The Technophobe in the Corner Office: Lawyers who hate computers can change in 'byte-size'lessonsAuthor(s): DAVID P. VANDAGRIFFSource: ABA Journal, Vol. 80, No. 7 (JULY 1994), p. 79Published by: American Bar AssociationStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/27835338 .

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IN RE TECHNOLOGY

The Technophobe in the Corner Office

Lawyers who hate computers can change in 'byte-size' lessons BY DAVID P. VANDAGRIFF

Technophobes?most law offices have at least one. Often it's the senior partner in the corner office who won't even turn on a computer, much less use one. It seems harmless enough?but is it? Should anyone care whether these lawyers use a

computer or not? As law firms move more busi

ness onto well-designed computer systems, attorneys who can't or won't use computers become more of a drag on the system.

If they won't read electronic mail, they force the firm to adopt an inefficient combination of electronic and paper communication. If they want to create documents the old fashioned way?by dictating to a secretary or hand writing for tran scription?they drain valuable staff time and undercut the firm's efforts to produce documents more efficiently. And if the roadblock in the corner office bases office automation deci sions on advice from golfing buddies,

more technically sophisticated part ners and associates probably will despair of ever getting a system they really can use.

Technophobia?the fear of tech nology?is an epidemic affliction. Ac cording to a study by Dell Comput ers, 55 percent of Americans are uncomfortable with technology. A whopping 25 percent have never used a computer, set a VCR to record a TV show or even programmed the push-buttons on car radios.

Legal automation consultant Fran Shellenberger of Laurel, Md., says that technophobes abound from top to bottom in law firms. There are

partners who think they don't need computers, lawyers who think they went to law school to do more than type and others who think computer time means less client time.

How can these problems be over come? Amateur psychology can help. Keep in mind that lawyers are used to feeling competent and in control. Shellenberger, co-editor of "From

Yellow Pads to Computers" (ABA Section of Law Practice Manage ment), offers these tips for training the terrified:

Create a team approach. A personal trainer adopts a group of neophytes and is on call to provide assistance when needed. Lawyers don't have to go to class; instead class goes to them on demand.

Develop 15-minute training mod ules for varying skill levels. Training is totally focused on an application that can be used with an active client

matter and is designed to build on the attorney's current level of com

puter literacy. Have "partners-only"Saturday

morning sessions at the office. These classes are designed for older begin ners and start with how to turn the machine on. Especially popular for senior lawyers, these sessions create tremendous camaraderie among train ees as well as peer pressure for other senior lawyers to learn computers.

Establish an in-house help desk. The hot line provides assistance when it is needed.

^Offer 50-minute minicourses. These can be before work, at noon and at 5 p.m.

The computer keyboard is the biggest barrier to computer literacy. No one feels like a power lawyer while hunting around for the "Con trol" key. One solution is to let your computer teach you to type. Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing (The Soft ware Toolworks, Novato, Calif.) is a

friendly program that has taught more than two million users that now is the time to learn their way around a keyboard.

Computers can never replace lawyers, but lawyers with computers can replace lawyers without them. If your VCR clock is always flashing "12:00," take heart. Computer tal ent, like musical ability, differs among individuals. Some people have more than others, but everyone can learn to play "chopsticks" on the piano and everyone can learn to use a computer competently.

David P. Vandagriff is a solo practitioner in Moneti, Mo., chair of General Practice Section computer committees and vice chair of a Law Practice Management Section com puter committee. He can be reached via e-mail at ABA Inet: Ivandagriffd or Internet: vandagriffd@attmail.com.

WAYS TO BECOME COMPUTER FRIENDLY

Three ABA Law Practice Management Section books for computer novices are available through the ABA at (312) 988-5522:

"A Short Course on Personal Computers," by Perry Radoff; $24.95; 50 pages.

'WordPerfect in One Hour for Lawyers" by Gerald J. Robinson; $14.95; 40 pages.

'WordPerfect Shortcuts for Lawyers" by Carol L. Schlein; $14.95; 64 pages.

Among general guidebooks available at many bookstores are: "PCs for Dummies," IDG Books; "The Complete Idiot's Guide to PCs," Alpha Books; and "I Hate PCs," Que Corp.

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