FYI for April 2008

How soon can you experience more effective case analysis? Right away! This month’s Client FYI helps you quickly get started with CaseMap® case analysis software and easily increase your efficiency.

We’ve also included details about a leadership conference focusing on litigation support processes, products, techniques and best practices.

1-2-3 Getting Started with CaseMap®
Are you just getting acquainted with CaseMap case analysis software? Perhaps you haven’t had time to schedule your free, one-hour phone training? Don’t worry—getting your new case file rolling with CaseMap is as easy as 1-2-3.

Step 1: Display the Object spreadsheet and build a cast of characters

• Be sure to make your list of objects comprehensive. (In CaseMap registration, the term “object” refers to the persons, organizations, key documents and other factual elements in your case. When you see “list of objects,” think “cast of characters and related items.”)
• If the case has been filed, cull names from the Complaint and Answer. If the case has not been filed, consult your client interview notes. Why not get your clients involved? Have them send you a list of key players.
• As you develop the cast of characters, fill in only those spreadsheet columns (aka fields) that you consider essential. You can always come back and complete additional fields later. At the outset, most CaseMap users complete only Object Type, Full Name and Role in Case (a brief description of how the player fits into the story of the case).
• When you add players to the Object spreadsheet, you’ll notice that CaseMap creates default Short Names for each of them. For example, the default Short Name created for witness John Doe would be DoeJ. As explained below, it’s important to use Short Names when you enter case facts.

Step 2: Display the Issue spreadsheet and create an initial outline of claims

• While there’s no requirement to set up a list of issues when you first start a case file, most CaseMap users choose to do so. The issue outline typically parallels the claims found in the Complaint and Answer.
• Keep the structure of your outline simple—no more than two levels deep. You’ll probably want to add depth to the outline, but that’s better done once the case has matured.

Step 3: Display the Fact spreadsheet and develop a chronology of key events

• Don’t limit yourself to facts for which you already have hard sources; toss in every disputed fact and even rumors or suppositions. This strategy allows you to use CaseMap proactively—to drive the search for sources.
• As you enter facts, refer to the witnesses, organizations and key documents you mention by their Short Names. When you start typing a Short Name, CaseMap automatically displays a list of possible matches from which you can choose. This expedites fact entry. Using Short Names also automatically links your facts to the pertinent people and organizations. And using Short Names makes naming consistent to help lay the groundwork for effective searching.
• If you need to mention a person, organization or document that you didn’t enter on the Object spreadsheet, what should you do? Simply right-click in the Fact Text or Source(s) cell and select Add Object from the shortcut menu. You’ll be able to add the new player on the fly. Players you enter this way are automatically added to the Cast of Characters on the Object spreadsheet.

If you want to learn more about using CaseMap, just take the CaseMap 101 tutorial available on the Help menu. Or check out our Webinar Center, where you’ll find brief prerecorded tutorials that you can view around the clock. These sessions make it easy to learn intermediate and advanced features in all of our products.

View our library of topics and watch any Webinar you wish at no charge.

Important tips and tricks by phone—included with your subscription

Remember to take advantage of the no-charge CaseMap phone-training session that comes with your subscription. Give us an hour, and we’ll teach you key CaseMap features, along with the most important tips and tricks. The training comes at no extra charge—all you need to do is place the call.

To schedule your training, call 904-273-5000 or email casemap.support@lexisnexis.com

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Convenient Keyboard Shortcuts

Time is critical when you’re setting up cases and preparing for trial. Why not save a little time by using the convenient keyboard shortcuts listed below? You can even create your own keyboard shortcuts.

To create or edit keyboard shortcuts:

1. Select Tools, then choose Customize.
2. Click the Keyboard button at the bottom of the Customize dialog box.
3. Use options in the Customize Keyboard dialog box to create new keyboard shortcuts or edit existing ones.

If you would like more information about creating custom keyboard shortcuts, just give us a call at 904-273-5000 or email us at casemap.support@lexisnexis.com.

Helpful Keyboard Shortcuts

Here are some of the CaseMap® keyboard shortcuts most commonly used to speed up the data entry process.

INSERT
Adds a new record (row), just like the New button on the toolbar.

TAB
Moves from field to field.

HOME
Moves to the beginning of the line if the text in the cell is not highlighted. If the text in the cell is highlighted, HOME moves you to the first field in the row.

END
Moves to the end of the line if the text in the cell is not highlighted. If the text in the cell is highlighted, END moves you to the last field in the row.

ESC
Undoes changes to the cell you are currently editing or, if hit twice quickly, undoes changes to the entire record.

F2
Switches to edit mode.

F5
Refreshes the spreadsheet and causes the spreadsheet to sort.

SPACEBAR
Checks and clears the selected checkbox.

CTRL + F2
Displays the Detail dialog box, which shows all fields for the selected record in the current spreadsheet.

CTRL + A
Displays the Add Object dialog box when a description field is selected.

CTRL + D
Displays the Object Detail dialog box for the highlighted object Short Name in a description cell.

CTRL + SPACEBAR
Displays the Link Assistant when entered in a description field.

CTRL + I
Runs a filter on the selected text.

CTRL + SHIFT + I
Cancels filter or tag.

CTRL + INSERT
Inserts a copy of the selected row at the bottom of the spreadsheet.

CTRL + [apostrophe]
Copies the contents of the same field from the row immediately above the current row.

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See You at the Litigation Support Leaders Conference!

A major conference for litigation support professionals is quickly approaching. Litigation Support Today Magazine will present the 2008 International Litigation Support Leaders Conference May 15 – 16 at the Renaissance M Street Hotel in Washington D.C. The event focuses on enhancing your understanding of litigation support processes, products, techniques and best practices.

The registration fee is $695. Litigation Support Today has extended a special discount to CaseMap users. When you register for the conference via the magazine’s site, you can get a $25 discount, making registration $670. Just enter Promo Code: LexCaseMap.

Come join us at the conference in Booths 103 – 104 and learn more about how CaseMap® case analysis tool and LexisNexis® Total Practice Solutions play a vital role in the litigation support process.

Get more information and register for the event.

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CaseMap® Case Analysis Tool Training Schedule

Get a complete list of courses.

Paralegal Certification Training Schedule

June

Please contact us at caseanalysisconsulting@lexisnexis.com or 904-273-5000 to reserve a seat.

Support Certification Training Schedule

June

July

Please contact us at caseanalysisconsulting@lexisnexis.com or 904-273-5000 to reserve a seat.

CaseMap Training Webinars

May

June

July

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Advance Your Case Analysis with CaseMap®/Concordance® Integration

With the seamless integration of CaseMap and Concordance litigation support tools, you gain the power to connect and analyze vital discovery data with unmatched ease and speed.

In just a few clicks, you can link case facts, testimony and even critical documents to key issues and securely share them between Concordance discovery management software and CaseMap case analysis software. This approach helps streamline your entire litigation workflow.

Concordance Training Schedule

If you are already a Concordance customer, you can experience firsthand how these two industry-leading resources fit together by checking out our Concordance software training schedule for spring/summer 2008. We are coming to seven major cities across a broad geographic area to introduce the software to new users and certify existing users.

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