BigLaw Tech Score: First Reactions and Goals for Improvement for 2010

Posted on May 18, 2009 by Melissa Sachs

When I compiled the list of top global law firms, I had to guestimate which firms would make the list. With a number of firm closings this past year, I knew a few of the AMLAW 200 firms would need to rise to the occasion.

Some of my guestimates turned out to be incorrect. So is life.

For the first 25 firms (alphabetical), two firms that I bet on lost: Bracewell & Giuliani (Texas oil!) and Cahill Gordon. I should have bet on Boies Schiller (litigation) and Blank Rome (full service, Philadelphia! firm), as they both made the AMLAW 100 list.

Therefore, the list of the first 25 BigLaw Tech Scores (in alphabetical order) includes Bracewell and Cahill and skips over Boies Schiller and Blank Rome.¹

I’ll include Boies Schiller and Blank Rome next time in my effort to be complete. Therefore, the next list will be comprised of 27 firms.

Observations:

It is obvious that law firms are reticent when it comes to embracing new technology. Thus far, however, the BigLaw Tech Scores serve as a vote of confidence for the law firms – who no doubt assessed the risks and benefits – and, ultimately, decided to take the leap to develop their presence on the web.

The firms with the highest BigLaw Tech Scores – Alston & Bird (19 points), Crowell & Moring (18 points), Cooley Godward (15 points), and Bryan Cave (15 points) – all jumped up in rank in 2009 and realized an increase in revenue.

The firms with the lowest BigLaw Tech Scores – Baker Hostetler (6 points), Bingham McCutchen (6 points), Cadwalader (6 points), and Cravath (6 points) – all jumped down in rank in 2009 but the firms split as to how their revenues changed. The two B firms realized an increase in revenue whereas the two C firms saw a decrease in revenue.

Coincidence?

Perhaps.

Obviously, there are a lot of factors that can change the AMLAW rankings, even assuming some of the players from last year were still around.

For example, each firm’s practice areas and specialties may explain the differences in rank, change in rank, or change in revenue. Maybe each of the firms that rose in rank on the AMLAW chart – those that simultaneously scored the highest on the BigLaw Tech Scores – focused on bankruptcy or securities litigation or practice areas that remained busy throughout the financial crisis. On the other hand, perhaps, each of the firms that decreased in rank on the AMLAW list – those that simultaneously scored the lowest on the BigLaw Tech Scores – specialized in capital markets or mergers and acquisitions or real estate. In other words, the practice areas that got hit the hardest.

Therefore, I decided that it would be prudent if I also considered the specialty areas at each of the top ranking BigLaw Tech Scores as well as at each of the bottom ranking BigLaw Tech Scores.

Here are the profiles from each of the firms U.S.A. Chambers & Partners rankings:

Alston (BigLaw Tech Score = 19)

Baker & Hostetler (BigLaw Tech Score = 6)

Bingham McCutchen (BigLaw Tech Score = 6)

Bryan Cave (BigLaw Tech Score = 15)

Cadwalader (BigLaw Tech Score = 6)

Cooley Godward (BigLaw Tech Score = 15)

Cravath (BigLaw Tech Score = 6)

Crowell (BigLaw Tech Score = 18)

Interestingly, out of the lowest ranking tech scores, Cravath seems to be the only one heavily weighted towards the financial services industry.

While there are discrepancies, there are also a lot of similarities. The high BigLaw Tech Scores do not stand out as “experts” in highly lucrative fields compared to the low BigLaw Tech Scores. The firms seem pretty even.

(Of course, with the caveat, that the types of clients these firms represent may vary.)

To reiterate, the BigLaw Tech Scores compared to the AMLAW rankings may be coincidental, especially because this was a very small sample. Once I go through all 100 firms, the evidence to support this claim may or may not be stronger. Again, I realize, there are a lot of factors that may change a firm’s profit and/or their rank on the AMLAW list.

Nevertheless, law firms need to revitalize their business structure and embracing technology – though scary (!) (for everyone!!) – is a cost-efficient method to improving client services and internal morale.

So, without further ado…

My wish list for BigLaw Tech Scores 2010:

Attorney cell phone numbers listed on firm profiles

Think this is outlandish? Many attorneys include their cell phone numbers on their “in case of emergency” out-of-office replies. That is, of course, if their firm even allows out-of-office replies.

Many sales trainers advise sales people to give out their cell phone numbers (and recruiting trainers). Meanwhile, clients tend to respect personal lives as much as they appreciate convenience.

Skype IDs

Free. Video. Conferencing. Look tech-savvy and service oriented at the same time. (For firms who do this already, consider entering this competition – deadline June 15, 2009).

Demonstrated understanding of user experience design and human factors

Based on what I’ve seen so far, I’d be surprised if law firm web designers have ever heard of those concepts.

Shortcuts to LinkedIn profiles (law firms or individual attorneys)

Wouldn’t it be that much easier for colleagues, clients, or potential clients to connect with a firm or an attorney if the LinkedIn profile was listed on the firm’s website?

Firm and/or individual Twitter accounts
Blogs

Rule of thumb: if the first 5 hits on Google highlight recent layoffs, attorney suicides, or pending lawsuits – it’s time to get involved in the conversation.

A consistent look-and-feel across blogs including their URLs²

This is about branding and presentation. A global law firm should look like a cohesive, organized entity. This takes planning, a little bit of foresight, and a helpful IT department to clear up any confusion.

(See also : user experience design and human factors.)

Podcasts

I’ve never been in the A/V club. I was a cheerleader and I rowed.

Earlier this year, I went out and bought this microphone to make my YouTube video for my first webinar.

PC users can create podcasts with Audacity (open source) and Mac users can use GarageBand . After the file is created, a firm can host it on its servers. Once there is a permanent URL or RSS feed, the podcast can be submitted to iTunes.

Law firms have plenty of content too. They simply need to find the person with the best radio voice to read all of those client alerts or firm newsletters.

Self-hosted WordPress accounts on the firm’s servers

Domain? Check. Host/server? Check. Design and layout? Check. Check.

(See : firm’s home page; see also : uniform web pages).

Cost? Free.

(What can I say? After using Blogger, WordPress, and Joomla, I’m a WordPress junkie.)

Google Analytics

And, a report placed on every attorney’s desk so he or she knows who visits the website, how they found the website (i.e. what search words did they use), whether they are a new visitor or a loyal visitor, how many minutes they spent on the site….

(Note: Attorneys should be able to decipher the analytics report to assess their current marketing strategy.)

Sitemeter or other third-party tracking

Google and other analytics solutions encourage users to optimize solutions with supplementary data.

Feedburner for RSS feeds

Once a user decides to subscribe to a site’s feed, they continue to receive the content but they no longer need to visit a website. Without clicking on the site, their visits and behaviors will not be picked up by services like Google analytics.

Nevertheless, these subscribers – arguably the site’s most loyal readers – are important in terms of analyzing trends and marketing goals. This is why services like Feedburner are beneficial.

Personalized domains for WordPress.com, blogger, or typepad

Again, this is a branding issue that some may find nit-picky or silly. Using a blogging platform is one solution to maintaining a blog. These solutions make blogging accessible to people who do not know computer languages such as HTML or CSS . Nevertheless, a blogging platform – used as a hosting site – and a website domain are two separate entities.

If a lawyer is blogging professionally, whether independently or on behalf of his or her firm, it seems like a sensible purchase to splurge on a professional URL at $22.50 per year, $9.99 per year, or $9.99 per year. True, those are affiliate links to sites that offer domains (read! like! support!). However, the advice still stands (and, feel free to research domain services on your own!). Think of it as the modern day equivalent of printing your résumé on good quality paper.

Ok, Ok. These are long term goals. I know not all of them will work and not all of them will be implemented by next year. But, these are simply suggestions to keep law firms moving forward.

I have to say thank you to the first 25 firms that I research. In this type of scrutiny, the first group always has it the hardest (especially if the group – the first large law firms in alphabetical order – has no idea they are being scrutinized).

I’m excited to see how the next firms compare!

¹ My incorrect assumption about Bracewell & Giuliani pains me because the firm came out on top with a BigLaw Tech Score of 22 points. (On the other hand, their high tech score and failure to jump up to the AMLAW 100 list sort of ruins my analysis below.)

For similar but opposite reasons, I hate to leave out Cahill because it was one of the lowest scoring firms with a BigLaw Tech Score of 6 points and, well, it didn’t rise to the occasion.

² It also pains me to criticize firms for their inconsistent URLs when they are way ahead of the curve in terms of embracing technology.

BigLaw Tech Score Analysis Will Be Served Like Tapas

Posted on May 11, 2009 by Melissa Sachs

In today’s world, people (myself included) prefer to digest information in tapas form – small portions that encourage conversation.

As the number of my BigLaw Tech Scores grew, I started to doubt my ability to serve "tapas" when the time came to analyze all 100 of them.

Since March, I’ve only researched the web presence of 25 of the top 100 firms and, quite honestly, I’m already scratching my head as to what type of analysis I promised. What even prompted this exercise?!?

Thankfully, I had a YouTube video to watch¹ to refresh my memory and to renew my purpose: To "dissect how the world’s top law firms manipulate the web to faciliate the practice of law."

Therefore, I decided to divide my analysis of the BigLaw Tech Score into four parts (mostly to keep my own attention). Each part will relate to the others in terms of theory and analysis but I will focus the discussion to the 25 firm about which I most recently researched.

Like any other story unfolded in segments (e.g. network television shows, the Terminator series, comic books), my job will be to entertain you and provide insightful information in each part. If I do my job correctly, you will also appreciate the final, cohesive analysis (and, most likely, stand in line, dressed like Darth Vadar, once I announce the prequel).

– read. like. support. –

– read. like. support. –

¹ At the beginning of the YouTube video, I admit that web development is constantly changing and anything I say could be outdated within days. Next, I create a table for viewers to use to analyze their own web presence. I go through the table and its categories while filling in data about my web presence. Ironically, three months later, this data is outdated.

NOTE: I corrected most of the links that were still funky due to the WordPress-to-Joomla move.

Life without social media. Gotta love it. (Sarcasm intended.)

On Networking: Creating a Plan

Posted on May 8, 2009 by Melissa Sachs

Recently, I went to a networking event in Philadelphia. Alone. Going to a networking event alone wasn’t the worst thing I could do. I’m pretty outgoing and can strike up a conversation with almost anyone. However, as I searched for a parking spot, I realized that I had made a mistake in preparing for the event. In fact, I hadn’t prepared at all. There, in my car, I realized that I lacked any sort of plan for the evening.

Networking events are awkward for even the most extroverted of us. Here you are, together with people who you have never met and/or hardly know, in a prearranged closed space (a bar, a conference room, a banquet hall), with finger food in hand, balancing a drink in the other hand, shouting over a roomful of other conversations, pretending to hear what your conversation partner is saying, and, at the same time, covering your mouth in fear of bad breath or misplaced food particles.

Usually, to make networking events more fun (bearable?), I recommend venturing out with other people. This way, at least, you can casually mingle with others but you have a buddy to pull you away from a long-talker, to brag to once you meet your next biggest account, and/or to tell you if you have something in your teeth.

At first glance, it may seem illogical to advise you to bring a friend to a networking event with you, but I’m not advising you to stick with your buddy all night. Instead, make a game of it. Compete to see who can gather the most (worthwhile) business cards or make the most impressive (meaningful) connections. The loser owes the winner a round of drinks or dinner at the posh restaurant that you both have been meaning to try. While you’re waiting for drinks, the two of you can share facts about who you met that night and write the vital, mind-jogging information about your new contacts on the backs of their business cards. The next day at work, you can continue this competition when you see who sends the first “Done!” e-mail (meaning “I’ve followed up and e-mailed all my new contacts. Have you?”).

When you go to a networking event alone, you need more self-motivation to accomplish all of these things – meet people, follow up with people, not just stock up on finger food and head to a quiet corner where you spend the rest of the night texting your mom, wife/husband, or friend from high school.

This is why creating a plan is essential before you head out to a networking event, especially if you are showing up alone.

When I say, create a plan, this does not have to be a time-consuming task. I did it while I searched for a parking space. (I didn’t realize there was a free lot next door.) I drove around the side streets of Fishtown and answered these questions. To myself. Out loud.

Q: Why did I decide to go to this event?

As someone new to the web developing community of Philadelphia, I wanted to meet others in the field. In addition, there would be 20 5-minute presentations highlighting a lot of really cool stuff going on in Philadelphia. If anything this would be an inspiring event…

Q: How many people would I like to meet at this event? More specifically, how many business cards did I want to have in my pocket as I left?

For this question, I let myself off easy. Because the event was (sold out!) at a small, crowded bar, I decided that I wanted to make one meaningful connection that night.

Who (ideally) would you like to meet? Who would you be happy to meet?

Ideally, I would love to introduce myself to the planners behind Ignite Philly… but I realized that this may be a little unrealistic. The event required a lot of hands-on coordination throughout the night – setting up audio/visual presentations for each speaker, watching the time, etc. I decided that the coordinators probably had so much adrenaline pumping that any brief introduction would be almost meaningless the next day.

My second ideal was to meet one of the presenters. Each of the people presenting were involved with some type of cool, inspiring innovation.

Q: What would I tell the person who I met?

Of course, this answer would depend on who I met at the event. However, I always include this question as part of my plan because it gets me to say my “elevator pitch” out loud. An elevator pitch is a short synopsis on what you do, who you are, what is your purpose. The premise of the elevator pitch will be the same throughout one stage of your career. Nevertheless, you probably will want to tweak it in light of your audience. This should make enough sense. If I am in front of computer programmers, web designers, and web developers, they may not need to know that I practiced law or recruited attorneys. I may stick with, “Earlier this year, I quit my job to follow my dream. I created two websites. One, http://nonpretentious.com, is a pop culture blog that has contributors from all over the world, ranging from college students to retired law professors. The other, http://recruiteresq.com, focuses on applying technology to the practice of law. “ Simple. Easy. If I’m talking to a true webmaster or web developer, I may add, “nonpretentious.com is a self-hosted wordpress blog and recruiteresq.com is created using Joomla.” (Eds. note: RecruiterEsq has since been moved over to WordPress.) This way I can segue into asking for tips or sharing sucess/horror stories.

Finding a parking spot was time-consuming and frustrating. I ended up being late to the event. (Sidenote: in my opinion, this is not an excuse to bail on the entire event. If I took a survey of all readers who have *almost* attended a networking event but who have turned around because of “being late” – my wager would be that it’s 100% of you. Instead of agonizing how you’re late, think about how you can make a professional entrance. Chances are, if you arrive late, you’ll meet-up with someone else in the lobby or elevator.) Nevertheless, I walked into the event a little more confident because I had a game plan.

And, I walked away with the contact information of one of my ideal connections.

For the next networking event you attend, what will be your game plan?

Dechert adds Director of Knowledge Management

Posted on May 8, 2009 by Melissa Sachs

E-mail from Barton Winokur to firm:

As you know, our ability to effectively share appropriate legal and practical knowledge to improve the quality and value of the work we perform for our clients, is becoming increasingly important. Most practice groups have begun working on such initiatives.

In order to better coordinate the activities of the practice groups and to help evolve firm wide strategies and enabling frameworks for the development of Knowledge Management for the firm, Sara Golden has been appointed as Director Knowledge Management.

Sara has been working with FRE and C&S to facilitate the development of KM initiatives in those practice groups will be reaching out to other practice groups within the next week. We hope that each of you will engage with Sara and help her understand your needs and your experience with the materials that the team is developing.

Barton J. Winokur
Dechert LLP
direct: +1 215 994 2505
fax: +1 215 994 3197
barton.winokur@dechert.com
www.dechert.com

About time for a firm that size to get a KM Director…!

[Product Review] Central Desktop for Lawyers

Posted on May 7, 2009 by Melissa Sachs

After playing around with Central Desktop, all I can say is, “WOW.”

Central Desktop allows users to create “workspaces.” The number of workspaces and whether these workspaces are public or private (default) depends on your pricing plan.

While you can add features to each workspace later, when you first create a workspace, you can choose between setting it up as a project management, wiki, database, corporate blog, user forum, or create your own. Because you can add each of these features to a workspace later, I’d recommend creating one based on the main purpose of the workspace.

And, now, to break down these features one-by-one…

A project management workspace allows you to “manage projects, organize tasks, milestones and track project statuses.” Like Basecamp, LiquidPlanner, Wrike, and others, this type of workspace on Central Desktop allows teams to collaborate on projects across the web, keeping track of tasks, and milestones. Users can assign tasks to other users and also designate the importance of tasks by clicking on the red, orange, or yellow bullet. You can sort tasks by due date, assign them to different folders, and link them to a milestone on your calendar.

Although Central Desktop does not plan for all contingencies like LiquidPlanner, it does run reports for those who like to keep track of completed tasks, events, or workload.

Wiki

Central Desktop recommends using a wiki for a department or team intranets. Wikis also serve as a solution for knowledge management. For me, someone who is rather tech-oriented, wikis and their purpose still seem foreign.

In spite of the news calling today’s work environment “The Wiki Workplace,” I had no idea how to create a wiki. I found through stupid trial and error a few years ago that you can’t just go to wikipedia.org (oops!). However, websites offering wiki platforms, then and now, do not seem to advertise as well as the blogging services such as Blogger, TypePad, MoveableType, or WordPress.

Since I started my search for tools to create a corporate wiki, I did find WetPaint. (Eds. note: Also, PBWiki!) However, Central Desktop’s ease of use makes implementing a department wiki or organization wiki a cinch.

Moreover, with all of these features, the true benefit with Central Desktop is that everything is in one place. You no longer have to go to one site to add to your wiki, one site to check your calendar, and one site to manage your projects. It’s all in one place and it stays an affordable!

Database

This is by far my favorite feature of Central Desktop: the ability to complement project management with discussions AND supplement both by creating your own databases. This solves many collaboration, knowledge management, activity management, planning issues for any organization – large or small.

Central Desktop states that the database as a workplace is “Ideal for managing customer and partner contacts, product listings, price lists, corporate compliance or custom workflow.” In addition, Central Desktop offers templates that you can manipulate to match your precise needs. You can also create a database from scratch or easily import data from another database or excel file.

Corporate Blog and User Forum

Central Desktop also offers the option to create your workplace into a corporate blog or a user forum. Whether your goal is to connect with coworkers or outside teams with which you are collaborating, both of these tools are great for building rapport and keeping in touch with key project members who may share similar project goals but not the same physical space.

Looking closely at all of Central Desktop’s features, it seems like the company – through the service it offers – truly understands that communication is key in an organization – but needs to be managed more efficiently. (Think: no more clogged inboxes!)

Okay, okay. I know that I’ve been praising Central Desktop left and right. (I promise, they don’t pay me any more than the other products on these pages.) However, there is one more tool that I think is worth noting.

Web Meetings

Central Desktop allows users to host web meetings – conferences over the phone and computer – with chat rooms, a call-in number, a whiteboard, and other collaboration tools. True, this tool may not be as fancy as GoToMeeting. And, unfortunately, it’s not free like freeconferencecall.com. (To add this service through Central Desktop to the lowest plans cost $35 extra/month for 1 concurrent web meeting with 15 attendees). Nevertheless, there is the added benefit of using one interface for most of your needs. This lessens confusion, eases familiarity, and increases the probability that people will actual USE! this benefit.

Finally, taking testimonials to the next step, Central Desktop offers a page with customer feedback based on industry, business-size, and specific features.

I will say that along with Adobe, Box, Highrise, and our webhosts (StartLogic, Bluehost, and MediaTemple), Central Desktop is one of the tools that allows RecruiterEsq to focus on productivity while keeping operating costs low. (We may slowly use Central Desktop to replace Box and Highrise. We’ll let you know!)

Further reading: Another lawyer raves about Central Desktop. In 2008! I should have listened then!

If it’s good enough for a winning presidential campaign, it’s good enough for me.

[Product Review] Basecamp for Lawyers

Posted on May 7, 2009 by Melissa Sachs

Basecamp is probably the most well-known online collaboration tool. For over a decade, teams have used Basecamp to collaborate on projects over the web.

As with all project management tools, I highly recommend that anyone considering Basecamp tries it first. The tool will only work for you if you decide to work with it.

37signals offers a comprehensive tour – complete with audio, video, and screenshots – to introduce you to Basecamp’s basic features such as the dashboard, to-do lists, message boards, project overviews, and file sharing.

In addition, 37signals offers a 30-day trial period with each of Basecamp’s paid accounts. Though 37signals does not process any payment during a trial period, it does require you to enter a credit card in order to activate a paid account. Otherwise, you can sign up for a free account. Although the free account does not showcase all of Basecamp’s features, it is sufficient to familiarize yourself with the site to see whether you can benefit from its service.

In comparison to other online project management tools, Basecamp’s major advantage is how well it integrates with other applications for desktops and mobile devices . For example, a number of billing and invoicing clients easily pull data from Basecamp’s time-tracking feature to simplify accounting and collections.

Potential uses for legal professionals?

Office staff management. Provides an overview of each individual’s workload, including office administrators, legal secretaries, paralegals, and even document review attorneys. Delegate tasks more efficiently with easy collaboration. Know who is handling what. Work together towards milestones such as filing deadlines or client meetings.

Recruiting process collaboration. Facilitate the hiring process from start to finish. Share and collaborate on job requirements and descriptions as well as resumes, business plans, or other relevant hiring documents. Use the messaging feature to post interview feedback about candidates. Keep track of the hiring process with milestones.

Give Basecamp a try.

Web Development at Dechert LLP

Posted on May 4, 2009 by Melissa Sachs

Ways to Contact Dechert LLP on the Web:

(phone) by office (+1)

(e-mail) first name dot last name at dechert dot com (+1) (this varies by professional so users should look up individuals on the website)

(home page) http://www.dechert.com (+1)

How Dechert Interacts On the Web:

(profiles)

- LinkedIn (+1)

- Facebook

- Dechert Trainees (+1)

- Dechert Philadelphia Summer Associates ’07 (+1)

- Dechert LLP London Future Trainees (+1)

- Dechert LLP Staff (+1)

- Jigsaw (+1)

- Martindale (+1)

(blog)

Official blogs – We could not find any official Dechert blogs or Twitter accounts.

Nevertheless, Jim Beck, Counsel in Dechert’s Appellate Practice, Mass Torts and Product Liability Litigation group, co-authors an unofficial blog entitled "Drug and Device Law" with colleague Mark Herrmann, a partner in a similar practice group at Jones Day. In addition, Jim and Mark maintain a Twitter account that complements their blog. (+0.5 – for Jim and Mark’s efforts)

Jim’s bio on Dechert’s site speaks favorably about Jim and Mark’s efforts and successes with the blog¹, however, the Drug and Device Law’s disclaimer page is explicit that the blog only represents the personal views of the authors and not of their respective firms.

(podcast)

Official podcasts – n/a

Official webinars – We could not find any webinars hosted or sponsored by Dechert.

How Dechert Interacts With the Web:

(creation)

- Though it’s not an official Dechert blog, Drug and Device Law is created with BlogSpot, Google’s free blogging service. (+0.5 – for Jim and Mark’s efforts)

(interpretation)

- Drug and Device Law may track site visits through the Blogspot’s stat programs. It also uses external sources such as google analytics. In addition, the blog does use feedburner to track feed subscriptions. (+0.5 – for Jim and Mark’s efforts)

(domain/hosting)

- Drug and Device Law uses Blogspot as its domain and for its hosting. Its url makes no mention of Dechert or Jones Day. (+0.5 – for Jim and Mark’s efforts)

BigLaw Tech Score: 12 points

–

¹"Since late 2006, Mr. Beck has been the co-host of The Drug and Device Law Blog [http://druganddevicelaw.blogspot.com], now ranked as the most widely-read product liability blog on the Internet by Justia Blawg Search. This blog concentrates on legal issues encountered in the defense of prescription drug and medical device product liability litigation, especially preemption. At the May 2007 annual DRI conference on drug and medical device defense, Sheldon Bradshaw, chief counsel of the FDA, cited Mr. Beck’s blog as an "excellent" source for information regarding preemption. In January 2008, the blog successfully recieved (sic.) its 100,000 pageview (sic.) ."

–

For an explanation of the BigLaw Tech Score, see this post.

– read. like. support. –
– read. like. support. –

Web Development at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP

Posted on May 1, 2009 by Melissa Sachs

Ways to Contact Debevoise & Plimpton LLP on the Web:

(phone) by office (+1)

(e-mail) first initial last name at debevoise dot com (+1) (this varies by professional so users should look up individuals on the website)

(home page) http://www.debevoise.com (+1)

How Debevoise Interacts On the Web:

(profiles)

- LinkedIn (+1)

- Facebook

- Debevoise & Plimpton (+1)

- Debevoise Summer ’07 (+1)

- Debevoise & Plimpton Summer 2008 (+1)

- Jigsaw (+1)

- Martindale (+1)

(blog)

Official blogs – While we did not find an official Debevoise Twitter account or any official firm blogs, we do know that Debevoise is aware of both tweeting and blogging.

Based on the firm’s Client Update sent out April 15, 2009 (PDF), the firm is taking a proactive step to counsel clients on how to use new technologies responsibly. Namely, the firm’s update addressed how social media outlets like Twitter and Blogging may affect a company’s disclosure policies. (+.5)

(In my opinion, if Debevoise truly wants to pose as a social media expert, aware of the risks and benefits, it should perhaps partake in "the use of emerging Internet enabled communications channels as part of their (client) relations strategies.")

(podcast)

Official podcasts – We found one Debevoise partner who participated in a podcast hosted by LexisNexis but no official firm-sponsored podcasts or webinars.

Official webinars – n/a

How Debevoise Interacts With the Web:

(creation)

- n/a

(interpretation)

- n/a

(domain/hosting)

- n/a

BigLaw Tech Score: 9.5 points

–

For an explanation of the BigLaw Tech Score, see this post.

– read. like. support. –

– read. like. support. –

RecruiterEsq

Legal Career Consulting & Technology Training

Monthly Archives: May 2009

BigLaw Tech Score: First Reactions and Goals for Improvement for 2010

My wish list for BigLaw Tech Scores 2010:

BigLaw Tech Score Analysis Will Be Served Like Tapas

On Networking: Creating a Plan

Dechert adds Director of Knowledge Management

[Product Review] Central Desktop for Lawyers

[Product Review] Basecamp for Lawyers

Web Development at Dechert LLP

BigLaw Tech Score: 12 points

Web Development at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP

BigLaw Tech Score: 9.5 points