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logo-site VISIT SITE
  • Can search/filter several terabytes of data
  • Has over 25 full text and metadata search features, including forensics-oriented features
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  • Has search/analysis tool with variety of filtering options
  • Process files into index for easy review which can then be exported into different file formats to integrate with other software easily
  • Visual analytics
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  • Preserves/extracts data and metadata, which can be exported, OCR’d, and searched
  • Wildcard, proximity, boolean searching
  • Date restrictions, denisting, deduping
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  • Cloud platform allows high-speed collection, processing, searching, and review from anywhere 24/7
  • “Deep learning” (chain of multiple machine learning models) examines order, structure, and meaning of words to determine if a given document is relevant for review
  • Amazon S3 acceleration powers Rapid Ingest File Transfer, allows uploads directly to DISCO from devices
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Groups documents into related clusters, integrates with most common e-discovery platforms

  • Detects duplicate and near-duplicate documents, automatically filters out boilerplate language, detects unique phrases, increasing accuracy and relevance, multi-lingual, “multi-brain” analysis
  • Visual Analysis: Transparent Concept Search - Any concept search turns into Boolean expression, removing guesswork and delivering versatile/defensible platform for attorneys.
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Groups documents into related clusters, integrates with most common e-discovery platforms

  • Creates legal hold notices from templates, automates communications, single audit trail
  • Analyzes and synthesizes data to quickly determine issues, size and scope of case, processes appropriate facts, allows real time monitoring and settings adjustment, interactive search panel
  • Fully integrated analytics eliminate irrelevant information, arranges documents, assisted review identifies documents, centralized case information allows transcripts to be dragged/dropped into program to identify key parts and link documents

Women in the legal profession

Slow Changes for Women, Recommendations and Uptick in In-House and Higher Ed Hiring

The report, conducted by Law360, finds that although women make up more than half of law school students, women represent just 36.3 % of attorneys at firms, and of those, 45.5 % are non-partners. Among partners, women represent only 24.5 % of the group and account for just 21.5 % of the equity partners.

For women of color, the gap is even more pronounced. Although women of color make up almost 1/5 of law students, Law360s report indicates they represent just 8.5 % of private practice attorneys and 3 % of equity partners. There is no change in numbers from the same time last year.

The report offers their recommendations:

Firm leadership should make diversity and parity a strategic goal and incorporate it all their decision making Firm leadership needs to better calculate an employee’s value to a firm with an emphasis based on efficiency and quality rather than just numbers of hours billed More mentoring and advocates for women

More programs to support mothers, such as flexible schedules, more options for returning to a firm after a prolonged absence, and more support for new parents In-house counsel should be demanding diverse teams.

More women in positions of leadership, both as an example for younger women and because statistics reveal that firms where women are managers have overall higher numbers of women partners

Women in the legal profession

The Best Law Firms for Women Attorneys

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Littler Mendelson PC has 63.6% female non-partners, 34.1% female partners and 29.6% female equity partners

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Littler Mendelson PC has 63.6% female non-partners, 34.1% female partners and 29.6% female equity partners

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The 3 firms of Walsworth-WFBM LLP, Brundo Testan Novell & Jimenez and Culhane Meadows PLLC, with 50 to 149 attorneys, have already met or exceeded the 50% female equity partner mark.

Source: Law360

Race & Diversity

Diversity Hires Continue to Lag at Firms

A recent annual report by Law360 shows only incremental progress advancing diversity at U.S. law firms despite their efforts.

The report that surveyed 300 law firms reveals just over 16% of attorneys and about 9% of partners, equity or non-equity. The representation of minority attorneys increased by less than a percentage point since the last report was published.

By contrast, law students of color who are matriculating at and graduating from U.S. law schools is growing steadily as 30% of all U.S. law school graduates. Some elite law schools have reported incoming classes with more than 40% of students identifying as a person of color.

For the first time, the survey included questions to law firms about the data about LGBT attorneys and attorneys with self-reported disabilities. Most firms reported that they do not keep data on LGBT attorneys.

While law firms provided detailed racial and ethnic diversity data, nearly 40% told us they do not compile similar data on attorneys with disabilities.

Race & Diversity

The Best Firms For Minority Equity Partners

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Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy has the most diversity among firms with 300 to 599 attorneys, with 23.5% equity partners of color. The firm was also named first in its class size for female attorneys and female partners in Law360’s 2019 Glass Ceiling Report.

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Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati PC is the biggest firm with the most diverse equity partners, 20.4% of its equity rank are attorneys of color

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Morrison & Foerster LLP, which is in second place again among the big firms was 17.3% of equity partners of color

Source: Law360

Technology Trends

Artificial Intelligence in the Legal Field

As machines become better at imitating human intelligence, they’re beginning to do more and more thinking for us.

A legal tech startup challenged a group of 20 experienced lawyers to test their skills against its AI-powered algorithm. The task was to review risks contained in several non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). The AI achieved an accuracy level of 94% while human lawyers managed an average of 85%.

The AI was also faster, taking just 26 seconds to review all of the documents compared to the human lawyers’ average speed of 92 minutes.

23% of legal work can be automated. There will be many tasks, however, that are beyond the current capabilities of AI.

Global business value derived from AI is forecast to be $1.2 trillion in 2018, and $3.9 trillion in 2022.

Rate of Automation

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Technology Trends

Legal Bots and Access to Justice

Legal Industry in Last Place in AI, Machine Learning Adoption, Survey Finds

Over the past decade, the number of people qualifying for assistance has increased approximately 25%.

28% of Americans - 89.3 million people - qualified for LSC (Legal Services Corporation)-funded services at some point during 2016.

Only 2% - 1.8 million people - received LSC (Legal Services Corporation)-funded services during 2016.

Source: ABA Days 2019/LSC Funding fact sheet

Technology Trends

Legal Disruptors

The legal industry is morphing into a diverse, global, tech-enabled industry

5 Tech Disruptions in the Legal Field

1 - Digital documentsDigitizing documents and storing them via the cloud gives lawyers access to information in a few simple clicks while enabling remote document access via mobile phone and tablet devices. Using other cloud-based applications enables teams to share screens and edit documents in real time, encouraging collaboration and saving time.

2 - Data processingMaximizing the collection and processing of data identifies new areas of business and tailors law firms’ services to specific clients. Data analysis technology makes it possible to quickly recognize patterns and relationships that a human analyst would miss. The legal analytics market was valued at $450 million in 2017 and projected to grow to $1.9 billion by 2022.

3 - ChatbotsChatbots provide an ideal opportunity for legal firms to attract customers online. When hosted on a website, they offer Q&A facilities to potential clients, allowing them to make inquiries about services and better understand their specific legal needs. Artificially intelligent chatbots free up human operators and provide potential clients with round the clock customer service.

4 - Flexible workingDigitizing documents and storing them via the cloud gives lawyers access to information in a few simple clicks while enabling remote document access via mobile phone and tablet devices. Using other cloud-based applications enables teams to share screens and edit documents in real time, encouraging collaboration and saving time.

Technology Trends

Cybersecurity

Recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals that 1 out of 5 professionals work from a location outside of the office. Law firms are expected to widely adopt a remote workforce in 2019, through both “virtual firms” in which all lawyers work remotely and evolving policies at traditional law firms of all sizes. In the past the legal industry has been slow to embrace the trend due to compliance issues, heavy regulation and concerns over client data protection, however, with the steady rollout of new technologies, improved security capabilities and wider connectivity, this has changed the pace.

Here are a few tips for accommodating a mobile legal workforce:

1 - Make It OfficialEstablish a clear policy that is consistently implemented and communicated to employees. Remote benefits are also considerably more effective in attracting new hires. Nearly 75 % of millennials say a “work-from-home” or “work remotely” policy is important and 69 % say a physical presence in the office on a regular basis is unnecessary according to The Deloitte Global Millennial Survey 2019.

2 - Make It OfficialTechnology and security advances mean employees can work from nearly any computer or device and remain safely under the purview of IT and compliance standards. Cloud software is also crucial in enabling remote teams to leverage legal databases. It is essential to encrypt sensitive client information, control where it is stored and monitor who can access it is key for compliance with privacy regulations such as HIPAA and GDPR as well as ethics and professional responsibility requirements.

Technology Trends

Remote Work Is Trending: How to Make It Work at Your Law Firm

The legal industry is morphing into a diverse, global, tech-enabled industry

5 Tech Disruptions in the Legal Field

1 - Digital documentsDigitizing documents and storing them via the cloud gives lawyers access to information in a few simple clicks while enabling remote document access via mobile phone and tablet devices. Using other cloud-based applications enables teams to share screens and edit documents in real time, encouraging collaboration and saving time.

2 - Data processingMaximizing the collection and processing of data identifies new areas of business and tailors law firms’ services to specific clients. Data analysis technology makes it possible to quickly recognize patterns and relationships that a human analyst would miss. The legal analytics market was valued at $450 million in 2017 and projected to grow to $1.9 billion by 2022.

3 - ChatbotsChatbots provide an ideal opportunity for legal firms to attract customers online. When hosted on a website, they offer Q&A facilities to potential clients, allowing them to make inquiries about services and better understand their specific legal needs. Artificially intelligent chatbots free up human operators and provide potential clients with round the clock customer service.

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Additional Benefits

  • Fastcase™ – a $1,000+
    value free to all members
  • Discounted and
    complimentary CLE
  • Online communities, publications, &
    300+ meetings & events each year
The 2019 State of the Legal Profession Report is a new member benefit, that provides members with insights into the ever changing legal landscape both locally and nationwide. The report is updated on a semi-annual basis, giving you the insight you need to stay current.
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Where we are nationally

1,352,027

Practicing Attorneys

0.7% increase from 2018
12.4% increase from 2010

States with the most
legal professionals

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New York

182,296

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Florida

78,448

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Pennsylvania

50,039

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California

170,117

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Illinois

62,720

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Massachusetts

42,788

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Texas

91,244

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Dist. of Columbia

56,135

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New Jersey

41,152

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Maryland

40,8001.2 % increase since 2018

Maryland ranks 10th nationally in number of practicing attorneys. MSBA is proud to lead the profession in our state as we support the public interest and the interest of our members.

The 10 Largest Firms in
the Nation

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Uniform Bar Exam SpreadAdopted in 32 States

The Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) continues to spread across the country. The UBE is now administered in 34 jurisdictions.

California, Florida, and Texas are some of the largest states yet to implement the UBE.

The Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) is to be implemented in 2019 in Maryland.

READ MORE

UBE Adopted

UBE Adoption in Process

No UBE Adoption

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Uniform Bar Exam Spread

UBE Adopted

UBE Adoption in Process

No UBE Adoption

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Adopted in 32 States

The Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) continues to spread across the country. The UBE is now administered in 34 jurisdictions.

California, Florida, and Texas are some of the largest states yet to implement the UBE.

The Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) is to be implemented in 2019 in Maryland.

READ MORE ABOUT UBE IN MARYLAND

Women in the legal profession

Male attorneys still outnumber female attorneys by a ratio of nearly 2 to 1. Over the past decade, the percentage of female lawyers has increased slowly, in 2009 it was 31% and 36% in 2019.
 

Women Lawyers Across The Profession

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Women in Private Practice

22.7% of partners

19% of equity partners

25% of managing partners

45% of associates

48.7% of summer associates

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Women in Corporations

26.4% of Fortune 500 General Counsel

23.8% of Fortune 501-1000 General Counsel

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Law School Administration

35% women are deans65% men are deans

In 2019 so far, Rutgers Law School named Kimberly Mutcherson as its new co-dean and University of the District of Columbia

David A. Clark School of Law has named University of Maryland law professor Renée McDonald Hutchins as its Dean.

“It’s long overdue...The talent that has always been there is finally being recognized. It’s no secret that women and people of color have had to fight harder to get the recognition and move into positions of leadership. I am delighted that it is now happening.” Renée McDonald Hutchins

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Women Lawyers Age Distribution

Age Gap

Female attorneys are younger than their male counterparts on average (42 years vs. 50 years).

Generational Difference

Among Older attorneys (35+ ), the number of men outweighs that of women. Among younger attorneys (ages 25 to 34), the pool of women is on par with that of men.

Hard Work

Female attorneys work full-time, year-round on average more than the average for all working women (82% vs. 63%).
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Glass Ceiling Report Thought women are still very unrepresented in the legal profession, there have been some advancements.

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The Best Firms for WomenThese law firms are considered pioneers in the field when it comes to attracting, retaining, and promoting women lawyers.

Lawyer Earnings

The median earnings between women and men, with a female-to-male earnings ratio for full-time, year-round attorneys is 76%, lower than the 80% average across all occupations.
For women early in their career (under age 35), median earnings between female and male lawyers are relatively close at $77,000 and $85,000 annually (a 91 percent ratio).
The differences in earnings increase with age so that by mid-career (ages 45 to 54), median earnings for women are $121,000 compared with $156,000 of men (a ratio of 78%).
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  • Women have been graduating from law school in roughly equal numbers to men for the past 30 years.
  • 20 years after graduating from law school, many women have not attained top positions, or have left the profession entirely.
  • Women comprise 45% of law firm associates, yet account for only 19% of equity partners in private firms.
  • American Bar Association launched an initiative in 2017 and 2018 called “Achieving Long-term Careers for Women in Law”. Their recommendations will be released at a later date.

Mental Health

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“Little is known about the current behavioral health climate in the legal profession. Despite a widespread belief that attorneys experience substance use disorders and other mental health concerns at a high rate, few studies have been undertaken to validate these beliefs empirically or statistically. Although previous research had indicated that those in the legal profession struggle with problematic alcohol use, depression, and anxiety more so than the general population, the issues have largely gone unexamined for decades (Benjamin et al., 1990; Eaton et al., 1990; Beck et al., 1995).

The most recent and also the most widely cited research on these issues comes from a 1990 study involving approximately 1200 attorneys in Washington State (Benjamin et al., 1990). Researchers found 18% of attorneys were problem drinkers, which they stated was almost twice the 10% estimated prevalence of alcohol abuse and dependence among American adults at that time. They further found that 19% of the Washington lawyers suffered from statistically significant elevated levels of depression, which they contrasted with the then-current depression estimates of 3% to 9% of individuals in Western industrialized countries.”

Journal of Addiction Medicine, “The Prevalence of Substance Use and Other Mental
Health Concerns Among American Attorneys

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Race & Diversity

The number of lawyers at American law firms who report having disabilities remains small, at roughly one-half of 1% of all lawyers, but the percentage is double today what it was a decade ago.
No reliable statistics exist on the total number of lawyers with disabilities in all parts of the legal profession according to the ABA.
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Number of Lawyers with Disabilities

The number of lawyers at American law firms who report having disabilities remains small, at roughly one-half of 1% of all lawyers, but the percentage is double today what it was a decade ago. No reliable statistics exist on the total number of lawyers with disabilities in all parts of the legal profession according to the ABA.
No reliable statistics exist on the total number of lawyers with disabilities in all parts of the legal profession according to the ABA.

Number of LGBT Lawyers

The number of openly lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) lawyers at American law firms is growing slowly. The 2018 survey found 2,827 LGBT lawyers at 914 law offices across the country. That represents 2.86% of all the 98,942 lawyers at those firms. Two years earlier, the same survey found 2,431 LGBT lawyers at American law firms, or 2.48% of all lawyers.
No reliable statistics exist on the total number of lawyers with disabilities in all parts of the legal profession according to the ABA.
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Law360's Diversity Snapshot: By The NumbersThough minorities are unrepresented, there have been some advancements.

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The Best Firms For Minority Equity PartnersThese firms should be applauded for their efforts to increase racial diversity

E-Discovery

The growing “internet of things” has led to an increase in need for identifying potential sources
of information, such as drones, DNA sensors, appliances, etc. This information overload caused
more user-friendly e-discovery systems to be developed, focusing on increased systemization,
efficiency, cost reduction, and the ability to perform discovery in-house.

Programs and products currently on the market:

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See the State of the Profession 2019 report

SEE REPORT

MSBA members are among those leading the change.

As the voice of Maryland’s attorneys, the MSBA is committed to providing our members
with insight and clarity on the issues affecting our profession. Join the conversation.