'Electronic labor force' integrates applications; a Northwest firm implements a new case-management system that works like elves in the night

Article Abstract:

Nancy ffitch uses technology to reduce the burden of details on the 100 attorneys at the four offices of Portland, OR-based law firm Bullivant, Hauser, Bailey Pendergrass & Hoffman. As the firm's director of technology, she worked with technology start-up ELF Technology to create a case-management system that automates data assembly, even creating reports and automatically sending them to clients at the requested intervals. The system allows information from different databases to be coordinated easily. ffitch, who has no technical background, has made data readily available among all the offices, in part through five Lotus Notes servers.

Bullivant, Houser, Bailey, Pendergrass and Hoffman, ELF Technologies Inc. (Mercer Island, Washington)

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MIS gets boot when results don't compute; at Pierce Atwood, members of the bar harbor no reservations about outsourcing their tech staff

Article Abstract:

Law firms are turning more often to value-added resellers and other outsourcing experts for their technology needs as that field grows more complex and fast-paced. Portland, ME, law firm Pierce, Atwood, Scribner, Allen, Smith & Lancaster let its three-person MIS staff go, though at least one remains there under a new employer, AmeriData. That company advises the law firm on technology purchases, handles support questions, hires qualified staffers, and gives them a place to go when they've outgrown their work at the firm. Outsourcing offers many advantages, although security may be a concern.

Computer Systems Design and Related Services, Contract Software & Services, Computer programming services, Management, Software support services, Outsourcing, Information management, VARs (Value added resellers), Value-added resellers, AmeriData Inc.

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Former lawyer fills technology-user rift; years of practice qualify this director to find and implement the software attorneys need

Article Abstract:

Winston-Salem, NC-based Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice solved the problem of communicating with lawyers about technology by hiring a former lawyer, Marvin Chavis. After 16 years of litigation practice in Florida, Chavis decided to focus on his technological interests, and is now the software-applications director for the firm. He tries to find software solutions that most closely match the needs of the lawyers and that they will quickly and naturally use. The firm has a Web site and uses the Internet routinely.

Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice P.L.L.C.

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