Service Confidentiality Agreement

Service Confidentiality AgreementWritten byFatima NaeemJuly 15, 2025Share this PostThis Service Confidentiality Agreement (herein referred to as “SCA”) is made and entered into as of [Date, Month, Year] by and between ___________________________________, a law firm in the State of Texas, herein referred to as “Firm,” and ______________________, an online platform, herein referred to as “Platform” (“Firm” and “Platform,” each a “party” or “Party” and, collectively, the “parties” or “Parties”).  I. Purpose  This SCA establishes the terms and conditions under which Platform will provide services to Firm, access Firm Information, and comply with applicable legal and ethical obligations. The Parties have entered or will enter into one or more agreements under which Platform provides or will provide certain specified services to Firm (collectively, the “Agreement”). In providing services pursuant to the Agreement, Platform will have access to Firm Information, including Attorney-Client Confidential Information. By providing the services pursuant to the Agreement, Platform will become a “Service Provider” of Firm. Both Parties are committed to complying with all federal and state laws governing the confidentiality and privacy of Attorney-Client Confidential Information, including, but not limited to, following the applicable American Bar Association (ABA) Model Rules of Professional Conduct and the Texas Disciplinary Rules …

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AI Platform Evaluation Checklist

June 1, 2025AI Platform Evaluation ChecklistShare this PostDefine Goals and Use Cases Purpose: Identify specific tasks the AI will assist with, such as document review, contract analysis, legal research, or predictive analytics. Scope: Define the boundaries of the AI’s role to ensure alignment with the firm’s or department’s needs. Assess Features and Functionality Accuracy: Evaluate the platform’s ability to deliver precise and reliable results, particularly for complex legal tasks. Customizability: Check if the platform can be tailored to your jurisdiction, practice area, and specific requirements. Evaluate Legal and Ethical Compliance Confidentiality: Assess how the platform handles sensitive client data to ensure compliance with attorney-client privilege. Data Ownership: Clarify who owns the data inputs and outputs, especially for proprietary legal analysis or content. Jurisdictional Issues: Ensure the platform complies with data protection laws and regulations in your jurisdiction. Data Security and Privacy Encryption: Confirm robust encryption for data storage and transmission. Data Retention Policies: Understand how long the platform retains user data and whether it can be deleted upon request. Access Control: Evaluate controls to restrict unauthorized access, such as user authentication and role-based permissions. Review Ethical Considerations Bias and Fairness: Investigate whether the AI is free from biases that could …

Why Software is Important for Small Law Firms [VIDEO]

Why Software is Important for Small Law Firms [VIDEO]Share this Video

Practice Management Software for Law Firms [VIDEO]

Practice Management Software for Law Firms [VIDEO]Share this Video

Technology Selection Key Insights

Do you need guidance selecting the right technology for your law firm? Are you uncertain how much you should spend on technology? In this video, TOJI director Joshua Weaver shares two key insights to help you navigate the technology selection process successfully. Additionally, Joshua shares a lesser known strategy for unearthing technology gems often overlooked by attorneys. Watch the video and claim your free business needs reference guide to help you through technology selection process for your firm. Resources by TopicStarting A PracticeLearn what you need to know before you begin. →Maintaining a PracticeNurture your budding practice with our collection of resources. →Growing a PracticeTips to take your practice to the next level. →Succession Planning and PreparationIf you can’t be certain, you can at least be ready. →Closing a PracticeVital information for those winding down a practice for themselves or others. → Practice TechnologyLearn new efficiencies. Leverage technology. → COVID-19 ResourcesInformation relevant to Texas attorneys practicing during the pandemic. →Useful Links o   Ten Minute Mentor: “Maximizing Technology in Your Practice”

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Getting Going and Best Practices for Zoom Videoconferencing

Getting Going and Best Practice for Zoom Videoconferencing×Print PDF version Of This Guide. It seems like everyone has started using Zoom, the videoconferencing software. Lawyers are learning to use Zoom to meet remotely with clients and colleagues, courts have signed up for Zoom accounts and are now holding many “video hearings,” and litigators are even using it for depositions and mediations. We hope you find these guides helpful. “Getting Going with Zoom” is a short guide to Zoom, including help with setting up and using Zoom, links to various resources, and some notes on securing communications over Zoom. VIEW THE “GETTING GOING WITH ZOOM” GUIDE Best Practices for Videoconferencing” has tips for videoconferencing in general, such as best practices for audio and video results, as well as communication etiquette. VIEW THE “BEST PRACTICES FOR VIDEOCONFERENCING” GUIDE Resources by TopicStarting A PracticeLearn what you need to know before you begin. →Maintaining a PracticeNurture your budding practice with our collection of resources. →Growing a PracticeTips to take your practice to the next level. →Succession Planning and PreparationIf you can’t be certain, you can at least be ready. →Closing a PracticeVital information for those winding down a practice for themselves or others. → Practice TechnologyLearn new efficiencies. Leverage …

Cloud Computing for Lawyers

June 22, 2020Cloud Computing for LawyersShare this PostWhat is cloud computing? Cloud computing is a term used to describe off-site storage or software as a service that utilizes Internet connectivity to access its benefits. In other words, instead of being stored on a local computer or server, data is stored on a remote server. Why does it matter? The cloud is significant to attorneys because it provides inexpensive storage, networking, and collaborative capabilities as well as an off-site backup for your files. Instead of buying an expensive server and having to install LAN,1 you can simply share files through a service called “Dropbox.” Dropbox is a program that stores your files off-site and immediately uploads when you save it to the file. If you have Dropbox installed on your other computers and mobile devices, it makes the changes on those devices as well. In 2013, it was free for the first 2 GB of storage, and $100 per year for 100 GB. I have been using Dropbox for all of my files, and I have only used 32 GB to date. This is inexpensive insurance to safeguard your files and make them accessible wherever you are. If any of you have had …

Paperless Office for Lawyers

June 22, 2020Paperless Office for LawyersShare this PostThe paperless office is getting more press now than ever, and lawyers should consider this as an option for practice management. There are several reasons to go paperless: It can save you money. You won’t need file cabinets, which saves you space. You won’t use reams of paper or toner, which directly affects your overhead. I replace my toner every three years or so. It is easy to locate documents and files quickly All Texas courts will require e-filing by July 1, 2016, so everything will need to be digital anyway. Filing is easily done on your computer when you receive a document, so there are not piles of paper cluttering your desk. You are not paying an assistant to file. There are no storage costs when a case is concluded. If you use Dropbox1 or other cloud storage services, you can access your documents from anywhere with an Internet connection and a computer or mobile device. And when you use Dropbox, if disaster strikes and your office burns down or floods, your files are still safe. There is a story of an attorney in Alabama whose office was broken into and her computer and …

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Encryption Basics for Lawyers

Encryption Basics for Lawyers×Print PDF version Of This HOW TO GUIDE. Introduction Electronic communications and “cloud” based computing continues to expand for lawyers. We are also using more tablets, smart phones, jump drives, and other portable devices in our practice. As such, a basic understanding of encrypted communications and data storage is critical for attorneys attempting to protect their clients’ confidential information in cyberspace. This pamphlet is designed to provide a basic understanding of encryption technologies available for use in a law practice. This is a starting place only, and you should evaluate in more detail which encryption and security requirements best fit your law practice. What Is Encryption? Encryption is the process of making readable text or data unreadable, usually for storage on a hard drive or for sending through a network from one computer to another computer. To make the information readable, one must know the decryption “key” (usually a password). When proper encryption is in place, the client’s computer files are unreadable without using the key and any transfers of information about the client can only be read by those who know the key. (Think of the encryption as a lock and the key as, well, the …