In my scanning of the internet waves, I recently read that over 22 percent of law firms have plans to invest in new technologies, including handing out more smart phones.  The survey was conducted by CompTIA.

Such plans are to help firms cut down on actual people they need to

employ - specifically lawyers - as well as make those that they do

employ more efficient and self-sufficient. The belief across the board



these days, at law firms, from big to small, is that attorneys are doing

more things traditionally associated with support tasks, such as

document management, editing, transmission, and calendaring. Having a

smart phone, plain and simple, helps.

Although the particular

piece I read focused on security and data management, I'd like to spend a

few moments here to discuss what I find to be the real issues:

Efficiency and time management. I was at my daughter's ballet recital a

few weeks ago and not within 10 seconds of the curtain falling on the

first act - I had a hard time seeing what was going on in the dark -

nearly everyone there who had one was tapping away at their smart

phones.

This goes for staff meetings, weddings, Christenings, Bar

Mitzvahs, parties, drinks after work, anything. I can only imagine how

many people are checking out the crops on their zombie farm while at

their desks. Imagine having your attorney doing the same thing before

going into court!

Let's not put the cart before the horse, folks.

I've still to see much talk yet about firm policy that manages

employees' use of any of the proposed technologies out there. Before we

adapt what is primarily, to most, recreational noodling on their iPhone

to getting that crucial document to the courtroom, we need to have a

conversation about what is and what isn't appropriate.