While there are other search engines that are available for use to search the Internet, Google has ascended to primacy for most users. Some of the best ways to use Google are the least known such as its ability to work as a calculator, convert currency and units of measurement, track packages, find the location of area codes and more. Google provides a helpful page on many of these features here. PC Magazine just published its 20 Google Tips and Tricks detailing these and others here.

To get the most out of a Google search, resources such as Google Guide can be extremely helpful in helping you draft your query and the interpreting the results. Google Guide also has several cheat sheets including this one for general search use and this one for doing basic and advanced calculations.

As lawyers, we too often focus on legal specific search and research tools provided by LexisNexis and Westlaw, but to be truly proficient, you need to use all of the tools at your disposal. Google can be a valuable addition to your Internet toolbox.

One of the many issues facing Wisconsin lawyers impacted by the recent flooding is figuring out what to do with client files that have been damaged? What are the ethical implications of losing these files due to the damage? For many attorneys, files have been soaked not only with water, but sewage, fuels and mud as well.  I turned for expert guidance to Attorney Tim Pierce, Ethic’s Counsel for the State Bar of Wisconsin for his input on this issue. Here’s what Tim has to say:

Files are the property of the client which the lawyer holds in trust on behalf of the client (See Wisconsin Ethics Opinion E-00-03 and SCR 20:1.15).  As such, the lawyer has a responsibility to “appropriately safeguard” client files [See SCR 20:1.15(6)].  This obligation, however, does not mean that lawyers have a responsibility to guarantee the safety of client files, but rather to take appropriate and reasonable steps to protect client files.  When, however, files are destroyed by events beyond the lawyer’s control, such as a flood, despite the lawyer’s reasonable efforts to protect the files, the lawyer should take certain steps.  First, current clients should be notified in a reasonably timely fashion of the destruction of their file.  Second, with respect to current clients, the lawyer must assess whether the destruction of the client’s file and/or other circumstances prevent the lawyer from providing the client with competent and diligent representation.  If the lawyer concludes that the lawyer cannot provide competent representation under the circumstances, the lawyer should so advise the client and withdraw [See SCR 20:1.16(a)].  Third, with respect to closed client files, the lawyer should attempt to notify the former clients of the destruction of their files when time and circumstances permit (See Wisconsin Ethics Opinion E-98-01).

You can submit further questions on this or any other legal ethics question to Tim at (608) 250-6168 or (800) 444-9404, ext. 6168, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Too often we take a jaded view of our government and how helpful its various departments and agencies actually are in times of disaster. That changed for me on Tuesday when I had a call and email waiting for me from Carl Sherrill of the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Disaster Assistance. Carl had seen the State Bar of Wisconsin flood assistance resources including the Wisconsin Lawyers Flood Assistance Bulletin Board and the resources on the main website of www.wisbar.org  found here and here and the flood assistance email address of FloodHelp@Wisbar.org .

Carl’s message was succinct and to the point – he wanted to share information with me on assistance available for our members affected by the recent flooding. Not something I expected – a proactive call from a government agency with information to assist lawyers. It turns out that the SBA has loan programs to help with 1) physical property loss and 2) economic injury loss available to businesses of all sizes including professionals such as lawyers. According to the Floods page of the SBA website, the loans available are: