TECHNOLOGY AND DIVERSITY – CLOSING THE GENERATIONAL GAP
Diversity Committee
Continued from page 42
comfortable practicing the
old-fashioned way, with real
highlighters, printed reams of
paper, and handwritten notes.
Embracing new ways can be
scary and force us out of our
comfort zones, but society demands
it of us. Our clients also are
demanding that we acquiesce
to the technology available to us,
or we risk losing them.
As we all now know, the Florida
Supreme Court has approved a
three-hour CLE increase to the
three-year reporting cycle, which
must be devoted to technology.
We know technology is a fast-paced
field that demands our attention if
we plan to keep up with the world
around us. There are more lawyers
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than ever before in Florida, and
the rise of the online, do-it-yourself
legal forms increases competition.
We know those form databases
cannot compete with the advice
and experience of a lawyer, but
the traditional ways of practice will
leave us at a disadvantage.
The panel discussion highlighted
many common technology
concerns in the practice of law.
The panelists — the Honorable
Claudia Rickert Isom, Lisa
Shasteen, Esq., Dario Diaz, Esq.,
and Victoria Oguntoye, Esq. —
offered their generational views on
technology and some expert tips.
Attendees learned how common it
is for a law firm to succumb to data
breaches and ransomware. Some
key tips from the panelists were
to use strong passwords, do a risk
assessment, and consult with
someone skilled in cybersecurity to
ensure your data and your client’s
data are protected.
Technology can make the
practice of law more efficient
than ever before, as long as we
implement the right software for
the job and secure the data. If we
embrace technology, no matter our
age or years of practice, we can
employ it to do the automated work
while leaving
the important
judgment calls
to the lawyer.
Author:
Marsha M.
Moses - Mechanik
Nuccio Hearne
& Wester, P.A.