Practical Lawyering

My experience with Parallels

I previously installed Windows XP on my iMac, running it under Boot Camp, and it works great. I switch over to XP when I run EZ Filing, a bankruptcy preparation application.

(If you do a small amount of personal bankruptcy work, I recommend EZ Filing. But perhaps that's for another post...)

Anyhow, I've been getting tired of having to reboot my machine and completely switch over to XP, so I thought I'd give Parallels a try. It certainly would be nice to run my Windows programs within my Mac desktop, right? Well... my experiment didn't work so well.

After installing Parallels and attempting to start Windows XP, I was asked for a new license key. Apparently Windows thought it was running on an entirely new machine rather than on the same machine but in a different... um... environment. And since the version of XP I purchased had only one license key, I wasn't able to use this beause it was registered when initially installed via Boot Camp.

Harumph.

I emailed Parallels support and they told me to contact Microsoft who should, out of the goodness of their hearts, simply give me a new license key for XP.

Microsoft told me the problem is Parallels because their software is not recognizing the registered copy of Windows that already exists.

Surprisingly, I tend to believe Microsoft in this one. I was not informed in the Parallels installation process that Windows must be loaded after Parallels. I think the virtual desktop isn't properly recognizing the existing copy of Windows.

So I now have a useless copy of Parallels.

For now I'm going back to Boot Camp when I need to run XP. Perhaps someone out there has a solution or a better experience with VMware Fusion?

TCB VIA GTD

(Translation: taking care of business via getting things done)

One of the things I miss about my former Windows Mobile smartphone is the today screen. I found it comforting, first thing in the morning, to view all of my appointments and tasks, neatly filed within relevant categories, on one screen with the ability to edit as needed. Although there are somewhat similar apps that exist for installation on a jailbroken iPhone, I haven't wanted to go that route quite yet. I'm optimistic that something stable and useful will arise once the iPhone is open to native third-party applications.

For now I'll rely upon Today, a Mac desktop application that displays appointments and tasks on one convenient window, linked with iCal. And since I use iCal and other Mac applications within my practice management workflow, Today will become a regular and useful tool within my daily grind. Appoinments and tasks can be added and edited, somewhat, from the Today window without opening iCal. It takes up limited screen real estate and, perhaps best of all, costs only $15. I find that quite reasonable for a GTD system that will help me remember to call a particular client, pick up my cleaning, or even blog about something mildly noteworthy.

Organization

One of the tricks of managing an effective solo law practice is maintaining an organized environment. I struggle with organization daily. My email inbox, my computer's desktop, my actual desk, and filing seem to get away from me quicker than I can say, "circular file." And we all have a different method for keeping on top of incoming because we all organize thoughts and tasks differently. Regardless of the method, however, I always find good pointers over at 43folders - in particular a recent post has tips on keeping organized for those who are chronicaly disorganized. As soon as you uncover your computer mouse from within the caverns of paper on your desk, it's worth a read. (Hint: Check under the jelly donut.)

To Twit, Or Not To Twit...

I’ve known about Twitter for some time now but only signed up last week. A friend, who is a computer programmer and technology bon vivant, encouraged me to give a try. After spending some time with it I can honestly say, with full conviction, that I'm not yet sure what I think about the application.

Besides following a couple friends, I've been receiving tweets from the Cubbies telling me how an in-progress game is coming along, updates from the Obama campaign, and occasional important news stories from the Chicago Tribune. But that's been about it to this point.

I do recognize its potential. Other blawgers are singing its praises as a tool they use regularly and find it valuable for their practice. But for the moment I can’t quite figure out how to use it in any way other than recreation and social networking purposes.

But perhaps that should be good enough for me. Social networking, via twitter, is a valuable end in and of itself. To feel closer to others within the legal profession around the country establishes continuing bonds of familiarity and trust. And as a solo practitioner I continue to find that it's important to connect to other solos, whether it's on a professional collaboration level or merely a social level.

I realize it will take time to fully understand how the technology will apply itself. I certainly can't imgaine that clients need to know what I'm eating for dinner or that I'm hanging out with one of my sons. Nor do I necessarily what them to know how I'm spending my free time.

Until then, though, I'll follow some threads, look around and experiment. As long as I'm careful, I should be fine.

Postscript: If you haven't seen the video by Common Craft that explains what Twitter is, it's worth a viewing. Both the method and the message of this demonstration are unique.

Sit, Doggie, Sit

I brought my dog into work today. Belmont is a good dog, usually, and I've long thought it would be great if she could keep me company on office days. My office has lots of light and she could do exactly what she does at home - lounge near an open window while taking frequent naps. Easy.

So, after my morning meeting, I stopped by my house and picked her up. Excited as always to ride in the car, she and her wagging tail came along eagerly. We traveled from the parking garage elevator through the city and up into my office - still optimistic that this would be a productive arrangement for both man and beast.

When we arrived she was too excited to sit still - sniffing, looking, making sure I wasn't going to leave her. Understandably, she was a bit nervous. So, we took a walk around the neighboorhod some more, emptied all important doggie parts, and tried to settle in for a little work. At the moment she's sleeping within the doorway and apparently content.

She's not always going to accompany me to the office. She could easily become a distraction during an important client meeting or on days when I have a lots of writing to finish. But on days like today, when the office and my phone are quiet, she's a lovely addition to the ambience of this solo's office.

Hello, Old Friend

Whoa. Sure is dusty around here. It's been a while since I checked this place out. Over there is an old coffee cup. By the window is my Blotto CD that I thought was lost forever. And here, underneath my keyboard, is a piece of my diligence - I thought that was gone, too.

Shame on me, indeed. Nice to see you again, old friend.

I was chatting with a buddy recently and when I told him how long it has been since I updated my blog he said, "That's not a blog, that's a webpage." He was right and his comment, along with a recent seminar I attended regarding search engine optimization, reminded me how darn important it is to blog. It's good for search engine visibility, theoretically it's helpful to those who read the material, and certainly it's good for the soul. (Did he say, "soul?") No, I'm not getting all crunchy. But writing IS cathartic. Why do you think Twitter has become so popular, with it's micro-catharsistic platform? It's like short sessions with a therapist.

So it's my intent to regularly update this place. I'm switching from Wordpress.org to Typepad. Design changes will abound, so bear with me as I work out the kinks.

One of the problems with making this switch, however, is that previous posts cannot easily be transferred from one blogging platform to another. At least, I didn't figure out how to do so easily. What I've done to make sure that previously posts were saved is simply to cut-and-paste into Typepad. This means I'm loosing original posting dates and associated comments from readers. But it was a cost-benefit analysis - Typepad is just easier to use and whatever gets lost in the transition will be mitigated with a more vibrant blog.

+UPDATE+ I still haven't decided which platform to use, long-term. I'm indecisive, what can I say.

At least that's what I hope.

Whoa. Sure is dusty around here. It's been a while since I checked this place out. Over there is an old coffee cup. By the window is my Blotto CD that I thought was lost forever. And here, underneath my keyboard, is a piece of my diligence - I thought that was gone, too.

Gmail and IMAP

It looks like Gmail is finally integrating IMAP into its accounts. This is excellent news. Really.

Google's accouncement

What does this mean? Well... they can explain it better than I can. (I haven't had enough coffee this morning.) But ultimately it means greater flexibility as to the hardware and software that one can use when reading, organizing and responding to Gmail accounts. And when you have multiple Gmail accounts and multiple email devices, this is a good thing. Really.

Communication Breakdown

I have shortness of breath, spinning vertigo and a woozy feeling in my stomach. No no no... I'm not having a heart attack and I didn't eat the Chicken Surprise Taquito down at the Quick-E-Mart. No... it's much worse - I have email anxiety.

I subscribe to a few different email lists that I've probably mentioned before: Solosez, Illinois State Bar Association lists and Macs in the Law Office. Each day the total traffic from these lists average 80-120 threaded topics. Although I can delete many of these subject lines, since they cover matters uninteresting to me, I should read others - perhaps about 40 threads a day. These individual threads each consist of multiple emails - perhaps 150-175 invidivual emails.

Lately I have difficulty finding the time - and energy - to plow through these items. And when I get behind reading these lists for a few days, or even longer than a week - like now - it's overwhelming to even open these email accounts. Fear leads to procrastination which leads to a very messy situation.

I'm always amazed by the folks who regularly participate in the discussions on theses lists. Where do they find the time to juggle the volume, let alone have the knowledge to respond to so many inquiries and topics? I'd like to know their secrets. Really - please let me know how you do it. Are you drinking massive amounts of coffee? Do you run all your accounts into a single mail application? Are all your accounts IMAP, rather than POP, so you can respond with your BlackBerry while on the train, your desktop at work and your laptop when visiting the coffeeshop?

I have my three email lists, the email from this blog and my personal email all going into their own individual Gmail account. My work email runs through an IMAP account that's fed into Mail.app and my PDA. Perhaps I should run everything into Mail.app - even the POP accounts - so I'm forced to look at it all day long when I'm in front of my work computer. Or perhaps I should resign myself to the fact that every couple of weeks I need to delete everything I've received from these listservs and start fresh, secure in knowing that I can search archives if I have a substantive question.

Any suggestions are appreciated. Drop me an email and I'll eventually respond - perhaps by December.

West Legal Ed and Macs

Today I surfed over to West Legal Ed and looked at their CLE selections. They really do have a fantastic assortment and if you're looking to learn a new area of the law, this seems like a great place to do it. Althought the price tag for a yearly subscription is steep, it might be a necessary evil.

Anyhow, I gave them a ringy-dingy to test drive the service and perhaps receive a 20% discount at the end of the demo had I chosen to subscribe. I reached someone on the phone, began the five minute demonstration, and all was going swimmingly until the fellow on the other end of the line learned I was on a Mac.

"Oh, no. This won't work with Macs."

I couldn't believe my ears! With reports of attorney and other professionals switching to Macs in droves, West has designed a website that will not work with Macs?! I've never heard of such a thing. Why would they limit their audience? The number of law students who use Macs, alone, would appear to be an incentive for West to upgrade their technology.

Apparently their videos will not work with any browser other then Microsoft Internet Explorer. And because IE is no longer made in a Mac flavor, we appear to be SOL.

The fellow I was speaking with at West was sympathetic - he called the tech department to learn whether I could see videos if running Parallels, XP and then IE. He was told that I would be able to play the videos, but West would not be able to tell that I was viewing the videos, and hence would not receive CLE credit.

Bollocks.

I have a hard time believing this. If anyone has experience running a Mac with West Legal Ed, I'd love to hear about how you do it, or in the alternative, if you've found that it is indeed difficult or impossible.

Estate Planning Component: Ethical Wills

As I'm beginning my estate planning practice, I'm always looking for something to set me apart from the tremendous pack of talented estate planners that already exist. As a newcomer to the field, I'm obviously starting small and focusing on estates that do not need complicated tax planning incorporated into their needs.

When speaking with potential estate planning clients, I emphasize a complete estate planning process that includes issues relating to children, power of attorney declarations and a clear statement of health care intentions. A complete package of all possible estate planning documents will lead to a rather thick binder of documents. The size alone can lead a client to feeling at ease with their financial and legal well-being.

One more document that I think I'll begin to discuss with clients and encourage them to incorporate into their estate plan at their leisure will be an Ethical Will. Kevin Kelly, on his blog Cool Tools, highlights this book that discusses the concept. Essential it's a letter to be read after one has passsed away, leaving a lasting record of thoughts, values and anecdotes. It's not unlike a brief and edited diary I suppose, minus the locked book hidden underneath unmentionables within your clothes drawer.

I've been trying to write a letter to my sons for their birthdays, sort of documenting the time that they turning a particular age. Well... due mostly to procrastination I haven't done this - yet. I'll actually finish one when they turn three this upcoming April. An Ethical Wills seems like a nice way to sum up additional thoughts that hopefully will not be ready for many years to come. And for those of us without enough fame or legacy to have our own statue, perhaps an Ethical Will will suffice.