Some Technology Resources for Attorneys

I am scheduled to speak for the MSBA tomorrow at 10:45 at their annual Solo and Small Firm Conference, and will be talking about legal tech for attorneys.  As a part of that presentation, I have prepared a list of some additional resources for attorneys to help plan for their technology needs, particularly for those considering starting out as a solo practitioner.  Here are some additional resources from that list:

• Nelson, et al., “The 2010 Solo and Small Firm Legal Technology Guide” (note that the 2009 version of this book is available on Google Books for free)
• Siskind, et al., “The Lawyer’s Guide to Marketing on the Internet”
• Susskind, “The End of Lawyers?  Rethinking the Nature of Legal Services”
• Elefant, et al., “Social Media for Lawyers: The Next Frontier”

Here are some common web pages that I use in my practice:

• Google Scholar – scholar.google.com
• Google Books – books.google.com
• LexisNexis – www.lexisnexis.com
• WestLaw – www.westlaw.com
• Maryland Land Records – mdlandrec.net
• Maryland Judiciary Case Search – http://casesearch.courts.state.md.us/inquiry/inquiry-index.jsp
• Maryland Estate Search – http://jportal.mdcourts.gov/willsandtrusts/index.jsf
• Maryland Lien Search – http://casesearch.courts.state.md.us/judgment/index.jsf
• PACER – http://www.pacer.gov/cgi-bin/links.pl
• Michie Online – online Statutes for certain states – michie.lexisnexis.com
• Maryland SDAT (real property, business info) – http://www.dat.state.md.us/
• Library of Congress – http://thomas.loc.gov/
• Client Protection Fund Md Atty List – http://www.courts.state.md.us/cpf/attylist.html

And here are some additional web applications that may be helpful for attorneys:

• A “free” online attorney directory – Avvo.com
• WordPress Blog – WordPress.org
• Network Solutions internet registrar – www.networksolutions.com
• GoDaddy internet registrar – www.godaddy.com
• Google AdWords (online ads) – http://adwords.google.com
• Facebook Fan Page and Advertising – http://www.facebook.com/advertising/?campaign_id=
• Yahoo/MS online ads – searchmarketing.yahoo.com
• Google Analytics for your web site – www.google.com/analytics
• Online professional networking – LinkedIn.com
• DirectLaw – http://www.directlaw.com/index.asp
• Twitter.com – tweet to your heart’s content
• JDSupra.com – legal articles from fellow practitioners
• MSBA – consider joining the Solo Listserv
• Lawyers.com – a “pay” online attorney directory
• Freeconference.com – for conducting conference calls

The Small and Solo Conference is a great opportunity to learn more about Social Media, Technology for Practice, Legal Ethics, and a host of other timely and useful legal topics.  I hope you will join us tomorrow and Saturday!