Nicolle+Shanman

**Superior Court of California, County of Solano**
This court does not support e-filing. Online Docket is [|here.] Local Forms are [|here.]

**Supreme Court of California**
Instructions for [|petitions for review.] Online calendar [|here.] Extensive forms [|here.]

United States District Court, Northern District
The court supports [|e-filing.] Online calendar [|here.] Forms are available [|here.]

**First District Court of Appeal, San Francisco**
This court does offer [|e-filing.] for briefs:

"For the purposes of this webpage, the term "brief" means only (1) an appellant's opening brief, (2) a respondent's brief, (3) an appellant's reply brief, (4) a petition for rehearing, (5) an answer thereto, or (6) an amicus curiae brief. The term "brief" does not include motions, applications, appendices, exhibits, or other documents." Online [|oral argument] in PDF and court calendar. Also [|forms.]

**Document Automation - Homework Assignment #2**
Five Benefits/Advantages of Document Automation for Lawyers.
 * **Efficiency.** Document automation allows for the creation of templates for documents/complex documents that are often replicated multiple times, avoiding repetition and increasing productivity.
 * **Less error.** The document is a final template, populated, then reviewed again. A more thorough process.
 * **Job Satisfaction.** Attorney's can focus on solving issues or working with clients while document automation can fill the gaps of the more redundant work.
 * **Process Improvement/Productivity.** Document automation, especially when tailored to each individuals area of practice and in the proper fashion, can streamline the entire practice from initial intake to completion of matters.
 * **Responsiveness.** Clients can also begin populating the initial template, attorneys later modify the finished product. It allows for collaboration and transparency.
 * **Diving deeper into law.** Building a custom document automation platform for one's own firm would allow the attorney to gain even deeper understanding of their area of expertise.

Five Pitfalls/Problems/Barriers of Document Automation for Lawyers.


 * **Error.** A template must be built well and updated regularly. The law changes and the documents must also, if it isn't, crucial errors can be made.
 * **Reliance on automation.** This may be a barrier for some attorneys as a document written in their own hand to them is superior to an automated one.
 * **Old habits.** There are many automation services on the market, and the incorporation/choosing a service and the implementation of one might seem daunting.
 * **Technology.** For those who do not consider themselves 'tech' savvy, this might seem to appear as if it is taking away the job of the lawyer.
 * **Advanced documents.** Some areas of law and practice will find it difficult to automate detailed, more customized work.


 * To:** Senior Partner
 * From:** Nicolle Shanman
 * RE:** Implementation of Document Automation

[|here.]
 * Facts:** Document automation is in essence utilizing software to create templates for the office to gain efficiency. There are some useful articles for reference about it's use and the landscape


 * Question:** Is it worth investigating further for a firm and worth the training and time?


 * Short Answer:** Yes. It would be highly beneficial to incorporate some form of document automation into a firm.


 * Discussion:** The initial site that I viewed was Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP. Their term sheet creators can be found [|here] if you would like to try them. They are intuitive documents that gather a great deal of information in a short amount of time. Further, calculators are built into the template, generating figures quickly- an efficient time saver. Finally, as each series of questions are asked, more possibilities are presented. This decreases the possibility of error or oversight that can sometimes occur when initially gathering information from a client. Finally, a final draft document is produced for instant review, printing, reference and electronic records. This allows for changes and modifications. Overall, an excellent time saver and tool.

The second site I viewed was Goodwin Procter LLP, where they host a tool called the [|'document driver'.]on their Founder's Workbench site. This tool generates a host of documents for pure start-ups. Not only is this innovative tool an exceptional way to gather information and generate a host of documents in record time:
 * Certificate of Incorporation
 * Consent of Sole Incorporator
 * Subscription Letters
 * Founder Stock Restriction Agreement
 * Contribution and Assignment Agreement
 * Confidentiality and Intellectual Property

and more, it is simple to use. Further, the end product is generated quickly into an efficient zip file for reference and document sharing. Another example of incorporating efficiency, generating quality documents, and also lead generation for new clients.

**The Virtual Law Practice - Homework Assignment #1**
Five **good** things about running a virtual law practice. What are the advantages over an entirely office-bound practice. What are the efficiencies gained, money made or saved, etc. Five things that could go **wrong** running a virtual law practice. What are the mistakes you can make, problems you could encounter, issues raised, etc.
 * **Accessibility**. The next generation of users of legal services are looking for ease of use in Facebook and texting generation.
 * **Access to Justice.** For many Americans, it is difficult to gain access to quality legal services, the billable hour has become out of reach. A virtual law practice can offer affordable, flexible options.
 * **Flexibility.** A virtual law office is available to the client 24/7. Billing, requests for scheduling, virtual meetings via web cam, and a host of services can be available through a secure portal.
 * **Efficiency**. A practicing attorney can offer a a tailored approach to suit each clients needs while unbundling services through the virtual law practice. Additionally, time is saved with integrated tools on the website to answer simple questions clients might have initially, and intake forms and initial contracts can be integrated within to save time.
 * **Work/Life Balance.** Clients might wish to communicate with an attorney at hours beyond their regular 9-5. Many practicing attorneys want to offer flexibility to clients and are juggling families. An entirely office bound practice offers this option.
 * **Ethical Violations.** It is important to conduct due diligence with your 3rd party provider as all of the information that is provided by your client through a secure portal is hosted on a cloud and potentially could be at risk in terms of confidentiality breaches.
 * **Standards.** What are the standards and guidelines in each state in which you practice for security for your website? Are you up to date on a regular basis? The law is constantly changing in this area and in every jurisdiction. A good place to check is www.iltso.org
 * **Business Practices.** Knowing the Law in terms of business practices is very important as well. In some states it is important to have a brick and mortar office, others there are specific rules for receiving payments, also, knowing how to authenticate a clients identity over the internet is crucial.
 * **Jurisdiction Issues.** It must be clear as to where you can and cannot practice to potential clients. Still, it is prudent to continue to recheck jurisdiction and be aware of potential conflicts that can arise.
 * **Technology.** Technology is always changing, and as a provider of services what is your duty? Over time the ethical rules will be changing in this area and once you hop into this arena it is important to become an expert in your field.

Search the web and find at least three definitions for “Virtual Law Practice”, “Digital Law Practice” and/or “eLawyering”. Copy/paste the definitions into your homework wiki with a link back to the place you found.
 * PART 2**

eLawyering is doing legal work - not just marketing - over the Web. Pioneering practitioners have found dramatic new ways to communicate and collaborate with clients and other lawyers, produce documents, settle disputes, interact with courts, and manage legal knowledge. ELawyering encompasses all the ways in which lawyers can do their work using the Web and associated technologies. Think of lawyering as a "verb" - interview, investigate, counsel, draft, advocate, analyze, negotiate, manage, .. - and there are corresponding Internet-based tools and technologies. []

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 * Virtual Law Practice** - a professional law practice that exists online through a secure portal and is accessible to the client and the attorney anywhere the parties may access the Internet.

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 * Elawyering** - This term was coined several years ago when the concept of online legal services was in its infancy. The term means the practice of law online and includes everything from form-generated documents for sale and purchase to emailing your clients from unencrypted "contact us" forms on attorney websites. The ABA has an [|Elawyering Taskforce] that covers these issues and appears to be attempting to broaden their concept of virtual law practice.