The quarterly publication of the International Legal Technology Association
Issue link: https://epubs.iltanet.org/i/27607
“Attorneys who purchased the iPhone quickly realized how valuable a tool it could be professionally.” How Apple Changed the Game Not so long ago, IT departments could select hardware and software with little pushback from the end-user community. Aside from a few tech-savvy attorneys who insisted on using a Mac, BlackBerrys and Treos were about the most elaborate technology tools that most attorneys insisted on. This type of control by the IT department allowed for a great deal of standardization throughout the firm. IT could better ensure security, consistency, training, support and performance with: • One brand of computer • One type of handheld • Approved time, matter management and billing software • A central networking and backup storage system While this might still be the ideal, law firm professionals are increasingly unwilling to accept mandates from IT about what they can use. And it’s really all Apple, Inc.’s fault. The introduction of the iPod, iPhone, iPad and later gadgets made technology fun and accessible in a way that had been unheard of before. If the equipment had been only fun, it wouldn’t be such a problem for IT. Attorneys who purchased the iPhone quickly realized how valuable a tool it could be professionally. With the introduction of Apple’s iPad, the game continued to change. Mac laptops and computers, which had been relegated to niche products, became more popular as those with iPhones and iPads adopted them, rather than PCs, for home use. Lawyers have begun to discover how flexible an iPad can be on a client visit, making laptops seem cumbersome. It’s not just Apple products, of course. There are new smartphones and tablets hitting the market every day, and wireless reading devices like Amazon’s Kindle are becoming popular and serving as a gateway to even more new technologies. Once attorneys start downloading e-books to read on their Kindles, they naturally look around to see what other information they can easily download and store on their portable devices. 42 www.iltanet.org Peer to Peer How IT Should React While these technological developments are engaging attorneys and staff like never before, they are also complicating life for the IT department. Not only is IT expected to know how to support and troubleshoot new technologies, they are also responsible for keeping data secure, constantly available and virus-free. It’s understandable that IT’s first reaction might be to fight against the introduction of these new technologies, but that’s probably a battle they can’t win. Instead, IT should take the lead to empower attorneys to use technology, while setting standards and educating everyone at the firm about using new technologies responsibly. Michael Shannon, CIO for Dechert LLP said, “My three- to five-year plan is to have Macs running alongside of Windows PCs — and I mean natively, not through Citrix. That would just make my MacBook Air the most expensive thin client available. I’m pushing our software vendors hard for solutions to make this happen. This year we will fully support multiple mobile technologies such as Android and Apple devices. We’re planning to install wireless access points on every floor, in all Dechert offices. That’s no small task with 20 offices around the world, but it’s necessary if we’re going to embrace these technologies.” The Changing Role of IT Incorporating the array of consumer devices and tools with the firm’s environment may require an evolution in the role of the IT department. Instead of primarily supporting technology, IT professionals may also increasingly find themselves: • Establishing procedures and processes • Liaising with attorneys to identify what technologies they need in their practice of law • Educating users on how to take advantage of new technologies