While this is certainly a much better approach than busting out the old typewriter, it still has its problems. The traditional approach for handling these documents has been to save them somewhere on the computer system and customize them for each particular client, either by cutting and pasting, searching and replacing text, saving over forms, or some combination thereof. Problems with the Cut-and-Paste / Search-and-Replace Likewise, estate planners may start from a few core wills or trusts, as well as power of attorney forms for health and property. Transactional lawyers may work with documents such as real estate contracts, leases, asset purchase agreements and the like that also have similar components. Many of those documents, from the initial demand letter to the complaint, notice of foreclosure, motion for entry of judgment, the judgment, deed, etc, have similar elements (e.g., mortgagors, mortgagee, lien holders, recording information, legal description, common address, etc.). For example, our office handles a lot of foreclosures for local bank and credit union clients. Many of the documents we solo or small firm practitioners produce have similar elements. Since the old saying “time is money” holds particularly true for attorneys, we all strive to be more efficient (and profitable) with our practices. As many attorneys have either embraced or grown up with that technology, many of us are now directly involved in producing those documents. Word processing programs revolutionized the production of documents, making it possible to create many more customized documents with much greater efficiency. Despite the rattle of the typewriters, it was probably much easier to focus because a new e-mail didn’t pop up on a computer screen every five seconds. Every once in a while I run across an old file with typed letters and documents and wonder what it must have been like to practice in the days of typewriters and carbon paper. My firm is proud to be celebrating its 150 th anniversary. Whether you’re a litigator drafting pleadings, a transactional lawyer generating contracts, or an estate planner creating wills and other estate planning documents, most of us spend a lot of time creating documents.ĭocument Creation – beyond the typewriter Even if you never touch a keyboard, someone on your staff spends a fair amount of his or her time generating those documents. If you’re a solo or small firm practitioner, chances are you do a fair amount of your own document production.

Map 2 Number of Private Practice Attorneys in Illinois by County per 1,000.

Map 1 Number of Private Practice Attorneys in Illinois by County.

Nomination Form - Law Firm/Corporate Law Department.

De-Mystifying the ISBA Sections and Committees.

Council/Committee Appointment Information.Moving Up in the ISBA: Women in Leadership Roles.Section Council and Committee Resources.ISBA Newsletter Publication Agreement (Single Work).ISBA Newsletter Publication Agreement (General).Workers’ Compensation Referral Directory Order Form.Notice of Intent to Enter Lincoln Award Legal Writing Contest.

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