Feature TYLA Affiliate

Galveston seminar on electronic filing and evidence attracts nearly 200 attendees.

April 12,2010

On February 25, 2010, the Galveston Young Lawyers and the Galveston County Bar Association sponsored a continuing legal education seminar on electronic filing, the use of electronically stored information as evidence, and law practice technology. The event was made possible in part by a grant from the Texas Young Lawyers Association.

Almost 200 lawyers attended the half day course, which featured a panel of locally elected judges who discussed tips for lawyers to use in persuading judges in hearings. The panel discussion was followed by presentations on how to use courtroom technology in the Galveston County Justice Center; an introduction of Galveston County's new system for e-filing and court document access; how to download and admit text messages as evidence; how a solo or small law office can go paperless; websites for criminal lawyers and an outline of high tech crimes; software and websites every civil lawyer must know about; and essential computer know how for law offices, including remote access, maintenance, scanning for viruses, security and smart purchasing. The seminar was concluded with a presentation on social networks and the practice of law by Judge Susan Criss of the 212th District Court of Galveston.

Among the more interesting of the technology demonstrations was the use of a miniature video recorder to collect evidence for use in litigation. Attendees also learned about the dangers of hacking of mobile phones to obtain address books and text messages. The complete seminar materials are available at www.galvestonseminar.com.

By Kelly Haas, Associate Attorney at Royston Rayzor Vickery & Williams LLP