The quarterly publication of the International Legal Technology Association
Issue link: https://epubs.iltanet.org/i/163881
other participants without the cost of conference call providers. It's no wonder making phone calls trails other activities on cellphones, considering the average cell phone has more computing power than Apollo 11 when it landed on the moon, according to the article "Your Life Is Fully Mobile." COLLABORATION AND CONTRACTS In addition to audio and videoconferencing, collaboration has now become a regular activity on mobile devices. Cloud-based storage has enabled quick access to documents and sharing with real-time collaboration on files, avoiding the version control issues I used to face by managing documents via email. Just a few years ago, taking electronic files on-the-go required the process of downloading and then synchronizing offline files back to a server. If I want to share or collaborate on documents with my team, I simply save them to a cloud-based location and grant access to colleagues. This reduces the clogging of email systems and provides an avenue to skirt file-size limits. Now I always have access to key files, no matter where I am. Combining this with electronic signatures provides a new paradigm in contract management. Not only can two or more parties now virtually negotiate a contract, but many systems now come with the ability to manage and authenticate electronic signatures on mobile devices, eliminating the need for couriers, fax machines or even unsecure email transmissions. VIRTUAL NETWORKING Networking and business development has a new look as well. Instead of going to after-hours functions at stuffy restaurants, I can now build a network of contacts right from my phone. In addition, with the advent of social networking, cold calling for business is nearly obsolete. I can search easily for known colleagues and clients, and social networking sites such as LinkedIn, Google+, Facebook and others will do the legwork in tracking down mutual acquaintances. These tools expand the universe of contacts I can mine for introductions, warm leads and referrals. I can even cultivate relationships with key people while on a Skype call with a business partner and texting a client at the same time. industry-specific blogs (especially true in the legal community), so the challenge is no longer being heard; in today's hyperactive and cluttered media environment, the challenge is getting noticed. CYBERSECURITY With great power comes great responsibility. Underlying every aspect of the consolidation of mobile devices and the ease of access to massive amounts of data, there is an exponential increase in the threat of lost or stolen data. For instance, when a user creates an account on DropBox, they are given 5GB of free storage. That's enough storage capacity for half a million email mesages or almost 75,000 Word documents. And DropBox, like many other cloud storage systems, is not encrypted, making the information highly vulnerable. In addition, getting the information to the storage location introduces an avenue for third parties to intercept sensitive information. With employees accessing company information from personal devices and personal information being stored on company devices, I've noticed the development and implementation of policies and procedures to keep information secure. These security policies allow me to conduct business with the tools I prefer, with the peace of mind that my business will remain private. MAKE THE CHOICE Emerging communications technology tools have empowered individuals, and I'm no exception. Like all emerging trends, there is a balance to be sought. While the consolidation of devices and increase in wireless access and bandwidth have provided me the ability to work from virtually anywhere and engage in activities previously reserved for the well-connected, employers have a choice to make: fight the trends or embrace the emerging power of the people. MICROBLOGGING Many social networking sites offer the ability to publish quick posts to mass audiences. There are also sites dedicated to blogging; these give anyone with an Internet-ready device a platform to speak to the world. This helps me and other individuals showcase our subject-matter expertise to peers or the world at large. With apps like Twitter, the art of the soundbite is emerging as the "new normal," limiting the world's attention span to commentary delivered in 140-characters. What used to require handwritten or typed submissions to publicists and connections to editors and distribution networks can now be accomplished with a few clicks on a mobile device. There has been a substantial growth in Jason Smith is a Director of Legal Management Consulting for Duff & Phelps, LLC in Houston. He focuses on technology strategies and implementations for corporate legal departments. Jason is the Immediate Past Chair of the Computer & Technology Section, is on the Technology Committee for the Corporate Counsel Section of the State Bar of Texas and is on the Publishing Committee for the ABA Law Practice Management Section. He can be contacted at jason.smith@duffandphelps.com. Peer to Peer 49