Such plans are to help firms cut down on actual people they need to employ - specifically lawyers - as well as make those that they do employ more efficient and self-sufficient. The belief across the board these days, at law firms, from big to small, is that attorneys are doing more things traditionally associated with support tasks, such as document management, editing, transmission, and calendaring. Having a smart phone, plain and simple, helps.
Although the particular piece I read focused on security and data management, I'd like to spend a few moments here to discuss what I find to be the real issues: Efficiency and time management. I was at my daughter's ballet recital a few weeks ago and not within 10 seconds of the curtain falling on the first act - I had a hard time seeing what was going on in the dark - nearly everyone there who had one was tapping away at their smart phones.
This goes for staff meetings, weddings, Christenings, Bar Mitzvahs, parties, drinks after work, anything. I can only imagine how many people are checking out the crops on their zombie farm while at their desks. Imagine having your attorney doing the same thing before going into court!
Let's not put the cart before the horse, folks. I've still to see much talk yet about firm policy that manages employees' use of any of the proposed technologies out there. Before we adapt what is primarily, to most, recreational noodling on their iPhone to getting that crucial document to the courtroom, we need to have a conversation about what is and what isn't appropriate.
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