Microsoft Word is one of the most used applications in the Microsoft Office suite. This handy reference includes clear explanations, legal-specific descriptions, and time-saving tips for getting the most out of Microsoft Word and customizing it for the needs of today's legal professional. Focusing on the tools and features that are essential for lawyers in their practice, this book explains the key components to help make lawyers more effective, more efficient, and more successful.

Computers -- Computer operating systems -- Monitors -- Computer peripherals -- Printers -- Scanners -- Servers -- Server operating systems -- Networking hardware -- Miscellaneous hardware -- Productivity software -- Security software -- Case management -- Billing software -- Litigation programs -- Document management -- Document assembly -- Collaboration -- Remote access -- Mobile security -- More about Macs -- Unified messaging and telecommunications -- Utilities -- The legal implications of social networking -- Paperless or paper LESS -- Tomorrow in legal tech.

Designed as a hands-on manual for beginners as well as longtime spreadsheet users, the reader will learn how to build spreadsheets from scratch, use them to analyze issues, and to create graphics presentation. Key lessons include Spreadsheets 101: how to get started for beginners; Advanced Spreadsheets: how to use formulas to calculate values for settlement offers, and damages, business deals; Simple Graphics and Charts: how to make sophisticated charts for the court or to impress your clients; and sorting and filtering data and more.

What can practice management systems software do for a law practice? With the right system in place, a law firms and staff will have the ability to automatically route items, tasks, documents, and events to certain people based on their role in the case or matter, as well as manage deadlines, improve responsiveness to clients, reduce malpractice insurance rates, and boost overall productivity. The challenge is to find a program that best serves the needs of the firm.

The weak economy and large number of firm layoffs have resulted in a flood of potential new solo and small firm lawyers starting their own practices in the wake of the exodus from BigLaw. Small practice lawyers, well seasoned or just starting out, can gain immeasurably by just applying even a few of the myriad tips within this book.