This month's issue of CaseSoft FYI also includes updates on additional training options including new webinars on Adobe Acrobat and over 25 new CaseSoft Academy open-enrollment classes.

Have you read our idea re creating Case Terminology Lexicons in CaseMap?  We've received very positive reactions to it, so we've included it at the end of this issue.

Even if you're not currently a member of TechnoLawyer, you're invited to enroll for free and vote.  You don't have to be an attorney to join -- paralegals, legal assistants, and investigators are also welcome.  It's easy to enroll at www.technolawyer.com.    Please note you need to stay enrolled as a TechnoLawyer member for two weeks until 6/16/05 for your vote to count.

We've created a template TechnoLawyer Award Ballot below with our requested votes.  Once you've signed up to be a TechnoLawyer, you could copy the list of categories below into a new email, edit it as you deem appropriate, and email it to tlballot@peerviews.com.

We're not suggesting that you submit your ballot without voting in any other categories relevant to your practice if you wish to.  However, we have confirmed with the TechnoLawyer that there's no requirement to submit a vote for every area. 

Here are our requests for your consideration:

12. Favorite Legal Knowledge Management Solution --CaseMap
14. Favorite Legal-Specific Tech Support -- CaseSoft
16. Favorite Litigation Support Solution -- CaseMap
18. Favorite Practice Area Solution - CaseMap
21. Favorite Transcript Management Solution -- TextMap
22. Favorite Trial Presentation Solution --TimeMap
23. Favorite New Legal Product of 2004 -- CaseMap 5
24. Favorite TechnoReleases -- CaseSoft

We would greatly appreciate your sending your ballot to tlballot@peerviews.com today, or as soon as possible.  Again, if you're not a TechnoLawyer member, please register at www.technolawyer.com before voting.

Thank you for considering our request and for any votes you cast on our behalf!

Click to visit the CaseSoft Webinar Center

Would you like a free pass to the Exhibit Hall?  Click to open PDF of LegalTech Exhibit Hall Pass

If you attend, please be sure to stop by the CaseSoft Booth (426) to say "hello," to see TimeMap 4 in action, and to get any questions answered.

Please also attend our presentation entitled "From Discovery to Trial with Best-of-Breed Software."  This session is on June 23 from 11:45 AM - 12:30 PM.  We'll be demonstrating how CaseMap can be used in conjunction with LiveNote, Concordance, IPRO and Syngence.  This presentation is open to all LegalTech attendees, even those who have not signed up for the full conference.

Our CaseSoft Academy trainers conduct day-long, open-enrollment classes in venues around Canada and the U.S.  We've just scheduled a slate of 25+ new sessions to be held over the remainder of 2005.  Additional classes will be added in coming months, but we didn't want to delay letting you know about the dates and venues for the newly booked events.

To get questions answered or to purchase a seat in any of the following classes, please contact Julie Parker at jparker@casesoft.com or 904.273.5000 x 242.

This day-long class is designed to help new CaseMap clients become proficient users.  CaseMap 201 is not appropriate for clients who have been working extensively with CaseMap for six months or more.  Class topics include Sorting & Searching Techniques, Creating Great Work Product, and Using the Send-to-CaseMap Feature in Acrobat and Other Tools. 

CaseMap 201 is $245 per seat for those not covered by CaseSoft Product Maintenance and $195 per seat for those who are.

Our newly scheduled CaseMap 201 classes are:

Our newly scheduled Becoming a CaseMap Power User classes are:

Our newly scheduled LS/IS Support/Training Certification sessions are:

Most matters involve a fair amount of case-specific jargon.  For example, any med mal case surely involves a great deal of terminology re diseases, medicines, surgical procedures, vital signs, and so on.  The majority of these words and phrases are unfamiliar to trial team members as well as to the judge and jury.

Your CaseMap case file is the place to build a dictionary of such matter-specific jargon.  Give us the same energy you would expend creating a word-processing listing of terms.  We'll give you back a slew of advantages you'd never get out of the word-processing jargon listing.

Creating a Lexicon in CaseMap

1. Add case-specific jargon as Other Objects records on CaseMap's Object spreadsheet.

2. Use the Description field to capture a detailed definition of each term.

3. Use the Key field to flag the most critical terms.

4. If the terms divide into logical groupings, e.g., diseases, medicines, surgical procedures, use the Type + field for Other Objects to capture the appropriate value for each.

5. If you want to go for the gusto, why not link the record for each term to a PDF containing a detailed article about it or to a website on the topic?

Advantages of Having Your Lexicon in CaseMap

As simple as this concept may be, here are ten benefits that stem from building a lexicon in CaseMap:

-- The terminology that's critical to the case is stored along with other key case knowledge.

-- Everyone on the team has simultaneous access to a centralized encyclopedia of key terms as CaseMap files are multi-user.

-- Two clicks generates paper or PDF (using CaseMap's built-in PDF writer) Lexicon reports for clients, experts and new team members.  Reports have automatic title pages.

-- It's easy to sort the information appearing in your screen display of terminology and your Lexicon reports.  For example, your lexicon could be sorted by the type of term -- all medicines would be sorted together followed by all surgical procedures.

-- It's easy to filter the information appearing in your screen display of terminology and your Lexicon reports.  For example, filter the lexicon down to only those terms that are key, or to just medicines, or to only the key medicines.

-- You'll be able to include a lexicon report as one of the reports appearing in each case ReportBook.  This is useful, and it's sure to impress.

-- Having terminology listed as objects means you'll build your chronology faster.  How?  As soon as you type the first three letters of a term, CaseMap drops a list of items and selects the term for you.  Pressing ENTER completes the word.  It's much easier to type "sup" and hit ENTER then it is to type "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious."

-- Since you're picking terms from a list after typing the first few letters, you'll end up with correct spellings and be sure to use consistent names.

-- When a fact references a term, the fact and term are automatically linked.  The LS: Facts field for your lexicon objects counts the total number of facts in which the term is employed.  Double clicking the count in an LS: Facts cell displays a mini-chronology of just those facts that reference the selected case word or phrase.

-- Now, this is my very favorite:  When you're reading a fact and come across an unfamiliar term, simply float your mouse pointer over the term and CaseMap displays a hint containing the description of the term.  If an article or website regarding the term has been linked to the jargon object, you'll also be able to use the paperclip icon at the left end of the fact record to display the linked PDF or website right from the fact that mentions the terminology. 

Please put CaseMap to work as your lexicon solution!

Final Idea: When trial approaches, evaluate your lexicon for terms that will be critical to explain to the jury early in the case.  Create demonstrative evidence used to educate jurors about these terms during your opening.  They'll appreciate you for it.

For other ideas re how to get the most out of CaseMap's Object spreadsheet, please read our white paper entitled "Creating a Great Cast of Characters."

Click to view a PDF version of "Creating a Great Cast of Characters."