The Mac Lawyer Using Macs in Law Firms | Attorney Ben Stevens

Guest Post :: Dropbox is Sweeping the World, So We Integrated Rocket Matter With It

By J. Benjamin Stevens on Posted in Guest Posts, Online Resources, Software, Technology

The following Guest Post is provided exclusively to The Mac Lawyer from Larry Port about an exciting new development with Rocket Matter:

Earlier this year at ABA Techshow, when talking to The Mac Lawyer and TechnoEsq (Finis Price) in the actual flesh, we asked, what, if any feature, would they want to see in Rocket Matter.

“Dropbox integration,” they both replied.

Dropbox, for those who are new to the platform, is the killer storage app.  Here’s essentially how it works: 

  1. You sign up for a Dropbox account.
  2. You designate a folder on your computer as a Dropbox folder.
  3. Any folders inside your Dropbox folder get automatically backed up to the cloud.
  4. You can connect another computer to your Dropbox.  When you do so, you get a synchronized copy of all of your Dropbox files and folders.

Like any incredible idea, Dropbox is both simple yet amazingly powerful.  In essence, it allows you to keep your files synchronized across machines.  And since it works on both Macs and *gasp*…*sputter*…*retch* PC’s, it doesn’t matter what platform you’re on.  

You can even access your Dropbox from the web or mobile devices via dedicated apps, in case you happen to be away from your normal computers (for instance, in lying on a turkey-induced coma on a relative’s house this holiday season).

Also, consider the implication of using Dropbox from a disaster recovery/business continuity perspective:  your documents are not only secure on multiple machines, but they’re backed up to an offsite location in Dropbox servers, which employes Amazon S3  for storage.

Fast forward to November.  Earlier this month at MILOFest, where people talked about Dropbox so much it became a running joke, we demonstrated functionality of Rocket Matter’s new Dropbox integration, which allows users to associate Dropbox folders with individual matters.

Now, users on the web-based legal practice management Rocket Matter platform can access their documents from the perspective of the cases they’re working on.  Updates happen in real time.  If you add or change a document in a Dropbox folder, you’ll instantly see the change in Rocket Matter.  Everyone in a law firm can examine the same documents, eliminating the need for Dropbox to be installed on each client machine.  The team is on the same page, and the practice is organized and efficient.

Moreover, the need to upload all of your documents into Rocket Matter is no longer required.  By setting your matter to point to a dedicated Dropbox folder, you have an instant view into your documents with no uploading work required.  

So TechnoEsq and The Mac Lawyer, enjoy your new Dropbox functionality.  But you can forget about the Harry Potter Hogwarts Lego Castle you requested.  Ain’t happening.

Larry Port is the CEO and Chief Software Architect of Rocket Matter.  He’s the editor of the Legal Productivity blog and author of the e-book of the same name.

  • Jim Huffman

    Dropbox is amazing, but it is not just for the individual. For the last 2 years, my virtual firm (of 7) has used a “shared” folder for all of our client files (we are paperless). In addition, dedicated folders are set up for workflow such that an admin in Texas preps a file, and moves it to a folder to be reviewed by an attorney in CA, who approves, signs, and drops it to an admin in CO, who finalizes it and moves it to a Client folder (the client is in Taipei). No more email for moving files, everyone in the firm has instantaneous access to updated files, and clients have 24/7 access to their files. It has completely revolutionized our practice!

  • http://www.kchristieh.com Kathy

    I actually prefer SugarSync, since I don’t have to change my file folder tree structure. It’s not only great for sharing, but it’s terrific for backup, too.

  • Gregory Luce

    This is a fantastic integration. I can’t wait to mess with it. It does demonstrate, though, the need to integrate with other practice solutions instead of trying to create an all-in-one solution. Nice work!

  • Lisa Larrick

    Jim,
    Don’t suppose you’d be willing to share your workflow idea? I have been trying to go paperless and come up with a system but haven’t been too successful and have also tried using Dropbox on my Ipad but can’t seem to figure it out. It sounds like you have an incredible system. And, a virtual lawfirm of 7…that’s amazing!
    Thanks,
    Lisa
    p.s. you can email me off the list if you’d like at larricklaw@gmail.com

  • Peter Lozicki

    I just started looking at this and have a few questions. First, where are the files stored, U.S., over seas etc.? Second, what type of security measures are employed to assure client confidentiality and to preserve the attorney-client privilege? Third, in the event the files are required to be “locked down” (due to subpoena, threatened litigation, etc.) to assure they haven’t been tampered with, are there mechanisms in place to accomplish that? Thanks

  • Danny

    I am easily confused. I have rocket matters. I do love it. Changing the whole office to mac. I am about to get a mac mini server but now I wonder if I need it. Doesn’t drop box serve a majority of that filer sharing/saving function. The scary part for me is the attorney/client confidentiality issues of not having it controlled on site.

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