The Common Scold

BRCo & HILDEBRANDT MERGE

With last week's announcement that David Baker, left, (a longtime member of LTN's Editorial Advisory Board) was retiring from Baker Robbins & Co., I wasn't surprised to hear yesterday that Thomson Reuters' Hildebrandt International and BRCo would merge. (TR also announced plans to lay off 240 employees in its legal businesses, according to The Wall Street Journal.)

Our colleague Zack Lowe reports in the development in yesterday's Am Law Daily:

The merger has been in the works since TR acquired BRCo in 2007, Bradford Hildebrandt said.

"He will continue to play a prominent role at the combined company while yielding day-to-day supervision to Baker CEO Brad Robbins and Hildebrandt managing director Jim Jones."

" 'It just makes enormous sense," Hildebrandt says. The two companies have been working together anyway, since a big part of helping firms become more efficient involves streamlining their tech systems,' he adds."
" 'Most firms are just not equipped with the technology to deal with changing business models the way they are going to be forced to,' Jones says. 'When you are billing all of your time on an hourly basis, the accounting system is pretty simple. But if a significant portion of your business--not a majority, but a significant portion — is based on flat fees and other alternative arrangements, the technology gets much more complicated,' " Lowe writes.

Read Lowe's complete report here.

CREATE YOUR PATH

As technology guru Richard Susskind likes to say, the best way to predict the future is to create it yourself. Along those lines, Douglas Caddell, a longtime member of Law Technology News' Editorial Advisory Board and CIO of Foley & Lardner, says he's heard just about enough of the mantra, "IT must do more with less."

Those days are history, says Caddell. Instead, if you want your firm (and your IT department) to thrive in these tough times, you have to rethink and reinvent IT. The first step: go virtual, says Caddell. Check out his December Law Technology News cover story here. And listen to him on our LTN website video here.

And while you're at it, you'll also want to read Jo Haraf's article "Align Your Agendas" -- which offers some insightful advice about how you can create an "IT Porfolio" -- and how the journey of creating that portfolio will help you align your IT department with the overall business goals of the firm.

Later this month, Haraf will be my guest on my Law Technology Now podcast. We'll letcha know when it's live!

Not surprisingly,both Caddell and Haraf are among the contributors to a new book from Thomson Reuters, "Achieving Excellence in Legal Technology Management" (West, 2009). Might be the perfect holiday present for your IT pals.

THE CHANGE AGENDA

The American Lawyer has been tracking the earthquakes that have been reconstructing large firms for about a year now. Editor Aric Press, in a recent update on the Am Law Daily, notes that not all expectations have materialized: outside investors aren't quite breaking down law firm doors, and "the transformational technology remains a slow-gestating messiah"; but "there are plenty of disparate events that support the observation that this business change is more than just a sideshow."

Among the signs: Half of the TAL's "A-List" firms have started alternative fee arrangements with important clients (e.g., Pfizer, Citibank). "If Microsoft could chop K&L Gates and Sullivan & Cromwell from its preferred provider list, what client-firm relationship is inviolate?" Press asks.

And more firms are exploring legal process outsourcing, be it to Bangalore or Bangor. Firms may want to heed the advice of Microsoft GC Brad Smith: "Work on process improvement. That's the holy grail for us."

As Press observes: "Think of it this way: Why is it that law firms are the only businesses in which increasing productivity is a measure of how many more hours a lawyer bills rather than how more efficient she has become?" Read more on the Am Law Daily here. And check out TAL's 2009 Law Firm Leaders Survey here.

LTN AWARDS NOMINATIONS DEADLINE 12/4

Glitches Won't Deter Us! In the no-good-deed-goes-unpunished department, we've encountered a few bumps after we decided to waive the fees and extend the deadline for nominations for the 2009 LTN Law Firm and Law Department Awards, and our new "Lifetime Achievement" award.

First, because we have waived the fees, nominators need not be affiliated with the organization or person being nominated. So everyone, including vendors, may nominate candidates for these awards. However, the potential recipient must be affiliated with a law firm or law department.

Second, members of LTN's Editorial Advisory Board (and spouses, [in]significant others, and family members) are eligible for nomination. Only the judges are ineligible (Andy Adkins, Fred Lederer, and David Whelan); but they may be nominated for the Lifetime Achievement award because I choose that winner.

However, the potential recipient must be at least age 55 by 12/31/09.

Finally, we're experiencing problems with some completed nomination forms (PDFs) -- some are not opening properly (they open blank). So be sure that you save a hard copy before you e-mail it to us. If we encounter any problems opening the PDF, we will allow you to fax the document to us on Monday.

Here's the downloadable nomination form. And here's more 411.

TURKEY DAZE

I love Thanksgiving. It seems to be the one holiday (well, maybe Halloween's in there as well) that has no agenda other than peace and food. Of course, we all have deliciously wicked tales of dinners gone terribly, terribly wrong (check out this story from The New York Times).

But I do always like to take a moment to acknowledge some of my blessings -- among them, how grateful I am to share this journey with all of you. I've been with ALM (and its past acronyms) in New York now for 11 years, and before that, in our San Francisco office for 13 years. Over those years I have had the sweet opportunity to share your good company. We've laughed, argued, shouted (especially in the Bronx), whispered, debated, complained, applauded, sneered, giggled, sighed, cried and smiled together. I look forward to continuing our traditions, starting new ones, and above all, keeping an open and joyful heart.

May you be surrounded this Thursday by at least a few people you genuinely love, and hopefully not more than three who irritate you. My old dog's still with me, and that fact alone brings a huge smile to my face.
Joy, warmth and peace to all.

DAVID BAKER EXITS BAKER ROBBINS & CO

Our pal David Baker, a long time member of LTN's Editorial Advisory Board,has just announced that he is retiring from Baker Robbins & Co. on January 1, 2010.
When not rooting for the Chicago White Sox (or attending CWS Fantasy Camp), David served the legal technology sector for more than 30 years. He's heading to the Univ. of Wisconsin to work on "best practice development for small and mid-sized farm operations management," a project funded by the USDA's Risk Management Agency.
Congrats, David!

SHARING IS GOOD

How can we do more with Microsoft SharePoint to help attorneys, clients, and support staff easily share ideas, expertise, and information across time and distance?

Fenwick & West's Mark Gerow (right) offers 10 ways to better exploit Microsoft SharePoint today to improve attorney effectiveness, deliver better client service, and reduce costs.

Here's tip no. 2: Automate new business intake. Many firms still use paper forms or Microsoft Word documents to manage conflict checks and new client matter requests. These are routed to concerned parties (risk management, requesting attorney, new business committee, etc.) via interoffice mail or e-mail.

Want the other 9? Check out the full article from the November issue of Law Technology News.
Update: Apologies, but the link is temporarily not working. We'll get it fixed ASAP. Thanks, Jim, for the heads up!

GMTA: WHY MISSION STATEMENTS SUCK

Peter Pepiton was right when he told me that I'd like this video about writing corporate mission statements, from Fast Company's Dan Heath.

LTN AWARDS: DEADLINE EXTENDED, FEE WAIVED

The economy has hit hard on law firm budgets, and especially on discretionary spending for support professionals — sooooo, we have decided to WAIVE the entry fee (and extend the nominating deadline) for our 2009 LTN Law Firm/Law Department Awards. The new deadline is Friday, December 4.

This also makes it easier for those of you who want to nominate colleagues who might work for other organizations! And in these turbulent times, it's especially important that we recognize the innovations, hard work, and talent of legal technology leaders and visionaries!

Categories include:

• IT Director of the Year,

• IT Champion of the Year

• Consultant of the Year

• Most Innovative Use of Technology in a Law Firm, a Law Department, a Trial, and Pro Bono Project.

• Lifetime Achievement

This year, for the first time, we will be present the LTN Lifetime Achievement Award — I will be making the selection of that individual. Candidates must be 55+. There are no restrictions: it can be a lawyer, a paralegal, a vendor, a CIO — anyone in our wonderful legal technology community is eligible.

As is our tradition, the remainder of the juried awards will be selected by three distinguished members of our LTN Editorial Advisory Board: Andrew Adkins III, of the University of Florida’s Levin College of Law; Fredric Lederer, of the William & Mary School of Law; and David Whelan, of the Law Society of Upper Canada.

Click here for nomination forms.

Be sure to enter the code "WAIVE" in the credit card field!
You can also download it directly from here:
Download LTN-09-0392LTNAwardsformLF1021(editable)

VIRTUAL LEGALTECH

Doors Are Open! Our first Virtual LegalTech has launched.

The Exhibit Hall opened this morning at 9 a.m. Starting at 10 a.m., a new program started every hour. My program airs at 3 p.m., "IT Leadership in Turbulent Times," with Morrison & Foerster's James McKenna, and Nixon Peabody's John Roman Jr. John and I (and possibly James) will be available live for chats at 4:15 p.m. EST today (in the Lounge)!

You can catch the programs "live" today, until 5 p.m., when the doors close -- but only for about an hour. Later tonight, the site reopens, with all panels available as downloadable archives.

All the features will be up and running, including a Resource Center (TheEdgeRoom) -- the digital library, where you will find brochures, fact sheets, literature, product info, podcasts, etc. You can roam the "virtual booths" at the and even chat with folks in the Networking Lounge.

P.S. Our apologies to John Roman for adding an "and" to Nixon Peabody in our LTN Daily Alert today! We caught it JUST after the "send" button had been hit. Mea culpa! I feel like a contestant on Jeopardy who couldn't click the buzzer on time!

ABA's LARRY SMITH 2 ALA

Larry Smith will be the next executive director of the Association of Legal Administration -- taking the reins in January to succeed John Michalik, who is retiring after 15 years with the Association.

Working with ALA's board of directors, Smith will oversee of the organization's operations, including its headquarters staff and 100 chapters, the organization notes.

Smith served for seven years as director of the American Bar Association Law Practice Management section. He has a J.D. from the University of Colorado School of Law.

CONGRATS TO DEBRA HINDIN-KING

Accolades! Congratulations to Holland & Hart's Debra Hindin-King, named Paralegal of the Year by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations.
Hindin-King has been a litigation paralegal for the past 21 years.At H&H, she is involved with in-house training for new attorneys and support staff.

"The Paralegal of the Year award is given to an individual who exhibits extraordinary commitment and contributions to the expansion of the paralegal profession with the paralegal's employer, legal community and public service," says the organization.

Her colleagues at H&H are singing her praises. Says litigation department chair Scott Barker: "For those of us who have had the privilege of working with Debbie, this honor comes as no surprise. She is a consummate professional.

Hindin-King is a frequent contributor to Law Technology News; her most recent article, "Exploit Your Team", was in our October EDD Showcase,where she discusses how firms and law departments can better use the talents of their paralegal professionals. She also was a guest on that topic on our recent Law.com webinar, E-Discovery: The Early Bird Gets the Advantage.
NFPA is a non-profit professional organization representing more than 10,000 paralegals; its core purpose is the advancement of the paralegal profession, and leadership in the legal community,

GREENING GREENE ESPEL

Eco-activist Kim Carlson helps Minnesota's Greene Espel assess, and then improve, its energy conservation programs and reduce its carbon footprint. Among the changes, the firm scrapped $12,700 off the annual budget by eliminating bottled water and switching to a filter system, reports Jon Bream. And they increased productivity by giving everyone dual Dell UltraSharp 200 FP monitors to increase workspace, and Ergotron stands that allow users to position the monitors for maximum comfort, andd switch quickly between "landscape" and "portrait" modes.

>Another program that won big morale points: everybody gets a Metropass so they can ride public transportation, a $15,500 cost that generates a 30% transit tax credit.

Read more in the November issue of Law Technology News.

GOOGLE SCHOLAR POSTS CASES

The Blawgosphere was abuzz early today with news that Google "has quietly added state and federal case law and patent search to its Google Scholar search service," as well as a "How Cited" citator service. The quote's from Et Seq., the Harvard law School Library Blog. (See also, TaxProf Blog and 3 Geeks and a Law Blog, among others.)
This follows on the heels of Bloomberg Law's launch , and the ABA IS diving in as well.

The Google database includes more than 80 years of federal case law, and 50+ years of state case law. Users can search full-text of the state and fed opinions, which are hyperlinked, so you can navigate from one opinion to the next.

Long-time legal tech guru Rick Klau (left) participated in the effort. He was an early employee of FeedBurner, which was acquired by Google in June, 2007, and has been with Google ever since. Klau is now a project manager on the Blogger team at Google.

Klau has always been at the head of the cyber-pack. In law school, he founded a law review that published exclusively online.

"Fifteen years later, to have the oppportunity to be part of a team that worked to empower citizens to find and understand the laws that govern them — well, that's a thrill," says Klau. "Google's mission is to organize the world's information, and make it accessible and useful. This feels like an important step forward on delivering that mission."

We purchased a collection of opinions from a third party provider and hosted it on Google Scholar. In addition, we include opinions are from publicly available collections such as Public.Resource.Org, the Cornell Legal Information Institute and Justia," says Klau.

Check out the Official Google Blog for the announcement: http://googleblog.blogspot.com.

Both LexisNexis and Thomson Reuter seemed blase about the news.

LN's statement:

"Free case law is not new to the Internet and is included on some of our own sites like lexisONE, LexisWeb and lawyers.com. However, our legal customers generally require more than raw, unfiltered content to inform their business decisions. They look to LexisNexis to find needles in the ever-growing information haystack, not the haystack itself.

Not only do we provide the most complete portfolio of public and proprietary legal content, but LexisNexis enables legal professionals to conduct their research more efficiently, effectively, and with the assurance of accuracy. The LexisNexis legal research service provides critical analysis and commentary such as Mathew Bender, citation analysis like Shepard’s, deep online linkages built over time to relevant content, and unique functionality such as pinpoint searching by topic or by complex legal phrases.

Our goal is to deliver relevant, reliable results that enable our customers to make informed decisions faster."

Says Thomson Reuter: "Google has shared with us their plans to expand Google Scholar to include the search of publicly available caselaw and some legal journals. We believe that government-authored information should be accessible to the public, and Google joins existing sites such as FindLaw, the Legal Information Institute at Cornell University Law School and scores of others as sites that offer this information free of charge.

Our customers rely on us for very specialized information and legal insight, and use Westlaw to find exactly the right answer on very specific points of law."

Hat tip to Ross Fishman, of Fishman Marketing.

Click to enlarge photo.

Update: Among the reaction to the news:
Twitter: @davidcurle: Pity the lawyers of the world who are about to be WebMD'd by clients who think they know the law b/c they read it on Google.

@davidcurle: You knew this was coming, Google adds case law to Google Scholar. Nice links to other sources. http://tinyurl.com/yalbjwe

Ashby Jones at the Wall Street Journal picked up the post: http://tinyurl.com/tcs9183.

LTN AWARDS: LAST CHANCE

The clock's a' tickin' -- Don't lose your voice!

Monday (Nov. 16) is the deadline to vote for your favorite vendors who are in the running to receive our 2009 LTN Vendor Awards! The online ballot is survey style, and will take just a few minutes to complete!

(You will need your account number, from your mailing label — e-mail Kerry Kyle -- info@lawtechnews.com or call 800 888 8300 x9428 if you can’t find it.)

Click here to vote

And that's not all: TODAY is the (postmark) deadline for nominations for our juried LTN Awards, which honor law firms, law departments, and consultants. Categories include: IT Director of the Year, IT Champion of the Year, Consultant of the Year, Lifetime Achievement Award, and Most Innovative Use of Technology in a Law Firm, a Law Department, a Trial, and Pro Bono Project.

This year, for the first time, we will be present the LTN Lifetime Achievement Award — I will be making the selection of that individual. Candidates must be 55+, and I welcome nominees. There are no restrictions: it can be a lawyer, a paralegal, a vendor, a CIO — anyone in our wonderful legal technology community is eligible.

As is our tradition, the remainder of the juried awards will be selected by three distinguished members of our LTN Editorial Advisory Board: Andrew Adkins III, of the University of Florida’s Levin College of Law; Fredric Lederer, of the William & Mary School of Law; and David Whelan, of the Law Society of Upper Canada.

Click here for nomination forms.

EXPLOIT YOUR MULTIFUNCTION MACHINES

Today's multifunction devices generate basic data — such as copy counts, who is using the device, and when (and how) it requires maintenance, notes Rick Cruz, executive director of Fort Worth's Cantey Hanger.
But with a little boost from third-party software vendors, such as nQueue Billback, Equitrac and Omtool, law firms can get even more sophisticated data. Why would you want more data? Because you can use it to analyze your workflows, which can save you money, increase efficiency and maximize profits.
Cruz explains the opportunities in the November issue of Law Technology News.

HIGH-SPEED FLYING

If you're constantly searching for wi-fi hot spots, it might be time to invest in a mobile broadband card, says Brett Burney.
Many providers offer the option to use your mobile phone as a wireless modem, but the dedicated cards "require less fuss," says Burney, a Cleveland-based consultant. And, he notes, the cards can be used to create a personal, secure "hot-spot" that can be shared with others.
CradlePoint's PHS300 Personal Wi-Fi Hotspot router is one option, another is the MiFi 2200, offered by Sprint Nextel. The instant connectivity can be particularly handy for traveling litigators (think instant war rooms) or for anyone stuck at an airport. But before you pull out the plastic, check your existing contract for any restrictions, and read the fine print of costs and fees, cautions Burney.
Read it in the November issue of Law Technology News.

2009 FINAL REPORT

PARADE TIME!!!!!! Congrats to the World Champion New York Yankees -- and especially to Nick Swisher, Brian Cashman, Girardi, Matsui, Kevin Dart, Tex, Mariano Rivera, Derek Jeter, A.J., C.C., Melky, ah hell, everybody -- even A-Rod. New York euphoria!!!! And I'm especially happy for the next generation, especially Cervelli. And congrats to the Philadelphia Phillies, well-deserved champions of the National League, for a tough battle.

Tomorrow at 11 a.m. EST, the boys will be serenaded with all our old Incisive Media business cards and literally tons of other recyclable paper from the highrises and low-flung buildings that abut Broadway. I cannot wait. (Now I understand why Bill wanted to move us downtown :)

I'll confess: I held my breath until Mo did his magic with that 27th out. The agony and ecstasy of beisbol is that it never over until it's over -- as in our 15 walk-off 2009 wins.

OK, I have to get it out: how delicious was it the we beat Pedro -- again! I just love our chant, "Who's Your Daddy!" -- sorry, I'm evil. And as much as it killed me not to lock it up on Game 5, how sweet to win it at home, in the first year of the new digs.

Wonder what Joe G will have to give Shelly Duncan to "buy" #28 for next year? Stay tuned!

And now, on to the tradition. My annual "highlight reel" of the season:

• Things started off glum when I got my "take it or leave it" 20-pack seat assignment back in February, just as I was about to head to Hawaii for my dad's memorial services. I'm an upper-deck-sit-with-the-rowdies gal, and I was assigned main level section 234, right next to the bleachers -- at $50 a pop.
I was not happy, but was afraid to turn them down because I would have lost all my seniority.

I decided to take a chance and e-mail my rep, Shazad Ali, but I wasn't optimistic. But by the time my plane landed in Los Angeles, I had a message from him -- I was moved to the upper deck. This would not be the last bit of amazing customer service I received this season. And ironically -- over the course of the season, not once, but twice I ended up buying seats in section 233b, which proved to be terrific fun, with a great group of folks.

• Opening weeks! The new stadium was unveiled in two sneak preview exhibition games with the Cubs. Brad Blickstein (left) and I took in the Saturday game, which helped the Yanks work out some of the kinks (the audio system died around the 6th). Captain Sully threw out the first pitch to a loud standing O. And Mark Texeira hit two home runs as we ran roughshod over the Cubs, 10-1.

Normally, a trip to Camden "Bronx South" Yards is just like attending a home game, only much cheaper. On any given Yanks/O's fest, you can count on about 65% Yankee fans in the stands. But not so on Opening Day 09 -- more like 10%. And poor Tex -- the Maryland crowd booed the home boy so intensely it rivaled the 2004 Yankee fans screaming to Pedro about his DNA. We got trampled, but I will never complain about any day at Camden, and the brand new Hilton across the street is awesome!

The Tampa Bay Rays' home opener, a 15-5 slapdown, would have been downright depressing if it were not for Nick Swisher -- who not only hit a home run, but took the mound to pitch a scoreless frame, including a strikeout, creating his 0.0 ERA, best of all Yankees pitchers! He had such a good time, it took the sting out of the loss, and established him as an instant fan favorite. (He posts almost daily on Twitter (@nickswisher) and in April I started keeping a tally of his followers -- betting that he would break
1 million by the World Series. He did!)

Finally, a home game. Teri "Jersey Girl" McCarron flew in from Minnesota, and we went to the official Bronx opener on Thursday, April 16, against the Indians. Not a great start -- CC lost both the Away and Home openers. But we had a great time anyway, in the sparkling new digs. And it was better than watching Pavano start off a season.

• My new friends, Hal & Hank: Like an enthusiastic Mormon, I have converted at least a handful of non-believers into rabid fans, among them, Law Technology News' former associate editor Katie Montgomery, and my 82-year-old mom, Lillian. I got to see Katie (who is now in a PhD program at the University of Iowa) at our annual Minnesota group game; and during the Twins playoff games.

Mom flew out for two games: the first, on a gorgeous May Saturday, where A-Rod had a two-run, walk-off HR as part of our season-long sweep of the aforementioned Twins. The second game proved to be one of the most memorable games I have ever attended -- and one of the best times I've ever had with my mom -- when I took her to her first Yankees/Red Sox game and we ended the evening with the Steinbrenner family.

• July heat: One of the most moving days of the season was July 4 when my boss, Aric Press, participated in a program honoring his college friend, Michael Goldsmith (right) and his efforts to raise awareness and money for Lou Gehrig's disease. Goldsmith would not live to see the Yankees win their 27th. He was 58 years old.

As is their usual pattern, the boys de-slumped right after the All-Star game.

Jane Heller's wonderful book Confessions of a She-Fan hit the bookstores, and proving the power of Twitter and blogs, we became pals and she even posted an excerpt of my review on her site.

2009 brought not one, but two trips to Minnesota; the first for our 7th annual group game in late July. As always, we so enjoy the chance to share a game with the folks from the hot bed of legal techology! Shout outs to the folks from Thomson Reuters, Dorsey & Whitney, Merrill, Kroll, Socha/Gelbmann, Jersey Girl, Laverne & Linda, et al!

(Hey, Westies: go ask Shaughnessy if you can see his latest Bobblehead, which will remain on his desk for a year, right next to A-Rod :)

My Twins rep, Luis Breazeale, conspired to annoint us the "Hormel Row of the Game" and everybody got hot dogs!

I had a feeling I was not quite yet ready to say goodbye to the Dome, and I was right.

• Bring out the Brooms: August was a whirlwind of games, as pals arrived from all of the country to check out the new Stadium. After losing eight straight to the Red Sox, the fragile psyche of NYY fans definitely improved when we swept them in early August.

White Sox addict Ron Stevens made his annual visit, and we got to see two games, from two decidedly different perspectives: the field level and from the aforementioned main 233b. (Another sweep, btw.) As great as the field seats are, I still prefer the upper deck with the more, um, er, well "enthusiastic" folks.

By August, we were all falling absolutely in love with A.J. and his pies — which may seem out of character for NYY fans who tend to avoid schtick -- e.g., we don't do no steenking waves.

• On Labor Day, "Ed Post," the anonymous czar of Blawg Review, joined me for a separate admissions doubleheader that was a complete blast, and included yet another brush with great customer service and celebrities at the fantastic NYY Steak restaurant. There are few people who can put up with me for 10-hours straight, but we both had a great time. The only downside: Jeet went 0-8 and did not tie Lou Gehrig's record for all-time hits.

• Jeter Breaks the Record: Jeet tied it on Sept. 9 in a 4-2 win against the Rays and the city went nuts. I could not resist, so I Stub Hub'd and got playoff-priced tix for the next game, Sept. 11, where despite furious winds and swirling rain (I'm surprised NYC isn't covered in mold we had so much rain this year) Jeter stood alone at the top of the mountain. A magic moment, especially touching on the anniversary of the attacks, and all the more memorable because I shared the game with my friend David Horrigan, who I met on 9/11/01 when we reported on the tragedy together for ALM. Nobody cared one iota that the Yanks lost 10-4 -- in fact about half the stadium escaped the lousy weather once we had honored our captain with nonstop shrieking.

• Beyond sweep: The Yanks not only swept the Red Sox in their final matchup, but the Boys Up North had to watch us celebrate clinching the division. Too kewl.

• Adios, Farnsworth: One of my happiest days as a Yankees fan was the day they traded Kyle Farnsworth. I couldn't stand him as a reliever, and it got so bad, that everytime he got up in the bullpen to warm up I would grab my cellphone and text "Farnsworth Sucks!" and hit sent to Jersey Girl. I once saw someone wearing an "Anybody but Farnsworth" T-shirt and wasted several hours unsuccessfully trying to find it on eBay.

This season, Bruney reminded me of a reincarnated Farnsworth and I was none too pleased. However, I was very very pleased on Sept. 29 when, in the Kansas City bullpen, who should start warming up, but our "friend" Kyle! I thot he had retired! I grabbed the cellphone, but JG had beat me to it, "Farnsworth!!!"

And the karma gods rewarded us! The Yanks were behind in the 9th, but sure enough, blew his save and we got whipped cream. No pie was ever sweeter!

• City, what city? Then came one of the most amazing contests since the 2003 Aaron Bo one game -- would Detroit or the Twins win the central? I had a horse in this race because I had tickets to games in both cities -- If Detroit took it, I would get to visit my dear friend Mary Kay Lawless; if the Twins won, I would head to the Dome to be with all my Minnesota pals. And I already had tix for HG 1 & 2 at the Stadium. As the fates would have it, my good friend Jon Bream (right, with JG) was in town touting his new Neil Diamond book -- and we watched the Game 163 showdown at the Mudville 9 Saloon until Alexi Casilla hit a walk-off single in the bottom of the 12th and Sinatra started singing New York, New York. I pulled out my suitcases to pack, and JB and I headed to the Stadium for the Twins v. Yanks ALDS.

Monday October 11 — back to the Dome, to complete the season sweep, beating Pavano in a nail-biter. To Yankees Universe, Pavano is about as popular as 2004's villain Kevin Brown — we were not happy with his four-year-26-starts-9-wins-for-$39.95-million stint in Pinstripes. In fact, the disabled list is now called the Pavano List by the players. One of my signs was "Pavano: I hope you pitch as well as you drive." (OK, OK, very inside baseball, but hysterical if you know your Yankees' DL history). But I ditched it quickly because, of course, he pitched a gem and we were lucky to scratch out the win.

The next day it snowed in Minnesota. (And the new Target Stadium has no roof. Ohhhhh kay!)

• Anaheim Angst: I did not attend any of the Angels games, but I'm still amazed I didn't end up in Bellevue's psych ward due to stress over the superlative Halos, who have always been kryptonite to the Pinstripes. I am not much of a drinker, but I went through an entire bottle of wine watching every agonizing inning on October 25 until it was over and we were heading to the World Series!

So another season is in the books. The Yankees won in '23 when they opened the old stadium, and we christened the House that George Built last night. And I am among those who are so very, very, very glad they won it for the Boss, George Steinbrenner. Break out the confetti, we've got a parade tomorrow!

Oh yeah, it's 161 days until opening day.
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2009 NYY Soundtrack:

Opening Day: John Fogerty, Centerfield, and Bernie Williams, Take Me Out to the Ballgame.

Playoffs: Black Eyed Peas: I Gotta Feeling that Tonight's Gonna Be a Good Night

Anaheim: The Rally Monkey!

World Series: Jay-Z & Alicia Keys: Empire State of Mind

Queen: We are the Champions
Always: Metallica: Enter Sandman (From 2008 last game).

Six Flags Dude (after multiple big hits)

New York on Sunday (Bobby Darin)

(Frank, never Liza): New York, New York
----------------------------------------
Letterman: Biff Henderson at the World Series.

Photo credits: Top, New York Post. Goldsmith: The New York Times. Jeter: AP/Yankees Girardi: CNN. Pie: AP/Yankees. Swisher: unknown. Parade: ALM's Anthony Mazzocchi.

SEVEN DECISIONS YOUR FIRM MUST MAKE

My aforementioned boss, Aric Press, editor-in-chief of The American Lawyer, wrote a lights-out great editorial in the November issue , challenging law firms to accelerate into the curves and make seven key decisions about how to run their law practices.
They are all spot-on, but I particularly liked two. Predictably, "Mine Your Technology," but even more, "Embrace the Suck."
Says Press: "That's military jargon for being caught in a difficult situation and having to deal with it. Law firms and their lawyers are in the throes of choosing whether to adjust to, resist, or embrace the fallout from the economic calamities. Virtually every major firm has altered its billing practices, at least on the margins, in order to accommodate client demands for fixed, alternative, or hybrid fees. What's unclear is whether firms are, well, embracing the suck: Are they using this period to analyze their work flow and staffing, and then seek ways to do their work differently, more efficiently, and just as profitably? Or, are they begrudging, and counting the months until a robust sellers market returns? That's a process question -- which lawyers are good at -- and a taste for risk question -- which lawyers are poor at. G.I.s have a term for the consequences of making the wrong choice: FUBAR."
Read the whole article here.

FIAT LUX

The Power of One: In late June, my boss Aric Press and I were comparing notes about what Yankee games we planned to attend, and he mentioned that he would be going to the stadium on July 4, with his college friend Michael Goldsmith. Aric is the polar opposite of me, as low-keyed and understated as I can be, well, "excitable." He mentioned that his friend had ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) and that they were planning to enjoy the game together, that it probably would be Michael's last, and that they were going to participate in a program about ALS.

I had a scheduling conflict that kept me at home on July 4. If I had realized what Aric was up to, I would have cancelled my plans and headed to the Bronx. Instead, I was half-watching it on TV, when all of a sudden, I hear Aric's voice — and I look up and there he is on the Jumbotron being interviewed about Goldsmith.

Last November, Goldsmith wrote a guest column in Newsweek, calling on Major League Baseball to do more about ALS. They did — and on the 70th anniversary of Gehrig's famous "I am the luckiest man in the world" speech, 15 stadiums held fundraising events called "4◆ ALS Awareness." In New York, the Yankees donated $25,000, and portions of the Gerhig speech were recited by Yankee leaders, who wore a #4 patch (Gerhig's long-retired number). Goldsmith, a law professor based in Utah, stood at home plate with his son, and threw out the first pitch of the game to Mark Teixeira.
Son Austen Goldsmith was quoted in The New York Times: "Being on the field with my father was the single greatest moment of my life. I think he was holding on for that."

Goldsmith told Times that he "exhorted law students to take a proactive 'can do' approach to the law and life in general," and tried to practice what he preached. "The success of this effort demonstrates yet again how 'the power of one' can make a difference."

Goldsmith lost his battle yesterday. He was 58. Indeed, he proved the power of one man.

Peace be with you, Michael Goldsmith.

Photo: The New York Times.

SPOOKY

Saturday night's Halloween, so what better time to check out the latest ways to spend money frivolously! A quick Google search reveals a few options:
• You can dress yourself or your pet as a cell phone or iPhone. Check out the new iDog.
• You can transform your cell phone into an orange devilish jack-o'-lantern.
• You can get Cute Logic's GhostWriter app for your iPhone and send messages in two "ghostly" fonts: Blood Writ or Angered Spirit (with optional sound effects).
• How about a Halloween Theme for your BlackBerry?
• Candy Catch by Lima Sky is good for kiddies, who can catch candy corn falling from the sky.
• Haunted Cemetery provides bats, spiders, zombies and other monsters.
• Want to bark, growl or howl? Check out Scary Sounds.
Have a safe, fun Halloween: Enjoy the treats, escape the tricks!

BEISBOL TECH

To celebrate the World Series and the 2009 season, I thought it might be a good time to highlight tech tools available to baseball fans.
FutureLawyer's Rick George was the first to turn me onto ScorePad, which helps you score the game on your PDA. Says Georges: "The best thing is the daily MLBStats upload, which keeps the user current for every player every day."
I've shelled out a lot of money for a lot of baseball tech: I was a charter subscriber to XM Radio; and fought hard to save Extra Innings (which lets you watch almost every MLB game on TV). I even have a silly Derek Jeter message that greets callers on my cell phone.
One tech I did not like was MLB TV, which theoretically allows you to watch any game on your computer when you are out-of-market. I tried it in 2007 and it was dreadful, for a slew of reasons I won't elaborate in much detail here, other than to say the customer service was awful (45-minute waits on the phone were typical), and the system rarely recognized that you were not at home, insisting you were subject to a blackout. I suggested that it could be easily solved by simply having users (already vetted via passwords) type in the zip code where they were located, but was repeatedly told that "ohh nooo somebody might lie." (What are the odds that a significant # of users who pay $100/season for the service are going to lie?)
Anyway... I revisited computer TV feeds during the American League Championship Series, when the Yankees played Anaheim in a day game on Oct. 19. To my surprise, I could not find any live internet radio feed and I didn't have an AM radio handy to hear our local broadcast on WCBS. I figured it wouldn't be politically correct to leave work at 4 -- or to pretend to work in our lunchroom -- so I broke down and spent $9.95 to buy the new computer postseason.tv package.
I was pleasantly surprised. Produced in affiliation with Fox, it wasn't the same as watching the Fox game on TV, but it was pretty damned good. You get Joe Buck's microphone; and can watch four (out of eight possible) camera angles. It even has Twitter integration, but I didn't try that.
It took a while to get used to, but overall, it was a satisfying alternative (for the desperate) to watch/listen to the Yankees, who lost a tight game that went 11 innings.
Good job, Fox Feeds and TBS Hot Corner!

FAST TURNAROUND

Sometimes, it takes a change in our routine to appreciate how fast we adapt to change.

I had jury duty this week, which presented an abrupt change to my normal routine. I am also nursing a sprained ankle. So Tuesday, when I was ordered to report to 100 Centre Street (if you watch Law & Order, you know the building) I decided to splurge and take a cab to the courthouse — rather than try to negotiate the subway (which has a lot of stairs). I didn't think it would be a good idea to be hobbling along in an unfamiliar neighborhood in the early morning rain with my leg in a cast.
In my nervousness about getting to the court on time, I decided to take only my computer bag, and accidentally left my cell phone at home. I settled into the jury room, which has wi-fi access, pulled out my loaner laptop, and quickly realized that I was completely screwed. The loaner (mine is still in the Apple hospital after my logic board fried in Florida last week) didn't have our VPN software installed -— and I had no way to call our help desk. To make matters worse — we just switched our Outlook Web Access domain name and I had not memorized the URL.

Then I remembered — I have a Google Gmail account! So I e-mailed the help desk and, within minutes, the remote IT calvary was at my side.

First, they e-mailed me the OWA info so I could log onto my regular e-mail. Then sent me clear instructions on how to download and activate Cisco VPN software — and voila I was in the VPN. Good so far, but my then my Entourage wasn't synching. Within minutes, the help-desk crew remotely accessed my machine and got Entourage running.

Total time: about 15 minutes. Result: instead of fuming and losing several unproductive work hours when I wasn't in a courtroom, I was able to crank away.

For all the whining I do about technology, this adventure made me smile with satisfaction.

Huge KUDOS to James Mackey and our IT team. Everybody has to endure the hurry-up-and-wait of jury duty, but thanks to our IT team, I was able to take full advantage of the "wait" time. What a difference from even a few years ago, when even one of the above problems would have knocked me out of commission, and so bored I would be counting the ceiling tiles! Technology -- and great IT staff -- really do make a difference.

And even luckier: we got sprung early! So I've done my civic duty now and New York promises not to call me again for six years!

SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW

For the third time in 11 years, I'm at 100 Centre Street (New York Supreme Court), for jury duty. (Eight million people live in New York City, and I get called three times since I left California? Oh well.)
Some things are the same -- the jury assembly room; the sense of humor of the chief herder; the wonderful diversity of this city evidenced across the chairs. But what's different this time is that there are eight carrels along a wall of the main jury assembly room, and the entire floor offers free (and decently strong) wi-fi service.
Laptops are welcome, and the court has just changed its policy on cell phones that have cameras -- they are now OK, but you are chastised not to use the photo functions. (I suspect this reflects the reality that just about every smartphone now has a camera.)
Rumor has it that some sites are blocked, e.g., Facebook, but I had no problem logging on to that site, or Twitter. (The blocked sites may be on the handful of computers that are offered to potential jurors who can use them for 20-minutes at a time).
Jury duty still has a lot of hurry-up-and-wait, but at least it's a bit more productive -- last year and now!
Sat through hours of voir dire -- after which only 2 people were seated, (not me!) Interesting, frustrating, challenging, educational, annoying -- yes, yes, yes, I know -- civic duty, etc. -- but like everybody else -- to be honest, I'd really rather be at work. Yes, yes, yes -- I know.

AMBROGI'S OCTOBER PICKS

Web Watch: In the October issue of Law Technology News, Robert J. Ambrogi explores an array of new websites of interest to the legal profession, including WhichDraft.com, which helps users automatically assemble contracts and other legal documents. Users start the process by finding the type of document they want and then answering a series of simple questions.
Lawyers can also use the system to automate the assembly of their own documents. Ambrogi also explores Casemakerdigest, which offers summaries of recent cases, and Harvard University's new site, DASH, which offers access to scholarly articles written by faculty and students, as well as new sites from Littlearth that help users search for specific information, such as PatentSurf and Case-Law.