com/2006/01/06/technology/voip_biz20/index.htm

In 1999 I unpacked my very first Blackberry wireless e-mail device and was elated. I could now receive e-mail anywhere, instantly. Better than that I could easily respond to messages and completely conceal the fact that I was not dutifully sitting in front of my computer just waiting for new messages. The Blackberry helped me to say “I’m my own boss, I make my own schedule, I can come and go as I please.”

Over the years I upgraded from the black and white small screen model, to the black and white large screen and then to the color large screen with international capabilities (more…)

On June 9th and 10th, Brendan Chard will be presenting at the Upper Michigan Legal Institute and the Michigan Bar Leader’s Forum.

At the Institute he will be covering a collection of technology related money-saving tip for small law offices. The presentation will range from topics such as using a firm website, scanners, and mobile devices to consolidating and controlling phone and fax communication, creating a virtual office and more.

At the Bar Leaders Forum Brendan will be fielding questions on the topic of member communication using the mailing list system that The Modern Firm provides to the State Bar of Michigan sections. Expect to hear about ways to boost member participation and improvements to technical support.

For more information on the events see the State Bar of Michigan website at this link (opens in new window).

Brendan Chard has been invited back for a 3rd time in a row to speak at Michigan ICLE’s Solo & Small Firm Institute. The event will be held in Dearborn, Michigan at the Ford Conference Center.

Brendan will be speaking on:

• Law Firm Websites, not just a marketing device
• Getting the most out of Microsoft Outlook
• Security, Firewalls & Backups: Be sure you can sleep at night

This is a dynamic and exciting event for solo and small firm lawyers in Michigan. It includes two days of three learning tracks on Technology, Substantive Law, and Practice Management.

For more information see the Michigan ICLE website at: http://www.icle.org