Client Technology Services
Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P. is committed to utilizing technology to provide quality legal services. Effectively using technology provides efficient use of attorney time, efficient client communication and efficient delivery of client services.
Our strategy is to have an open-ended, enterprise-wide architecture which allows for adapting quickly to the changing technological demands of our clients and the industry. Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P. currently has in-place a Wide Area Network (WAN) with full T1 capacity to our regional offices. In addition, we have a standard configuration across all the offices, consisting of Microsoft Windows and Novell NetWare network operating systems, Windows XP desktop operating system, Microsoft Office application suite, Microsoft Exchange/Outlook e-mail system and iManage document management system. In recognition of the importance of remote access, we have built into the network the ability for any authorized user to access the network securely from anywhere in the world via the Internet or a telephone line.
Our firm employs a multidimensional database structure that provides critical information and services to the legal and professional staff. The services include Litigation Support, Information Services, and Graphics & Animation, all of which are described in greater detail below.
Litigation Support
The Litigation Support Group controls the flow of case information through the use of effective, easy-to-use litigation support software. These specialists conceptualize, develop and implement case-related document management projects. As a result, clients are provided with a work-product that permits instantaneous search and retrieval, meaningful manipulation and accessible storage resources for otherwise unmanageable data and information.
Document ManagementWhether it is for traditional paper copies or for native application files gathered during the electronic discovery process, the Litigation Support Group designs and builds databases to manage the data. They also create databases for deposition and/or trial exhibits, privileged documents, chronologies of events, casts of characters, and medical histories, etc. By utilizing databases, legal teams have the ability to instantly identify all documents or testimony containing any name, date, number, word or phrase for which they are searching, often accessing images of the documents as well. The databases are portable, which enables the team to work outside the office and synchronize any changes made offline to the network version of the database. To read more about the usefulness of databases,
click on this link.
Deposition/Transcript ManagementA key part of transcript management is being able to use the same software when taking depositions or during trial as is used after one receives the certified copy from the court reporter. The Litigation Support Group creates and maintains databases to enable legal teams to do just that. Full-text searches and annotations in depositions, trial and hearing transcripts can be performed as the court reporter is transcribing the transcript as well as throughout the case. This enables the legal team to share work product and it significantly reduces the number of hours spent searching for testimony in transcripts. The databases are portable and changes made to them offline can be synchronized to the network databases.
Imaging
The ability to have instant access to images at the attorney's desk or on the road is invaluable when preparing one's case. Efficiency is greatly improved and images are accessible to all members of the team at the same time.
Information Services/Administration
With state-of-the-art hardware and web centric software, we are able to facilitate the information flow throughout the firm and to share this information with clients and co-counsel when requested. Providing information on a 24/7 basis provides the firm with greater efficiencies and improved client services. Some of the client focused services we provide include:
Extranets
In order to enhance our client services the Information Services Group provides extranet web sites. An extranet is a private, secure web site that, while available over Internet through a browser, can be used only by a limited audience to whom the firm has given the necessary permissions. Our extranet sites are primarily used to enable clients and co-counsel to access information from anywhere in the world (they must have Internet access) and collaborate with the professional staff of the firm.
Our existing extranets are personalized specifically for each client and allow us to customize the levels of access and the amount and type of information made available.
Portal
The Information Services Group has built and maintains an in-house web site or "Portal" that is available to all employees of our firm. The Portal is an internal knowledge management system that contains a wealth of information. The site contains a compilation of expert witnesses, associate counsel, interpreters and court reporters the firm has used across the country as well as a short analysis of their work. It offers online viewing of administrative information like policy manuals, personnel telephone directories, and department or practice descriptions, calendars, benefits and the latest in firm news. Our "External Resources" section provides select links to scores of external web sites including Lexis and Westlaw.
In addition to all of these administrative functions our Portal houses the "Firm Research" databases. This powerful online research system provides a centralized and systematic method of storing valuable work product that can be easily retrieved when similar issues arise. Our brief bank has approximately 10,000 research memoranda, opinion letters and other documents that were drafted by our attorneys. The research databases provide a starting point for any research project, enhancing the quality of the work as it builds on the professional judgment of those who have considered the issue previously.
Case Pages
Another valuable service provided by the Information Services Group is the use of Case Pages. Case Pages are case-specific web sites for internal use only that provide case management capabilities. These pages allows our attorneys and other professional staff a single access point when locating case materials such as pleadings, discovery documents, correspondence, memoranda, and transcripts links to related web sites (i.e. U.S. Patent office). Since our practices encompass a wide range of legal specialties from litigation and corporate to intellectual property and regulatory, Case Pages can be customized to house specialized collections of information and provide more effective access to all of this unique intelligence. Clients are given access to their case sites through an extranet.
Time and Billing
The Information Services Group also offers practice management support by providing advanced reporting capabilities for our time and billing system along with important records information. We develop and maintain internal cost control systems ranging from Practice Management to various subrogation programs initiated by some of our Insurance clients.
Graphics and Animation
Our Graphics and Animation Department provides design and creative expertise to a case. Our designers work with attorneys and expert witnesses to assist them in conveying their concepts visually in a variety of ways by creating still and animated demonstrative exhibits. This helps judges and juries understand key concepts, components and processes that deal with topics ranging from medical and mechanical to theoretical. We have complete 3D modeling, animation and video capabilities to take a project from concept to finished product. We are capable of building models that vary in detail from basic visualizations to blueprint accurate. We can also re-create accidents, component failures and provide visual support for expert and eyewitness testimonies.
Projects designed by our designers include:
Animations
Accident Reconstructions
Charts
Digital Presentations
Diagrams
Graphs
Illustrations
Pull Quotes
Timelines