In the three months since ChatGPT’s November 30, 2022 release, inaccuracies about the product have been swirling throughout the solo and small law firm community. Common misconceptions include the mistaken belief that ChatGPT scrapes web content, and that OpenAI, ChatGPT’s parent owns all copyright to user input and resulting output. Many of these myths arise from reliance on outdated material as the tech is changing so quickly that a month old article about ChatGPT may already be stale. And most lawyers are often too busy to poke around for the most up-to-date information.
e pandemic forced those lawyers who may have been reluctant to implement new technology into their practices to download the Zoom app and get comfortable working remotely, rather than mere steps from their assistant. The practice of law was reinvented and traditional face-to-face procedures, such as hearings, were conducted by videoconference. Although we have resurfaced from the days of quarantine, the ease of using modern technology has encouraged some judges to continue to utilize these procedures today.
Good billing and collection practices are the lifeblood of a law firm of any size or specialty. What you charge for your time and how you collect your fees also carry certain ethical obligations. Along with addressing duties regarding communicating the basis or rate of fees and expenses with the client, MRPC 1.5 provides guidance on the reasonableness of fees. A reasonable fee is an honest one. So, before sending that bill, consider whether legal software that can accurately capture your time and properly generate your bills may be right for your firm.