Electronic research tool Essay

The supervising attorney needs to conduct in-depth study on the specifics of the case in order to advance to a better legal position. A computer can be used as a fundamental tool that offers some online and processing tools to safeguard client information and improve deadline compliance. These tools are used by an assistant attorney to collect and organize data to create facts. (Cornick, 2014). First off, having a laptop, notebook, or iPad makes it easier to take notes, keep the information current, and create tangible evidence for the case. Using a computer instead of a book or print media enables the professional to read more text more rapidly in search of pertinent information. It is because the gadget processes large amounts of data quickly. The machines provide a greater efficiency boost to research on legal information. It allows accessing large swaths of data within a short time. Computers, therefore, ensure efficiency and effective research thereby improving the value of information obtained. Furthermore, the productivity is high because more elements of the case can be sought, analyzed and organized rapidly. The attorney will handle a single case within a short time. Therefore, the conversion rate of cases is higher since analysis of facts and relevant legal material will be done faster.

The internet is another invention that compounded the power of computing. Besides utilizing the basic information processing, computers are more useful with web connections. Availability of the worldwide web and corporate networks has made the legal processes easier to execute. For instance, the ’File and Serve system’ in the US law courts allows the attorneys to submit electronic data to proceedings. Therefore, an attorney’s assistant can file the case documents and plead the client’s case electronically. Electronic modes make it easier to file the material with the court and serve other parties of the case. It enables the attorney to meet deadlines on handling the client, court and supplying essential data to the opposing counsel. The efficiency created increases the value and productivity of the legal research process.

Some software exists to assist in tracking case dockets. The programs help to consolidate essential data and retrieve it when needed. It enables the attorney to conduct faster compilations, updates and prepare adequately. Therefore, she/he will be competitive regarding answering client concerns. Meeting the demands of the customers immediately and efficiently will enhance the reliability of the legal practitioner.

The online platform provides a range of databases where specific information on particular cases is tracked and consolidated. Various websites and portals like Pacerpro, Google Scholar and Court link allow the official to organize and track cases easily. Therefore, the docket information can be shared easily between the attorney and other legal advisors. The software applications provide automatic updates on the case through daily or weekly emails (Stephenie, 2008). The Google Scholar database can provide judicial opinions concerning the contract lawsuit in consideration. It also helps to track and find specific court decisions quickly with no cost.

Electronic spreadsheets

The paralegals can use the electronic spreadsheets for several purposes. Legal personnel uses the Microsoft Excel application to create the worksheets to plan the data and analyze sets of interrelationships. The software program makes it easier to store information, share and retrieve it when necessary. In the legal environment, it can be used to create databases, manage contacts, organize bills and create a calendar. Organizing a case load requires developing a clear program that ensures that a spreadsheet is created for every client’s case details.

An electronic spreadsheet is used to organize cases of different clients according to their timeline with the court’s schedule. A workbook is created to show all the details of a client’s active case. A deadline of the customer’s task is indicated on the sheet. A formula is designed to indicate the court’s date of the screen and the critical date for specific parts of the proceedings. For instance, if any stage of the court process is anticipated within the next ten days, the formula will arrive at an effective deadline of preparation. Therefore, it is easier to develop an effective calendar when dealing with loads of cases. It enables the attorney to meet the requirements of every case since compliance with datelines is a critical customer satisfaction aspect.

Document review

Document review refers to the stage of litigation during which the collected data is examined and reviewed by attorneys. Its purpose is to filter unnecessary material to withhold from the opposing counsel. The reviewers judge the sources based on their relevance to the case, codify them and partition for a specific matter. Legal officials input the coded data into databases for ease of retrieval and access.

A second evaluation is conducted by the legal team to determine the acceptable material and the voidable documents. Some of the sources may be withheld from forwarding to the opposing counsel due to aspects of relevance, responsiveness, confidentiality and privilege. Furthermore, the team may also establish some information sources that relate to key factual allegations, major legal issues or players in the case.

Document review is conducted using Microsoft Office tools of Track Changes and Comments. The function can be used alongside the utilities for searching, filtering and browsing to identify documents or parts that are relevant to the case. First and foremost, the case materials will be scanned and converted into Word Document format if they were found in other forms. The legal practitioner will sort out the most relevant materials using keywords like ’breach of contract.’ After arriving at the list of significant files, the batch will be filtered to organize them according to date, jurisdiction, statute, and regulation. Therefore, the legal assistant will put documents having similar content together according to their timeline. The next step is to review the documents for other aspects having attained a classified and systematic legal library. It will be proofread to identify and eliminate errors or unwanted information. The content of the material will be read using the ’search and filter’ options to identify details that need changes. At this stages, the ’Track Changes’ option will be enabled to show all the changes as colored markups. It is turned on by clicking on ’Review’ tab followed by the ’Track Changes’ command. For parts that will be deleted, it won’t disappear but will be stricken through with a visible line. Any additional information will be underlined. The strikes and underlining will show the reviewed sections to others before it is affected permanently. Therefore, it will be saved and send to the supervising attorney with other collaborating legal practitioners. The parties will review the changes and accept or reject it unanimously or individually. Only the unanimously agreed upon adaptations will be approved. All the case materials in collection will be passed through the process to suit them to the lawsuit at hand. The legal aid will also comment on some of the reviews made. Therefore, these commendations have to be on the same page. To execute it, one highlights the text required. Click on the ’Review’ and then click on ’New Comment’ command. The respective comment is typed in a balloon. Similarly, it will be deleted after the review is done by all the team members. The process will involve going to the ’Review’ tab, and ’Accept All Changes’ or ’Reject All Changes’ commands on the drop down menu (Everett-Nollkamper, 2013).

Legal Memorandum

To: John Anderson

From: Alex Schneider,

RE: Allegory Consulting- Breach of contract claim (mode of payment)

Question Presented:

Under the United States law, should the purchase of electronic spreadsheets be billed under legal or secretarial services?

Short Answer

The electronic spreadsheets services offered should be billed as legal services.

Rationale:

The duties of a secretary fall under the overheads. It includes among others filing, printing, copying, and checking agendas besides checking court deadlines. However, any job that an attorney can perform in the absence of the secretary is classified as a legal function. It is recoverable from total costs. The decision was arrived in as decided in Missouri v. Jenkins by the National Association of Legal Assistants in 2016.

Conclusion

The court will probably decide that the vote of electronic spreadsheets services fall under the bill of legal expenses considering these facts.

Legal Correspondence

To: Armstrong King

From: Alex Schneider

Regarding: Supply of Documents

Dear client,

Please be advised that we are in urgent need of the following documents for the purpose of the ongoing legal suit.

List of Documents

Financial records pertaining the transaction in consideration particularly the invoices.

Very Truly Yours

Alex Schneider, Attorney

References

Cornick, M. (2014). Using computers in the law office. New York: Cengage Learning.

Everett-Nollkamper, P. (2013). Fundamentals of law office management. New York: Cengage Learning.

Stephenie, D. (2008). Electronic legal research: an integrated approach. London: Cengage Learning.