Is Skype Ready for Legal Videoconferencing?

submitted by Bill Jimenez, IT Director
Hutchings Court Reporters

Skype has been used to cheaply connect individuals over the Internet for years, initially as a strictly audio tool to call other Skype users in place of phones. Recently it has become popular as a videoconferencing tool.

Hutchings Court Reporters has noticed an increase in Skype requests from their clients, the most common being short, under-two-hour depositions, with witnesses at distant locations. We have used Skype to connect witnesses from Hong Kong, London, Taiwan, Chile to local attorneys. We’ve connected out-of-state witnesses to court hearings when they were unable to appear in person. Recently we used Skype to connect a homebound witness to two separate attorney’s offices located in different states.

With the latest version of Skype, you can easily connect up to 5 locations with standard Internet -- and if there is enough bandwidth available, you can connect up to 10 locations. The price for this? From Skype, you can purchase a day pass for $4.99 or you can pay $8.99 monthly. Skype software is free to download, but you’ll need a high-definition webcam, which are included with many newer laptops, or can be purchased separately between $50 to $70.

We Are In the Business of Words...

submitted by Martha Hutchings

I was told about the Washington Post's Style Invitational and couldn't resist sharing some of the winners. Court reporters love this!! I'm guessing the reporters accepting assignments from Hutchings could create lists of their own too!

1. Intaxication: Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts until you realize it was your money to start with.
2. Giraffiti: Vandalism spray-painted very, very high
3. Sarchasm: The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.
4. Inoculatte: To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.
5. Decafalon (n.): The grueling event of getting through the day consuming only things that are good for you.
6. Flibido: All talk and no action.
7. Caterpallor (n.): The color you turn after finding half a worm in the fruit you're eating.

2011 Legal Market Expense Management Survey - Your Input is Needed

A new study commissioned by Expense Reduction Analysts (ERA) with participation from professionals in the legal market of Los Angeles and Orange County, California, is open for participation from February 7 to midnight (PST) on February 21st, 2011. The survey is being conducted, analyzed, compiled, and will be published by Integrated Solution Design (ISD).

Let your voice be heard by responding to this survey, which only takes about 5 minutes to complete. Your input is vital. Please do not delay. Survey link: http://www.legalexpensesurvey.com.

From the answers received, "How the Legal Market Works with Expense Management Reduction" will be published March 1, 2011. Survey participants will be among the first to receive it!

About Expense Reduction Analysts (ERA)
Expense Reduction Analysts (ERA), founded in 1992 and privately owned, is based in Carlsbad, California. Since its inception, ERA has grown to include 30 countries and performed more than 14,000 successful cost-reduction projects, and helped find an average savings of 20% in non-core expenses. ERA continues in confidence to serve a broad range of industries: professional services, manufacturing, retail, healthcare, non-profits, education and government. ERA and ISD are SoCalPROS members. http://expensereduction.com/