July 2008

 

Microsoft Word 2007 for the Law Office

 

Program Highlights

 

- Learn scores of tips from an expert law office Word 2007 user.

- Smooth the transition from previous versions of Word.

- Learn where to find the features you need for law office work.

- Make the most of your existing law office forms.

- Prepare your document automation systems before adopting the new version of Word.

- Master automatic numbering for legal documents.

- Increase the quality and consistency of your client work product.

 

 

 

This seminar teaches and demonstrates effective techniques for creating standard and complex legal documents in the demanding law office environment. Techniques are illustrated using practice-specific legal forms and other legal material. Working with words and documents is a skill every attorney needs. This course helps the attorney master this essential practice tool. The course also discusses the need to protect confidential client information and how to follow safe computer practices.

 

   

Topics

 

Using Word in the Legal environment

- Mastering the new Word 2007 interface: ribbons, command groups, and more.

- Where did they put my feature? How to find common features in Word 2007.

- Customizing Word for the legal work you most commonly do.

- Using shortcut keys and the Quick Access toolbar for greatest efficiency.

 

Legal Formatting

- How Word handles formatting.

- How to make Word use your firm's standard formatting instead of its own.

- Tips for converting from WordPerfect.

- Word's equivalent to Reveal Codes.

- Tricky formatting problems common in legal work.

- Headers and footers.

 

Libraries of Standard Text

- How the QuickParts feature helps you automate legal work.

- How to create libraries of boilerplate clauses.

- Practice-specific text libraries.

- Storing and using standard addresses for court registries, county offices, etc.

 

Working with Client Information

- How to organize client information.

- Using Outlook or Excel for client names and addresses.

- Inserting client information in a document.

 

Designing Automated Legal Forms

- Using Word's form feature for fill-in-the-blanks documents.

- Creating custom templates for standard legal documents.

- Inserting client information automatically.

- Designing a forms system for your office.

- Sharing templates with others in your firm.

 

Automatic Legal Numbering

- How to use Word 2007's automatic numbering system (it really does work!).

- An automatic paragraph numbering system that works.

- Numbering techniques for exhibits, interrogatories, headings, and other legal material.

 

Automatic Legal Formatting

- Creating formatting standards for your firm.

- Understanding Word's style feature.

- Designing styles for legal documents.

- Shortcuts for applying styles.

- Creating, saving, and using Quick Style Sets and the Styles ribbon.

 

Redlining and Tracking Changes

- How Word's document change management system works.

- Features you should avoid in law office work.

- Tracking document changes via email.

- How to avoid unintentional disclosure of client information.

 

Working with Statutes and Cases

- How to insert and reformat statutes and cases copied from the Internet.

- How to create a Table of Authorities.

 

 

The seminar is taught by Leigh Webber, one of North America's most experienced and talented legal technology experts. Mr. Webber has practiced law, taught law school courses on information technology, and consulted with law firms of all sizes on legal technology matters. He has taught thousands of attorneys at hundreds of continuing legal education seminars across the United States and Canada. Mr. Webber is with the legal department of GMAC ResCap, a financial services company headquartered in Minneapolis.