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Law is change. People tend to think of the taw as slow-moving, immutable, and disconnected from daily life. And lawyers have a reputation of being cautious and resistant to change. But in fact, when technology or sweeping changes are necessary to better serve their clients, improve access to justice, or simply make their work easier, lawyers can be pretty progressive. Here is a historical look at 100 innovations occurring within the last century that have forever changed the practice of law. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the use of technology in the practice of law in the U.S. in 2005. Technology continues to work its way into and through the traditional practice of law. Since digital communications have taken over legal practice, lawyers can no longer assume that the old rules regarding issues like attorney-client privilege or document destruction apply. Midsize to large law firms can invest in enterprise software, such as document management systems or other programs that keep track of e-mail.

Focuses on considerations for law firms buying technology as of 2004. Percentage of law firms which installed time-and-billing systems installed in 2003; Reason technology fails in law firms; Challenge for lawyers who are not technology-savvy.

Focuses on technology products and processes that play a role in the practice of law in the 21st century. XML software code; Mobile communication systems; Knowledge management software; Weblogs; Anti-spam software.

Focuses on the importance of document retention policies in law firms in the U.S. Percentage of firms with no retention policies; Requirements in creating a document retention system; Impact of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act on law firms.

The article discusses importance of building relationships with clients to lawyers in the U.S. Topics discussed include ways to build relationships using curiosity conversations; aim of the client and attorney's meeting that is to discover how to give back to them and nurture a relationship; and views of Patrick Noonan, a third-year associate with Dinsmore & Shohl in San Diego, California, as of April 2016.

The article addresses the issue of nonlawyer ownership of law firms in the U.S. The idea that U.S. law firms could someday tap the lucrative financial markets is appealing, but it faces one unavoidable hurdle: Ethics rules make such a deal impossible. Rule 5.4 of the American Bar Association's Model Rules of Professional Conduct, adopted or adapted by many state bar associations, specifically forbids lawyers from forming partnerships with nonlawyers or sharing an interest in a law firm with them.

The article offers information on regional assistance projects of the American Bar Association. The Central European and Eurasian Law Initiative, which began with a trip to Bulgaria by Colorado lawyer William D. Meyer, became the template for rule of law initiatives in Africa, Asia and Latin America, making the Bar a major player in efforts to improve the legal systems in developing nations around the world. The article continues to discuss the Middle East and North Africa Initiative.

The article discusses the significance of metadata in the practice of law. It is noted in the article that the American Bar Association (ABA) Model Rules of Professional Conduct do not contain any specific probation against a lawyer's reviewing and using embedded information in electronic documents. According to the article, the risk of metadata is that an attorney will unknowingly send an electronic document to opposing counsel that includes confidential, privileged or trade secret information.

This article states that Richard Granat lives in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, but keeps a family law practice going in Maryland. He does no face-to-face meetings with clients and the entire practice is managed through e-mail and phone calls. His only other staffer is a part-time paralegal. His practice is entirely virtual, existing only on his Web site at www.mdfamilylawyer.com. Granat says his practice works because he sells only unbundled legal services. He only offers specific help--like legal advice or document preparation--rather than serving a client through an entire case. In theory, the Web ought to be perfect for unbundled or limited-scope representation. With unbundled services, clients and potential clients can log on to a Web site and download documents, enter information and obtain specific, limited services from lawyers.

The article discusses Brooklyn Law School Professor Jonathan Askin's work in helping to organize a legal computer hackathon workshop in April 2012, and it mentions the hackathon movement's impact on the legal career of U.S. attorney Jameson Dempsey who used to be one of Askin's students. According to the article, Legal Hackers chapters have been created across the world. The relationship between law and technology is examined, along with opportunities for enterprising lawyers.

The article discusses the use of time-and-billing application software for law practices. According to the latest American Bar Association (ABA) Legal Technology Survey Report, while 81 percent of lawyers have some sort of billing software, only 56 percent actually use it. Lawyers of Jay Foonberg, author of "How to Start & Build a Law Practice," say ignoring billing software is not a problem as long as there is a paper system or an assistant who can track charges. Foonberg recommends lawyers use a control sheet to keep track of which clients they are working for.

The article discusses the use of customer relationship management software in law firms. According to the American Bar Association Legal Technology Survey Report, 45 percent of firms are using some form of customer relationship management software. Software companies are developing lawyer-oriented products, believing they can persuade law firms to use the software for client-development activities and long-term relationship-building, which suits the way law firms work.

In this article the author examines the boom of the e-discovery market in the U.S. The author discusses the importance of-discovery to the practice of law, as well as how it became important. The concern over price pressure in the market is indicated. The article also offers some suggestions on how do law firms avoid getting stuck with a dud for an e-discovery partner.

This article discusses the lessons law firms learned after the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, Louisiana. The lesson lawyers should take from Katrina is that disaster recovery and computer backup should not be left to chance. Backing up data on computers away from a law practice's office is probably the best technique for protecting a practice against catastrophic events.

Examines the advantages and disadvantages of using family law software in the practice of law. Importance of using family law software; Examples of technologies used in family law practices; Concerns about the use of technology when communicating with clients.