Planners hope all-virtual Techshow 2021 will attract a wider audience

While attendees of ABA Techshow 2021 won’t get to walk through a bustling exhibit hall or dine together at one of Chicago’s many pizzerias or steakhouses, organizers of what will now be an all-virtual gathering because of the coronavirus say they still hope to foster a strong sense of community.

Dec 1, 2020 1:20 AM CST

ABA Techshow 2020 adopted a holistic approach to law

Jun 1, 2020 1:00 AM CDT

‘60 in 60’ Techshow closing session covers travel and work tips, privacy and lots of keyboards

Devices to protect users’ privacy from the prying eyes of facial recognition software and ears of smart home assistants like Alexa. Productivity tips and tricks for work, home or travel. And several different types of keyboards, including one that tastes great with syrup, whipped cream and berries.

Feb 29, 2020 1:50 PM CST

How accurate is AI in legal research?

Humans can make mistakes, but so can machines. If we use artificial intelligence for legal work, what sort of quality is needed? A Friday ABA Techshow panel at the Hyatt Regency Chicago titled “Open the Pod Bay Doors: Problems with AI” discussed this question in detail. “What’s the goal? Is…

Feb 28, 2020 7:30 PM CST

Lawyers should weigh risks and ethics in cloud computing

The legal industry has been slow to embrace cloud computing, partly because of ethical concerns, but lawyers can take steps to protect client confidentiality.

Feb 28, 2020 6:50 PM CST

Google’s Mary Shen O’Carroll says the legal industry is finally getting faster and more efficient

On Friday at the ABA Techshow 2020, Mary Shen O’Carroll of Google said the legal industry finally seems to be moving closer to where she’s always been. “This is an industry that’s been stuck in time for a long time,” she said.

Feb 28, 2020 5:06 PM CST

The judicial system needs to learn how to combat the threat of ‘deepfake’ evidence

"Deepfakes" of politicians and celebrities have become commonplace, and the justice system needs to adapt in the face of fake content that often targets women.

Feb 28, 2020 4:11 PM CST

Ethical dilemmas emerge when attorneys keep mental health struggles private

Sidley Austin should have seen the signals that something was not right with 42-year-old partner Gabe MacConaill, who died by suicide in 2018, Sharon Nelson argued during a Friday panel at ABA Techshow called “The Intersection of Ethics and Well-Being.”

Feb 28, 2020 3:09 PM CST

Blind recruiting, ranking job candidates could help address extreme lack of diversity in legal profession

Interviewing job candidates over the phone, rather than in person, can help employers avoid prejudices in employment decisions. It’s also useful to rank applicants based on job requirements, rather than if you think the candidate is a good fit, according to Shannon Salter, chair of Canada’s Civil Resolution Tribunal. “In…

Feb 28, 2020 2:05 PM CST

What legal tech jobs are available for new lawyers?

Job titles mentioned during the discussion included chief privacy officer, client success manager and legal procurement officer.

Feb 27, 2020 7:53 PM CST

Improving communication—with tech and otherwise—can help you keep employees

Almost 70% of employees who are properly onboarded stay at their jobs for at least three years, according to a study cited by Dina Eisenberg during Thursday’s ABA Techshow panel, “Keying into People: Solving Onboarding and Turnover with Intention and Tech.”

Feb 27, 2020 5:59 PM CST

Don’t trust, verify: Data must be assessed and analyzed before it’s used

To paraphrase the famous quotation from economics professor and Nobel laureate Ronald Coase: “Torture the data long enough, and it will confess to anything.”

Feb 27, 2020 5:21 PM CST

Law school tech classes may not bring job opportunities, but they do help teach practice skills

Chicago-Kent College of Law students can learn about legal analytics. Students at Emory University School of Law in Atlanta have the opportunity to work in startup groups with MBA students, as well as graduate-level students from the Georgia Institute of Technology. And at the University of North Texas at Dallas College of Law, students taking a class about representing people who experienced domestic violence hear stories from “virtual victim” avatars to learn about the listening process.

Feb 27, 2020 5:15 PM CST

Online and ‘intelligent’ dispute resolution benefits are touted at ABA Techshow

With online dispute resolution and “intelligent” dispute resolution, people can reach an agreement without stressful and expensive court proceedings, said Shannon Salter and Jonathan Verk at a Thursday morning panel at the ABA Techshow 2020 in Chicago.

Feb 27, 2020 4:21 PM CST

With technology, law firm subscription plans can produce steady income and better serve clients

Lawyers looking to institute a subscription-based model should follow three rules: ditch hourly billing, invest in technology before labor, and give clients what they want.

Feb 27, 2020 3:36 PM CST