Faculty Course Information
Faculty Course Information

Webcam

MS Word, Excel, and Outlook Skills and Shortcuts for Lawyers

Master the Use of Microsoft Office Applications in the Legal Practice

Division
NBI (100253)
Event Date
05/27/2025
Event Time
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM EDT
Event Planner
Nicole Vandermoss
Email
nicole.vandermoss@nbi-sems.com
Phone
(715) 835-8525

Course Experience

For this program, you will be expected to share your screen and demonstrate what you are trying to teach. This is crucial for a positive event experience for attendees! Our event producers and tech crew will provide instructions and do a quick run-through with you before the event so you feel comfortable using this functionality in ON24.



Program Description

Master the Use of Microsoft Office Applications in the Legal Practice

Everyday law practice requires efficiency and multi-tasking at neck-breaking speed. Are you using the essential tools already at your disposal to their maximum potential? This practical program offers ingenious and simple-to-use tips, tricks, and time-savers for everyday legal tasks. Discover new and creative ways to use software and learn how to tap into the secret capabilities of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook software to simplify legal tasks; streamline document drafting and review; and much, much more. Become a more effective and efficient attorney - register today!

  • Find out how to become a power user of Microsoft Word with tricks for the law office and at home.
  • Simplify the process of document review, formatting, and collaboration with MS Word.
  • Ensure you obtain, authenticate, and admit e-signatures in full compliance with the law.
  • Utilize all the data analysis and presentation tools Excel has to offer.
  • Guard your clients' data and other confidential information with a practical guide to document storage, access, and management.
  • Enhance your MS Outlook skills with pointers on inbox management, calendar maintenance, and more.
  • Rediscover and reinvent your available software to enhance everyday legal tasks.

*Any mention of specific products in this program is intended as part of a general overview and does not constitute NBI's endorsement or recommendation of any specific product or provider. This program is not sponsored by any technology or electronics provider.


Who Should Attend

This practical legal guide is designed for attorneys. It will also benefit paralegals and firm administrators.


Course Content

  1. MS Excel: Effective Uses of Spreadsheets in Legal Practice
  2. Legal Ethics: Technology Competence, Email, Social Media, and More
  3. MS Word: Legal Document Drafting and Quick Tips
  4. Data Storage and Security - Protecting Documents, Workbooks, and Emails
  5. MS Outlook: Compliant Client Communications and Scheduling
  6. E-Signatures and Electronic Contracts: Compliance Tips and Authentication Issues

Agenda / Content Covered

All times are shown in Eastern time.
  1. MS Excel: Effective Uses of Spreadsheets in Legal Practice
    10:00 - 11:30, Adam Z. Harness
    1. Designing the Excel Spreadsheet
    2. Customizing the Quick Access Toolbar (QAT)
    3. Top Methods for Organizing and Reviewing Data
    4. Formatting Tips for Spreadsheets
    5. Importing and Formatting Data Into Excel
    6. Copying, Pasting, or Embedding Excel Data Into Other Applications
    7. Creating Hyperlinks to Worksheets or Other Files
    8. Mail Merge Features to Create Completed Forms or Documents
    9. Protecting Worksheets and Workbooks in Excel
    10. Creating Compound Formulas
    11. Flagging Inconsistent Formulas
    12. Consolidating (Summing Through) Worksheets
    13. Auditing a Worksheet
    14. Handy Functions That Will Make Your Life Easier
    15. Transfer of Data (and Formatting) Between Excel and Other Applications
    16. Useful Keyboard Shortcuts and Helpful Macros
    17. Leveraging PivotTables and PivotCharts to Analyze Data at a Glance
  2. Legal Ethics: Technology Competence, Email, Social Media, and More
    11:45 - 12:45, Jack R. Luellen
    1. Duty of Technology Competence
    2. Rules Regarding Attorney Email
    3. Privilege, Confidentiality, and Work-Product in Electronic Communications
    4. Legal Ethics of Smartphones and Text Messages
    5. Ethics of Social Media: What Attorneys Need to Know
    6. Ethics of Outsourcing
    7. UPL and Delegating Tasks
    8. Attorney Duties to Nonclients Online
    9. Virtual Law Office - Ethical Guidance
    10. Client Access to the File
  3. MS Word: Legal Document Drafting and Quick Tips
    12:45 - 2:15, Katie Brown
    1. Working With the Latest Enhancements
    2. Steps and Settings for Your Legal Desktop
    3. Customizable Files
    4. Tips and Tricks for Publishing and Collaborating Within Word
    5. Integrating Shortcut Keystrokes
    6. Make Forms Do the Work: Developing Templates and More
      1. Templates - Why They're Better and How to Use Them
      2. Leveraging Windows Shortcuts to Organize Templates and Create Form Packets
      3. Saving Blocks of Text for Future Re-Use
      4. Simplify Automatic Numbering With Snapnumbers for Word
      5. Add Smarts to Your Forms With TheFormTool for Word
    7. Customization Options for the Legal Environment and Practical Application in the Law Office
    8. Tracking Changes, Blacklining, and Merging Documents
    9. Word Formatting and Preserving Formats
    10. Managing Long Documents
    11. Word Tables - What You Don't Know
    12. File Conversion and Formatting Within Word
    13. Quick Tips for Substantial Results
      1. Top 10 Time-Saving Keystrokes
      2. Side-Stepping Word's Most Problematic Pitfalls
      3. When Styles Really Are Helpful
      4. Tiptoe Into Macros
      5. Customizing Your Ribbon/Toolbar for Speed and Ease
    14. Formatting Tips and Tricks
  4. Data Storage and Security - Protecting Documents, Workbooks, and Emails
    2:45 - 3:15, Jack R. Luellen
    1. Data Storage Options
    2. Hardware and Software Security Options
    3. Encryption and Password Protection
    4. File Search and Retrieval Tools
    5. Mobile Security and BYOD Considerations
    6. Cloud Storage: Practical Considerations and Tips
      1. Data Storage/Backup
      2. Collaboration: Conferencing, File Sharing, Document Processing
      3. Speed of Access and Customization
      4. Integration
      5. Choosing a Storage Provider and Drafting a Custom User Agreement
    7. Closed File Access and Management
    8. Proper Destruction of Digital Documents: The Whens and Hows
  5. MS Outlook: Compliant Client Communications and Scheduling
    3:15 - 4:15, Katie Brown
    1. Calendaring Tips
    2. Proactive Email Management to Save Time (Folders, Filters, and Other Tools)
    3. Syncing up Outlook With Smartphones and All Other Devices
    4. Smarter Organization of Your Contacts and Tasks
    5. Email Security Tips
    6. Conflicts Checking
    7. Case Diaries
    8. Document Management
    9. Outlook and Email Management
  6. E-Signatures and Electronic Contracts: Compliance Tips and Authentication Issues
    4:30 - 5:00, Jack R. Luellen
    1. Intro to ESIGN, UETA, and Electronic Transactions
    2. Advising Clients About E-Signature Use and Electronic Transactions
    3. E-Filing and E-Signatures in Litigation
    4. Authentication and Admissibility of E-Signatures and Electronic Contracts
    5. Case Law

Materials Due Date: 04/22/2025


Materials

If you’re covering the following topic, we recommend you include the identified sample document with your materials: IV. Data Storage and Security - Protecting Documents, Workbooks, and Emails (sample custom user agreement) Attendees love sample forms! Even if your topic is not above – if you can think of any templates, checklists, letters, agreements, provision language, or reports that are appropriate for your topic – you are encouraged to provide them.

Event Materials Support

Email: eventmaterials@nbi-sems.com

Phone: (800) 777-8707



Katie Brown is the associate dean for information resources at Charleston School of Law. Her research and scholarship interests are in the areas of intellectual property, acting skills for lawyers, law and literature, management, and a variety of legal research related topics. Ms. Brown has taught specialized, beginner, and advanced legal research courses and seminars on legal technology for practice, art of advocacy, and contracts. She is a very active member of the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL). Ms. Brown has participated in a variety of leadership roles throughout the association chapters and special interest sections. She earned her B.F.A. degree from DePaul University, her master's degree in library and information science from the Drexel University iSchool and her J.D. degree from Seattle University School of Law. In 2024, Ms. Brown also received the Inaugural Technology & Ethics Award from the Association of American Law Schools Section on Technology, Law and Legal Education (AALS).

Adam Z. Harness is the digital collections and initiatives instructional librarian at Charleston School of Law. He is a law librarian with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry. Before working at the Charleston School of Law, Mr. Harness was a Title IV-D attorney with the State of Tennessee. He handled over 400 cases per month and previously ran his own paperless law firm litigating juvenile and family law cases throughout East Tennessee involving juvenile delinquency, termination of parental rights, severe abuse, and dependency and neglect cases using various technologies, including Microsoft Outlook, to keep track of client information and case details. Mr. Harness has over a decade of experience using Microsoft Office for both personal and legal purposes. He earned his B.A., M.L.I.S and M.P.P.A. degrees from the University of Tennessee; his J.D. degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law; and his LL.M. degree in law and government specializing in law, politics and legislation from American University Washington College of Law.

Jack R. Luellen is special counsel with Buchalter in the firm's Denver office. His practice is primarily dedicated to oil and gas law, with a particular emphasis on litigation. Mr. Luellen earned his B.S. degree, with distinction, from Colorado State University and his J.D. degree, cum laude, from the University of Minnesota Law School. He is admitted to practice in California, Colorado, Utah and North Dakota. Mr. Luellen is a member of the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation and Energy Mineral Law Foundation.

Accreditation

Email: credit@nbi-sems.com

Phone: (866) 240-1890

Customer Service

Email: customerservice@nbi-sems.com

Phone: (800) 930-6182

Event Materials Support

Email: eventmaterials@nbi-sems.com

Phone: (800) 777-8707