The Common Scold: Mobile Lawyering: Not Yet in Sync

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The Common Scold is named after a cause of action that originated in Pilgrim days, when meddlesome, argumentative, opinionated women who displeased the Puritan elders were punished by a brisk dunk in the local pond. Believe it or not, the tort lasted until 1972, when State v. Palendrano, 120 N.J. Super. 336, 293 A.2d 747 (N.J.Super.L., Jul 13, 1972) pretty much put it to rest. But the thought of those feisty women, not afraid of a little cold water, has always cheered me up and inspired me. I first used the moniker as the name of my humor column at the University of San Francisco School of Law many moons ago, and revive it now for this blawg!

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Mobile Lawyering: Not Yet in Sync

Our colleagues at ALM Legal Intelligence have just released a new survey report, "Productivity in the Legal Profession: The Impact of Mobile Technology," based on an online survey of 266 U.S. lawyers, 87% with 11+ years experience, 84% in law firms, 16% in law departments. Of firm respondents, 36% were managing partners.

The results show a spike in use of mobile technology by lawyers, but suggest that law firms, clients, and judges haven't yet figured out how to support or exploit these new technologies. (See also, "Resistance is Futile" our cover story on LTN's Feb. 2011 issue.)

Key findings include:

• Almost 90% of respondents say they use a smartphone for work-related tasks, 40 percent use tablets (read: iPads).

• Calling IT: Lawyers need more tech support to improve productivity. "Law firms and law departments are not helping attorneys make more sophisticated use of their mobile devices. Much technical support is ad hoc or nonexistent," states the report. Almost 40% of smartphone users and 54% of tablet users are flying solo, "without any official support from their law firm or law department," the report observes.

Read more here.

Image: Clipart.com

December 9, 2011 in Mobile Tools , Surveys, Technology | Permalink

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