October 2015 - Ontario Lawyers Directory

BLF Magazine Reports on How SVG Graphics are Speeding Up Attorney Websites

Posted on October 29, 2015January 9, 2021 by Law Firm Newswire

San Francisco, CA (Law Firm Newswire) October 29, 2015 - The latest issue of Bigger Law Firm magazine offers insight into how vector graphics can be implemented to enhance the performance of your law firm’s website.

In an article titled “Rethinking Graphics on the Internet,” Justin Torres offers tips on using vector-based graphics to reduce load times for webpages. According to Torres, web developers should prioritize the optimization of webpages so that they are both attractive and as lightweight as possible when opened on a user’s browser. He cites the pertinent example of CNN.com to illustrate the importance of responsive web design in reducing page load times.

Graphics play a key role when it comes to optimizing websites. Bitmaps and vector graphics are the two main image formats that are used on the web. The fundamental difference between the two is that while bitmaps comprise grids of pixels, vector graphics store information in the mathematically defined path of a vector. Torres proceeds to compare the two, highlighting why vectors work well for not only simple graphics but also complex logos to yield a result that is visually appealing and smart at the same time.

Scalable vector graphics (SVG) can be used to create a variety of visual effects, animations and text effects. An added benefit of SVG is that it does not require Flash, which has been known to pose a number of security issues for users. A fact box accompanying the article demonstrates how SVG images can be embedded directly into a CSS file.

Although there are many benefits to using SVG images, Torres cautions against viewing them as the solution to all problems on the internet. He suggests continuing to use bitmaps as well since the effectiveness of SVG filters is not guaranteed across all browsers. However, with their increasing popularity, vector graphics are yet another tool that can help law firms enhance the visual appeal of their web content without compromising on speed.

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How Lawyers Can Perform SEO Audits – A Free Guide in the Latest Bigger Law Firm Magazine

Posted on October 28, 2015January 9, 2021 by Law Firm Newswire

San Francisco, CA (Law Firm Newswire) October 28, 2015 - The last issue of Bigger Law Firm magazine helps attorneys and law firms learn how to ensure their websites are not only user-friendly but search-engine-friendly as well.

In an article titled “Technical SEO Audits Demystified,” writer Brendan Conley provides an in-depth look at the importance of search engine optimization against the backdrop of the ever-changing landscape of online marketing.

Conley encourages firms that are hoping to boost their position in Google’s rankings to look beyond the design and content of their website. Through a step-by-step guide to performing an SEO audit, he explains what an SEO audit is, what law firms should look for in an audit and how they can use it to strengthen the marketing position of their firm.

An SEO audit is essentially an analysis of a website’s performance in relation to the numerous factors that influence a site’s ranking among search engine results. An audit can be performed generally or to target a specific issue. A new comprehensive SEO audit should be carried out when a law firm is undergoing a website redesign or hiring a new SEO firm. However, Conley recommends even law firms that are satisfied with their current website to incorporate annual or biannual SEO audits as a key part of regular site maintenance.

In the article, Conley emphasizes the value of human expertise and analysis when selecting an SEO firm to perform an audit. A well-executed comprehensive SEO audit will result in a detailed analysis of your website’s performance and action steps that your firm can take.

The article also outlines the various specifications of an SEO audit. An SEO audit will analyze backlinks and content keywords, review the site’s hosting and performance with different operating systems, and investigate the site’s security vulnerabilities and social media strategy, among other elements.

SEO techniques are constantly evolving, writes Conley. With a multitude of websites competing for the top search positions, the willingness of law firms to experiment with different techniques can prove advantageous.

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Inside Social Networks: BLF Magazine Offers an Inside Look for Attorneys

Posted on October 27, 2015January 9, 2021 by Law Firm Newswire

San Francisco, CA (Law Firm Newswire) October 27, 2015 - An article in the latest issue of Bigger Law Firm magazine offers an inside look at how attorneys and law firms should be using social networks for marketing purposes.

In the magazine's Get Social feature, law firm marketing expert Ryan Conley explains how social networks are not just for young people and techies, but have become essential for marketing, visibility, professional networking and staying current with the times.

There are a lot of social networks vying for users' attention, and ebbing and flowing in popularity. Attorneys and law firm marketers are surely aware that social media can be valuable marketing tools, but may wonder which are worthwhile and which are not. Conley takes readers through the top five, explaining which are essential and which can be safely regarded as optional. The article also contains valuable tips on how to make the best use of each network.

LinkedIn, Conley says, is essential, and for a firm to have no LinkedIn presence at all might be seen as unprofessional. Likewise, Facebook is a must, simply because of its ubiquity. Some describe Google Plus as a “ghost town,” but Conley points out that the integration with Google's search engine and maps raises the importance of this network. Social media like Twitter and Instagram, while popular, are not essential for law firms to participate in. Nevertheless, Conley shares some secrets for how law firms can use these networks for innovative marketing.

Read the latest issue of Bigger Law Firm magazine to learn which of the most popular social networks are right for your firm.

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EagleEye Agreement Checker Could Help Lawyers Create Contracts Faster According to Bigger Law Firm Magazine Article

Posted on October 22, 2015January 9, 2021 by Law Firm Newswire

San Francisco, CA (Law Firm Newswire) October 22, 2015 - The Bigger Law Firm magazine, volume 35, discusses the advantages of using EagleEye Agreement Checker, software that automates the review of legal documents and contracts by recognizing and resolving problems, including ambiguity, accuracy and discrepancies. Using EagleEye can help attorneys reduce the time spent manually checking documents, allowing them to concentrate more time on the production of quality legal content and provide clients with faster turnaround.

Initially introduced in 2012, this program helps lawyers draft more precise contracts by providing more accurate references, punctuation and review of defined terms. The latest version of the software has a more intelligent interface that makes the program easier to use. Among its more significant advancements is that it enables attorneys to customize the program to search for contracts that are unique to their areas of specialization.

Upon the creation of a draft, EagleEye can create lists of issues, including inconsistent references and defined terms, and any problems that arise with either of them. It can also be used to assess structural issues involving numbering or mistakes in editing. Each of these actions can be performed with one click that produces a window adjacent to the document. One can also review and make comparisons of terms in several related documents.

One of EagleEye’s most effective tools is the defined terms feature, which allows one to create new forms of terms upon creation of a list of defined terms. It also allows one to review the language that appears before definitions, and discover examples where terms are used without providing a definition, defined without being utilized and used prior to being defined.

Due to the intuitive nature of EagleEye’s interface, attorneys can use the program without obtaining any additional training. Lawyers can familiarize themselves with the software in a short period of time, and can change their usage of the program based on their specific preferences. Use of EagleEye is far more efficient than manually searching legal documents for mistakes, and can allow lawyers to spend the time they save on better serving clients.

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Can Lítera Smartsend Save Lawyers from Embarrassing Email Errors? A Bigger Law Firm magazine product review.

Posted on October 15, 2015January 9, 2021 by Law Firm Newswire

BLF Magazine Explores Litera Smartsend for Lawyers in latest issue.

San Francisco, CA (Law Firm Newswire) October 15, 2015 - In the September issue of Bigger Law Firm magazine, Kerrie Spencer explains how a new product called Lítera SmartSend can help prevent firms from committing major email errors, such as sending clients’ confidential information to opposing counsel. Such an egregious error would be in violation of the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct.

A technology company called Lítera designed the Microsoft Outlook add-in that can help protect client confidentiality and simultaneously increase productivity. SmartSend provides a safe and secure environment in which attorneys who are sending emails along with confidential attachments are warned about making such errors as replying to all, replying when they were bcc’d, and replying inside lengthy threads of email messages.

In addition, SmartSend helps maintain the workflow within Outlook, and permits users to handle attachments and files without having to exit the Outlook environment. Thus, it reduces the risks of sending a confidential email to unintended recipients. If an attorney were to send such an email, the consequences could be disastrous, and could even cause the attorney to be censured or disbarred.

Pursuant to the Data Breach Investigations Report (2008 – 2015), which was published by Verizon in 2014, 62 percent of all data breaches in 2008 were the result of a major mistake or an internal error. The report also disclosed that in 2009, 285 million records were compromised. It further revealed that in 2014, 29.4 percent of all data breaches were caused by email errors. And data sent to unintended recipients accounted for 30 percent of all email mistakes.

In light of these figures, and the amount of attorneys, paralegals, legal assistants, and interns who can access confidential client information, there is great potential for the commission of email errors. SmartSend can reduce the likelihood of making such mistakes, and can help ensure that clients’ confidential data and their attorneys’ case strategy are safeguarded.

Because SmartSend is an add-in, the firm must have Outlook in order to benefit from the software. SmartSend enables one to adjust attorney interaction with the software to a certain user or group. Inasmuch as much of the work involved cannot be viewed by users, the software is very user-friendly, and can be integrated with several document management systems, including Netdocs, Open Text, Microsoft SharePoint, and Autonomy iManage.

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Local Organizations to Sponsor Special Needs Trusts Workshop

Posted on October 14, 2015January 9, 2021 by Law Firm Newswire

New York, NY (Law Firm Newswire) October 14, 2015 - As part of their commitment to serving the local community, Littman Krooks LLP, Arc of Westchester, Huntington Learning Center, Miracle League of Westchester, New Frontiers in Learning and Pegasus Therapeutic Riding will host a workshop on special needs trusts.

Building financial security is an important consideration for the family members and friends of individuals with special needs. A special needs trust is an estate planning tool that protects funds intended to enrich the life of a loved one with special needs, while preserving eligibility for public benefits.

This workshop will be held on Wednesday, November 4, 2015 at the Auditorium, 800 Westchester Ave, Rye Brook NY 10543. There will be two sessions: 2:00PM – 4:00PM or 6:00PM – 8:00PM.

Littman Krooks attorneys Bernard A. Krooks, Amy C. O’Hara, Elizabeth Valentin, Marion M. Walsh, and Giulia Frasca will present current information about special needs planning. Topics will include the importance of a special needs trust and its role in an estate plan; coordination of government benefits; guardianships and advance directives; review of the ABLE Act; transition planning and the IEP.

All of these organizations will be in attendance at the workshop and will provide information about their services.

There is no charge to attend this workshop but registration is required. For more information and to register please visit http://www.littmankrooks.com/special-needs-planning/special-needs-trusts-workshop/ or call 914-220-9276.

About Littman Krooks

Littman Krooks LLP provides sophisticated legal advice and the high level of expertise ordinarily associated with large law firms along with the personal attention and responsiveness of smaller firms. These ingredients, which are the cornerstone of effective representation and are necessary to a successful lawyer/client relationship, have become the foundation of the firm’s success.

Littman Krooks LLP offers legal services in several areas of law, including elder law, estate planning, special needs planning, special education advocacy, and corporate and securities. Their offices are located at 655 Third Avenue, New York, New York; and 399 Knollwood Road, White Plains, New York. Visit the firm’s website at http://www.littmankrooks.com.

Bigger Law Firm Magazine Teaches Lawyers About the Art of Storytelling

Posted on October 9, 2015January 9, 2021 by Law Firm Newswire

Art of Story Telling Featured in Bigger Law Firm Magazine

San Francisco, CA (Law Firm Newswire) October 9, 2015 -

The latest issue of Bigger Law Firm magazine tells attorneys how to develop an engaging and memorable web presence to connect with visitors.

In the feature article, “Mastering the Art of Storytelling and Storymaking,” Dipal Parmar explains how building a story for your firm's brand creates an emotional connection with potential clients and fosters growth.

Parmar examines four elements that contribute to a compelling brand story.

When a firm’s story reflects its true values, it evokes authenticity. Memorability can be achieved by emphasizing a firm’s motivations. Consistency means making a firm's story a part of its identity, present in all forms of online outreach. Tone, the final element, is how a story evokes a specific emotion from the audience. With attention to these four elements, Parmar says, any firm can create a story that resonates with potential clients.

The collaborative process of storymaking is also discussed in Parmar’s article. Based on the notion that user-generated content is more trusted by users than brand-generated content, storymaking engages the audience to share their own stories. Client success stories, for example, can help develop an emotional connection between site visitors and firms. And through social media, clients can help direct the conversation by bringing attention to the issues that matter to them.

Parmar wraps up by explaining how specific social media outlets and types of content can be used for a firm's storytelling and storymaking.

Each issue of Bigger Law Firm is packed with ways to effectively and efficiently utilize modern technology to grow a firm and serve clients.

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To learn more about how to build a Bigger Law Firm, visit https://www.biggerlawfirm.com

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