The Benefit of Macs and the Small Law Firm

The Benefit of Macs and the Small Law Firm

By: Gaines Drago

I have been doing some research on the pros and cons between switching to Mac computers in the legal field and ran across a website that I found interesting. Practicing in a smaller firm has its many advantages, but can also have some problems that many of our larger competitors do not face. One of the most obvious problems is associated with the cost of operation and growth. Larger firms are able to shove many costs under the proverbial rug because their budgets are enormous and a thousand here or there is not something that can make or break the bank. Smaller firms, similar to ours, must find creative ways to curb costs but at the same time maintain and improve our high standard of quality and performance. Much like a shark, we must keep moving (and in our case improving) or we will perish.

In a world that has become increasingly electronic one of the best ways to cut costs is to trim our networking budget. These cuts must not in any way limit or hinder our ability to take on a case and eventually obtain an outcome that our client deserves and needs. One of the most effective ways firms all over the country are doing this is by switching to the Mac computers. Most firm spends a considerable amount of money and time on problems and changes to the network and individual computers, and I feel that firms could lower these costs considerably by switching to the Mac.

In the above referenced article, author Kern Lewis; a board certified trial lawyer from Texas discusses his decision to switch from a PC system to a Mac system. He lists four major areas where his firm and practice have benefited, and I think we can also benefit, from the change. One is in the area of productivity. Like our firm, Lewis found himself constantly dealing with email viruses, network configurations going haywire, and programs locking up. While, the article does not specifically state such, I am assuming, based on the numerous articles I have researched and my own personal experience, people were probably very hesitant to make the shift. “This is the way I have always done things. I am comfortable with my PC.” Trust me, I understand these sentiments. However, as Lewis points out, after their switch in 2004 neither the lawyers nor the staff has ever lost a second due to virus of configuration problems. They routinely are able to connect new networks without any configuration. This would save firms time and money. I spoke with a tech employee from the company our firm uses, and he convinced me that they would be perfectly able to implement the system. This is a golden opportunity, in my opinion, to increase productivity and save money.

The loudest complaint I hear about switching is the comfort level people have with their programs. Lewis addresses this problem as well. Besides the fact, that if you asked most every computer expert which is the better system most would say Macs, Macs now allow users to run their Windows programs as well as the Mac software. Like, Lewis, I feel that once a person becomes comfortable with the Mac and sees how efficient it is he/she will abandon their loyalty to Windows programs, but if they still resist change they will be able to run all of their Windows programs from their Mac. I have read numerous articles about attorneys who were Windows disciples and lived and died by Windows programs, but now swear by the Mac. Lewis goes on further to discuss the tremendous benefits he has found during trial presentation. Most notably the reaction of the jury to the seamless way he presents his cases on his Mac. I will let the article and Mr. Lewis speak to this topic.

I feel it is crucial to note, as someone who just exited the realm of academia, the next generation is embracing this move from the PC to the Mac. While, I am completely aware that Windows still dominates the corporate and business world the new influx of workers into our economy are Mac revolutionaries. The new employees can be described as a twenty-something(s) who own personal computers that are Macs, that used only Macs in school, that own IPods and I Phones, and now they want to use Macs at work. These Macaholics fervently believe that the Mac is more efficient and capable than its competitor, and will voice their opinion as such. I can offer a real world example, which may provide a little more substance to my case. When I entered Cumberland School of Law in 2005, in my first Torts class, of fifty-five people, there were probably about 10-15 that were using the Mac. Most of those individuals were using the standard white Macbook that many of you have seen or your kids may own. When I graduated in May of this year, during my last exam (Insurance Law), I looked around my class of about thirty students, and nearly 20 of them were using the Mac. I know that these young people will not change the work force and the legal world over night, but if you look at the impact on the business world that rising workers had when the computer was brought into colleges and law schools around the country, you can get a grasp of the potential power this new attitude could have.

I, of course, am not advocating a turn around overnight, it will take many more discussions and critical research to decide if the Mac is the right choice for your firm, but the door to change has been swung open and it would be naive and stubborn at least not to look at what it inside.

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