Lotus Development Corp. today announced that global law firm Shaw Pittman, has deployed Lotus Notes and Lotus Domino Release 5 (R5) messaging and collaboration software and has imminent plans to deploy Lotus Sametime real-time collaboration software across its entire organization. For Shaw Pittman, the Lotus solutions transform the firm into a virtually paperless enterprise as it delivers enhanced productivity, streamlined business practices and improved client communications.
"We are so confident of Lotus technology as a differentiator that we bring our Notes/Domino developers to new and prospective client meetings," said Brad Christmas, CIO for Shaw Pittman. "Being a virtually paperless firm is unusual in the legal profession. Our clients, mostly technology experts, value the increased efficiency and productivity that Lotus Notes and Domino add to their legal services."
With 400 lawyers in five offices in the US and Europe and virtual offices in Australia and South Africa, Shaw Pittman`s 700 employees provide nearly round-the-clock services to its clients. The firm selected Lotus Notes and Lotus Domino R5 as its enterprise messaging and collaborative platform for the translation of hard copy legal and administrative documents into electronic formats. Shaw Pittman is also in the process of implementing real-time collaboration through Lotus Sametime to further increase lawyer productivity and provide clients with optimum service.
Since it began using Lotus technology in 1994, Shaw Pittman has developed more than 550 active Lotus Domino databases, which are classified into three main categories. "Internal Practice Support" databases serve as the firms` most effective knowledge management tool by holding case histories, presentations and legal forms. "Client Projects/External Practice Support" databases are based on a Domino extranet and have strengthened Shaw Pittman`s client relationships by providing a method for gathering quick answers to legal questions and making busy attorneys more accessible through collaborative document sharing. Additionally, "Administrative/Internal" databases electronically house all critical client information, eliminating ancient paper trails.
Sametime Gives New Meaning to Client Service
Within the next month, Shaw Pittman will deploy Lotus Sametime on every employee desktop. Currently in a pilot program stage, lawyers are testing Sametime`s instant messaging capabilities to chat with clients while on an opposing party call, lending them legal advise in real time. Shaw Pittman also uses Sametime`s awareness capability to speed up document approval.
When an attorney has a question on a case detail, he or she can check to see if the author is online and resolve the issue instantly. Even before its widespread deployment, CIO Brad Christmas said that "Sametime has proven its value by keeping Shaw Pittman employees in the loop when working from home or on the road by allowing them to chat with colleagues and clients without tying up another phone line."
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Shaw Pittman
Shaw Pittman assists clients worldwide with their business and technology needs. From offices in Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia, New York, Los Angeles and London, the firm`s nearly 400 lawyers counsel a wide range of clients, from emerging businesses to Fortune 500 companies, as well as governmental entities and nonprofit organizations. The firm has transactional and regulatory experience in the areas of information technology and telecommunications; outsourcing; corporate finance and securities; intellectual property; financial institutions; health law; commercial and structured finance; international trade; energy and the environment; real estate and construction law; government contracts; transportation; and employment, diversity counseling, and benefits law.
Shaw Pittman offers clients broad expertise in civil and criminal litigation, federal agency investigations and proceedings, domestic and international arbitration and bankruptcy proceedings, as well as administrative, legislative, and regulatory advocacy before the U.S. Congress, the administration and many administrative agencies. For more information, visit www.shawpittman.com.
Lotus Development
Lotus Development Corporation, founded in 1982, is a subsidiary of IBM Corporation. Lotus sets the standard for truly innovative software products and services that reflect the company`s unique understanding of the new ways in which individuals and businesses must work together to achieve success. Lotus is redefining the concept of conducting business through practical knowledge management, e-business and other ground-breaking ways of connecting the world`s ideas, thinkers, buyers, sellers and communities via the Internet. Lotus markets its products in more than 80 countries worldwide through direct and extensive Business Partner channels. The company also provides numerous professional consulting, support and education services through the Lotus Professional Services organization.
Lotus and Lotus Notes are registered trademarks and Domino and Notes are trademarks of Lotus Development Corporation. IBM is a registered trademark of IBM Corp. All other trademarks are owned by their respective companies.