The Legal Tech-To-English Dictionary: Law Practice Management Consulting

Ed. note: This is the latest installment of The Legal Tech-to-English Dictionary, part of our Non-Event for Tech-Perplexed Lawyers. Jared Correia is the host of the Non-Eventcast.

There’s a term for when attorneys use Latin and other arcane languages to describe legal processes to consumers: “legalese.”

But there’s no similar term for when vendors use technical and other arcane languages to describe their legal software operations to lawyers.

True, this dynamic may seem unfair. But now we have The Legal Tech-to-English Dictionary to help us cope.

Read on for the latest installment, where we translate change management-related topics to plain English. And for an upgrade to your workflow, download our free eDiscovery Buyers Guide at the bottom of this form, or visit the Non-Event for more! 

Law Practice Management Consulting

1. Business management consulting for law firms, taking into account specific ethical obligations, that attorneys must adhere to.
2. The act of repeating a business owner’s best ideas back to them, in a slightly altered way, and charging for same.

Consulting Client: I feel like I should maybe try to start using some marketing videos.

Consultant: Okay. Here’s what I think you should do — create a marketing plan incorporating video content and post it on YouTube on a recurring basis.

Consulting Client: I thought that was what I just . . .

Consultant: You can thank me later.

Consultant: I take cash.

Cf. An unregulated, low overhead profession.  In other words, the opposite of law practice.

Change Management

1. Tactical methods and defined processes for achieving organizational change.
2. The process by which one lays out clothes for the next day.  (If you’re Sam Hinkie, you can just skip this section.)

Lawyer 1: I called this meeting, everyone, because I am ready to embrace change.

Lawyer 1: So, I wanted to announce that I’m upgrading our server, and that we will be printing and sending out an annual newsletter.

Lawyer 1: I’ve taken a vote within my family, and we’ve decided on ‘Courier New’ as a font for the newsletter.

Lawyer 1: This is gonna be hard, but, we’ll get through it together.

. . .

Lawyer 1: While I wait for your comments, would anyone like a Werther’s Original from this glass dish I’m holding.

Cf. Those guys who come in to lay everybody off as part of said process.

Software Implementation

1. The installation and adoption of a new technology program (or programs) – preferably cloud-based software – including the replacement of legacy software.
2. The process of managing the logistics of software installation for law firms, which may be managed by consultants.

Lawyer 1: Jim, I think we need to talk about our word processing software.

(Typewriter dings.)

Lawyer 2: Why, what’s the problem?

Lawyer 2: Ah, shit. Can you hand me the Liquid Paper?

Inertia

1. The resistance of any physical object to any change in its velocity.
2. The tendency for law firm managers to do the same things over and over again, because ‘it’s the way we’ve always done it.’

Lawyer 1: Who the fuck put peanut M&Ms in this jar??

Lawyer 1: Who???

Lawyer 1: This jar is for *regular* M&Ms!!!

Lawyer 1: Dammit, my paper time sheet blew off the desk again. Hold on, I’ll be right back.

Cf. Implementation consultants, who assist law firms in software installations, versus strategic consultants, who advise law firms on general strategy.

Cf. Without the principle of inertia, there would be no Pinewood Derby.  Just think about that shit.

Workflows

1. Aggregation of tasks combining to generate a coherent process, featuring assignments of tasks to individuals.
2. A method for building systems within law firms.

Lawyer 1: Samantha, I finished that ‘work flow’ you asked me to complete.

Lawyer 2: Ronan, this says ‘Start > Finish.’

Lawyer 1: Yes, exactly.

Cf. Law firms may establish various types of workflows, including for administrative and substantive tasks, including for specific case types.

Cf. There are multiple systems by which law firms may manage tasks, including standalone task management tools, law practice management software and productivity software.