1. Essential Technology for Solo &
Small Firm Practitioners
Section 101 – Presented by Merisa K. Bowers
Technology you really need, how you need to use
it, and how to get it for [almost] free.
Section 201 – Presented by Bryan M. Griffith
The next level: automation, use of forms, and
video conferencing

2. BASIC HARDWARE
 Computer
 Desktop for the office
 Laptop for home
- Consider Refurbished models
- Consider towerless models for cleaner look
- Consider larger screens

3. BASIC HARDWARE
 Dual monitors for desktop
 cheap, easy, and awesome!

4. BASIC HARDWARE
 Phone
 the pros and cons of only having a cell phone
 Smartphone
 A “must” today?
 Printer
 What to look for: document feeder in top, ability to print
envelopes, availability of ink
 Scanner/copier for larger jobs
 Old models cheap on Craigslist, or often available in office
shares
 External Hard Drive
 Is this necessary with cloud-based backups?

5. BASIC SOFTWARE
 Microsoft Office
 Word
 Excel
 PowerPoint
 etc.
 Adobe Reader
 Consider Adobe Acrobat to create forms
 Adobe Flash (free)
 Basic photo editor (Microsoft Paint, Photoshop, etc?)
 Internet browser (IE, Firefox, Chrome)

6. BASIC INTERNET APPS/DOWNLOADS
 FileHippo.com for maintenance apps/updates
 DropBox
 GOOGLE EVERYTHING
 Gmail
 Google Calendar
 Google Voice
 Google Maps
 Google Drive
 Ring Central or other e-fax system
 Quickbooks Online for invoicing

7. BASIC INTERNET APPS/DOWNLOADS

8. BASIC SECURITY
 Two step verification for email
 Text Message codes
 Back-up email accounts
 Good passwords www.computerworld.com/s/article/82883/Secrets_to_the_best_passwords
 Avoid predictable keywords (“password” should not appear!)
 Use keywords related to a theme
 Honeymoon
 Nicknames (meemaw, geepaw)
 Birth of child (blueeyes, onemorepush, crankyRN, icechips)
 New car/job/home (bmw7series, sunroof6CDs)
 Then mix uppercase, lowercase, numbers
 i.e. “Honeymoon” Theme:
 cancun1014MX
 Security code for smartphone

9. PRACTICE TIPS
FILE ORGANIZATION

10. PRACTICE TIPS
 Excel works fine. Honestly.
 Business Expense Ledger
 Income/Account Ledger
 IOLTA/Trust Ledger
 Conflict Check Ledger
 Others?
 Accounts Receivables Ledger
 Closed File Ledger
 As a solo/small firm, you need to make sure your
information is easy to access and understand if you
cannot practice.

11. FEEDBACK/COMMENTS
 What technology do you use that you consider
essential?
 Is a case management system/software necessary in
your practice?
 Rocketmatter
 CLIO
 Briefcase
 Questions, comments, thoughts?
Merisa K. Bowers Attorney at Law LLC
 THANK YOU! Merisa@MerisaBowersLaw.com
(614) 753-2235