The American Bar Association reports that Mac use is on the rise in law firms, according to a study published earlier this year entitled the 1999 Legal Technology Survey Report. West Virginia-based business publication, The State Journal’s staff writer T.L. Headley found corroborating evidence for a recent article called An Apple a Day: Macintosh becoming computer of choice for many law firms.
The ABA notes that Mac usage has increased more than 250 percent since 1998 — not surprisingly, perhaps, coinciding with the introduction of the iMac. Many businesses and consumers like the iMac for its compact footprint and solid feature set. The survey also indicated that 30 to 40 percent of law students polled used Macs, as well.
Headley writes that Bill Gardner, technical administrator with law firm McQueen Harmon & Potter LC, has noted compatibility problems between his Mac-using company and the PC-dependent state offices and judges.
“Gardner said it is important for judges in the state to recognize that more and more attorneys are not using PC-based systems but opting instead for Apple computers,” said Headley.
West Virginia isn’t the only state where Mac-dependent lawyers have run into trouble. Recently MacCentral reported on a Windows-only online filing system used in Colorado called CourtLink. Fortunately, a competitive service called Counterclaim appears to be coming to the rescue.
Lawyers interviewed by Headley indicated that Macs were their first choice because of their ease-of-use, built-in networking support, and reliability, among other factors.
By the way, if you want to look at the 1999 Legal Technology Survey Report yourself and you’re an ABA member, it’ll only cost you US$249 for the privilege. The rest of us have to pay $399.