Keeping client confidences secure in the digital age is not always easy, but it certainly is necessary. It seems like there’s always some new technology tool or gadget that lawyers are told they “have to” learn. This program covers how to ethically use today’s technology and what emerging tools are important for lawyers to consider.
5. About our presenter
Presenter
‣ Practice Management Advisor for
Oklahoma Bar Association
‣ Blogs at Jim Calloway’s Law Practice
Tips
http://www.lawpracticetipsblog.com
‣ Practice Management Advice
columnist in Law Practice Magazine
‣ Digital Edge podcast
http://legaltalknetwork.com/
podcasts/digital-edge/
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6. The Wall Street Journal says
“Every business is a
technology business.”
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13. Poll Question #1
Has your state amended the Rules of Professional Conduct
to add the comment on the risks and benefits of relevant technology?
1. Yes
2. No
3. I should know that, but I don’t.
4. I could care less.
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14. Protecting Confidential
Information
ABA Model Rule 1.6(c) A lawyer shall make reasonable
efforts to prevent the inadvertent or unauthorized
disclosure of, or unauthorized access to, information
relating to the representation of a client.
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http://bit.ly/ABARule1_6 !
(Added in 2012. Adopted by about
50% of states.)
17. Cloud Computing!
"Cloud computing is a fancy way of
saying stuff's not on your computer. It's on
a company's server, or many servers,
possibly all over the world. Your computer
becomes just a way of getting to your
stuff. Your computer is an interface, but
not where the magic happens.!
"Byte Rights" by Quinn Norton,!
Maximum PC, Sept. 2010!
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18. “Ethics up in the Clouds” 81 Oklahoma Bar Journal 2407
(11/6/2010) by OBA Ethics Counsel Travis Pickens!
Cloud Computing!
“Cloud computing does introduce a heightened risk, at
least in theory, in the sense that it outsources all, or
nearly all, of a lawyer’s data to an off-site location....!
“But rock-solid certainty is not required. Significantly,
in the few ethics opinions that have addressed it, the
consensus appears to be that the law firm is not
required to guarantee that the system will be
invulnerable to unauthorized access.!
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19. Big Picture Requirements
• Stay up to date
• Actually read the Terms of Service (TOS)
• Know what you don’t know
• Lawyer should periodically review vendor’s security
measures
• Special circumstances warrant special precautions
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20. My Personal Thoughts
• Your security risk is any connection to the Internet.
• Paid business-grade cloud vendors have security
experts and engineers on staff, which only the very
largest law firms can have.
• So using a properly-vetted vendor to secure
confidential information can be viewed as
“outsourcing” security to those more qualified and
responsive.20
22. Practice Management Software in
The Cloud
There are many benefits to using these
tools- for the lawyer and for the client. The
majority of small firm PM tools are hosted
in the cloud.
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23. Digital Client Files (aka Paperless) are
now the standard for efficient
operations.
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24. The Benefits of Digital Client Files
• Ease of access to files and documents remotely. Saves time,
which saves clients money.
• Savings on document storage costs.
• Reduced postage and paper expense by sharing documents
with clients digitally.
• Protection of client files in the case of a disaster such as flood
or fire.
• 7/24 access to every document in every open client file from
any location
Minnesota Lawyers Mutual, The Basics of Client Files and
Paperless Systems Opening, Closing, Documentation and
Ticklers A Malpractice Insurance Company’s Perspective (Rev.
2015) http://bit.ly/MutualPaperless !
29. Social media is fun, but posting
online about clients is dangerous
• Don’t trust any privacy or security settings. Your
friends can share any post with the entire world.
• If you want to share, get client’s permission (in
writing)
• In the Internet Age, even disguising client’s name or
details can still give clues to be researched by others
and disclose confidences.
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30. No lawyer can afford to be ignorant about
how social media operates
• Business clients need social media policies and advice. Great
business opportunity for lawyers.
• Family law contested proceedings now routinely include admission
of social media evidence.
• Soon social media evidence will be a common part of many types of
trials
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31. Email - Love it or hate it
99% of us use email every day.
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32. Poll Question #2
Do you use email encryption in your law practice?
1. Yes
2. No
3. I don’t have the tools
4. I have the tools but don’t do this.
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33. Surely after last year, you
appreciate that unencrypted
email is not secure.
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34. Why Encryption?
Unencrypted e-mails (including attachments)
go across the Internet as plain text- complete
lack of confidentiality or security.
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35. If you are using Gmail for client
communications (and you haven't done this),
sign up for a more secure business account at
https://gsuite.google.com/pricing.html. Now
they are calling it GSuite. The cost is $5-$10
per month. Lots of features.
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No more free Gmail for business communications!
40. Citrix ShareFile
• Send large attachments as a link in your email;
• Handy Outlook plug-in tool
• Require a sign in and get notifications;
• Offers a data room package;
• Access files securely from any internet enabled
device.
• www.sharefile.com
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41. Client portals within practice
management software
• Great client service and secure method of
communication.
• Operates within the tool you are using all day
anyway.
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42. Poll Question #3
Do you use a client portal to share information
with clients in your law practice?
1. Yes
2. No
3. I don’t have the tools
4. I have the tools but don’t do this.
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47. For additional security, use
Two-Factor Authentication
• Something you know
(Password or PIN)
• Something you have
(Phone, keychain dongle)
• Something you are
(Fingerprint, retina scan)
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59. Your Document Czar
ü Create templates for others
to use!
ü Continuous training
opportunities!
ü Standardize document
creation and storage!
ü Implement automated
document assembly !
ü Work with management on
fees & billing implications of
automating document
creation!
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