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    Wisconsin Lawyer
    November 01, 2000

    Wisconsin Lawyer November 2000: AR7: Use technology to improve education, communication, member services, cost-effective access to legal resources, and effective management

    Use technology to improve education, communication, member services, cost-effective access to legal resources, and effective management

    As members have different comfort levels with technology, the Bar is responding with different levels of service - technology training for those who need it and online CLE opportunities for those who want it.

    Increasing role of the Internet in delivering practice information. The Internet offers great potential in assisting Wisconsin lawyers with their practices by providing instant and continuous access to legal resources. The State Bar is developing an Online Practice Resource Library, a fully indexed and searchable database of State Bar practice materials, including seminar and convention written materials, book abstracts, and Wisconsin Lawyer articles. Available through WisBar, the practice library is expected to debut in 2001.

    The State Bar continues to experiment with different forms of Internet delivery for CLE seminars. For instance, the Bar will offer its first Web-enhanced seminar using various technologies in fall 2000. The seminar's audio portion will be delivered by phone, the visual information by the Internet - allowing participants real-time, hands-on training without requiring them to leave their offices. Archived seminars, presentations, and accompanying materials on WisBar are available 24 hours a day.

    Using technology to improve communications. The Bar uses its Internet site, WisBar, in a variety of ways to facilitate communications between members and the Bar. Members may participate in WisBar's discussion groups, subscribe to electronic mailing lists on topics specific to their interests, and use "Lawyer Search" to locate and contact colleagues.

    In June, the State Bar conducted a focus group and usability study of WisBar users to learn how WisBar can better assist lawyers in their practices and to provide feedback for use in making it easier to navigate and use. Participants said the Internet has become a daily partner in their practices, and many said WisBar is a solid "starting point" or portal to other sites if the information they need isn't directly available on WisBar. They also praised Caselaw Express, delivered via email, and free Wisconsin case law as being extremely valuable practice tools. Others regularly register for CLE seminars or purchase State Bar products via WisBar's secure online order system, conduct research using the vast amount of legal research materials available, and use the Bar Information areas to learn about member benefits, Bar governance, and to contact staff.

    WisBar is ever-evolving, and information provided by focus groups and other users help the Bar evaluate and develop new content.


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