Legal IT & Cybersecurity Insights
Practical security, ethics and technology guidance for law firm partners, administrators and IT leads. A new article every day.
Cybersecurity Month for Law Firms: Five Habits Worth Building Now
October is a good prompt for a firm security reset. Five habits for law firms that cost little and reduce real risk, from MFA to incident rehearsal.
Backup and Disaster Recovery for Law FirmsBackup Mistakes Law Firms Make and How to Fix Each One
Seven common backup mistakes that leave law firms exposed to ransomware and outages, from untested restores to backups an attacker can delete, with fixes.
Wire Fraud and Email SecurityClosing Day Wire Fraud: A Step-by-Step Verification Protocol
A practical callback and verification protocol for law firms handling real estate closings and settlements, designed to stop fraudulent wire instructions.
AI and Emerging Technology for Law FirmsWriting a Generative AI Use Policy Your Associates Will Follow
An outline for a short, practical AI use policy for law firms: approved tools, data rules, verification duties, and training. Built around ABA Opinion 512.
Practice Management TechnologyClio and NetDocuments Access Reviews: A Quarterly Checklist
Practice-management permissions drift as staff come and go. Use this quarterly checklist to review user access in your case and document systems before it bites.
Legal CybersecurityInsider Risk at Law Firms: Preventing Data Walkouts and Mistakes
Departing lawyers, curious staff and honest mistakes all expose client data. Learn practical, fair controls that cut insider risk without hurting firm culture.
Cyber Insurance and Client Security QuestionnairesCyber Insurance on a Budget: Smaller Firm Strategies That Work
Premiums and requirements keep rising for law firms. Learn how stronger controls, clean applications and sensible limits can improve terms for smaller firms.
Legal Ethics and Technology ComplianceResponding to a Bar Inquiry After a Data Incident: A Readiness Guide
If a data incident leads to a bar inquiry or client complaint, records matter. Prepare your policies, logs and timeline now, with counsel guiding the response.
AI and Emerging Technology for Law FirmsAI Meeting Notes and Transcription: Confidentiality Risks for Firms
AI note-takers can join calls and transcribe on their own, raising privilege and consent questions. Here is how firms can use them carefully or avoid them.
Practice Management TechnologyTrust Accounting Software and IT Controls: Protecting Client Funds
Client trust funds are among a firm's most sensitive assets. Learn which access, approval, backup and monitoring controls support trust accounting software.
Legal CybersecuritySecuring Remote and Hybrid Attorneys: A Practical Setup Guide
Attorneys work from home, court and client sites. Here is a practical setup guide for devices, networks, access and habits that keep client data safe off-site.
Cyber Insurance and Client Security QuestionnairesCyber Insurance Exclusions Law Firms Overlook Until a Claim
Cyber policies contain exclusions and conditions that can shrink or void a claim. Learn which terms law firm administrators should read closely before a loss.
Legal Ethics and Technology ComplianceRule 1.6(c) and Cloud Storage: Reasonable Efforts for Client Data
Model Rule 1.6(c) asks for reasonable efforts to protect client information. See how that applies to cloud storage, file sharing and the vendors behind them.
Managed IT for Law FirmsIs Your Law Firm Outgrowing Its IT Person? Signs and Next Steps
A trusted in-house IT person or a part-time consultant can hit limits as a firm grows. Learn the warning signs and the options for moving to a stronger model.
Backup and Disaster Recovery for Law FirmsDisaster Recovery Planning for Law Firms Beyond Cyberattacks
Fires, floods, storms and outages threaten firms too. Build a disaster recovery plan that covers people, premises, power and systems, not just ransomware.
Legal CybersecurityLaw Firm Password Practices: What to Keep and What to Retire
Old password rules often make things worse. See which practices to keep, which to drop, and how password managers and MFA fit a law firm's daily work.
Cyber Insurance and Client Security QuestionnairesBuilding an Answer Library for Client Security Questionnaires
Outside counsel questionnaires keep growing. Build an answer library, set an owner, and respond faster and more accurately without overpromising.
Legal Ethics and Technology ComplianceSupervising Vendors and Staff on Tech: A Rule 5.1 and 5.3 Walkthrough
Model Rules 5.1 and 5.3 reach lawyers who oversee staff and outside vendors. See what supervision can look like for IT providers, paralegals and cloud services.
Managed IT for Law FirmsOnboarding and Offboarding Checklists for Law Firm IT
New hires and departures are when access mistakes happen. Use these onboarding and offboarding checklists to protect client data without slowing the firm down.
Backup and Disaster Recovery for Law FirmsMicrosoft 365 Backup for Law Firms: What Microsoft Does Not Cover
Microsoft keeps its service running, but that is not the same as backing up your firm's mail and files. Learn the gaps and the options for closing them.
Wire Fraud and Email SecurityVendor Email Compromise: When the Fraud Comes from Someone You Trust
Attackers who break into a vendor's or client's email can send convincing payment requests to your firm. Learn how it works and how to verify without delay.
AI and Emerging Technology for Law FirmsShadow AI at Your Law Firm: How to Find It and Bring It In
Staff are likely using AI tools you have not approved. Here is how to discover shadow AI at your firm and replace risky habits with safe, supported options.
Legal Ethics and Technology ComplianceModel Rule 1.1 and Technology Competence: What It Means in Practice
ABA Model Rule 1.1, Comment 8, links competence to technology. See what that has meant for law firms and how to turn it into everyday habits and documentation.
Managed IT for Law FirmsWhat a Managed IT Contract for a Law Firm Should Actually Cover
Before you sign with a managed IT provider, check these contract items: scope, response times, security duties, data ownership, and how you can leave.
Backup and Disaster Recovery for Law FirmsRansomware Recovery Without Paying: A Law Firm Readiness Guide
Paying a ransom is a last resort, not a plan. See how law firms can prepare backups, decisions and communications so recovery does not depend on paying.
Wire Fraud and Email SecuritySpotting a Compromised Mailbox Before It Costs Your Firm Money
A hijacked email account often looks quiet at first. Learn the early warning signs, the first-hour response steps, and the settings that stop it from spreading.
AI and Emerging Technology for Law FirmsTen Questions to Ask Before Buying a Legal AI Tool
Before your firm signs up for a legal AI product, run it through these ten vendor questions on confidentiality, accuracy, contracts, and exit rights.
Practice Management TechnologyRetiring the File Server: Moving Your Firm's Documents to the Cloud
Thinking about replacing the old file server? This guide covers planning, permissions, migration and the mistakes that trip up law firms moving to the cloud.
Legal CybersecurityZero Trust for Small Law Firms: What It Means in Practice
Zero trust sounds like a product, but it is a set of habits. Learn what it means for a small law firm and which five steps deliver most of the value.
Backup and Disaster Recovery for Law FirmsBackup Testing for Law Firms: How to Prove You Can Restore
A backup you have never restored is a guess. Learn how law firms can test backups, set realistic recovery goals and document results for clients and insurers.