Firm

 

All of Luce Forward's desktop computers are connected via a wide area network on a Microsoft Windows NT platform. Luce Forward's Director of Information Technology oversees all our information and computer systems. In addition, each of our firm's offices is supported by a systems administrator.

 

All Luce Forward personnel are connected via E-mail using Microsoft Outlook and to client E-mail servers via the Internet. We have the capability to send and receive digitized client documents through secure, encrypted transmissions between our firm's computer and our clients' computers; we also can receive and send unencrypted transmissions via the Internet.

 

The firm uses current versions of Microsoft Word and Corel WordPerfect as its word processing software. We can also convert documents from and into other formats to share documents with clients who employ almost any other kind of DOS-based or Windows-based word processing software. Our document management system utilizes WorkSite software. In addition, we use Adobe Acrobat for Internet portable document file (PDF) transfer.

 

Luce Forward utilizes change tracking software that quickly and accurately compares one version of a document with another version, e.g., a later draft with an earlier draft or a final draft with the form document on which it was based, and produces a third "redlined" document that reveals the additions, deletions and other changes that were made to the document. Other desktop applications on attorney and staff desktop computers include Microsoft Excel (spreadsheet), Access (database) and PowerPoint (presentation) software. We also have stand-alone applications installed on some desktops, e.g., desktop publishing software (PageMaker). RightFax is used for desktop faxing. All documents can be sent directly to a fax machine and clients document can be sent directly to the attorney's printer. Our accounting software (general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, client/matter database, etc.) is provided by Rippe Kingston.

 

Our full-time multilingual professional law firm librarian and a staff of five library science professionals, along with our attorneys and paralegals, conduct on-line legal and database research on behalf of clients. Our desktop computers can access a wide range of computerized legal, financial and other databases, bulletin boards and interlibrary sharing systems (e.g., Lexis, Westlaw, InfoAmerica, CDB-Infotek, Dun and Bradstreet, Dialogue, CourtLink, TRW, and others).

 

The firm uses InterAction, a knowledge management software. This enables our entire firm personnel to access information about internal people and their relationships with our clients. This enhances our knowledge and relationships with clients and attorneys firm-wide. Using InterAction, our firm has found a better way to quickly manage and leverage its knowledge assets. The firm's success in retaining clients depends on being able to put the lawyers with the right expertise in front of the right clients and anticipate client needs.

 

 

Luce Forward offers a number of computer shareware options to clients, including:

• Worldwide e-mail connectivity to all Luce Forward attorneys, paralegals and staff;
• Transmission of encrypted documents and e-mail through secure, encrypted transmissions between our firm's computers and our clients' computers;
• Transmission of unencrypted documents and e-mail via the Internet;
• Summation litigation support software (for case document and information management);
• Courtroom graphics and presentation production;
• Imaging of client documents;
• Luce Forward's web site (www.luce.com) with dozens of articles and analysis on a variety of legal topics; and
• Access to online, subscription legal and business research databases, including Lexis, Westlaw, InfoAmerica, CDB-Infotek, Dun & Bradstreet, Dialogue, CourtLink, and TRW.