ABA Techshow Highlights Trends in Virtual Law Practice, Social Media Strategy, Data Security and E- Discovery

CHICAGO, March 10, 2010 – Technology is changing the practice of law, providing new efficiencies, while also introducing challenges, such as maintaining client privacy online and working in a virtual environment. For the 24th year ABA TECHSHOW® is bringing leading experts all under one roof to provide guidance to the legal profession on the convergence of technology and law practice.

Hosted by the American Bar Association Law Practice Management Section, ABA TECHSHOW is the most comprehensive legal technology conference and exposition to address the needs of legal professionals in all practice settings. This year’s event takes place March 25–27 at the Hilton Chicago. TECHSHOW attracts an international audience of more than 1,500 legal professionals during its three days of seminars, exhibits and high quality, hands-on sessions.

ABA TECHSHOW provides lawyers, paralegals, firm administrators, IT managers and law librarians – both novices and experts alike – with valuable insight into how the use of technology is changing the way the legal profession operates. In addition to a comprehensive schedule of more than 60 legal technology CLE sessions, spanning 15 topical tracks, new programs this year include a focus on marketing with social networking, power users of technology and smart phones, among others. The Meet the Author track will feature the authors of four bestselling ABA LPM books.

Ari Kaplan, a lawyer and seasoned marketing and technology author, will present the keynote address “The New Big Bang: The Convergence of Technology and Marketing” on Thursday, March 25.

Other highlights of the 2010 conference include a series of eight specialized sessions on March 26 for solo and small firm lawyers; the two-day ABA TECHSHOW EXPO; and a customized conference concierge desk to assist attendees with technical needs. The always popular “60 Sites in 60 Minutes” session will return with technology tips and advice for all registrants in attendance.

Noteworthy programs include:

Thursday, March 25

• Managing Your Law Practice with Microsoft SharePoint, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• Crossing the Digital Divide: e-Marketing to Clients and Prospects, 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
• Digital Workflow: Developing the Paperless Habit, 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
• Using Technology for Settlement and Decision Making, 4 – 5 p.m.
• Beyond the Ethics of Web 2.0 – What’s Now, What’s Next, What If…, 4 – 5 p.m.

Friday, March 26

• Introduction to “Cloud” Computing, 8 – 9 a.m.
• Google Tools for Lawyers, 10 – 11 a.m.
• E-Discovery Ethics, 10 – 11 a.m.
• Effective Collaboration Between Inside and Outside Counsel, 10 – 11 a.m.
• Luncheon and presentation of the James I. Keane Award for Excellence in E-Lawyering, 11:45 a.m.
• Taking Your Office Virtual, 1:15 – 2:15 p.m.
• Advances in Knowledge Management, 1:15 – 2:15 p.m.
• Computer Forensics and E-Discovery, 3:15 – 4:15 p.m.
• 60 Tips in 60 Minutes, 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 27

• Acrobat for Power Users, 8:30 – 9:30 a.m.
• Alternative Billing, 8:30 – 9:30 a.m.
• Securing Your Data on the Road, 8:30 – 9:30 a.m.
• Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Crackberries, 9:45 – 10:45 a.m.
• iPhone Tips for Lawyers, 9:45 – 10:45 a.m.
• 60 Sites in 60 Minutes, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.

More information about ABA TECHSHOW, including session descriptions and speaker bios, can be found online at www.techshow.com.

The American Bar Association Law Practice Management Section was established in 1974 as a section of the ABA to provide resources for lawyers and other legal professionals in the core areas of the business of practicing law — marketing, management, technology and finance — through its award-winning magazine, webzines, educational CLE programs, Web site and publishing division, which has more than 80 titles in print.  LPM has established itself as a leader within the profession and is responsible for producing ABA TECHSHOW.

With nearly 400,000 members, the American Bar Association is the largest voluntary professional membership organization in the world. As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice and to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law.

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Editor’s Note: Accredited reporters are invited to cover sessions at the ABA TECHSHOW for free. Due to the unique nature of ABA TECHSHOW, bloggers or other citizen-journalists must represent well-established, law-related or legal technology-related outlets as determined by ABA Media Relations staff. These requests must be submitted by March 19. ABA press credential information is available at http://www.abanet.org/media/credentials.html. To obtain ABA press credentials and for more information, contact Lynne Van Buskirk, ABA Division for Media Relations and Communication Services, at 312/988-6136 or by e-mail at vanbuskl@staff.abanet.org. On-site registration for reporters opens 8 a.m. on March 25.