Industry Leaders Join to Form Legal Cloud Computing Association

December 16, 2010

Top Providers Create Alliance To Offer Guidance To Legal Profession; Issue Response to ABA Commission

CHICAGO, IL – Recognized leaders in legal cloud computing announced today the formation of the Legal Cloud Computing Association (LCCA), an organization whose purpose is to facilitate the rapid adoption of cloud computing technology within the legal profession, consistent with the highest standards of professionalism and ethical compliance.

The organization’s goal is to promote standards for cloud computing that are responsive to the needs of the legal profession and to enable lawyers to become aware of the benefits of computing technology through the development and distribution of education and informational resources.

The LCCA also announced the publication of its response to the ABA Commission on Ethics 20/20 Working Group with respect to the Commission’s September 10, 2010 call for comments on Client Confidentiality and the Use of Technology.

The group, consisting of Clio (Themis Solutions Inc.), DirectLaw, Inc., Rocket Matter, LLC and Total Attorneys, LLC, will cooperate with Bar Associations and other policy-forming bodies to release guidelines, standards, “best practices”, and educational resources relating to the use of cloud computing in the legal profession. An informational website for the group (http://www.lcca.wpengine.com) links to members and their response to the ABA Ethics questions.

“This is a promising development for the profession,” said lawyer Niki Black , author of the Sui Generis (http://www.nylawblog.typepad.com/suigeneris) and Legal iPad (http://legal-ipad.com) blogs and author of the ABA’s upcoming book on cloud computing. “As technology evolves and continually provides us with better ways to manage our practices and serve our clients, it’s important that lawyers have workable – and practical – guidelines to follow on issues like security and ethical concerns. The formation of the LCCA is a step in the right direction. It opens up a dialogue between legal cloud computing providers and ensures that they’re on the same page on these issues.”

The LCCA’s response suggests the desired form for the Commission’s recommendations a set of technology standards for cloud computing providers, and a model terms of service for cloud computing providers. In addition, the LCCA offers practical insight on security and addresses the issue of whether cloud computing can be deemed a form of “outsourcing”.

The LCCA believes that the education of the legal profession is a primary objective to achieve as cloud computing continues to grow, and intends to take full advantage of the combined practical experience, knowledge and insight of all its members to accomplish that goal.

About Themis Solutions and Clio

Clio (http://www.goclio.com), a comprehensive web-based practice management Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) product, is specifically designed for solo practitioners and small law firms using PCs and Macs. It can be accessed from any Internet-enabled computer or mobile device. Secure and easy-to-use, Clio provides case/matter management, time tracking, billing/reporting, client contact and document management, task scheduling, trust accounting, and performance metrics for independent lawyers to benchmark their business goals. In addition, Clio includes ClientConnect, a secure portal for document sharing and collaboration with clients, and Clio Express, an offline time capture application.

Clio’s parent company, Themis Solutions Inc., is based in Vancouver, British Columbia. The company was founded by Jack Newton and Rian Gauvreau. Visit www.goclio.com, e-mailinfo@goclio.com, call 1-888-858-CLIO or follow on Twitter @goclio.

About DirectLaw, Inc.

DirectLaw, Inc (http://www.directlaw.com), based in Owings Mills, Maryland and Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, provides a virtual law firm platform to solos and small law firms that enables these law firms to deliver legal services over the Internet without developing complex software applications on their own. For more information visit DirectLaw.com.

About Rocket Matter, LLC

Rocket Matter, LLC (http://www.rocketmatter.com) provides Rocket Matter®, an online legal practice management and time tracking application for small to mid-sized law firms. The benefits of Rocket Matter®, a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) application, include increased security, business continuity, decreased technology infrastructure and maintenance costs, and improved return on investment for information technology expenses. Launched in February 2008, Rocket Matter’s corporate headquarters is in Boca Raton, FL.

About Total Attorneys, LLC

Total Attorneys (http://www.totalattorneys.com) is a managed service provider that helps small law firms and solo practitioners improve operations and grow their businesses. Total Attorneys offers a broad range of evolving services tailored to the needs of small law firms, including virtual law office technology, search engine marketing, a professional call center and customizable answering services. Founded in 2002, Total Attorneys now serves solo attorneys and small law firms across the United States. The company was ranked in the top five on the Crain’s Chicago Fast Fifty lists for 2008 and 2009 and listed 169th and 219th on the 2008 and 2009 Inc. 5000 lists of fastest-growing private companies in the U.S.

Contact:

Jack Newton

Acting President

Legal Cloud Computing Association

1-888-858-2546 x5