Backup & Recovery Systems, Cost, Disaster Recovery, Duties, Education, Law Practice Management, Strategy, Technology

Calbar Solo Summit – June 18-20, 2015

Solo Summit 2015It’s that time again, folks.  The State Bar of California Solo and Small Firm Summit will be held at the Newport Beach Marriott from June 18-20, 2015.  I’m presenting program ten this year on Thursday, June 18:

 

Earth(quake), Wind, Fire & Flood: Disaster Planning for the Law Practitioner

Four things are certain in life: death, taxes and disasters. The fourth? The disaster won’t manifest itself in the way you expect nor when you expect it. This program broadens your perception of what a disaster is and – should one occur – guides you through preparing and planning for continuity in your law practice.

I’ve been a fan of this conference for years because it provides a more intimate experience between attendees and presenters.  I hope you join us this year!

California Lawyer, Education, Law Practice Management, Privacy, Privilege, Social Media, Technology, vDiscovery Insights

v-Discovery Insights: CYLA 10 Minute Mentor

CYLA 10MinuteMentorBetter later than never.  At last September's State Bar of California Annual Meeting in San Diego, I and about fourteen other experts recorded videos for the California Young Lawyers Association's kick-off of their "10 Minute Mentor" program.

That was the easy part.  Many of you may not know this, but the Bar is very strict about complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), so the videos couldn't be posted until subtitles were added.

Well…the time has come.  Check out my presentation, "Today's Technologies and Maintaining Client Confidences 101":

 

 

Education, Judges, Law, Law Practice Management, Management, Privacy, Strategy, Technology

LTWC 2015: From LA to SF!

 LTWC 2015
Have you heard?  Big changes are afoot for Legaltech West Coast 2015:

  1. The dates are July 13-14, 2015
  2. It's relocated to the Hyatt Regency
  3. That's the Hyatt Regency…in San Francisco!

How accommodating of them to move it to my new city.  I didn't realize I had that much pull.  Actually, it was great news when I found out about it a few weeks back because in 2014, I had to skip the conference for the first time in years – and it was looking the same way for 2015.

Registration is open.  Mark your calendars…and see you there!

Education, Law Practice Management, Privacy, Science, Security, Strategy, Technology

The Exchange: Cyber Security

TGCIHot on the heels of Today's General Counsel and Institute's eDiscovery-based, "The Exchange" comes something new:  "The Exchange: Cyber Security.  This is not a 'tour'; it's only held in two locations.  Thankfully for me, one is – once again - at The Bar Association of San Francisco, April 27-28, 2015.

Any guesses where the second one will be held?  Hmmm….where is this kind of thing prevalent?

Washington, D.C., of course!  That conference isn't until November 2015 – you have time.

I attended most of day one of The Exchange yesterday and it's as robust as ever.  Still a great choice if you want to get the big-picture view from every corner of our profession. 

Registration is open, but be warned; it's almost completely full and the rules are different this time.  You may use the same free code to register if you're my corporate readers only:

TGCICOMP

Sorry law firms – you still have to pay.  Also, this is a vendor-sponsored event, so no outside vendors allowed.  

P.S.  I'd like to give a shout-out to my good friend from TGCI, Neil Signore, who has graciously provided complimentary admissions.

California Lawyer, Cost, Education

Close, But Still TFARR

MP900401794

Interesting article in the Los Angeles Times on TFARR.  Of course, nobody knows it as TFARR except those who were on the Task Force.  Still, if you're a law student about to graduate and take the bar exam - or you've passed and are about to be sworn in – you'll want to familiarize yourselves with the evolution of proposed mandatory pro bono requirements in California.

For the record, it's the Task Force on Admissions Regulation Reform…

eDiscovery 101, eDiscovery California, Education, Law Practice Management, Social Media, Technology

The “Exchange” 2015

TGCIJust a brief reminder that Today's General Counsel and Institute kicks off their multi-city stop of "The Exchange" – E-Discovery for the Corporate Market at The Bar Association of San Francisco, March 16-17, 2015.

I'm on the faculty and will be one of the moderators of session two Monday, March 16th at 10:15am:  "IG in the "eWorkplace Era and its Impact on eDiscovery".

As many of you know, I'm a big fan of this particular conference due to its round-table format where everyone is encouraged to participate.  Registration remains open, so it's not too late.  I've been provided a special code for my corporate and law firm readers only:

TGCICOMP

This is a vendor-sponsored event, so unfortunately, no outside vendors are allowed.

See you there!

California Lawyer, Duties, eDiscovery California, Law Practice Management, Technology

Calbar Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 11-0004 (ESI & Discovery): Comment Period Extended!

Emergency HumorousA quick note to let you know that the proposed opinion was revised and resubmitted for public comment with an extended deadline of April 9, 2015 at 5 p.m.  I stress that the opinion is revised because – if you're going to submit comments – you need to review the new version first!

PLEASE NOTE: Publication for public comment is not, and shall not be, construed as a recommendation or approval by the Board of Trustees of the materials published.

California Lawyer, Duties, Law Practice Management, Media, Social Media, Technology

Calbar Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 12-0006 (Attorney Blogging)

Emergency Humorous

 

The State Bar of California Proposed Formal Opinion Interim No. 12-0006 (Attorney Blogging) has been posted for public comment.  The comment period expires March 23rd, 2015 at 5pm.

PLEASE NOTE: Publication for public comment is not, and shall not be, construed as a recommendation or approval by the Board of Trustees of the materials published.

eMail, Media, Security, Social Media, Technology

This P.R. Disaster? It’s a Sony!

SPE SHEFolks; it pains me to write about the nightmare going on at Sony Pictures Entertainment (aka SPE) right now.  Yours truly ran their email system in 1995/96.  I've often said how lucky I am that I managed huge corporate email systems before the advent of serious quantities of SPAM and when hacking didn't look at all like it does today.

I've been saying the same thing for years; "Assume that nothing you write is private".  This is just another example.  I also feel bad for Amy Pascal.  She was a prominent exec at Turner Broadcasting; my job prior to moving to SPE.  Are her words innappropriate?  Sure.  But if we're honest with ourselves, we know that we've all written the same snarky things – or thought about writing them!

What made me laugh most was seeing an on-air personality state that Sony was essentially a pariah due to these disclosed statements and that talent would flee to other studios.  Ri-i-i-ight!  Because execs aren't making the same 'private' comments at those other studios (insert rolling eyes here).  At least they were prior to this fiasco becoming public.

Methinks the right offers for the right amount of money will smooth over those hurt feelings.

Amy Pascal and Scott Rudin Apologize for 'Inappropriate' Emails Leaked in Sony Hack
California Lawyer, Management, Miscellaneous

Co-Chair of the Council of State Bar Sections

Bored-kitty

Geez.  Last year I was much more excited.  This year, my attitude is akin to that old football proverb; when you reach the endzone, act like you've been there before.

Still, for a guy who grew up in Calgary, Canada, it's an honor and privilege to ascend to the position of Co-Chair of the State Bar of California Council of State Bar Sections.  Even better?  My Co-Chair is the very talented Family Law atty Mark Ressa.

I look forward to a very challenging and exciting term ahead!

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…So Begins My Year as Co-Vice-Chair of CSBS!

An IT Executive Turned Privacy, Cyber Security & Litigation Attorney and Consultant Shares his Personal Insights.