New Legal Files Release

 

Legal Files Announces Major New Release of Its Web Based Case Management Solution

Legal Files Software, Inc. today announced the general availability of MyLegalFiles 4.2, its web based case and matter management system for legal professionals. Considered the company’s most significant release to date, MyLegalFiles 4.2 includes several new features that were designed to increase staff productivity and automate business processes and reporting.

SPRINGFIELD, IL (PRWEB) October 20, 2006 -- Legal Files Software, Inc. today announced the general availability of MyLegalFiles 4.2, its web based case and matter management system for legal professionals. Considered the company’s most significant release to date, MyLegalFiles 4.2 includes several new features that were designed to increase staff productivity and automate business processes and reporting.

One of the most notable new features is the integration with the Microsoft Office suite of products. Users can now save e-mail, contacts, appointments, documents, spreadsheets and presentations to a case/matter stored in MyLegalFiles directly from the native MS Office application. The integration utilizes HTTP and XML technology that provides a much faster and more secure data transmission to the server over traditional FTP methods. Additionally, customers do not have to integrate directly with their Microsoft Exchange Server eliminating additional security and performance concerns.

The second major new feature of MyLegalFiles 4.2 is the Document Automation/Assembly component. Designed to significantly reduce the amount of time it takes to create letters, contracts, court documents, or virtually any document that gets re-used time and again within a customer’s organization, Document Automation eliminates the need to copy and paste or re-type case/matter related information into standard documents. By using a web service built on Microsoft .NET technology, users simply select the document they need to create while working in the case and MyLegalFiles will automatically merge all case specific data into the document and deliver the generated document back to the user.

“This is the most significant release yet of our web-based product initiative,” according to Legal Files Software, Inc.’s Chief Executive Officer Greg O’Connor. “We gave the development staff a very tall order to fill and they have definitely delivered. This new version virtually eliminates the functional differences between our traditional client/server and web product lines.”

MyLegalFiles 4.2 also includes enhanced Workflow functionality that automatically creates custom task lists, deadlines, schedules and alerts based on industry best practices or a customer’s internal procedures. Workflow provides customers with the assurance that activities are being completed on time, deadlines are being met, and their internal procedures are being followed. The automated alerts can proactively notify other parties to changes in a case’s status, or when a new case has been opened in the system.

Another important new feature to MyLegalFiles is the new advanced search and reports component. A simplified advanced search makes it extremely easy for non-technical end-users to create and save their own search criteria for flexible reporting from the system. A .NET based reporting service has also been created that allows users to schedule the execution and delivery of reports throughout the organization. User’s simply specify the report they wish to run, optionally specify a frequency such as daily, weekly, or monthly, and indicates the individuals that should receive the report output once it has been created. The N-tier architecture of MyLegalFiles allows the reporting service to be installed on a completely separate server to ensure overall system performance is not impacted in installations with high volumes of reports.

“We built the MyLegalFiles application with our largest customers in mind,” said Jon Stearns, Chief Technology Officer at Legal Files. “That meant that the system must be scalable to support thousands of concurrent users while providing web based functionality that is typically only found in desktop applications. The user sees very little difference running MyLegalFiles over a dial-up Internet connection versus their normal network connection.”

The MyLegalFiles application runs on a standard Microsoft IIS Web Server and does not require software to be installed on individual users’ workstations reducing the administrative cost of the system. The system does not rely on browser plug-ins, applets or ActiveX component, which dramatically increases the security and overall performance of the system. Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption is fully supported for all components utilizing MyLegalFiles.

For additional information or to schedule a demo of MyLegalFiles 4.2, call the Legal Files Sales Department at at 800-500-0537.

About Legal Files Software Inc.
Founded in 1990, Legal Files Software Inc., with corporate headquarters in Springfield, Ill., develops and markets the Legal Files case and matter management system and MyLegalFiles, its web based application. Thousands of users in leading law firms, corporate legal departments, government agencies, legal services clinics, insurance companies and universities throughout the world use Legal Files software to store case and matter information and track office workflow. For more information, visit the company’s web site at www.LegalFiles.com.

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Press Contact: Jean Richards
Company Name: LEGAL FILES SOFTWARE INC.
Email: email protected from spam bots
Phone: 217-726-6000
Website: www.LegalFiles.com

Apartment Rebate Coupon Violates Rent Control Laws

 

Rebate Coupon Scheme at Large San Francisco Apartment Complex Violates Rent Control Laws, Tenant Class Action Suit Charges

The Villas Parkmerced, San Francisco's largest apartment complex, allegedly uses rebate coupons to conceal the true base rent on apartments in an illegal effort to circumvent rent control, according to a lawsuit filed by plaintiff's firm Brayton Purcell on behalf of tenants in 3,456 units.

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) October 16, 2006 -- Alleging a rebate coupon scheme used by one of the Bay Area’s largest apartment building owners is an effort to avoid San Francisco’s rent control laws, tenants of The Villas Parkmerced apartment complex filed a class action suit in San Francisco Superior Court to restore their rents to their legal maximums and for restitution of unlawful rent increases.

Plaintiff’s firm Brayton Purcell is representing the tenants in the case, titled Franklin v. The Villas Parkmerced, et.al (#CGC-06-456720).

According to the complaint, The Villas Parkmerced routinely uses a rebate coupon gimmick to obscure the true base rent charged tenants upon initial occupancy. Tenants sign leases that state a significantly higher rent price than what they actually pay, the complaint alleges, allowing Parkmerced to raise the rent 20%–30% after one year, when the laws of rent control only allow a 1%–2% increase.

The complaint alleges that this process violates San Francisco’s Rent Control Ordinance, which allows a landlord to raise the rent on a unit to market rate when it becomes vacant and a new tenant moves in. Then, once this new rent is determined, the rent is again controlled during this tenant’s occupancy.

“The case exposes Parkmerced’s illegal efforts to make an end–run around San Francisco’s rent control laws, which allow a landlord to set the rent on a vacant unit at any level, but strictly controls rent increases during an existing tenant’s occupancy” said Brayton Purcell attorney Peter Fredman. “The Villas Parkmerced’s rebate gimmick is a blatant attempt to subvert the basic legal rights of San Francisco rentors by ‘contracting around’ rent control, a clear violation of the law. The goal of this lawsuit is to bring these rents back down to their lawful maximums and get restitution for former and current tenants who paid illegal rents.”

Mr. Fredman cited the named plaintiffs in the lawsuit, David Franklin and Derek Tanguay, as an example of this scheme. The two tenants agreed to rent a unit for $1325 per month in September of 2005, according to Mr. Fredman. The Villas Parkmerced arrived at that rent by creating both a lease document that stated a monthly rent of $1675 per month and a second document, an addendum to the lease, which issued 12 coupons called “Bonus Bucks” that deducted $350 per month from the purported $1675 rent. Under the rent control ordinance, this year a landlord charging $1325 a month rent would have been able to legally raise an existing tenant’s base rent by only $22.52 (1.7%), according to Mr. Fredman. Instead, effective October 1, 2006, The Villas Parkmerced raised these plaintiffs’ rent from $1325 to $1703 (28.5%).

“Preventing such drastic rent increases for existing tenants is precisely why the people of San Francisco instituted rent control in the first place. This conduct hurts the tenants of course, but it is also very unfair to the thousands of mom–and–pop landlords in San Francisco who do the right thing and obey the rent control laws,” Mr. Fredman said.

Current or former tenants of The Villas Parkmerced who wish to participate in the class action may contact Peter Fredman, Esq. at pfredman @ braytonlaw.com or by telephone at 415–898–1555.

About Brayton Purcell
For over 20 years, Brayton Purcell has helped clients protect their legal rights in the face of devastating problems such as illness, injuries, financial losses and harm to family members. For more information about our services, call 415-898-1555 or visit the firm web site at http://www.braytonlaw.com

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Press Contact: Peter Fredman
Company Name: Brayton Purcell
Email: email protected from spam bots
Phone: 415 898-1555
Website: http://www.braytonlaw.com

Investigative Tools Help Protect Average Person

 

Now Available, New Online Investigative Tools to Help Protect the Average Person and Their Family

Is it safe for the average person and young kids to walk their neighborhood and City without a bodyguard? Find out about your neighbors, friends and people you believe to be trustworthy! Can they really be trusted?

Murrieta, CA (PRWEB) October 13, 2006 -- Residents of Southern California are now going on-line to check out people everywhere. By using this Internet site, www.rmg-private-investigators.us, within minutes the average person can conduct an investigation in the privacy of their own home. The online tools available to the public are easy to use and the results can be personally rewarding.

Individual and family safety are now a priority and a major concern ever since the post 911 attack. Child safety has always been a major worry for people across the United States and all around the world.

Sometimes we are forced to walk to school, the mailbox or the store. Even when driving a car, the average person is vulnerable to an attack. It is likely that someone is lurking in or around your neighborhood, watching and stalking, while both the young and old go about their daily life. Do you really feel like you are safe, or do you get that creepy feeling? This feeling may actually be a true life danger! By using the services provided by www.rmg-private-investigators.us, you can check out just about anyone at anytime.

The convenience of the associate sites available on www.rmg-private-investigators.us, are easy to use and will help the average person be the investigator. Some of the sites you have access too are very similar to the ones that law enforcement use in the investigation of suspected criminals and to conduct background investigations.

After a personal safety assessment is made, like many readers will do, the Internet site www.rmg-private-investigators.us will likely be reviewed. This new and upcoming field of investigation is the way of the future. The source Internet site is owned and operated by a professional licensed investigator with more than twenty years of experience. The level of expertise includes federal criminal investigation, state criminal and ethical investigation, and local law enforcement investigative experience. This easy to use on-line service is here to help guide the average person through an investigation by using credible tools that are now available to the general public.

For more information, please review the site, www.rmg-private-investigators.us, and also look at the online resume of the site owner at "mysite.verizon.net/usinv"

Best of luck in your search for personal safety and independent background investigation!

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Press Contact: Rick Gentillalli
Company Name: Gentillalli & Associates
Email: email protected from spam bots
Phone: 951-315-6372
Website: http://www.rmg-private-investigators.us

Real Estate and Credit Issue Tracking

 

Tracking Real Estate and Credit Issues with Trakedia

Trakedia announces the launching of three websites, with more on the way, heralding their new online presense.

(PRWEB) October 12, 2006 -- A new start-up company, Trakedia, is hoping to make its mark on the on-line world by supplying consumers with a wealth of valuable information on important issues. Trakedia recently introduced three new sites: Florida Real Estate Watch (http://www.floridarealestatewatch.com), California Real Estate Watch {http://www.californiarealestatewatch.com), and Consolidation and Counseling {http://www.consolidationandcounseling).

All three offerings focus on providing consumers free and valuable information on high-interest topics.

A real estate purchase, for instance, comprises the largest investment most Americans will ever make. Homebuyers and those in need of commercial property can have a very difficult time making the wisest possible decisions when they enter the marketplace lacking crucial information. The Trakedia sites want to put that important information into the hands of consumers.

The first two Trakedia real estate sites, Florida Real Estate Watch and California Real Estate Watch focus on two of the most perennially popular real estate markets in the country. They break down the various market sectors in both states, supplying “hard data” and reasoned insight about investment potential and other considerations within the markets. Anyone with an interest in either market will discover a wealth of information at the sites that will undoubtedly help guide him or her in making the best possible real estate decisions.

Real estate information is only one part of the Trakedia plan, however. The company also offers information regarding the always-important issue of debt management and counseling. Americans are rapidly learning that their credit scores and their ability to successfully manage debt are incredibly important to the quality of one’s life.

Consolidation and Counseling tackles issues ranging from student loan repayment to family credit counseling. It addresses debt management, reduction and consolidation strategies of all types, giving visitors a unique opportunity to develop a “full picture” of the debt landscape and available remedies for credit problems. It seeks to supply visitors with enlightening and factually accurate information about debt and how to deal with it smartly.

The new Trakedia family of websites is off to a great start with Florida Real Estate Watch, California Real Estate Watch, and Consolidation and Counseling. Their plan to give consumers the best possible information on popular and important topics should spur a great deal of success.

If you have an interest in the Florida or California real estate markets, or need to learn more about managing your current debt load, consider visiting the Trakedia family of informative websites for solid, well-presented information upon which you can rely.

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Press Contact: Shannon Fermanian
Company Name: Trakedia
Email: email protected from spam bots
Phone: 414-379-0940
Website:

Casinos Sponsor National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms

 

NAMWOLF Announces Ameristar Casinos, Inc. as Corporate Sponsor

Ameristar Casinos, Inc. has joined The National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF) as a Corporate Sponsor.

Las Vegas, NV (PRWEB) October 11, 2006 -- Ameristar Casinos, Inc. has joined The National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF) as a Corporate Sponsor.

“We are so happy to have Ameristar unite with us in our push of increasing the use of minority and women-owned law firms,” said Yolanda Coly, Associate Director of NAMWOLF. “Our new partnership is one that I hope will grow to be a long-standing mutually beneficial relationship. The financial support of such a widely known company is critical to the success of our organization,” she added.

Ameristar Casinos, Inc. is a leading Las Vegas-based gaming and entertainment company known for its premier properties characterized by innovative architecture, state-of-the-art casino floors and superior dining, lodging and entertainment offerings. Ameristar's focus on the total entertainment experience and the highest quality guest service has earned it a leading market share position in each of the markets in which it operates. The company has a portfolio of seven casinos in six markets.

“Ameristar is delighted to become a Corporate Sponsor of NAMWOLF,” said Peter C. Walsh, Ameristar Senior Vice President and General Counsel. “We applaud NAMWOLF’s efforts in promoting minority- and women-owned law firms, and hope that our sponsorship will help the organization continue to grow its support of these firms.”

Ameristar is committed to corporate good citizenship through its program called Ameristar Cares, which includes sponsorships, volunteerism and an annual workplace giving campaign. In 2005, Ameristar and its team members contributed nearly $9 million to more than 1,000 non-profit organizations throughout the United States.

The National Association of Minority & Women Owned Law Firms (www.namwolf.org) was founded in June, 2001. It is a national trade association comprising a select group of minority and women-owned law firms who exhibit excellence in the legal profession. The primary aim of the organization is to advocate for the increased utilization of minority and women-owned law firms by major corporations and public entities throughout the United States.

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Press Contact: Tom Sargent
Company Name: NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MINORITY & WOMEN OWNED LAW FIRMS
Email: email protected from spam bots
Phone: 414-277-1139
Website:

Law Firm Invests in Litigation Support

 

Thompson Hine LLP Invests in Lieb's Litigation Support Best Practices

Thompson Hine arms all Practice Support staff with Litigation Support Reference to guide their development of Best Practices.

Chicago, IL (PRWEB) October 10, 2006 -- Thompson Hine, has purchased copies of Mark Lieb's book, Litigation Support Department, for all Litigation Support staff.

Deena Coffman, Associate Director of Legal Business Technology said, "Basically, we're using your text to educate everyone uniformly so that our group has a consistent base of knowledge upon which to draw as we then form our own best practices. We don't expect any best practices tool to be a one-size-fits-all solution, but we are happy to have a guideline as we as a team collaborate to find our optimal process."

Firms are investing in their litigation support staff. The book provides a complete education on both case and department operations.

Pamela Fontaine-Peters, Sr. Manager of Litigation Technology, Gowlings LLP, said "I am enjoying your book immensely. It is definitely a "must have" for every litigation support department. What a fantastic reference tool with such valuable and relevant precedents. This is most intelligent and useful resource I've encountered in my many years in the litigation support industry.

"My volume is already highlighted, and post-it noted and bookmarked.. you'd think I'd had it for years!"

Meg Griggs, Litigation Support Specialist at Wiggin and Dana agrees.

"Mark Lieb's Litigation Support Department book has been an invaluable resource within our firm. From practical advice relating to evolving best practices in the litigation support area I have been able to implement standards for the firm in order to best serve clients. The book has a special spot on my desk," Griggs said.

Litigators, paralegals and IT professionals are using the book to better educate themselves on best practices through a proven template. Corporate law departments are also investing in the book in an effort to be better educated consumers. No one would hire a lawyer who didn't use email, but may unknowingly use one who either has no technology plan or has not updated it for years.

Through use of the book, the Department will...
- Provide consistent products and services to firm and third parties.
- Be operated by people with the lowest possible level of skill.
- Stand out as a place of impeccable order and organization.
- Increase the speed of collection, review and production.
- Increase the number of client-matters it can handle concurrently.
- Decrease vendor costs to the client.
- Increase revenues for the firm.
- Organize the entire department not just individual cases.
- Establish prequalified vendors.

Law departments are also buying the book as a way to help with document retention and compliance issues as well as stay educated about the goods and services they are buying.

About Ad Litem Consulting
Mark R. Lieb is the President of Ad Litem Consulting and author of the books, Litigation Support Department and Litigation Support Technical Standards. Mr. Lieb has provided Litigation Support to legal teams for cases ranging from small collections to multinational, multi-firm litigation, involving millions of pages of ediscovery. He currently consults with firms, law departments, service bureaus and software companies on litigation technology best practices. If you would like to learn more about using technology in litigation, please feel free to visit Ad Litem Consulting www.AdLitem.com or call (866) 477-4523.

Contact:
Mark Lieb
Ad Litem Consulting, Inc.
http://www.AdLitem.com
(866) 477-4523

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Press Contact: Mark Lieb
Company Name: Ad Litem Consulting, Inc.
Email: email protected from spam bots
Phone: 866-477-4523
Website: http://www.adlitem.com/?thompsonhine

Technology Adoption Panel Looking for New Members

I am currently a TAP Panelist and just found out they are looking for new members. You don't get paid directly, but you do get a chance to win quite a bit of money. This is not a scam of any kind.

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So that the people you refer don't think you're involving them in a scam, here are some answers to commonly-asked questions about the TAP, along with a link to the registration survey at the end:

Who are you people, anyway? In-Stat (a division of Reed Business Information) is a leading provider of technology market research and consulting.

What's a "Technology Adoption Panel"? The "TAP" is a dynamic, online panel of more than 16,000 technology users and decision makers interested in contributing their opinions and insights about technology usage and issues in the workplace and at home.

I often experience technical difficulties while operating my telephone and other common technologies. Are you sure you want me to join your panel? Yes! The fact that you operate common technologies makes you a technology user. We want to hear about your personal experiences with the technologies that you have used.

I'm a very, very busy person. What will you expect of me if I join the panel? As a member you'll be sent periodic email invitations to participate in quick (as in 5-minutes-or-less quick) online surveys. You will never be invited to take more than one survey a week, and you are under no obligation to take any of the surveys (although we would love to include your experiences, perceptions, and opinions in as many of our research efforts in which you're willing to participate.)

Let's cut to the chase - what do I get out of this deal? In addition to helping to shape trends and identify issues regarding the role of new technology in business and personal life today and in the future, you'll have access to the executive summaries of all of our surveys. You'll also be entered into a drawing for a $100 American Express Gift Check after each survey for which you qualify and will also be entered into our quarterly drawings for $2000.

Will you be selling my survey responses to my neighbors, co-workers and psychiatrists? To ensure information provided by members is kept completely confidential, all data we collect is reported in aggregate. We do not sell or rent the personal information of our panelists, nor will we ever try to sell our members anything.

You had me at hello - how do I sign up? Simply click on the following link and take the registration survey (which should take you around 5 minutes to complete). If you become a member by the end of this month, we will automatically enter you into our next quarterly drawing of $2000 (held on or about December 31, 2006.)

Join The Technology Adoption Panel

Thank you again, and good luck in the drawing.

Sincerely,

Stephanie Pickering
Primary Research Project Manager
In-Stat
225 Wyman Street
Waltham, MA 02451