CASE LIBRARY

Ever had issues with missing image files and/or incorrect path mappings when copying files from your firm’s server to your trial laptop? You’re not the only one. Even seasoned consultants sometimes have image linkage issues. InData put their best foot forward in Version 6.0 to offer an easy fix to these types of issues. With the Pack & Go feature, a step-by-step wizard guides you through copying everything in your case and moving it to another location.  It even double-checks for missing files.

Version 6.0 also offers two additional types of workbooks in its Case Library (now viewable through the Document Manager module). The Carousel Workbook has an iTunes library style look for a different type of presentation appearance. However, the greatest addition is the new Multiplayer Workbook which allows the back to back playback of multiple video clips from different depositions/volumes without having to load each clip individually. This is a great feature for depositions that span multiple days, for non-deposition video clips that you want to play consecutively, or if you want to create a slide show type presentation for documents.

DOCUMENT MANAGER

The most noticeable change to the Document Manager is its appearance. The Grid View is back. If you are like me, an original Trial Director (version 4) user, you will remember, with fondness, the grid view. It was removed in version 5.0 but, back by popular demand, and can be found in version 6.0.

The grid view allows you to sort the exhibits by column (similar to Excel) and also allows you to print the actual grid view itself. This is helpful if you want to provide a list of exhibits/documents you have loaded into your case to your client.

The image de-skewer has been updated, although it’s not a huge improvement in my opinion. De-skewing an image is now a manual process allowing the user to have input on the deskewing process. Auto deskew is still available in Presentation Preferences.

TRANSCRIPT MANAGER

The transcript manager looks very similar to previous versions; however, the most changes were made to this portion of the software.

The Clip Creation process has been completely revamped. Within the Clip Editor you can create a new clip or open an existing clip for edits. You can also now rename an existing clip within the clip editor interface. Edits to the beginning/end of clips is now done completely through the waveform editor (a definite drawback in my opinion).

The greatest improvement to the Clip Editor is the ability to add and/or remove portions of a segment without having to completely re-create the entire segment. This can be a huge time saver. You can also now close the multi-player if you would like.

With respect to transcripts, searches can now be saved and named anyway you would like. The saved searches are now part of the “View By” items. Another added benefit is the ability to print the search results in detail or summary fashion.

CODING TAB

Not much has changed in the Coding module. One improvement is that search results can be sent to a workbook. Other than that, minor issues have been improved upon and a few bugs worked out.

PRESENTATION MODE

The most significant and visual differences were made to the Presentation module. Everything in Presentation Mode was built on new Windows technologies making it compatible with Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Mac Bootcamp. It also works with Windows 7 touch enabled computers.

So what makes Presentation Mode so different? Well, for starters, the toolbar is completely different – and, it can be detached so that only the end user can view it.

The dropdown folders menu now show the colors of the workbooks and allows you to use right and left arrow keys found on the folder to skip through the documents inside the folder (instead of having to use the “Item Launch” button).

The zoom tools now have 3D abilities which make blow outs very visually appealing.

Document handling is different in this version. You can scroll through documents, zoom across pages, and there is a scrollbar available on the right hand size of documents. You can also now zoom in on video and any annotation tool available with documents is available to use on video.

A big disappointment for us “pre-preparers” is that the layers feature has been removed. It has been replaced with a Save Stage feature which is a little more difficult to use and not as user friendly.

The Presentation Preferences area has also been completely re-designed. There are new themes for use in presentation mode and hotkeys are now customizable.

Overall, inData has made some great and necessary improvements. A few features have taken a step backward, and a few features have made their way back into the program after a long absence.

Although the different formats are a matter of opinion and budget, here are some considerations that you need to make before purchasing a Flat Panel for your office or conference room.

Warranty – Consumer flat panel televisions (Best Buy, WalMart, Circuit City), are intended for home use ONLY. Installing a consumer flat panel in your office IMMEDIATELYvoids any warranty, even a separately purchased Extended Warranty. Double check all of your documentation.

Connections – Not all flat panels have the connections you may need. Sure there will be Composite (red-white-yellow) and maybe Component (red-green-blue) connections, but are these what you will actually use and need?

In today’s offices, a flat panel needs more than “home theater” hook-ups. A VGA connection (15pin analog computer) for laptop or external CPU monitor should be included. Professional-grade panels offer VGA, DVI-I, HDMI, RJ45 network connections as well as standard Composite inputs.

Longevity – Professional-grade panels are designed for heavy, continuous use. They are designed to be used for long periods of time and are built to maintain cooler operating temperatures over extended use. Their display quality doesn’t degrade nearly as quickly as consumer models.

Pricing – While professional-grade panels are more expensive initially, their life expectancy is greater, and, in some cases, last twice as long as consumer grade panels, making them a better value in the long run.

Even with consumer panel prices dropping at a staggering rate, spending a little more money upfront will provide much better return on investment.

But read that sentence to yourself again. Only this time, put the emphasis on the word you.Now put the emphasis on stole.

The entire meaning of the sentence changes based on the emphasis that you put on each word. In fact, each word’s emphasis will change the entire message of the sentence.

The written word is powerful and final, but actually seeing and hearing somebody testify brings a wholly different dimension to the equation. We have body language, facial expressions, speed of voice, tone, intonation, the list goes on and on.

Always remember that the spoken word carries with it a different dimension of communication. Make sure you are capturing it.

Success in litigation, regardless the side of the bar in which you practice, is a team effort.

This team is devised into groups of individuals, each possessing a number of skills to keep the ball rolling toward a common goal. Those individuals might include attorneys, paralegals, secretaries, couriers, and other law office support staff.

Here’s the question: How much do you consider outside litigation support service providers to be part of the team?

Some common litigation support professionals are court reporters, trial consultants, IT personnel, trial presentation specialists, and even scanning and copy shops.

One of the most commonly overlooked parts of the litigation team is the litigation videographer. The litigation videographer is a valued cog in the machine that moves the litigation industry forward.

The Role of the Litigation Videographer

The often overlooked litigation videographer has many skills that aid the litigation industry. When you think litigation videographer, do you think depositions? When you think depositions do you see video as a luxury?

Do you commonly think of a litigation or legal videographer as the sharp-dressed fellow behind the camera, laying low in his chair, reading a magazine during the deposition process?

Perhaps legal videographers are thought of as individuals who charge exorbitant rates for copies and duplications of recorded media. Or, perhaps the litigation videographer projects the image of propeller-head with no real knowledge of the litigation process and the associated technologies of the field.

If you think this defines a litigation videographer, read on!

What Defines a Litigation Videographer

Perhaps it is easier to begin by telling you what a videographer is not.

• Did you know that no state in the union requires a trained litigation videographer to be present during legal proceedings?
• Did you know there are no state certifications, board tests, or federal rules which define the qualifications required of litigation videographers?
• Did you know most litigation videographers enter the civil litigation realm from outside the legal field?
• Did you know any videographer whose name is placed on a deposition notice can be considered a legal videographer?
• Do you know many litigation videographers are found using 1-800 numbers?

No wonder many attorneys and their staff rarely think of videographers as part of the team.

The Litigation Audio-Visual Expert

Each litigation videographer or litigation technologist should be considered an audio-visual expert with special interests in litigation technology.

First and foremost, your videographer should know how to operate a video camera with skill. He or she should understand both components of audio and video, as each is a separate discipline with technical intricacies reaching well beyond what is commonly viewed on the surface.

All professional litigation videographers are expected to understand microphone types, proper placement, and signal processing to obtain the best audio possible. Litigation videographers are expected to understand both analog and digital video as technological advancements are racing at light speed. Each litigation videographer is expected to know archival medium necessary to maintain data integrity until your case is resolved, whether that means six months or five years down the road.

Legal videographers/litigation technologists are acquisition, duplication, format transfer, editing, presentation and archiving experts.

Qualified Litigation Videographers

Qualified litigation videographers are expected to know rules of civil procedure and evidence for the states and jurisdictions in which they practice. Let’s face it. These rules are written for the attorney, not the videographer. These rules are designed to set out a fair playing field for both the plaintiffs and defendants. Even if your videographer knows “the rules” that does not guarantee your opposing counsel’s videographer is playing by the rules that YOU must follow.

There are no jurisdictional rules for wedding or event videographers to follow yet somehow, even the weekend warrior with a consumer camera can make his or her way in front of the bench and a respective jury.

In truth, many videographers are chosen out of convenience instead of confidence.

Litigation Videographers can be Consultants

Litigation videographers can be consultants to attorneys. When you have audio-visual needs; be it acquisition, editing or playback you do not call a court reporter, nor do you call uncle Joe, do you? Of course not!  You call someone that understands various software packages, presentation modes, and the important, sometimes critical issues inherent to each litigation claim.

You call a qualified Litigation Technologist!

Litigation Technologists

Litigation technologists are apprised of software and hardware components designated to the litigation industry, but also of those tools existing in the mainstream. As consultants, legal videographers should understand the benefits of every available audio-video component and technique, or know how to find the answers necessary to get the job done.

If necessary, the litigation technologist should be willing the steer you away from disaster.

Litigation technicians should be able to speak your language and understand litigation from intake to final judgement. They should be able to suggest modes and methods that ease stress, keep costs low, and provide continuity regardless the stage or maturity of your case.

You should expect to rely on your litigation technologist to preform tasks like Day-in-the-Life Production, Site Inspections, Evidence Videography, Settlement Video, Focus Group Presentation, Mediation Presentation and, if necessary, be able to “take the stand” to prove up any audio and video program they create.

Team Acceptance

You do not hap-hazardly choose your case experts and you should not do so in choosing your litigation technologist.

Whether one chooses to consider a videographer part of team or not, we are indeed in the huddle. Litigation Technicians are either on the field as a beneficial players or liabilities taking up space that should be occupied by true professionals overlooked on the bench.

Your videographer/litigation technologist should complement the entire team regardless if he or she is working with office staff or outside consultants. You can usually tell one’s affiliation to the “professional is as professional does” club by his or her willingness and ability to share responsibilities with a plethora of professionals.

Team Member Status Should be Earned and Never Given Away

When one says earned does that not mean each team member provides proven competency, a positive, professional attitude and commitment to see projects through to the end?  Sure it does!

Do you remember the fellow sunk low in his chair, the one reading the magazine or playing games on his IPod? You know, the videographer at a recent deposition. Is he or she a videographer or a qualified litigation technologist?  Do you remember his or her name? In the legal video industry we call this individual, “Bubba”.

Bubba’s a nice guy, talks a lot, but is not really a part of the team. He is there because someone did not understand the importance of having someone knowledgeable, experienced and competent.

If you still feel Bubba deserves to be part of the team than I suggest you do these three things before placing him/her on the roster.

1. Ask these 5 questions.
2. Step around and take a look at his/her monitor during the next deposition.
3. Review the quality of the products as you receive them.

Don’t wait until the time of trial to find out if your videographer dropped the ball.

Disclaimer, we do advertise Mozy on this site. However, we advertise Mozy because it is a great service, not because they pay us.

With that out of the way, I’m going to give you a brief overview of how Mozy works and why it will be beneficial to you. First of all, Mozy offers Unlimited Backup for $4.95 per month for individuals. The price is right, and in fact, you can try 2GB for free. Past that, Mozy is an online or cloud service. That means, your data gets backed up offsite. That is huge. Imagine if you had a natural disaster or a fire at your office or home. If you had your data backed up to another hard drive, that is great, but that hard drive probably burned too. Mozy offers you the flexibility of having all of your data online and impervious to catastrophes at your location.

Mozy is extremely easy to utilize. You download the software, install it, insert your login credentials and then select the files you want to backup. It even gives you an option to select the type of files you want to back up. You can set preferences to backup at certain times of the day or automatically when your computer is idle. The Mozy preferences even allow you to easily throttle the bandwidth so that you don’t bog down your internet connection. Mozy even allows you to use one account to backup multiple computers. If you run a business, there is also MozyPro.

One of the greatest features of Mozy is its easy restore functionality. You can initiate a restore of your computer from your web control panel, from the downloaded software or you can order a set of DVDs direct from Mozy.

In summary: Backup! Off site is best. Mozy makes it easy to backup and restore. Go check Mozy out, it is free to try and only $4.95/month otherwise. Best insurance ever!

What methods of backup do you use? Post in the comments and share with everyone.

TUAW: 5 Apps for Lawyers.

At the foundation of Highrise is a contact manager. A lot like the address book on your computer, you can add people, where they work and then contact information for the individual and the company. You can enter all kinds of information into the initial screens in order to stay in touch with the contact, but once you finish entering the contact information the real power of Highrise begins to set in. It is also a full-fledge customer relationship system designed for web users and firms that need a way to organize contact simply and efficiently.

How does it work?

In short, it works the way you do. It has a unique capability of integrating very easily with your email routine. When you first login, you are presented with the Dashboard which provides you with an overview of the most recent activity along with a search box to find contacts quickly and your tasks listed by due date. Along the top are tabs that allow you to jump to the major components of Highrise.

If you search for a contact or click on the Contacts tab, you can drill down and see their contact information along with any tasks specific to them and their own feed of contact history. You can also add important dates, create new tasks regarding this contact and even add a generic note.

The next tab is the Tasks section. This gives you a list of tasks assigned to you. It also allows you to view tasks that you have assigned to others, and, if you’re the Administrator, you can even view all of the tasks assigned to others.

Moving on we come to the Cases tab. Cases are groups that contain multiple contacts and companies surrounding a specific project or event. They can act stand alone with their own notes, but you can also attach contacts’ notes to Cases for tracking. It’s a great way to keep real cases organized together.

On we go to Deals. Deals are a lot like Cases in that it is a container for other notes, but Deals are more akin to prospective work and winning that work. You can set a status and an amount of money the project is worth and some other details such as who is responsible. It’s a great way to keep prospective clients and communications with them organized.

The final tab is Tags. Tags can be assigned to any contact or company and gives you a way to categorize them. Click on a tag here and it shows you a list of tagged contacts.

Now, I mentioned above that it integrates with your email. You can, as with most web apps, have Highrise email you task reminders, but you can also email information to Highrise. Every user is given a Dropbox that they can email to. If you are sending an email to a client and place the Dropbox address in the BCC field, Highrise will automatically recognize the email and who it is to, then attach it to that contact. This only scratches the surface of what it is capable of.

If you want to learn more, visit HighriseHQ.com where you will find training videos and more in depth descriptions of each tab. As we progress here at Opveon University, we will add more in depth and focused articles surrounding Highrise. It’s a wonderful tool, especially suited to small groups and solo firms. Enjoy!

1. Follow the Quick Start guide and insert the Install CD
2. Setup Printer
3. Install Drivers
4. You’re done

That’s really it. The HL-2170w prints quickly and quietly. No long warm-up times. The crisp text is second to none.

The best part about the printer is its wired and wireless networking capability. Once you have the wireless network setup (taken care of during the install) you can place the printer anywhere you want in your office.

We recommend it. Comment with questions, otherwise, go check it out and read what others have to say. HL-2170w