1. Faster Communication. When every teenager has instant electronic access to two dozen friends, how long should a GC wait to hear back from her outside counsel? Even a brief acknowledgement that a message has been received is reassuring. Hint: If you don’t yet have a smart phone (BlackBerry, Treo, etc.) that receives voice mail and e-mail, buy one. And be sure to get enough training to use it effectively.
2. Extranets. Law firms increasingly are providing extranets for clients with password-authorized Internet access to certain information on the firm’s Web site. Law firm extranets permit outside lawyers to collaborate with clients and in-house counsel on tasks such as research, document drafting, discovery review and developing litigation strategy. They also can be set up to allow clients access to review documents, billing data, or the progress of on-going matters.
