President's Corner

Heller Goes Wireless

SAN FRANCISCO-based Heller, Ehrman, White & McAuliffe has launched a new, wireless-enabled interactive Web site. Per Casey, president of Tenrec Inc., and Chris Montgomery, the law firm's I.T. director, explain that anyone with an Internet-enabled phone can browse the site, located at www.hewm.com, connect with an attorney, or even get an office's address and driving instructions. A password-protected client Extranet lets authorized users access and share docketing, case calendars, and research information; check e-mail, host online meetings; and more. The site is searchable, and includes an interactive recruiting forum.

Information: Reader Response no. 304.

Legal Research

Wolters Buys Loislaw.com

WOLTERS Kluwer has purchased Loislaw.com Inc., for about $95 million, ending speculation about the future of the Van Buren, Ark.-based online legal research company that has played third fiddle to giants Westlaw and Lexis. When the sale is complete, Loislaw will become a unit of Aspen Publishers. The purchase also affects JurisDictionUSA Inc., as Loislaw purchased 20 percent of its stock last year.

Information: Reader Response no. 307.

Digital Camera

Litigators Alert: Combo Camera

LITIGATORS, criminal lawyers and others who need to document accident sites, injuries, environmental problems, or the like should check out the C-211 Zoom camera from Olympus America Inc. and Polaroid Corp.

The combo camera creates both digital images as well as instant Polaroid prints.

The unit, about the size of a paperback book, offers 1600 x 1200 resolution, and 3x zoom.

Information: Reader Response no. 308.

Laptop Computer

IBM's ThinkPad TransNote Debuts

IBM has introduced its ThinkPad TransNote. It combines a 600 MHz Pentium III laptop computer with a ThinkScribe digital notepad. Closed, it's about 1.3 inches deep, and resembles a traditional portfolio (covered in "pleather.") Using a digital pen that writes in normal ink, lawyers can jot notes or even doodle. Pages can be automatically transferred to the computer where they can be organized and searched; e-mailed; or used for presentations. About 5.5 pounds, the 10.4-inch display pivots for presentations. Included: Wireless LAN PC card, CompactFlash slot, 10 GB hard disk, USB ports, and a choice of Windows platforms.

Information: Reader Response no. 306.

Legal Research

Lexis-Nexis Has Been Very Busy

DAYTON-based Lexis-Nexis Group announced four new deals:

1. It has signed a deal with Elite Information Systems Inc., under which Elite will provide time-and-billing modules for Lexis' Intranet Portal, designed for large firms.

2. With DATA.TXT Corp. (Time Matters software), it will create an integrated practice management program. The two companies say they plan to develop a program that can be accessed from both the lexis.com research system and lexisONE's small-practice service.

3. It has penned an agreement with CCH Inc., to use CCH materials on its online services. Materials will include its tax, securities, financial, human resources, health care and more.

4. It created an alliance with LawCommerce.com, to promote the delivery of Web-based services to the legal profession.

Information: Reader Response no. 305.