Law Firms are becoming more reliant on the portable document format (PDF). Because court documents and filings are electronic, PDF proficiency is a required skill. Your firm is no longer able to simply print to traditional printers and survive. Learn the tips and tricks of working with PDF files including how to properly maniuplate PDF content, ethical considerations of digital signatures, bookmarking, securing your PDF, PDF/A requirements of the Courts and sanitizing Meta Data from a PDF file.
Law Offices of Richard J. Serpe, P.C., Norfolk, VA
Richard Serpe represents victims of toxic torts and environmental contamination. He has successfully tried lawsuits in state and federal courts, and resolved cases for victims across the country.
Mr. Serpe also represents the victims of brain damage from toxic and traumatic injuries and represents clients under the Jones Act and under the general maritime law.
Mr. Serpe is frequently associated in complex litigation, managing cases with difficult scientific and medical issues. He has experience managing large case cohorts, including the extensive use of database and litigation support software.
He is listed in The Best Lawyers in AmericaŽ, and has received an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell law directory and has been named a "Super Lawyer" by Virginia Super Lawyers Magazine.
Mr. Serpe is admitted to practice in Virginia, Texas, and Louisiana. Mr. Serpe is a frequent lecturer, speaking nationally on technology, environmental law, and personal injury law. Mr. Serpe serves on the Board of Directors for a grass roots environmental organization, Lynnhaven River Now (www.LRNOW.org).
Paperless Chase, New Orleans, LA
Ernest Svenson practiced commercial litigation for 20 years in a big law firm, and then for 6 years as a solo lawyer. He was able to make the shift because he used the right technology tools, and learned to use them effectively.
He now focuses full time on teaching his fellow lawyers to do the same thing: that is, to use the right technology, and avoid the wrong technologies {which usually look promising but aren't). He's been on this path since 2002 when he started his first weblog: 'Ernie the Attorney,' which was chosen by the ABA Journal as one of the top 100 law weblogs. Since then he's started a few other useful law-related biogs.
He started PDFforlawyers.com, to help lawyers learn to use PDFs in the practice of law. He recently wrote an ASA-published book, Acrobat in One Hour for Lawyers, to explain PDF use in more detail. On his PaperlessChase.com site he focuses on helping lawyers shed paper, and learn to be more mobile and productive. He has traveled the country to speak to bar associations and industry groups, always spreading the message that lawyers can do a better job, while saving time, money and agony-if they use technology properly.
When he's not futzing around with technology, Ernie enjoys photography, golf and music. He likes to play his guitar for captive audiences, but they usually escape quickly once he starts singing.