ABA Legal Tech Survey Results
From smart phones that allow lawyers to make the most of downtime to technologies that permit law firms to host virtual meetings, tools that use the Internet are significantly increasing the productivity of lawyers and decreasing their wasted time, according to the recently released 2009 American Bar Association Legal Technology Survey Report. The report provides more than 480 pages of detailed statistics and trend analysis on the use of technology within the legal profession.

The ABA Legal Technology Resource Center surveyed ABA lawyer members in private practice from January through May 2009 on their use of technology. Topics run the gamut from budgets and purchasing habits to the use of smart phones in the courtroom. The findings of the survey are released serially in six volumes: Technology Basics, Law Office Technology, Litigation and Courtroom Technology, Web and Communication Technology, Online Research and Mobile Lawyers. See www.lawtechnology.org/survstat.html.

One-Third of Execs Expect Rise in Fraud and Misconduct
Amid a continuing economic downturn, renewed government regulatoryn enforcement and with trillions of dollars of government money infused into the U.S. economy, nearly one-third of corporate executives expect fraud or misconduct to rise in their organizations, according to a survey by the audit, tax and advisory firm KPMG LLP. In addition, two-thirds of the respondents said combating fraud and misconduct may require more improvements in corporate internal control environments, the survey found.

As many as 32 percent of the executives surveyed said they expected fraud or misconduct to rise in their organizations in one of three categories: financial reporting, asset misappropriation or as another illegal or unethical act. In addition, inadequate controls (66 percent) and management override of controls (47 percent) were viewed as the top enablers of fraud and misconduct. Meanwhile, 71 percent of respondents said the potential loss of public trust was their top concern if fraud or misconduct were revealed in their organizations.

For more results and statistics from this survey, visit www.kpmg.com.

Software Assists in Creating Law Firm Business Plans
The Lawyer’s Guide to Creating a Business Plan, developed by Linda Pinson and published by the ABA, is an intuitive software application that does 75 percent of the work for lawyers and business managers who need comprehensive and customized business plans to start their own firm or business and maximize profits.

Promoted as the perfect companion for new law practices and existing firms, the software guides practitioners step by step toward actualized growth, utilizing tested and proven organizational, marketing and financial strategies. More information can be found on the ABA website at www.abanet.org.

Register for OCDLA Winter Conference
The Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyer’s Association’s winter conference will be held Dec. 4 and 5 at the Benson Hotel in Portland. “The Evidence Code: It’s Elementary, My Dear Watson” conference will feature topics ranging from psychological experts to character evidence to The 10 Most Underused and Effective Hearsay Objections.

Speakers will include Liann Crane, Chief Justice Paul De Muniz, Rich Cohen, Hon. Edward Jones, David Celuch, Barbara Babcock, Michael Levine, Bill Kirk, Stephanie Engelsman and the Hon. Maureen McKnight. For more information and a registration form, visit the OCDLA website at http://tinyurl.com/yal7ozv.

Age-Appropriate Parenting Plans CLE
“Age-Appropriate Parenting Plans” will be presented Nov. 13, 9-noon at the Ecotrust, Billy Frank Jr. Conference Center, 721 N.W. 9th Ave., 2nd floor, Portland.

Registration is $120 and the course has been approved for 3 MCLE credits. A DVD and materials will be available for $200. To register online, visit http://www.childcenteredsolutions.com. For more information call (503) 546-6383 or e-mail info@childcenteredsolutions.org.

Annual Awards Dinner on Dec. 2
The annual awards include the OSB Award of Merit and five OSB President’s Awards: the Membership Service Award, the Public Service Award, the Affirmative Action Award, the Public Leadership Award and the Award of Special Appreciation.

The evening will also include the Edwin J. Peterson Professionalism Award presented by the Oregon Bench/Bar Commission on Professionalism and the Oregon New Lawyers Division Awards.

Individual tickets and reserved tables for 10 are available. Seating is limited. The registration deadline is Friday, Nov. 20.

For more information go to www.osbar.org/osbevents.

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