This month's issue of the Washington State Bar News -- a publication most
law-libbers probably do not see regularly :) -- includes an article of
interest:
David M. Sandhaus, Computers Are Required for the Practitioner to Avoid
Malpractice, Wash. St. B. News, Nov. 1993, at 51.
Sandhaus states:
"It's legal malpractice not to use a computer in the practice of
the law. That is the standard of care required of a compentent
practitioner." Id. at 51.
He addresses the cost issue:
"Many people who remember the days when attorneys could open an office
with just a yellow pad, a typewriter, and a small loan from their parents
or a friendly uncle may blanch at the costs of buying these computer
services.
"Other professions though, such as dentists, doctors and others,
do have start-up costs and overhead outlays that are required to meet
minimum competency standards. Not many of us would feel comfortable
going to a doctor who hadn't invested in a stethoscope or a dentist who
didn't have an X-ray machine. It wouldn't be scandalous for the legal
profession to require that lawyers use or have access to products like
Lexis, WESTLAW or CD Law [a local product with Wash. statutes, cases,
court rules, AG opinions, etc.] in order to meet competency standards.
Id. at 52.
=====Mary Whisner, Head of Reference======================
=====Gallagher Law Library, University of Washington======
=====whisner@u.washington.edu=============================
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