Agenda: May/June 2012

COVER STORY

Unleashed

The legal industry redefines workspace with the explosion of secure mobile devices and safe cloud computing.

Back to the Future

To accommodate flexible work schedules, American Express remodels its general counsel floor with a vibrant '60s vibe.

Legal Information Can Find Parallels in 'The Hunger Games'

James Heller, William & Mary's law library director, suggests that a "Hunger Games" world where information is controlled by a few publishers -- and nearly everything is accessed by a license -- is pretty much upon us.

How Law Firms Can Combat Hacktivism

It isn't faulty firewalls or inadequate anti-virus software that put law firms at risk of hacktivism, it's business practices, writes Loeb & Loeb's CIO, Judith Flournoy. What can firms do to fight back?

The New Digital Pirates?

In a copyright battle over digitized content, academic publishers have gone after librarians and college professors in federal courts in Georgia, New York, and California.

Unexpected Marriage

Cleveland firms share secrets on successful partnerships between IT and marketing.

Briefings

Launches & Upgrades

Compare & Contrast: File Synchronization Products & Services

Technology Editor Sean Doherty compares four web-based services that synchronize files -- and iTwin, which uses paired USB drives -- to help your law firm pick a tool to access files outside of the law office.

Troll Chases EDD Vendors

Catalyst's John Tredennick rallies co-defendants to fight patent troll.

Fighting Words

Judge Andrew Peck's predictive coding decision upheld in plaintiffs' appeal.

Executive Suite

Hires & Investments

RESEARCH & LIBRARIES:

Search Public Records on the Cheap

If you have a small research budget, there is still an online database that can satisfy all your investigative research needs, say attorney Carole Levitt and Mark Rosch, authors of "The Cybersleuth's Guide to the Internet."

RESEARCH & LIBRARIES:

Content and Format Decisions Squeeze Law Library Budgets

Savvy decisions about spending to access the right legal content and format will become increasingly crucial for law firms, writes Ruth Armstrong, director of library and research at White & Case.

FUTURE TENSE:

Big Data Meets Big Law

Will algorithms be able to predict trial outcomes?

THE MOBILE LAWYER:

Scribe by Night

On the road, it's 2 a.m., and you need a transcription? There are several options for fast, accurate, and inexpensive service.

VIDEOCONFERENCING:

The Hi-Def Court

High-definition videoconferencing is maturing as a crucial, reliable courtroom tool, especially in criminal matters.

PARADIGM SHIFT:

Place Your Bets

Speculating on the outcome of U.S. Supreme Court cases.

COMMUNIQUÉ:

Child's Play

E-discovery teams should follow the lead of elementary school students and cooperate with opponents.

TEST DRIVE:

Make the Connection

With TruConnect MiFi, you can get online easily - and on the cheap - when you're away from the office.

TEST DRIVE:

Get Smart

ALM's Smart Litigator puts a new face on case research, analysis, and news from New York and New Jersey.

WEB WATCH:

Now Seaworthy?

Bloomberg Law's acquisition and integration of BNA provides the polish needed to race against the giants.

BALL IN YOUR COURT:

10 Bonehead Mistakes That Can Kill an EDD Search

Search will ever be a battle between recall and precision, writes Computer Forensics and E-Discovery Special Master Craig Ball, but avoiding bonehead mistakes limits e-discovery casualties.

BEST PRACTICES:

Fractional Equations: the Benefits of Timeshare Staffing

Kenneth Jones, COO of Xerdict Group, writes that investing in timeshare staffing can help your organization get the best talent, while controlling quality and costs.