Portland Legal[Ver 2]

The bottom line is the only line.

The bottom line is the only line.

Car Accident ?

Work Injury ?

Messy Divorce ?

PortlandLegal

NETWORK

Unions

Suppliers

SpecialInterests

Competitors

Partners

Customers

RegulatoryAgencies

Tull, Tull, Cohen,

&Thompson

B

C InterorganizationalNetwork

PortlandLegal

PortlandLegal

NETWORK

GENERALENVIRONMENT

Culture

Political

Social

Technology

Economy

Physical

Legal

Wilson Lee – Associate Attorney

Has been with the firm of Portland Legal since last year.

Is currently assigned by Don Covert, Jr. to explore new markets for the firm (especially small and international businesses).

Is a entrepreneur at heart who is dedicated to making this firm more versatile, dynamic and solutions-oriented.

Portland Legal Law LibraryThe Front Entrance

HARDWARE• Servers• Desktop/Laptop Computers• Printers, Copiers, Faxes• Portable Devices

TECHNOLOGY

COMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE• Internet Connectivity• Phone System• Videoconferencing

SOFTWARE• Desktop Office Software• Document Assembly &

Management• Billing Accounting• HR• Library Software

INTERNET• Website• Email• Intranet

CHANGES! PROGRESS!

• New IT Director hired 2 years ago by Don Covert Jr. to “bring the firm into the modern age”

• New hardware purchases and server updates

• The firm has begun to support and encourage the use of BlackBerry PDA’s by attorneys.

• Implementation of sophisticated Document Management software (HotDocs and Interwoven)

• Investigations into the feasibility of switching to internet based phone systems (possibly including videoconferencing capability!)

LENA MACDONAD

IT DIRECTOR

TECHNOLOGY

TECHNOLOGY AND THE LIBRARY TRANSITION

• When the physical library closes, library responsibilities will be moved into the IT department (under the direction of a new Information Manager position.)

• Staff will need to be trained in effective electronic research techniques.

TECHNOLOGY

• With increased reliance on electronic resources, databases and other subscriptions will need to be reviewed.

• Internet connectivity and reliability will become even more critical. Perhaps the firm will need to invest in backup connectivity and increased capacity.

Corporate Culture

Controlling Subculture : Partners Overriding Value: $$$ Accepted behavior:

Misinformation, prey on ignorant

Fast turnover: settle or get rid

Symbols: Furniture, cars, clubs, vacations

THE POWER STRUGGLE

DON COVERT, JR. – Managing Partner

Son of founding partner Don Covert, Sr.(now “of counsel”)

Manages associates and clerks

Heads of IT, Accounting, Marketing , the Investigators and ostensibly the Office Manager also report to him

Inclusive management style run more like a professional bureaucracy, tech savvy,

forward thinking

BEV HENLEY – Office Manager

Has been with the firm since its founding

Manages receptionist, secretarial staff and paralegals

Will also manage file clerks with the closingof the firm’s library

THE POWER STRUGGLE

Top down management style, runs her fiefdom much like a machine bureaucracy, technophobic, believes the firm has gone to “heck in a hand basket” since old man Covert’s semi-retirement

A young, enthusiastic, newly-minted library professional …

to help guide our lower level employees through the new system of the

Virtual Law Library

Advantages

Save $ for TV ads

Junior PartnersInformation Specialist

Technologically “Cool”

More Space

Executive DiningRoom

Disadvantages

More researchWith less support

Confidentiality Concerns

Loss of interactive Space

Have to fireThe librarian

The End